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Brian Suggs
Piano, Organ and Vocals
Brian has been
playing the piano since he was a child and has played in a
number of bands in and around Birmingham. For years he
made a living playing in house bands at various clubs. His
last job full time was in Gadsden, Alabama. Having
started several businesses, owning his own air plane and
giving flight instructions, he decided to stop the every
night grind pf club playing and join us. He is very
proficient at the piano and organ and is a talented vocalist
too!
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Mike Hill
Bass
Mike started
playing bass in the UAB Jazz Ensemble from 1979-1980 under
Dan Strawbridge, playing standards and getting the basics of
music theory. He joined the Top 40 show band "Vagus"
in 1982 and stuck with the same high school
friends/musicians to form "Ralston Valentine & The Casuals"
from 1984-2004. Diverse music is the key to playing in
bands ranging from the "Casual3" a jazz/bebop trio, "Jim
Butt's Blues Band", "Thomas Henry" southern rock and the
power pop band of the "Gus Whitaker Band".
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Harold "Hurricane" Sudderth
Lead
Guitar, Harp and Vocals
Harold is a
talented musician who had played in a number of bands in the
Birmingham area. He sings, plays guitar and harmonica.
When he's not performing with us, performs as a solo act
called "Hurricane Harold". Harold is an graduate of
the University of Alabama at Birmingham and works as an
executive at a location Birmingham business.
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Chris Rothe "Sweet Lips"
Trumpet (Horn
Section Leader)
Chris started
playing trumpet in middle school, and was first chair in his
high school band. He performed in the jazz band as soloist.
Following high school, he played only on occasion before
joining up with the New band from its inception. Chris
leads the horn section. He is a founding member and Frank's
best friend--they have been buddies for 27 years!
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Dwight Houston
Saxophone
Dwight is world renowned having played
with greats such as Diana Washington! He has his own Jazz
group "On Purpose" that performs all over. He is in constant
demand for studio work all over the Southeast. His
solos can be heard on recordings with many of greats
from past years. He is a dynamo on stage!
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Mike Lingo
Trombone
Mike is know as Mr. Trombone in Birmingham!
Playing everything from Symphony, to Broadway, to Circus, to
Rock n Roll, to the best R&B, Motown, and Blues
you ever heard. He is an arranger and an accomplished
soloist as well.
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