| Home | Bios | Playlist | Gigs | Pictures |
| Home | Bios | Playlist | Gigs | Pictures |
Debra has been singing since before she could talk. Her first gig was at her graduation from The Little Red Schoolhouse in Virginia at 3 years old, where she sang "I Once Had a Dolly." The rave reviews she received told her she had to follow her dream. In her youth, Debra spent time daily singing to the mirror (in fact, still does) hoping to be discovered. While waiting for that to pan out, Debra sang in choir through high school, and sat in with many friends’ bands over the years, up in the mountains of upstate New York and the Poconos. In the basement of a church, in 1999, she was finally discovered by BackBeat Blues during auditions for a lead singer. We fondly refer to her as our "Princess of Soul," but her heart is pure Rock and Roll! In her spare time, Debra runs the world (she sings while doing it, too). Debra provides keyboard, percussion, and fortunately, class to our act.
Bob’s professional guitar playing experience includes rock bands in New Jersey, rhythm & blues bands in Philadelphia, rockabilly bands in Los Angeles, backing formerly famous oldies acts in Boston, and various rock and roots rock bands in Chicago. His love of the blues was cemented when he integrated a blues band on Chicago’s south side. He has played venues ranging from the Playboy Mansion to outdoor Summerfest events to some truly fearsome bars in Philly and Chicago. “I’ve played with a lot of musicians over the years,” says Bob, “but what I really like about BackBeat Blues is that everyone truly understands that you have to be unselfish and focus on the overall sound for music to really work. We make such a big sound for a small band that it blows me away.” For more information, to book a gig, or to get on our e-mailing list, contact Bob at bobjones_02142@yahoo.com or call Bob at 617-697-1163
Kevin, the newest member of BackBeat Blues, has been playing music—or something close—since 3rd grade. Mom was a classically trained pianist and Dad mostly played the checkbook. (Dad, I need a new trumpet!) Kevin played in his HS marching band and the award winning jazz band---trading off 1st chair trumpet chores with a buddy, and cutting his teeth (and lips) on Maynard Ferguson tracks. He picked up playing the piano and keyboards as he entered college, and joined a rock and roll band (scaring his dad half to death). On his good days he sings a little like Michael McDonald—and on the bad days—run, run for your lives! One summer after making a CD (back in those days, it was called an ALBUM!) and doing the Ramada Inn circuit, he decided to pursue a career that paid in something other than beer, and now plays for love not money (well, not much money). You can reach him at kwells@n8mobile.com
Jeff comes from a very musical family and has been singing for most of his life. At age 5 his Dad taught him to play the ukulele. He then went on to take 5 years of piano lessons. After various musical endeavors in and out of school, including studying guitar and participating in choir and musicals, Jeff went on to study music at Berklee College of Music. His major was Music Education, which required him to learn to play a little on many different instruments, including guitar, keyboards, percussion, trumpet, clarinet, oboe, and sax. (Degree in Jack-of All-Trades, Master of None!) Jeff now mainly plays a Fender Electric 5-String Jazz bass and upright bass (and occasionally a little ukulele). He also does a little web design here and there, and is our resident webmaster. Send Jeff an email...no, really... it don't cost nothin'!
mr_jpt@hotmail.com
Sal turned professional at the age of 16, with his Dad playing chauffeur until he got his license and packed the drums into his White '65 Galaxy 500! Sal joined the Musician's Union in NJ at age 17, and starting playing all around the NYC area. While in High School, Sal was NJ's All-State Jazz Drummer. In college, Sal was the drummer for the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (R.P.I.) Jazz Band. He has played all styles from pit orchestras in musicals to 50's to jazz to Dixieland. Sal's two claims to fame were playing on a TV show for Melissa Manchester and being in the house band for the Playboy Club in Great Gorge NJ. You can also see him play for Grace Chapel in Lexington most Sunday evenings at 6PM. Drums are now a hobby that helps keep Sal's sanity! He can be reached at sdemarco@cisco.com
