Show Biz Kids
Hartford, Connecticut, United States
Music
Press
If you squinted a little, you just might have believed you were at a Steely Dan concert Monday night, as members of Hartford's Show Biz Kids performed for a small group for the first time after rehearsing for two years.
Steely Dan - which performed two concerts in Connecticut last week - and its local tribute band are clearly similar in both age and their nearly obsessive perfectionism, which has been noted ad nauseam by music critics for decades.
"The intricacy of the music is what's drawn us all together," said drummer Kevin Chouinard, one of the six studio-savvy musicians who make up Show Biz Kids - the name a sardonic nod to the band's 150 collective years of playing experience and to the 1973 Steely Dan song of the same name.
SBK, performing with half the number of performers Steely Dan had on stage last week, invited a small group of friends and relatives to Tapeworks Inc., a Hartford recording studio owned by guitarist and vocalist Doug Kupper. Guests heard a set of cover tunes performed by a couple of lumber salesmen, an insurance executive and a few major dudes with both day jobs and a passion for music.
"As you heard tonight, this music is very hard to play," Kupper said after the hour-long free performance (tickets for Steely Dan's recent concerts at Mohegan Sun and the Chevrolet Theater sold on eBay for about the cost of a monthly Volvo lease). "But after two years, I think we're ready for the public to hear us."
- Teresa M. Pelham, Special to the Courant
E-mail: fillo@courant.com
This just in:
"On Saturday, February 27th 2010 "Showbiz Kids" a Steely Dan Tribute brought
their beyond accurate portrayal of this group and their extensive catalogue
of music to our stage.
Not only does the band do the original music justice with their spot on
harmonies and solos but they also know over 30 songs of "The Dan" catalogue.
This was the second time we have had this great act in the room and both
times I was blown away at the passion and similarities to the real Steely
Dan shows I have seen. And without reserve I can say the last Showbiz Kids
show we had was better than the last Steely Dan show I attended.
"Showbiz Kids" is a group of super talented mature players who needed a
challenge, so they decided to learn this intricate music. At any time you
can close your eyes and you would swear that you were hearing Donald Fagan
and Walter Becker right in front of you.
I look forward to a long relationship with this great band and their awesome
fans who support the group with great numbers."
Keith Beaulieu
The Main Pub Restaurant and Music Club
306 Main Street
Manchester, CT 06040
860-647-1551
www.mainpub.com - Hartford Courant, May 23, 2007
"On Saturday, February 27th 2010 "Showbiz Kids" a Steely Dan Tribute
brought their beyond accurate portrayal of this group and their
extensive catalogue of music to our stage.
Not only does the band do the original music justice with their spot on harmonies and solos but they also know over 30 songs of "The Dan"
catalogue.
This was the second time we have had this great act in the room and
both times I was blown away at the passion and similarities to the real Steely Dan shows I have seen. And without reserve I can say the last Showbiz Kids show we had was better than the last Steely Dan show
I attended.
"Showbiz Kids" is a group of super talented mature players who needed a challenge, so they decided to learn this intricate music. At any time you can close your eyes and you would swear that you were hearing Donald Fagan and Walter Becker right in front of you.
I look forward to a long relationship with this great band and their awesome fans who support the group in great numbers."
Keith Beaulieu
The Main Pub Restaurant and Music Club
306 Main Street
Manchester, CT 06040
860-647-1551 - Keith Beaulieu
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
Starting 4 years ago as a group of veteran studio/road warriors, this band has been wowing audiences from Manhattan to New England.
Impeccable rhythm section fronted with 6 distinct voices to capture all the power and nuance of the Steely Dan repertoire.
Michael DeVito- Guitar & Vocals
Michael DeVito is a seasoned veteran of the guitar and voice and has been working in the Connecticut River valley for more than 36 years. He began his music career working as a solo artist and songwriter. Has played with area bands such as Fat, Roger Salloom and the Stragglers, Flavor Taste, Airplay, Slippery Sneakers Zydeco and Passport. Has also worked in the studio producing local media projects. His experiences range from R&B, Jazz, Roots Rock & Roll, Reggae, Folk, Pop, country, Hard Rock, Zydeco and more. Michael is currently playing with Show Biz Kids, a Steely Dan tribute band and shares his talents with many more.
Bob "Papa C" Casinghino - Piano, Hammond B3 & Vocals
Papa is a veteran of numerous acclaimed groups including Billboard number one R&B hitmakers Xavier and award-winning Souled Out. He has also had the pleasure of performing with greats like Hal Blaine, Lani Kazan, and Richie Blackmore.
A prolific composer, Bob has written numerous tunes, including "Song For My Son" (featured in People magazine), and is the owner of "FRESH" Music Sound Library (www.freshmusic.com) - heard world wide on commercials, TV, and in movies like "Just Looking" by Jason Alexander from Seinfeld, and scored films, such as School Mania, Weight of Clouds, and Sunday Walk.
Glenn D. Jubilee - Fretted and Fret-less Bass Guitar, Vocals; Songwriter
Laying it down has been a passion of mine for the past three and a half decades. That and interpreting what the universe is saying around me so I can share it with others. The Groove is the thing! Non-verbal communication between musicians is one of the most amazing things there is in life and it started early for me in my grade school orchestra playing violin. I also played piano up until 9th grade when sports took over.
I picked up the bass guitar in my twenties and have not looked back and won't stop until I can't do it anymore. I've played with Touch, FX, Airtime, Michael Gregory, A Ray of Elvis, Alan Marcus just to name a few and am currently with The Bobby Darling Show(www.bobbydarling.com) and Show Biz Kids(www.myspace.com/showbizkids).
Gary Blu - Saxophones, Flute & Vocals
Gary grew up in New Rochelle, NY playing at local clubs and giving private lessons from the time he was 16.
He worked alongside Donald Fagen as assistant arranger and music copyist with The New York Rock & Soul Revue. Since then, he has done the same for all of the Steely Dan tours through 2007, as well as music copyist for Steely Dan's Grammy winning Two Against Nature, Donald Fagen's solo record Kamakiriad and Walter Becker's 11 Tracks of Whack. Some of his horn arrangements can be heard on Steely Dan's live album Alive In America. Gary was involved in Steely Dan's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony and can be seen on the PBS special Two Against Nature, Steely Dan's Plush TV Jazz-Rock Party. Gary also had the pleasure to work briefly alongside the late Gerry Mulligan re-arranging music for Mulligan's tentet. Gary's diverse experience also includes live performances and recordings with many local artists. His most recent endeavor includes the formation of Hybrid Records and the release of Bock & Blu's I Hide My Face Like This... which showcases Gary's composing, arranging, and performance.
Doug Kupper - Guitar & Vocals
Doug has played and sung in several groups over the past two decades including, Convolution and Mesa.
He formed Show Biz Kids five years ago as a nod to his favorite songwriting team. He quickly discovered a trove of excellent players that shared his passion for their tunes.
Doug runs Tapeworks recording studio (www.tapeworksinc.com) in Hartford and designs and builds custom guitar display cases (www.guitarcollectorshowcase.com). Playing the Becker/Fagen songbook in Show Biz Kids is a major source of satisfaction and fun.
Kevin J. Chouinard - Drummer
Kevin is a seasoned veteran that has performed in a wide variety of musical genres with recorded performances in Jazz, Rock & commercial music. Kevin played in bands led by his father, noted leader Don Choiunard as well as the jazz-funk group Convolution. The Show Biz Kids book appeals to his love of playing a variety of musical styles and allows him to pay homage to the exceptionally talented musicians that have performed and recorded this music.
Bill Holloman - Saxophone, Trumpet, Keys & Vocals
Bill Holloman has played in several bands throughout his musical career, and has performed with music legends such as: Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Les Paul and countless others. He has been a featured soloist on NBC's NHL Awards, ESPN's "The ESPYS" and CBS' "The Guiding Light".
Bill also composes
Links
