The Greg Spero Trio

Greg Spero has been studying piano independently for his life, and has studied jazz piano with world-renowned Chip Stephens for two years. He began playing professionally at the age of 14 with a Chicago based blues group called "The Slack Daddies". Throughout his high school career he participated in and directed several musical ensembles, ranging from jazz to rock, all the way to heavy metal. He currently plays in a fusion group called Bucket Shop, performing in Chicago at such venues as Martyrs, Fitzgerald's, and Wise Fool's Pub, and performs with such musicians as Frank Catalano, Harrison Bankhead, and Leon Joyce (the latter two of the Ramsey Lewis Trio). His influences range from Oscar Peterson to Chick and Herbie, to Stravinsky and Schoenberg. Greg draws influence from american-born jazz and Spanish flamenco rhythm, but finds great inspiration in the hardcore head-banging western electric guitar. His main musical goal is to create an interesting, non-traditional piece of aural art, and have a damn good time doing it.

Jay:
Jerald (J.) Gary has been a drummer for 15 years. Although classically trained from age 8, J. is a self taught drumset player. He has played with several jazz and Latin combos in Chicago, and has been featured at many downtown venues as a teen, including the Jazz Showcase and Orchestral Hall in the Symphony Center. At the U of I he has played often with the Illini Contraband and acts as the business manager for the group as well. J. has played on several recordings, all of which were done at Chicago Recording Company in downtown Chicago. He is influenced by jazz, fusion, funk, and rock and distinguishes himself by staying in the "pocket," coming out when appropriate.

Dan:
Dan Wonsover has been a bass player for 4 years. Although he played in his High School Jazz band, he is mostly self taught. At the U of I he has played with the Allen Hall band and several shows with "Zmick" at the Canopy. He is influenced by progressive rock, (video game) techno, bluegrass, jazz, fusion, funk, classic rock and pretty much any other music you can dance too. Dan spends the majority of his summers at festivals and concerts learning and indulging in as much of the live music scene that he can. He focuses his bass playing around odd meter time signatures and in-the-pocket grooves.