Background Jazz Music-Never Too Loud

Hank was born in Chicago and raised in the western suburbs of Illinois. Right out of high school he embarked on a theater tour with the Ben Bernie Orchestra, then under the leadership of Teddy Phillips. He has been in orchestras led by Herb Miller (Glen's brother); Ina Rae Hutton, Tex Beneke, Les Elgart, Skitch Henderson, Ralph Flanagan, to name a few. Hank played for over a year in Reno, Nevada with the house band at the Riverside Hotel performing with Jimmy Durante, Carmen Miranda, The Sons of the Pioneers and many other top acts of the day. He also had performed with the following notables: Bobby Burgess, Earl Hines, Cozy Cole, George Roberts, Jimmy Zito and others. After leaving the road, Hank decided to further his education and graduated from Chicago's American Conservatory of Music, studying clarinet with Jerry Stowell and composition with Leo Sowerby (the first American composer to win the Prix d'Rone). Before moving to AZ in 1998 he spent 30 years teaching in the Bellwood, IL School System as band director and chairman of the Instrumental Music Department.

Ed began studying guitar at age thirteen, and like most kids in the 1950's, he gravitated toward rock and roll (50s rock, of course). By fifteen, however, he heard his first recordings of Johnny Smith, and, as he says, "My life changed!". He also studied double bass, and subsequently played with the Jersey City State College Symphony. In addition to teaching English composition and literature for 30 years in the Harrison (NJ) School System, Ed performed in commercial, jazz, lounge, and wedding groups in NY and NJ and most often as an in-demand accompanist for vocalists. He also performed with his wife, Patty, a vocalist, in a duo called The "A" Train. Ed had the opportunity to study guitar in 1969 with Harry Leahy, and in 1991 with Steeplechase Records recording artist, Vic Juris; although, his "guitar hero" is still the late, great Joe Pass. Ed also holds a senior teacher's rank ("Shihan Dai") in the the USA Goju karate style. He currently teaches a small group of dedicated students. He and Patty moved to AZ in 1995.

Born into a musical family in Santa Barbara, California, Caesar's father was a dance band drummer and prior to that had been in the United State Army Band. His mother and older brother were also drummers filling in when Dad was overloaded with gigs. By the age of 13, Caesar was already performing professionally while studying music with Henry Brubeck, brother of Dave. Following high school graduation, Caesar then moved to Washington, D.C. in order to further his studies with Jack Dennett of the National Symphony Orchestra.

While living in D.C., Caesar played with the Barnee -Lowe Shoreham Hotel Orchestra, Meyer Davis, and other society orchestras in that area. After a few years Caesar decided to return to Santa Barbara to study business and accounting, while continuing to play music. He worked with the I. Newton Perry Orchestra of Santa Barbara, playing throughout Southern California, Chicago, and on occasion at Yale University in New Haven, CT. He backed George Shearing and Mel Torme on various occasions, and also played for gospel singer Thelma Huston and other national acts.

Caesar was a member of an Air Force Band, and for a number of seasons was a percussionist with the Santa Barbara Symphony. He also lead the "9 to 5 life" for a number of years while working in accounting for the City of Santa Barbara and serving as its Purchasing Director. He was also a partner in a music store as well as a band booking service. After that Caesar decided to go into music full time and became part of the vocal-instrumental group "The Happy Sounds" , playing 12 successful seasons at Camelback Inn and other Marriott properties throughout the U.S.: The Broadmoor Hotel (Colorado Springs, CO); La Costa Resort (San Diego area), and other top quality engagements.

In 1982 with wife-partner Madelyn Roberts, Caesar formed the contemporary group KANDU, originally a quartet that included two of his sons, Rod (keyboards and flugelhorn) and Mitch (drums and bass). For 10 years, and in varying configurations of size and instrumentation, KANDU traveled the continental United States. Playing hotels, clubs, and fine resorts and performing a great variety of music and musical styles to suit the tastes of widely divergent audiences was an adventure and important learning experience.

Returning to the Phoenix area in 1992 and until 2005, Caesar became a licensed Private Investigator, doing extensive work for the State of Arizona Risk Management Department as well as a number of high profile cases. Today, Caesar is a regular member of Joe Hopkins' "52nd Street Jazz Band". KANDU stays actively engaged in the Phoenix area, along with Caesar and Madelyn's duo, "The Robs". Both musicians are members of the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church Praise Team Ensemble, performing at contemporary 11 AM Sunday services. Caesar is proud father of three sons, Rod, Mitch and Chris, and grandfather of 5. He is also proudly a Life Member of the American Federation of Musicians, and holds membership in both the Santa Barbara and Arizona Locals.

Mike was born in Pennsylvania and grew up in Boston, MA. Mike’s mother played the organ and loved 40’s swing and Big Band music. This love of standards and the American Songbook was passed down to Mike. Mike was never formally trained but God gifted him with an ear for music. He learned to play the bass by listening and playing along as a teenager. Mike played in various bands when he arrived in Arizona in the 1970's beginning with The Rialto Brothers, a bluegrass band. He then moved into the world of cheese playing bands; country/western swing with The Colby Longhorns, Dixieland with the PepperJacks, Italian with the Romanos, and swing ala Django-Grappelli in the Cheddars. Upon meeting Sal, and his dad Joe Cafiero a world class jazz mandolin player, the Cheddars were formed. Joe and his style of music became a great influence on what would evolve into Jazzola. After taking a 10 year break from music to raise children, Mike started Jazzola with another ex-Cheddar member Chris Daniels. Chris like Joe left this world all too soon and their playing will be missed. Mike’s love of music and gift for sound lead him into the professional audio-visual world. For over twenty five years he has worked in a field that began as a love for music. God has blessed Mike with two daughters and a wife of 25 years. Above all and most important the music allows Mike to play in the praise and worship bands at his church.