Funky, fun, horn driven rock is the name of the game for the Rhythm Kings.
‘It’s really working out ? great feedback so far,? said Russ English of Clarkston, who plays alto/tenor saxophone with the eight-man band. ‘The goal is to keep the dance floor full ? keep the ladies happy and that keeps the guys happy.?
‘I love it ? it’s a whole different experience,? said Matt Kerstein of Waterford, acoustic and electric guitar. ‘The crowd’s response to the horns is dynamite.?
They formed the band this past October.
‘TJ (Collica) and I, our daughters are BFFs,? said English, 37, who played sax since high school, earning a music scholarship to Oakland University. ‘Our families hang out together.?
‘We were with another band, and then some friends sat in with us,? said Collica, 39, of Clarkston, a musician for the past 27 years. ‘It snowballed from there.?
Jeff Scafone of Clarkston and Jonathan Napper of Bloomfield Hills quickly joined up.
‘We decided we wanted to start a horn band, so here we are,? said Scafone, bass player.
Napper, tenor/bari saxophone, has played jazz and classical for 23 years, and is elementary and middle school band director at St. Hugo of the Hills.
‘I do this for a living,? said Napper, who has a Master’s Degree in Music Education from Western Michigan University.
For Scafone, music is in his blood.
‘I’m the senior member of band, or, as I like to say, its elder statesman,? said Scafone, 52. ‘My dad (Dominic Scafone) was a drummer, for Jack Scott, my dad’s cousin. That’s where I got it from. I was 12 when I started playing on bass.?
The band recruited additional members off Craig’s List, said Collica.
‘We were looking for personality and talent,? he said. ‘Everyone does their work.?
‘These guys are truly the most professional and humorous guys I have worked with,? said Kerstein, who has played in blues and rock bands since high school, 30 years ago. ‘This is a very fun band.?
Rounding out the lineup is Tim Link of Lake Orion, keyboards and vocals; Kevin Jones of Lapeer, trumpet; and lead singer Byron Cancelmo of Waterford.
‘I like the size of the band ? it has a big sound,? said Link, 46, who has a music degree from the University of Michigan School of Music, Ann Arbor. ‘We’re all good musicians with great experience.?
Cancelmo, 41, grew up in New England and toured with original bands throughout the 1990s. A classically trained singer, his influences include Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand, Iron Maiden and Kiss.
‘I’m a multifaceted singer, still growing and learning,? he said.
Jones, 49, is the newest member of the group, joining about two months ago.
‘It’s a nice fit,? said Jones, trumpet player with 25 years on and off in classical, jazz, and soul bands. ‘We’re a tight, well oiled machine. This is a great band.?
The band practices every week, and performs throughout southeast Michigan, playing music that appeals across generations.
‘It’s everything you grew up with,? Jones said.
‘Come out and hear us,? Scafone said.
Their next show is Saturday, April 24, 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., at Shotmaker’s Lounge, Fountains Golf and Banquet Center, 6060 Maybee Road.
‘The energy from intermingling with the folks ? that’s the reason to keep going,? Cancelmo said. ‘There’s no looking back now ? it’s like a tank moving forward. I’ll do this til the day I die.?
More than 200 came out to listen and dance at their last show this past February.
‘We had a packed house,? Collica said. ‘We filled the dance floor and kept it full all night ? we focus on the audience and what they want to hear.?
‘Based on that, I anticipate a full house,? Jones said.
For more information, check www.myspace.com/therhythmkings.