The Backtalk Band Is:


Bob Keefe, performer, teacher, and composer, holds a Ph.D. in composition
and has over fifty works to his credit, including three works for orchestra,
two rock musicals and a string quartet.  Bob has been in residency at the
MacDowell Colony, Yaddo, and the Millay Colony for the Arts.
A former student of jazz teacher Jack Petersen, Bob has been
active in performing in jazz and rock bands for over four decades.
Born in Los Angeles and raised in Central California, Bob spent his
formative guitar years playing professionally in Fresno.  He has performed
with Clark Terry, Phil Woods, Glenn Stuart, Lou Marini, Eugene Friesen,
Jack Petersen, Johnny Smith, Steve Morse, Mike Harvey, and Chris Buzzelli.
He also currently plays with his authentic surf band, The Surf Renegades.



John White specializes in diversity and is equally at home in the worlds
of jazz, classical, and popular music.  He has performed with a number of artists
such as Paul Hanson, Mike Tomaro, Joe Negri, Wycliffe Gordon, and Roger
Humphries.  One highlight of his experience includes ongoing duo and small
group collaborations with jazz vocalist and free improviser Rhiannon.
In the past few years he has been increasingly active as a clinician at workshops
devoted to jazz theory and improvisation.  John is currently Associate Professor
of Music Theory, History, and Composition at Ithaca College, as well as the Ithaca
College Vocal Jazz Ensemble.  He also currently plays with his funk/jazz/R&B band,
Neo Project.
Al Hartland has a career that spans 40+ years,  and has played drums with big names and small and just about everybody in the Ithaca region. 
His ability to play any style and his "simpatico" with singers and dancers have made him a highly sought-after musical asset.
Al started playing at age 16 and is entirely self-taught.  His father was a professional musician so jazz standards, classical and ethnic music
were early influences.  As a teenager, rock and soul from American Bandstand became his inspiration and Al began to play along with
records by Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett,  James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Ahmed Jamal, Stan Kenton and others.
As Bobby Comstock's drummer Al backed up acts at Madison Square Garden in the Richard Nader Rock Revival Shows. 
He played for all of the groups that were his early inspiration:   Chuck Berry,  Bo Diddley,  the Coasters,  the Drifters, the Belmonts, 
the Angels,  the Spaniels,  the Orioles,  Gary U.S. Bonds, the Shirelles, Freddie Cannon, Bobby Lewis,  and on and on.
The list of the regional and national artists Al has played for and/or recorded with is very long.  It includes Tony Trishka,  Russ Barenburg, 
John Slate,  Molly MacMillan,  London McDaniel,  Hot Sweets,  Rising Sign,  Walt Amey and the Hepcats, Christopher Woitach,  Desperado, 
Suzanne Knight,  Diana Leigh,  the Burns Sisters Band,  Larry Coryell,  John Scofield,  Chad McLoughlin,  Bernie Milton,  David Borden, 
Sally Ramirez,  Joe Salzano,  Peggy Haine,  Steve Southworth,  The Destination,  Dave Arnay,  David Torn,  Dino Losito,  Billy Eli, 
Heather Moran,  Dawn Gray,  Ellen Macillwain,  Miche Fambro,  Djug Django and many many many more.
And as if that wasn't enough,  Al is a chef and makes the best pizza in the world!



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