A Phil Brodie Band Tribute Page

" TIJONNE REYES "
&
FORPLAY

This band was introduced to me by my friend Bubba Groce, a musician who lives in Slidell, New Orleans. His dear mother was a successful songwriter, and owned recording studios in the City of Jazz. So with all his life long influences and huge knowledge of music, I thought "this will be good". I listened to the mp3's of this band, 'good' was a real understatement, I thought.. wow.. who ARE these musicians. I looked up their biogs, to find, not suprisingly after hearing them, that they have worked with some of the finest performers of our time, from Johnny Mathis to Big Joe Turner to Rod Stewart to Nick Palmer to Celene Dion to Bo Didley to The Temptations and the list goes on & on!! As these musicians and front lady are busy on various projects, some of the instruments are doubled. The lovely lady TiJonne Reyes who fronts the band was honoured in 2000, when she was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.
What more could you ask for?

~ The Musicians ~
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Jerry Jumonville
Saxophone: Tenor & Baritone, Horn

~ A Little Background ~
Born and bred with the music of New Orleans in his veins, Jerry would wander the streets of New Orleans from an early age, drinking in the sounds of his idols such as Charlie Fairly. With such influences is it any wonder he plays with such passion. He left New Orleans to follow his dream, to where it was all happening in the 60's, the West Coast. His dreams were fulfilled, in his long career Jerry has played with Bonny Rait, Big Joe Turner, Leon Russell, Dr. John, Delaney & Bonnie, Bette Midler, Rod Stewart, Van Morrison, The Doobie Brothers, Rickie Lee Jones and these are only a few, Jerry, has in fact, performed on over 200 albums. He plays mainly tenor as well as alto, baritone sax and the horn. Besides being a world class tenor man, Jerry is also a wonderful arranger and scores many arrangements for many bands and artists.
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Ray Fransen
Drums

~ A Little Background ~
Apart from being on the road with Buddy Greco for over 4 years, Ray has worked with, to mention a few, Paul Anka, Frankie Laine, John Gary, Jack Jones, Doc Severinson, Brenda Lee, Johnny Mathis, Roger Williams and also performed with The Jefferson Performing Arts Society and The New Orleans Summer Pop Orchestra. Ray periodically writes for the International Magazine "Modern Drummer" and is a member of the national Percussion Marketing Council. You will soon be able to see him in the moving DVD film / Documentry "No Cross, No Crown" (2007) or "If Ever I Cease To Love" (as it is also sometimes known as). It is a timely and engaging feature documentary that explores New Orleans, the town that invented what we know as American music. Since Hurricane Katrina, Ray has begun to work with several foundations to provide drums to musicians who lost their kits during the hurricane. This busy musician also owns the oldest and largest store in Louisiana dedicated exclusively to drums and drumming, where he also gives drum tuition.
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Dave Hutchison
Drums

~ A Little Background ~
Daves career started back in the 60's, when he and his 3 musical brothers formed a band together. They successfully toured and cut a self titled LP "The Hutchison Brothers" in the 70's. Over the years Dave has performed with celebrities to mention a few Tommy Ridgley, Art & Aaron Neville, Benny Spellman, Ernie Spellman and shared the stage with Chuck Berry, Al Hirt and Rene Netto. He talent was honoured by being inducted into Louisiana Music Hall of Fame while drumming as a band member of "Sparks".
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Danny Infante
Bass Guitar

~ A Little Background ~
Danny has worked with some of the biggest names in music including Wayne Newton, Celine Dion, Manhattan Transfer, The Four Tops, The Drifters, The Coasters, Bo Didley, Christopher Cortez, Michael Paloma & His New York Blues, Mariana G., Al Martino and Robert Goulet. Danny has worked as a touring musician with the Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus, West Side Story, Music Machine, Glitz, Gigi, and the Ice Capades. He has also performed with jazz giants Count Basie, Dizzy Gilespie, Stan Getz, Richie Cole, Doc Severinsen, and Dave Brubeck. This great bassist, who holds a B.A. degree in Music Education from California State University at Fresno has performed throughout Japan, Europe, Canada, and across the United States. He has appeared on the most prestigious stages on the Las Vegas Strip including Bally's, MGM, Mandalay Bay, Luxor, Stardust, Imperial Palace, and Aladdin's.
* * * * *
Ernie Wells
Bass

~ A Little Background ~
Ernie is a graduate of The Berklee College of Music after which he joined the U.S. Navy band which took him far and wide playing all sorts of music. Then so highly experienced he became a sort after studio musician. His love of music took him to New Orleans where he has settled. Over his long career he has performed with the likes of Joe Wlliams, Robert Goulet, Bob Hope, Ann Loring, Ronnie Kole, Ellis Marsalis. Ernie has backed TiJonne Reyes with his electric bass on a few projects since being in New Orleans and has performed at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
* * * * *
Gary Grimes
Double Bass

~ A Little Background ~
In his long career Gary has worked many major shows backing the likes of Connie Francis, Frankie Avalon, Fabian, The Coasters, the Drifters, the Patters, Frankie Ford and Jean Knight. He is also a former member of the great Frankie Mann Orchestra, touring all the major casino's. Where did he get his vast knowledge and experience . . 20 years in US Navy band
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Bobby Ellis
Piano

~ A Little Background ~
After his young musician's "apprentiship" (a must for all up & coming young musicians!) Bobby worked and toured mainly with The Nick Palmer Revue and The Frank Mann Orchestra. But when it comes to "performed with" the list is endless. This highly talented pianist worked a number of years at the legendary Copa Cabana, where his golden fingers backed some of the most prestigious artists in the business from all over the world. While he was on the road again with Nick Palmer he fell in love with New Orleans and decided to make it his home. He bought a night spot in the West End of New Orleans on Lake Pontchartrain, calling it 'Robert's Reef', where he played with friends, played solo, backed mega stars and of course enjoyed accompaning the many celebrated artists of New Orleans.
* * * * *
Ray Shall
Keyboards

~ A Little Background ~
Louisiana Music Hall of Fame inductee, Ray Shall has spent his years touring and playing with some great bands His work with the awesome Lenny McDaniel took him all over Europe and the US. Ray was also been a member the long established "Esquires" and a former member of The Witnesses, the amazing backing band of "the king of swing", the late Louis Prima, and (still backs) his Jazz swinging wife Gia. His career has also seen him on stage with Jazz greats such as Rene Netto and Al Hirt.
* * * * *
Buddy Dubourg
Keyboards

~ A Little Background ~
Buddy is a very sort after keyboardist who has played most of the top casino's, night spots and festivals with various artists. He is former member of the funky rock blues band, Biscuit and the Blues Bakers, and has spent countless hours over the years in the recording studios with TiJonne Reyes. Apart from his keyboard talent, Buddy is well known for his composing and arrangements on many musical productions and is a familiar face at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
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FINALLY
~ The Lady At The Front~
* * * * *
TiJonne Reyes
Singer

(CD cover of TiJonne Reyes & ForPlay's Album)
~ A Little Background ~
TiJonne, started her singing career as a teenager with the great late jazzman Louie Prima, singing backing vocals on one of his recordings, she has never looked back She has toured and recorded with Vince Vance and the Valiants, shared the same stage as Eddy Arnold, Jerry Lee Lewis and Doc Severson, fronted 4 orchestras.. Frankie Mann, American Swing, New Orleans Pop and Mel Rogers & the Crescent River Orchestra, fronted bands such as "The Sparks", "Catch22", "Toulouse", " Sweet Perfection", spent hours in the recording studio's with different bands and solo, performed for several Cruise Lines, worked many top Casino's and celebrated night spots from the famous Blue Room to the Storyville Jazz Parior in the world famous french quarters of New Orleans. Around all this, the dedicated and energetic TiJonne also had her own weekly radio show "The TiJonned Reyes Show" broadcast live on wnoe-fm. At present she is lead vocals in her own 2 bands .. "The TiJonne Jazz Trio" and "ForPlay", backed by the amazing musicians above. Her talent and hard work was honored on April 16, 2000 when she was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.
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VISIT & LISTEN TO
TIJONNE REYES & FORPLAY
There are masses of great songs and awesome music on their website
and link to buy their album "FINALLY"

Phil Brodie Band 2006
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