Jazz Plus is a group of seasoned jazz musicians from the Raleigh-Durham area. Led by pianist Doug Kōbs, the players for the group vary depending on the venue, the size of the ensemble needed and the availability of the musicians.
These guys don’t just play “jazz songs.” They dig deep into the standards you know and love: swing, Latin, blues, ballads and bebop. With top-notch technique and improvisational mastery, Jazz Plus delivers high-energy performances that are truly a treat for jazz enthusiasts.
The core group consists of the rhythm section which, along with Kōbs, features John Simonetti (bass) and David Saleeba Albert (drums). Other top bassists/drummers sub from time to time.
For larger ensembles horn players, guitarists and other instrumentalists are featured. The following are some of the regular performers:
John Simonetti (bass) matriculated at the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem, and is one of the most sought-after bassists in the city. He has performed with the North Carolina Theater and various traveling Broadway musicals, as well as a multitude of jazz greats. John spent several years freelancing in New York City, is an award-winning tuba player, and also plays sousaphone, euphonium and trombone. John’s bass playing is simply outstanding.
David Saleeba Albert (drums) is a well-known clinician/educator in the Triangle. Dave attended Berklee College of Music, was a student of “Tonight Show” drummer Ed Shaughnessy and mentored by Buddy Rich. Dave has worked for both the public school system and as a music education consultant, and is a past president of the North Carolina Music Educators Association. Dave is an endorsing artist/clinician for the Ludwig Drum Company, has performed with a number of jazz legends, and is a monster on the drums.
Andy Paolantonio (tenor sax/clarinet) attended East Carolina University and did his graduate studies at North Carolina Central University. He performs regularly with various jazz groups throughout the Triangle and is one of the top “go-to” horn players in the area. Andy is a truly amazing performer, whether on tenor saxophone or clarinet.
David Richards (trumpet) has played music professionally since age 15, and had a 16-year career as a MLB pitcher before focusing on music. After years performing with “the Big Boys” in Manhattan, David moved to North Carolina where he performs regularly with his jazz ensemble The Swingsters and is a popular trumpet side man for several jazz groups in the area. David also owns and operates Southpaw Media Productions, a turnkey music and video production studio.
Tim Messina (saxophone) studied at the New England Conservatory and Berklee College of Music in Boston. He began his career by playing “Grease” on Broadway for 2 years. Tim studied with jazz greats Joe Allard, Eddie Daniels and George Coleman, and has toured with Lou Rawls, Dizzy Gillespie, Prince, Bob Dylan, and recorded with Prince, U2, LeeAnn Rhimes and Stevie Wonder. Tim has worked in the movie business as well, playing on the soundtracks of “Stuart Little” 1 and 2, “Me, Myself and Irene,” and numerous other soundtracks including “Elf” and “Bridgett Jones Diary.” Tim has recorded the theme songs for “Vegas,” “The Nanny” and “The Sopranos.” Currently, Tim tours with and is the musical director for the Brian Setzer Orchestra, and performs regularly in the Triangle area with top local jazz artists.
Lou Padro (guitar) is an eclectic mix of producer, songwriter, arranger and musician. Born in Puerto Rico, Lou has performed professionally for over 30 years. Lou’s musical styles cover jazz, blues, rock, soul and R&B and he brings a sure touch and a distinctive Latin flavor to his guitar playing. Triangle area residents have been entertained by Lou’s performances with several local stars including Lydia Salett, Ed Moon, Mike Minguez, Pee Wee Moore, Tony Galiani, Dave Youngman, Bobby Moody and his work with Moment’s Notice. Lou has also performed with national artist, Billy Wooten, and over the years has applied his musical talents to leading several combos. Currently, Lou regularly performs in various venues throughout the Triangle area with top jazz musicians.
Ben Palmer (bass) plays guitar, bass (both upright and electric) and sousaphone with a variety of ensembles throughout the Triangle in a broad range of styles, including straight-ahead jazz, blues, R+B, rock, funk, Latin, theater, singer/songwriter, and bluegrass. Ben has performed at virtually every night club, country club, swing dance, bar, hotel, recording studio and festival in the Triangle. He has recorded more than 30 CDs and periodically does voice-over work. “The variety of my gigs keeps the interest fresh and keeps me on my toes…” Ben has also performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival and hosted jam sessions there. Currently, Ben continues to haunt local venues performing regularly on both bass and guitar, while hosting jam sessions whenever and wherever he can and teaching out of his private studio in old West Durham.
Gene Barrio (bass) has had a long and illustrious career, including years as a studio musician in Los Angeles backing up the likes of Vicki Carr, Dionne Warwick, Crystal Gayle, and Little Anthony. Gene toured and recorded with the fusion jazz band Aurora Borealis and has done extensive work in Reno and Las Vegas as well. Currently, Gene keeps busy as the house bassist for Niche Wine Lounge’s weekly jam sessions in Holly Springs and performs regularly at the Umstead Hotel in Cary. On top of that, Gene is the bassist for classic rock band West Street Band and the jazz group Body and Soul. In fact, Gene is so busy that if you go out to hear live music in the Triangle area often enough, you’re bound to run into him eventually.
Todd Proctor (drums) has been hooked on music ever since his parents bought him his first snare drum at age 12. Since then, Todd earned a Batchelor’s in Music Business from East Carolina University and a Master’s in Jazz Composition and Arranging from North Carolina Central University. He has worked and performed with touring artists such as Branford Marsalis, Peter Erskine, Vince Gill, Wynonna Judd, Christian McBride and Maceo Parker. Currently, Todd has an active career performing with several different theaters and symphonies, and regularly plays with local jazz greats such as Stephen Anderson, Steve Hobbs and Kevin Golden, among others. Todd also keeps busy as the drummer for the bands Magic Pipers and Runyons Funyons.
Jeff Crouse (drums) has been playing drums and percussion for over 35 years. Jeff obtained his Bachelor’s in Percussion Performance at Virginia Tech and went on to earn his Master’s in Studio Jazz Drumming from the University of Miami. Jeff now teaches privately and has performed with top local jazz artists Chip McNeil, Grant Osborne, Paul Bomar, Doug Largent, Steve Hobbs, Fred Westbrook, Dave Youngman, John Brown, Ed Paolantonio, Scott Sawyer and Paul Westlake, to name a few.
Frank Longino (trombone) has been a natural musician since birth (and maybe a little before). Frank has been playing since day one – whether it was on the table, the back of the car seat, a trumpet, a trombone, a drum kit, his vocal cords, or a piano. Frank has always had a tune going on: his theory is “There’s one universal tune constantly playing. You just jump in and take a few choruses when you can.” Frank performs regularly with many local jazz greats as well as his immensely talented (vocalist) wife, Angela Bingham.