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Gary Greenfelder, the leader of One Beat Back Big Band, has played trumpet for as long as he can remember. Gary spent time "on the
road" as well as 4 years in Los Angeles, before deciding to make a profession in the business world and keep music as his passion. He is
grateful for the opportunity to lead such an exciting group of musicians. Gary has a lovely wife that supports his music and understand is
passion...... that's not easy to find for a musician, especially one that doubles as an Accountant! He also has two children of his own and four
step chidren, they help to keep him busy as well!
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Nicholas Hardy - Nicholas Hardy teaches music technology, recording and beginning band as a public school teacher. Outside of his
teaching career, Nicholas owns and operates a music entertainment company that focuses on providing DJ/MC entertainment for weddings,
corporate and school events. In addition to playing saxophone with One Beat Back, Nicholas plays keyboards and saxophone for a
Metro-Detroit based Rock/Pop band and a jazz trio.
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Greg Smith spends his days (and an occasional evening) as college professor of marketing, math and management courses as well as
owning two businesses. One of the original One Beat Back members, he says he plays with one of the most intense sax sections. “The sax
doesn't get any better than this!” Greg has played with other groups including the Motor
City Sax Quartet. He is married to Lori and they have a son, Tim, who has formed his own band.
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Eric Lundquist is our plays lead tenor sax with One Beat Back. His early music experience includes piano, accordion and as a teenager in
WJR's “Make Way for Youth.” In the military he became lead clarinetist for the USAF Band at Torrejon Air Base in Spain. Eric's performance
credits are many, including Johnny Trudell and Eddie Nuccilli to name a few. He has performed at the Fischer Theatre, Baker’s Keyboard
Lounge, the Firefly Club and numerous others. He currently accompanies Prime Vocal Jazz and the Farmington Community Chorus on reeds.
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Jack Kotter one of the Golden Oldies of the band is married to his girl Pearl for almost 5 decades. He has three children, Mike living in
Akron, Laurie in Glen Rock PA (the real family musician) and Kathy in Clinton Twp. (the single one) and four grandchildren. Jack has been in
and out of the music scene over the years, including as bassist with various vocal and instrumental groups. He has anchored the One Beat
Back sax section on baritone sax for the past two years and handles our promotions.
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Kevin Chreston has recently jointed One Beat Back as Lead Trumpet after a 25 year hiatus from music. He has been busy building his
career (the Day Job) as a Utility Engineering Manager working for DTE. He played Lead Trumpet with the Oakland University Jazz Band, while
completing his education in the early 1980's. When Kevin's not swingin' with One Beat Back, he enjoys swinging his golf clubs.
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Arlow Antieau is a high school science teacher by day and a trumpet player by night. He has played in orchestras, teaches privately, and
continues to play in local bands for fun. After playing for almost 30 years, he thinks he “should have figured out how to do it well by now", but
finds that “there is still much work to do.” A local boy, born and raised in the northeastern suburbs of Detroit, he loves the warm air and sunny
skies that abound.
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Chuck Willard - lead trumpet with "Rhythm Society Orchestra" has been subbing for us during the past year at many events. We thank
Chuck for all his support and help!
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Jim Smith is retired from the U.S. Postal Service in Algonac, where he lives with his wife Ada, who Jim admits “graciously puts up with my
trumpet practice.” A former member of the U.S. Army Band in Ft. Gordon, Georgia, he has played music throughout his life including
trumpet and guitar. He plays in several other bands, and sings karaoke every chance he gets.
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Steve Fleck has a professional career, but has also been a jazz musician since, well........ for some time now! He has played in venues such
as the Gem Theatre and the Detroit Opera House as well as local night clubs. While he has played in Classical, R&B and studio bands, his
favorite genre is big band jazz. Steve helps to "rock" the bone section!
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Roger DeMeyere (“Dr. D”) has served as president and CEO of Lutheran Special Education Ministries, a national non-profit organization,
since 1987. Born and raised in Detroit he and Linda, his wife of nearly 40 years, and family have lived in Chesterfield for the past 30 years.
Roger has played trombone since childhood in concert bands and brass ensembles. In 2001 he discovered the joy of “swing" when he was
invited to join One Beat Back. It's obvious to all the members of the band that Roger really, really loves it!
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Ken Grabowski is a Union Representative and Legislative Director for
the Police Officers Association of Michigan, representing over 12,000
police officers in Michigan. He is a former Redford Police Officer and
lives with his wife, Emma. Ken started playing trombone in the 4th grade
and just recently (about four years ago) found a love for playing in big
bands. “Playing this music takes me away from all the troubles in the
world.”
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Matt DuPrey is a public school teacher who teaches band as well as math.
Matt's musical love is the bass trombone but he also plays a bit of tenor trombone as well as the tuba in big bands, brass quintets, concert
bands, and orchestras in the metro-Detroit area. When not playing music, Matt spends his time with his soon-to-be-wife, Lisa and their puppy,
Gus. Matt is proud to be one of the newsest additions to One Beat Back.
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Barbara Robinson has a Bachelor's in music theory and composition, and a Masters in music. She is Music Director of St. Michael Catholic
Community Church directing several groups. She stays busy performing and especially enjoys in musical theatre, recently completing
“Menopause the Musical.” Barbara feels “privileged to play with all the
talented brass and woodwind players in One Beat Back, and especially my cronies in the rhythm section!” There is one special love in Barb's
life, her “handsome husband, Dan, who waits patiently for her in their old dump down by the river.”
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Joe Chila - This is a man who lives, eats, and breathes DRUMS and MUSIC. His musical credits include years of big band drumming,
recording, and jingles, along with rock shows and theater work (Annie, Selma, West Side Story, Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect
Up, Always, Patsy Cline, Tribute to the Rat Pack). Acts he's worked with include: The Marvelettes, Billy Eckstein, Lou Christie, Four Ladds,
Mary Wells, Pete Barbutti, the Platters, Martha Reeves, Rodney Dangerfield, The Diamonds, Peter Noone, Mickey Rooney, and the list goes
on. In addition to being a very busy drum set artist, Joe plays and teaches a variety of hand percussion, tympani, and mallet instruments. He
stays very active working with a variety of latin and jazz groups as well as some R & B bands, and occasionally performs with the Rochester
Symphony. He also enjoys working with elementary school kids and doing percussion clinics at local schools, especially with his Percussion
Group "The Timekeepers".
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Jennifer Jones, is thrilled to be one of the newest additions to the vocal line up of One Beat Back. She keeps herself very busy by filling her
life with performing... both singing and acting. By day, she plays the role of an elementary school teacher for a classroom of second graders.
She is married to her wonderful husband Carl, who supports her every step of the way!
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