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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 two children
that help to keep him busy! Although his profession is in accounting, his goal is to “play more
and work less!”
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Joe Ivers by day, is a mild-mannered Clark Kent (with Marianne as his “Lois Lane”). But by
night he's transformed into the lead alto player of One Beat Back! He senses the direction the
saxophone section is flying, then hurries up to get ahead of them. The result: a section that
swings!
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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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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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Al Kimball majored in music Education at MSU, joined the Navy and went through the Navy
Music School in Washington DC, where he received his first Big Band Experience. After a 4
year tour with the Navy, Al taught school in the Detroit School system for 5 years. During this
time he decided to go to Business School for Accounting and also started his own Big Band
that had it's final perfomance in 1979. Although he went on to start is own accounting practice,
he has always played music and has now landed with One Beat Back.
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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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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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Bruce Agababian is the bass player for One Beat Back, and has been with the band for over
10 years. Having spent the ‘70s in rock bands, he now concentrates on swing music. When
not playing with the band, Bruce is a graphic designer who owns and operates BHA Design Inc.
He also owns twelve bass guitars and even more Hawaiian shirts that he wears with his (in)
famous red tennis shoes!
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Karen Petrocella, the newest addition to the Vocal line up of One Beat Back, is a
singer/songwriter, currently finishing up her debut CD. She is a technical writer and software
trainer by day and lives in Washington Township with her husband, Matt Hirzel. She is enjoying
this new opportunity to sing in front of a big band!
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Greg Romain - Greg has been performing most of his life. He started his singing career at the
age of 13 after auditioning (and was chosen) to vocally front a quartet. After performing at a
few neighborhood parties, the entertainer spark ignited, and the flame continues even today.
After developing several groups over the years, he designed the very successful vocal
harmony show group, "Forever Yours", which performed throughout the Midwest for over 20
years. In addition to performing with One Beat Back, Greg works with Entertainers, Celebrities
and National Recording Artists in producing entertainment programs for Corporate and
Association events across the country.
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