Born out of the collective desire to pay tribute to the great R&B artists who brought with them the stylized music that spoke to generations of Americans, Old Skool came to life in late 2009. We aim to bring a collection of tunes to the stage from the late 50′s to mid-70′s that will have you dancin’ and swayin’ like back in the day! We are a full dress show band and every ounce of our energy will be devoted to making sure you have a fun and memorable time!
Jeff Hypnarowski…Lead Vocals
Vocals – Jeff has honed his soulful vocal talent singing in various WNY bands for the past 20 years.
Ida “Lil Blues” Goeckel
Bass – Straight from downtown uptown comes the long lost sister of Jake and Elwood Blues. She Started playing rhythm guitar at the age of 12 years old. After playing and writing for the next 28 years, she picked up the bass in 1998 and never looked back at another 6 string. Rig: Plays Fender Precision basses with flat wounds through a Markbass 1 x 12 combo that’ll make you feel the bass in your chest!. She loves to nurture the groove. Bass Icon: James Jamerson. Previous local bands include: The Gutter Prophets, Montage Ball, No Apologies, and Big Tobacco. Co-founded Old Skool in September 2009 with Jon and is living her dream of playing in an R&B outfit!
Richie “King” Salomon
Guitar – Rich’s first instrument was the tenor sax, at age 10. But by the time he was 12, he was banging out tunes on a “Brand Names” guitar that his parents had bought for his brother for Christmas. Rich is mostly a “self-taught” guitarist, who learned a ton of songs and licks in his formative years by playing along to the radio, LPs and tapes. He did however study classical guitar at the Buffalo Community Music School and SUNY at Buffalo. He also took lessons in chord-melody jazz guitar from local instructor Pete Hankinson. Current rig includes: Fender Stratocaster and Gibson ES-339 guitars. Previous bands include: Fuzzy Logic, Badd Albert, Davey Z and The Renegades, and The Buzz. His influences include: Dickey Betts and Duane Allman, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton Stevie Ray Vaughn, Larry Carlton and many others.
Todd “Saxilla” Macon
Sax/Backup Vocals – Todd has been playing sax since he was 9 years old. He studied saxaphone with Harry Fackelman and Ed Yadzinski while earning his degree in music education. During college, he joined a saxaphone quartet that made it to the finals of the Coleman International Chamber Ensemble Competition in Pasedena, California. After earning his undergraduate degree, he began teaching band in public schools while going back to earn his Masters in Conducting. Todd has performed and recorded with various local groups and ensembles. He makes his home in the northern suburbs with his wife and two kids. When he isn’t practicing the sax, he is trying to hone his golf game.
Dave Cash
Keys/Backup Vocals – Dave began making music at the young age of 11, palying trumpet in grade school. He continued through high school switching to tuba, piano and bass. During the 70′s, Dave played in various pop/rock bands in Northeast Indiana before putting music on hold to raise a family. After moving to Albany in 1988, the music could wait no longer. He was Musical Director for over 30 theatrical productions at Colonial Little Theater, Schenectady Light Opera, Albany Civic Theater and Riverview Productions. Dave has also played keyboards, bass and tuba in pit orchestra in several productions. He has also performed in an acoustic folk/AOR duo and cabaret acts until moving to the Buffalo area in 2006. Influences Include: Rick Wakeman, Keith Emerson, Steve Walsh, Dave Brubeck, Bill Evans, Vince Guaraldi, Joe Zawinul, McCoy Tyner, Ryo Okumoto, and too many others to mention. Rig: Kurzweil PC2XO, Yamaha M)6 and Alesis Micron running through a Mackie 1202 to a Roland KC500.
Bruce “La Metronome” LaMantia
Drums – He started honing his chops at age 12 in The Precision Drum and Bugle Corp. He was classically instructed by Master Percussionist, Eli Saks. Musical accomplishments include a 5 year stint with Dr. Blues at the historic Ontario House in Niagara Falls, home to many jazz and blues greats, dating back to the 1940’s. CD’s and videos that highlight his playing include: Frank Vigliotti of San Francisco, California; Detroit Frank Dumont at The International Blues Competition in Memphis, Tennessee; David Maxwell of The James Cotton Blues Band; Duke Jethro of The B.B. King Band and The Buzz from Buffalo, New York. Currently the percussionist with Coop Productions at The Lancaster Opera House and The Riviera Theatre. He works out on a vintage 1969 Ludwig kit with Zildjian cymbals and endorses Calato Regal Tip sticks.