Dave Cohen
Rafael Ortiz
Jim Richmond
Joe Chiappone
Todd East
Influences
Stevie Wonder, Philly Joe Jones, Buddy Rich, Mel Lewis, Tony Williams, Elvin Jones, Jack DeJohnette, Steve Gadd, Jeff Porcaro, Steve Smith, Vinnie Colauita, Prime Time Funk, Steve Jordan, & David Garibaldi.
Just like the name, this band has sizzling HOT rhythms tailored for dancing and SWEET sounds that create “ear candy” for ardent listeners. HOT SWEETS is made up of five talented individuals that – when joining forces – create a truly fun musical experience.
HOT SWEETS is made up of: James Richmond, sax and vocals; Todd East, keys and vocals; Ralph Ortiz, bass and vocals; David Cohen, drums and vocals and Joe Chiappone, guitarist. As individuals, they’ve performed or shared the stage with a list of entertainers that reads like a Who’s Who of the music industry: The Temptations; The Four Tops; The Doobie Brothers; Earth, Wind and Fire; Lynard Skynard; Spyro Gyra; The Rippingtons; Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake and Palmer; Chuck Berry and B.B. King – just to name a few. Always in demand for studio work and stage performances, these talented musicians have recorded music and vocals as part of national advertising campaigns for Buick, Disney and HBO.
Other recording credits range from session and production work with Steve Gadd, (drummer for Paul Simon, Eric Clapton and James Taylor) and Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik, to composing with Glenn Medeiros (“Never Gonna Change My Love For You”), Chet Catallo (Spyro Gyra) and Kim Stone (The Rippingtons).
HOT SWEETS plays a blend of music ranging from Frank Sinatra to Stevie Wonder, and makes it all sound fresh and unique. The amazing vocal “styling” of Todd East, Jim Richmond’s soulful sax, a rhythm section that is beyond compare and vocal harmonies that can tear your heart out or make you jump for joy are the signatures of this brilliant act.
Give your feet and ears a treat! HOT SWEETS!
PERSONAL BIOS:
Jim Richmond, tenor sax & vocals:
As a child, Jim Richmond entertained the neighborhood kids by imitating Elvis on his front porch. After listening to his father's gospel group rehearse weekly in their living room, he was inspired to take up the saxophone. He led his own band, The Echomen, while still in high school, then went on to major in music at SUNY Fredonia. Sugar Hill signed his band, Mother Freedom, in the late 70s and released one album. Jim's serious vocal, songwriting and arranging talents, like his sax playing, have kept him in demand over the years. He's written songs with people like Kim Stone from the Rippingtons, performed on national commercials such as Buick, and shared the stage with acts including George Benson and Tower of Power. Jim also wrote many of the songs,
as well as horn and vocal arrangements, for PTF's debut CD, 'Ready and Willing'.
Rafael Ortiz, bass:
Ralph Ortiz, co-founder of PTF, is the "king of groove", according to Grammy Award-winning producer, Jeff Tyzik. He is also extremely versatile, having performed with various bands in Rochester and blues guitarist Sherman Robertson, Peter Noone of the Herman's Hermits, the Rochester and Erie Philharmonic Orchestras with the Mambo Kings. Ralph has performed and recorded with the band Cabo Frio, who appeared on the Arsenio Hall Show. He has recorded with Steve Gadd, Ralph Humphrey, Will Lee, Glen Madieros and Alan Vizzuti. He can be heard on soundtracks for HBO Sports. Ralph has played everywhere from the Bravo! Music Festival in Vail, Colorado, the Blue Note in NYC, to the Lionel Hampton Jazz Club in Paris, France - but he's undoubtedly most at home playing "thump to the bone" funk with PTF.
David Cohen, drums & percussion:
David Cohen began taking drum lessons at age 10. Inspired by drumming legends Buddy Rich and 'Philly' Joe Jones, he went on to study with famed jazz drummers Vinnie Ruggiero and Ed Soph. In the 80s, Dave led a rock band called 'Backseat Sally', which released an album on Atlantic Records and an MTV video. Other studio credits include albums by The Dinner Dogs, Glenn Medeiros, Anthony Watson, and The Rockin' Rebels, as well as soundtracks for HBO, CBS, and TVKO. Dave has also performed with Gap Mangione, The Mambo Kings, Bat McGrath, Barry Kiener, 'Sax' Gordon Beadle, Rodney Dangerfield, Russell Malone, Mark Manetta, Tino Gonzales, Nancy Kelly, Francine Reed and Sherman Robertson (at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Club in Paris, France), Billy Bang, as well as the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.
Joe Chiappone, guitar:
Joe Chiappone’s desire to play an instrument began at age 5 during a family jam session. He began guitar lessons when he was 8 years old, and went on to study with jazz guitarists Dick Longale and Tom Rizzo (Maynard Ferguson/Doc Severinsen). Joe also majored in Jazz Guitar at the University of Miami, and studied Jazz Improvisation with Ray Ricker at Eastman School of Music. Besides owning and operating Northfield Music Studios, a popular guitar store and music school in Pittsford, NY, Joe is in demand as a studio musician. He’s also performed with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Broadway touring shows, and many well-regarded regional bands.
Todd East/piano & vocals:
Todd began playing piano and singing at the age of three. He began his professional career at the age of fifteen and has been performing ever since. Blind since birth, Todd is often compared to Stevie Wonder, one of his major influences. Other influences include Billy Joel, Elton John, and Bruce Hornsby. Todd is considered one of the premier pianists and vocalists in Upstate New York and continues to perform not only as a solo artist, but with a wide variety of groups. An original member of Prime Time Funk, Todd has performed internationally (at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Club in Paris, France) regionally at Foxwoods Casino Resort and locally at the Rochester Music Fest. His voice can be heard on many local and regional commercials.
