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Pieces of Eight featuring the Lakeside Brass is a band well known to the Cleveland area. The band first performed at Wickliffe High School in 1979. The next year, Pieces of Eight made their public debut at the Flipside... a very small bar located in Cleveland Heights. Several band members were still in high school at the time. 2008 marks the 29-year anniversary of Pieces of Eight performing music in Northeast Ohio. Plans are currently underway for our 30th Anniversary Party for February 2009. For almost three decades, Pieces of Eight has performed at a majority of the Cleveland area’s favorite night clubs, for college students on spring break in Daytona Beach, Florida, at various community sponsored events and for thousands of high school students for many different functions. In 1990, Pieces of Eight recorded a six-song release of original material. The unusual mix of musical talent and instrumentation affords the band the capability of reproducing a wide variety of material. The musical focus of the band is a mixture of classic Rock & Roll, popular Rhythm & Blues, a bit of Rockabilly, Swing, Country Rock and Soul music. Much of the music can be characterized as instantly recognizable Rock & Roll. Pieces of Eight is so much more than a mere tribute act. These eight musicians go beyond the usual motions and really have fun on stage. In fact, the unofficial band slogan says it all... "If it isn't fun anymore,we'll quit drinking beer and playing music" (well, maybe the beer part won't happen). But that party atmosphere becomes infectious and the audience can't help but join in on the fun happening on stage during each performance. What began as a simple diversion from Friday nights of bowling and playing pool turned in to a project that continues to live on.The band performs for the sole purpose of self-amusement, with the pleasant side effect of offering its audiences entertainment. The band's longevity and accomplishments are attributable to those friends, fans, and families of Pieces of Eight who have endured many of the same songs, jokes, antics, and whimsical mischief since 1979 and who continue to be the foundation of the band's success. The band's current line-up includes guitarists Kurt Kendig and Ken Cali, keyboardist Mike B., drummer Joe Blatnik, bassist Joe Lazar, and horn players Dan Hannan on trombone, Al Widmer on trumpet, and Mike Winfield on saxophones. All members sing throughout a performance providing either lead vocals or backing harmonies. And if you've stuck around and read all this, stop here and go get a BEvERage.