WHO KNEW is the heart project of Kelli Ann. Bringing together creative individuals with the most amazing and eclectic musical backgrounds brings forth sounds and effects like never before in the entertainment arena. Fronted by an ever-changing vocal lead (everyone in the band sings, both leads and harmonies, so you never know what to expect and you are most certainly never bored) – the musicianship is stellar and beyond compare. Members have performed with some of the most famous and biggest names in the music world, and have shared the stage with and studied with the best. No compromising here! From the sweetest Standards, to the most soulful Blues, the funkiest R&B, to the best storytelling Country and Bluegrass, the hottest Rock to the coolest Jazz – even Broadway, 80’s, Disco and beyond – this group brings it all to the stage and customizes each performance to the audience. ------------------------------------
FEATURING:
KELLI ANN – Vocals, keys, guitar, etc..
Kelli Ann comes from a musical family, with many accomplished and famed musicians, stars and vocalists, and has been singing since childhood on the corner of her grandmother’s baby grand piano. As a classically trained violinist and singer, as well as performing on over 13 instruments and dancing, she has won countless awards, and was named the Young Performers Award Winner at Carnegie Hall. She studied voice and violin on scholarship at the Conservatory for the Arts at Wittenberg, Northwestern University and DePaul University, and has also studied with countless masters in the field of voice and violin across the world, including Kathleen Battle and Itzhak Perlman. From stages like Carnegie Hall in New York, to the Metro in Chicago, to the Wild Horse Saloon in Nashville – she has never met a stage she does not like. She is also a former Miss America contestant and was the youngest executive director in the history of the Miss America Scholarship Organization to coach a contestant to winning the title. In addition to singing and musicianship, her unique experiences have allowed her the opportunity to judge some of the most prestigious vocal and talent competitions in the world. She is also a famed international vocal coach and international talent reviewer with world-wide readership. Her love of singing and almost losing that opportunity are what brought her to form this unique group – and to be able to bring this talented group of artists to a stage together to perform – she feels it is an honor to be part of something this special. ---------------------------------
KATIE LEIGH – Vocals, Keys, etc…
Katie Leigh has been singing and dancing since she was a teenager and has performed with various choirs throughout high school and college, including a gospel choir. She has also competed in some of the most prestigious and famous vocal competitions – both locally and nationally, and has done extremely well! She has also been in a variety of dance shows and on a dance team where she won the "Universal Dance Association" dance competition. Katie has been playing piano since she was about 2 years old, and has performed in many shows highlighting her skills. She also plays by ear, which comes in handy on the fly and when new music comes on the scene. Recently, she began her "acting career" starring in the musical "Footloose," – she keeps it interesting! As well as her endeavors with Who Knew, you can hear Katie featured on the latest release from Lobster Newberg – which is bringing her to share the stage with Ides of March, .38 Special, and more. --------------------------------------
MICHAEL YOUNG – Guitar & more…
Michael Young grew up in Kokomo, a tropical island in Northern central Indiana. The kid was terrible at sports, so when he was eight his mom dusted off an old Alzarez acoustic with chicken wire strings and implored him to learn Christmas carols. Instead, a friend taught him "Cocaine", and soon thereafter he discovered Guns 'N' Roses. Thus ended his career in holiday music. He took his first job playing music at the age of 13, serenading diners at a small Italian restaurant with cleverly disguised versions of Metallica and Smashing Pumpkins songs. Since then, he has played with ex-Mellencamp singer Jen Cristy, the incredibly talented pan-instrumentalist Josh Bakehorn, and Chicago rock acts June's Arrival and River Oaks. He has performed at numerous venues in and around Chicago including the Double Door, the Metro, Cubby Bear, the House of Blues, Joe's on Weed, Subterranean, Bourbon Street, and McGees. Young resides in Rogers Park with Frank, a feral neo-fascist cat. When he's not rocking out with Who Knew, he is a student at the Chicago-Kent College of Law. His sweetheart is Kathleen. And a black Epiphone Les Paul named Gunther. ---------------------------
ADAM LASKO – Percussion & more…
Adam Lasko comes to us from Los Angeles (although originally from the Chicagoland area). For over eleven years, Adam has performed with a variety of original artists and cover bands across the L.A. Music scene, which it is well known to be one of the most musically demanding locations in the United States, especially for percussionists. Cutting his teeth with different bands in L.A. while honing his craft behind the kit was a dream come true. Adam's discography and credits are long-listed, and include recording for the upcoming full-length CD releases of Bluster and Fury as well as Lemonjoy's newest release, and, co-produced the cover bands, Cmp Covers and Classic Example.In addition to his many percussion accomplishments, Adam has and continues to work very hard establishing his sound and sense of feel as a drummer. Playing live and changing the positive vibration of the room is a mainstay for Adam. -------------------------
TONY DOMINO - Bass, vocals, etc…
The amazing Tony Domino Talks about himself in the 3rd person like a mad man. Tony Domino is thrilled to be thumping bass with Who Knew. While touring last summer with Piano Man, he was missing the variety of music you can't get from a tribute band. Rock Classique, Amelda Mikes, Riski Business and Earthwood were part of his experience as well as many starring and supporting roles in theater, motion pictures and television. Tony's music career spans 4 decades. He was born in Chicago and was influenced by the talent that was bursting from his neighborhood: bands like Chicago, The New Colony Six, and Jim Peterik. "With all due respect, we greeted the news that Chaka Kahn, Styx, and REO Speedwagon were playing our high school dances with, 'Oh, THEM again?' That sort of talent was all around us in Chicago and we would sometimes take it for granted. It's an honor to be a part of Who Knew and see that Chicagoland is still a magnet for new talent." p.s. -look for TONY in the NEW BATMAN MOVIE!!!!---------------------------------
JACLYN RADA - Piano
Jaclyn is a pianist who holds an MA in Musicology from Tufts University and a BA in Music from Boston College. Her piano style can adapt to the event, considering her strong repertoire of popular music, showtunes, and classical pieces. With will developed sight reading skills, she also accompanies voice lessons and recitals for opera, classical, and musical theater students. She has played for musicals such as The Fantastiks, Anything Goes, Candide, and The Sound of Music. She was also part of ensembles through the Boston College Chamber Music Society and Tufts University Chamber Music. When not performing, she teaches piano. She is the amazing, adaptive and integral “key” member of The Who Knew Trio.
Sounds Like
If you can name it, WE can PLAY IT! When everyone in a band sings - how can you go wrong!!! :) EXCELLENT! :) ------------------
From Pink, to Pat Benatar, Ozzy, The Replacements, Sixx:A.M., Alter Bridge, Triumph, Guns and Roses, Etta James, Donna Summer, Aretha Franklin, Carole King, Eva Cassidy, Little Feat, Lynard Skynard, The Wreckers, Linda Ronstadt, Oleta Adams, Jet, K.T. Tunstall, The Beatles, The Kinks, Van Halen, Natalie Cole, The All American Rejects, Lit - and SO MUCH MORE......send us notes for song requests - we LOVE them!!! Check out some of our videos at ......... www.youtube.com/user/whoknewentertainment ............ - good stuff - Mustang Sally is up there - and MORE! Plus more being added from live shows and rehearsals all the time!!! ------------------------
WOO HOO - WHO KNEW!!!!
WHO KNEW is a fantastic and creative venture of some of Chicagoland's most talented and hard-working artists. They have come together to develop a tight-knit sound that covers all genres. Their training is diverse and impressive - and this group will never disappoint their fans. Listeners can hear just about any kind of music and requests always encouraged.
Bios of each individual are soon to come - so please check back often to read up on the members of WHO KNEW! We appreciate you all! HUGS :)
Recent Performances
7/10/09 Cary's - Chicago
7/3/09 McGees - Chicago
6/27/09 The Rockhouse - Chicago
6/26/09 WineStyles - Barrington
6/20/09 Dukes - Crystal Lake
6/18/09 3160 - Chicago
6/13/09 Tokyo Bay - Naperville
6/12/09 WineStlyes - Schaumburg
6/5/09 Wise Fools Pub - Chicago
6/5/09 WineStyles - Schaumburg
5/29/09 Tia Maria's - Roselle
5/15/09 Penny Road Pub - Barrington
5/6/09 Goose Island (Clybourn) - Chicago
5/2/09 Tuscan Market - Arl. Heights
5/1/09 Mad Maggie's - Elgin - Chicago
4/25/09 Diversey Yacht Club - Chicago
4/18/09 Goose Island - Chicago
4/17/09 Private Fund Rasier - Palatine
4/11/09 Tiki Terrace - Des Plaines
4/10/09 Tokyo Bay - Naperville
3/21/09 Flatlanders - Lincolnshire
3/14/09 Deja Vu - Chicago
2/27/09 Trojanek's - Chicago
2/21/09 Peggy Kinnanes - Arlington Heights
2/13/09 Mad Maggies - Elgin
1/31/09 JD Muggs - Addison
1/24/09 Australia Day Ball - Trump Chicago (Acoustic, Jazz, Band)
1/10/09 Penny Road Pub - Barrington
1/3/09 DeJa Vu - Chicago
12/19 McGees's - Chicago
12/13 Bannerman's - Bartlett
12/6 Mrs. O'Leary's - Chicago (Acoustic)
12/4 Animal House Shelter Benefit - Schaumburg (Who Knew Trio - volunteer)
11/29 3160 - Chicago (Who Knew Trio)
11/23 Wise Fools Pub - Chicago
11/15 Jerseys - Hoffman Estates (Acoustic)
11/2 Clubhouse (Private - Who Knew Trio) - Oakbrook
10/25 Nero's - Algonquin
10/18 Wool Street - Cary
10/11 Wedding - Northbrook
9/27 Double Eagle - Antioch
9/13 Nero's - Algonquin
8/23 Private Event (Acoustic) - Chicago
8/9 DC Cobbs - Woodstock
8/8 Jerseys - Hoffman Estates
7/18 Chubby Rain - Poplar Grove
7/5 Famous Freddies - Mt.Prospect
6/29 Kingsbury Plaza - Chicago
6/28 Private Wedding - Libertyville
6/21 Penny Road Pub - Barrington
6/20 Cubby Bear - Lincolnshire
6/14 Martini Park - Chicago
5/17 Tailgaters - Bolingbrook
5/16 Uncle Fatty's - Chicago
5/9 Jerseys - Hoffman Estates
4/18 Trio - Palos Heights
3/29 Penny Road Pub - Barrington
2/22 Penny Road Pub - Barrington
We just created a facebook page, if your on facebook click image below to view our facebook page and become a fan of Gringo Soul! We will be posting secret show, news, projects, album releases and more!
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