MOVIN' OUT BAND
aka
THE MOB
These days, with the
economy being what it is, I've been playing mostly solo.
But when I need a band, I call on:
The
MOVIN' OUT BAND
aka
THE MOB
Michael Sorrentino: drums, Wade Preston: keys and vocals, Dennis DelGaudio: guitar and vocals, John Scarpulla: sax, percussion, mad stage antics and vocals, Greg Smith: bass and vocals
This is my favorite ensemble to work with. We add musicians as budget permits, usually horns and synth, but I love being piano man and synth man at the same time. Keeps me quite busy, and I don't know anybody else who can pull it off!
Here's a bio of the Movin' Out Band five piece:
The
Movin’ Out Band
The Five Piece
The Movin’ Out Band held audiences spellbound for years on Broadway as Twyla Tharp’s choreography and the brilliant dancers she employed told the story through dance and the songs of Billy Joel. As a ten piece on stage band, the power that these musicians could collectively deliver to audiences night after night was, and is, undeniable. Since the show closed in December of 2005, they have still been able to deliver the same impact at small theaters, corporate and private events.
But for some situations, the ten piece is simply too big to employ. When those situations first arose, Wade put together what he calls "his beloved five piece," consisting of guitar, bass, drums, sax and of course Wade, on piano and synth. This ensemble proved to pack quite the punch for a scaled down version of the original band. And while the ten piece still performs, now there are options for venues and situations that simply can’t use the full band.
The reason for the success of the five piece is simply great musicians. Of course, the are all Movin’ Out alumni, with a history of playing together and developing chemistry and friendships on Broadway for years. Vocals are full and harmonized since four of the five band members sing. Wade is right at home, being well versed on lead vocals, piano and synth. He is the only piano man who played the lead and the synth at the same time in Movin’ Out, and does so on a regular basis with this ensemble. Dennis DelGaudio had his own band for years and is an experienced front man, stepping up to the microphone to take the lead from time to time. Greg Smith sings lead on several songs while he plays with Ted Nugent, so he’s right at home taking the lead here and there as well. John Scarpulla harmonizes when he’s not playing sax, (as does Cliff Lyons) and adds even more with his percussion skills. With all these singers, it’s no wonder the vocals are so good in this relatively small band. And with the reputedly excellent drumming of Mike Sorrentino driving the band, the ensemble is rooted with an unshakable driving force.
"You can’t buy that kind of chemistry," explains Wade. "You can only be lucky enough to be part of it when it happens."
With great musicianship and humorous, energetic and professional stage etiquette, and a huge repertoire, the five piece is gaining momentum in performance circles, in both the private and corporate marketplace.
The MOB Five Piece Personnel
Wade Preston - Piano, Vocals and Synth
Wade played the role of the Piano Man in the Billy Joel / Twyla Tharpe Broadway hit Movin’ Out since it’s inception in May of 2002 until it closed in December of 2005, as well as guesting on both national tours. He is an original cast member. He holds the record as the Piano Man with the most consecutive shows performed without a break, and he is the only Piano Man who has played the lead role and the synth chair at the same time. He has played Movin' Out approximately 1400 times, with nearly half of them as the Piano Man.
In June and July of 2008 Wade had the honor of doing the rehearsals and sound checks for Billy Joel in both Hershey, PA and Shea Stadium, essentially being the stunt Billy. This is the last musical event to ever take place at Shea, aptly called The Last Play At Shea, and this historic event is being filmed for release as a full length movie.
Presently Wade is playing solo, with his beloved five piece version of the Movin’ Out Band, with the full ten piece, with the Billy Joel Band, a piano / sax duo and a piano guitar duo. He has been performing in mostly small theaters, corporate and private events. Most recently, on January 20, 2009, he performed at the PA Inauguration Ball in Washington D.C. for President Obama, Vice President Biden and PA Governor Rendell.
Visit www.myspace.com/wadepreston and www.wadepreston.com for more info, pictures. mp3's and videos.
Greg Smith - Bass and Vocals
Greg is currently the bassist / vocalist for Ted Nugent. As well as background vocals, Greg also sings lead on three songs during the 2008 tour. Smith has also worked with Alice Cooper, Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, Alan Parsons Project, Blue Oyster Cult, Dokken, Tommy James & the Shondells, Joe Lynn Turner, Vinnie Moore, Van Helsing's Curse, O2'L and Wendy O. Williams. Greg is also an original member of the Movin ‘Out Band for the entire run on Broadway and a year on the road with the first national tour. Visit Greg at www.gsmith.com
Dennis DelGaudio - Guitar and Vocals
Besides his own bands and projects, Dennis DelGaudio has also recorded and performed with many other bands including The Turtles. Dennis holds a BA in music from Hofstra University. His teachers include Jeff Tillman and Bill Zito in guitar and Joe Rubin in voice. He co-wrote the featured songs for two independent films. "Class of ‘83", released in the fall of 2004, as well as, "Pope Dreams", released in the fall of 2005. He also co-wrote and performed for various jingle houses in New York City including the theme music for two CNBC shows, "The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch" and "Conversations". He was the lead guitarist in the hit Broadway musical "Movin’ Out" from its inception, throughout its three and a half year run, and is featured on the cast album. In the spring of 2006, he became the Musical Director for the limited engagement/London production of "Movin’ Out" at the Apollo Victoria Theater. Dennis is currently living and working in New York City and can occasionally be seen playing guitar in the Broadway productions of "Jersey Boys" and "Grease". Dennis also joined Billy Joel’s band for the historic Shea Stadium performances in July of 2008.
Mike Sorrentino - Drums
Mike has recorded and/or toured with several top rock acts including Joe Lynn Turner, Zebra and Ritchie Blackmore, with whom he has two gold albums to his credit. In addition, he has performed on Broadway with Movin’ Out and Grease, and was the principle drummer for the Movin’ Out national tour. Mike continues to do a variety of recordings, clubs, corporate events and weddings in New York City and Long Island. He has studied with many of the most notable drum instructors in the world, including: Jim Chapin, Al Miller, Dom Famularo, Charlie Perry, Alan Dawson, Gary Chaffee, Rod Morgenstein, Dave Garibaldi and many others. Mike still teaches, arranges and produces on a regular basis. www.myspace.com/mikesorrentino
John Scarpulla - Sax, Percussion and Vocals
John is an original Movin' Out Band member, and stayed with the Broadway production for the entire run on Broadway. He gained his reputation live and in the studio with Tower of Power, Billy Joel, Hall & Oates, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey and Michael Bolton. His love of Latin rhythms and Salsa has led him to play and record with Willie Colon, Celia Cruz, Ralph Irizzary, Ruben Blades, Ricky Martin, Sergio George, Tito Nieves, Roy Ayers and Huey Dunbar of DLG. His passion for salsa has enabled him the opportunity to travel to South and Central America as well as all over the United States and Canada. John is also a member of the popular local funk band Funk Filharmonik (www.funkfilharmonik.com) John is now the principle lead sax on the revival of Grease on Broadway. Visit John at www.johnscarpulla.com.
Clifford Lyons - Sax and
Vocals
Cliff is a freelance NYC saxophonist and has performed for a number of Broadway
productions such as: Hairspray, Movin' Out, Grease, The Wedding Singer
and In the Heights. He is a member of the Ed Palermo Big Band as well as
Jim Cifelli's New York Nonet, and has recorded and performed with the Average
White Band, Manhattan Transfer as well as many Jazz, Pop, and R&B acts.
THE
MOVIN' OUT BAND
The Original Ten Piece
This shot is from our recent Hofstra
performance
From left to right: John Scarpulla, Chuck Burgi, Wade (at the piano) Dennis
DelGaudio, Carmine Giglio, Chris Jusino, Scott Krietzer, Greg Smith, Kevin
Osborne, Carl Fischer
Broadway’s
Original
Movin’ Out Band
The ORIGINAL BAND from the Tony Award winning, grammy nominated Broadway hit musical Movin’ Out featuring the best of Billy Joel’s music is available for bookings.
Movin’ Out, the Broadway musical Time Magazine called "The Best Musical of the Year" closed after nearly four years of playing to packed houses while being inducted into the Top 50 list of longest running shows in Broadway history. Now, the ORIGINAL BAND MEMBERS of Broadway's Tony Award winning, Grammy Award nominated musical, Movin' Out continue to perform at private and corporate functions.
The Movin' Out Band (aka The MOB) is fronted by the incredibly talented pianist and vocalist Wade Preston, an original Piano Man in the hit musical. The Movin' Out Band performs Billy Joel classics that made Movin’ Out a success, as well as most of Billy’s catalogue. They also have a huge repertoire of other material, ranging from Elton John to the Motown era, as well as classic and contemporary rock should the event require a variety of styles.
The Movin' Out Band includes several members of Billy Joel’s band as well as original Broadway band members, national tour band members or a combination thereof, depending on availability. The level of talent that this band has access to is nothing shy of remarkabale.
All of the original members of the Movin' Out Band played on the Grammy nominated Movin’ Out Original Cast Recording. They all have impressive resumes that include touring and recording with some of music’s most popular artists, such as Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Enrique Iglesias, Ricky Martin, Natalie Cole, Michael Bolton, Luther Vandross, Will Smith, The Temptations, Mary Wilson & The Supremes, Shakira, Trans Siberian Orchestra, Alice Cooper, Hall & Oates, Meat Loaf, Tommy James & the Shondells, Carly Simon, Alan Parson Project, Ted Nugent and of course Billy Joel, just to name a few!
The Movin' Out Band can suit the needs of any function and can include all of the ten piece Broadway style band to as small as a five piece band. (See the MOB Five Piece section of this press kit.) The production can even be expanded to include some of the dancers from the original Broadway cast.
Movin’ Out Band Personnel
Wade Preston
– The Piano ManWade Preston is a singer, pianist, and composer who performs regularly with the Movin' Out Band, members of the Billy Joel Band and as a solo artist. He most recently starred in the Broadway Musical Movin’ Out, as well as the national tour.
With roots in classical, boogie, barrel house and New Orleans second-line style piano playing, Wade mixes Billy Joel / Elton John vocal styles with Ray Charles passion. His keyboard abilities are reminiscent of Keith Emerson’s classical chops mixed with the joyous abandon of Jerry Lee Lewis. Preston is a favorite amongst live music lovers.
Wade played the role of the Piano Man in the Billy Joel / Twyla Tharpe Broadway hit Movin’ Out since it’s inception in May of 2002 until it closed in December of 2005, and is an original cast member. He also covered the synth chair in the band. He holds the record as the Piano Man with the most consecutive shows performed without a break, and he is the only Piano Man who has played the lead and the synth chair at the same time.
In June and July of 2008 Wade had the honor of doing the rehearsals and sound checks for Billy Joel in both Hershey, PA and Shea Stadium, essentially being the stunt Billy. This is the last musical event to ever take place at Shea, aptly named The Last Play At Shea, and this historic event was filmed for release as a full length movie. On January 20, 2009, Wade had the honor of performing at the PA Inaugural Gala in Washington D.C. for PA Govenor Ed Rendell, Vice President Joe Biden and President Barack Obama.
Greg Smith – Bass / Vocals
Greg is currently the bassist / vocalist for Ted Nugent. Greg sings the backgrounds and lead on 3 songs. "Hey Baby from the 1st Ted Nugent album, and "Need You Bad" from the Weekend Warriors album. Greg has also been the bassist, and backing vocals for such artists as Alice Cooper, Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, Alan Parsons Project, Blue Oyster Cult, Dokken, Tommy James & the Shondells, Joe Lynn Turner, Vinnie Moore, Van Helsing's Curse, O2'L and Wendy O. Williams. Greg was also the principal bassist and backing vocals for the Tony Award winning Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp musical "Movin Out" for it's entire three and a half year run on Broadway and one year on the first national tour.
Tommy Byrnes – Guitar / Vocals
Tommy Byrnes’ resume includes his current status as Billy Joel's music director, and tours with such artists as Enrique Iglesias, Brian Setzer, and Joan Jett.
Beyond live performance, he’s also responsible for writing Mandy Moore's "It's Gonna Be Love" from the A Walk to Remember soundtrack as well as the #1 European single "Daylight in Your Eyes," performed by the pop group No Angels.
Most recently Byrnes served as musical consultant and guitarist with the Broadway production of Movin’ Out, based on the music of Billy Joel.
Chuck Burgi – Drums
Chuck Burgi is currently the drummer for Billy Joel, and can be heard on the recent 12 Gardens Live Billy Joel CD. Some other artists he has played for include Enrique Iglesias, Meat Loaf, Hall & Oates, Rainbow and Blue Oyster Cult. Chuck is an original Movin Out Band member.
Carl Fischer – Trumpet
Carl Fischer is currently touring and recording with the piano man Billy Joel and is a featured soloist nightly on Billy’s sold out, top selling world tour of 2008, touring and recording with Billy Joel. Featured on Joel’s latest CD. 12 gardens live. 2005-Principal chair in NYC Tony award winning Broadway show Movin out. 2004-Recorded with singer Mariah Carey, producer Randy Jackson. 2004-Recorded music for the Blue Man Group. 2003-2004-Toured and opened concerts for Maynard Ferguson. 2003-Live performances with soul singer Sam Moore (Sam and Dave fame) 2003-Live TV Performances: CBS (Tony awards) ESPN (NBA playoff game) and USA (U.S Open). Recorded with Sophie B Hawkins, for her latest CD titled Wilderness 2002 – Performed and recorded with renowned guitarist Esteban, and featured on the Home Shopping Network 2001- Performances with pop singer Shakira 1999-2000 - Studio musician for the Bill Cosby show "Little Bill" on Nickelodeon and CBS 2000 - Recorded for Will Smith’s "Willenium" Album 1999 - Performed with The Four Tops 1999 - Performed with The Dells 1999 - Performed with the Temptations. 1999 - Performed with Blood, Sweat, and Tears 1999-2003 - Performances with Mary Wilson and the Supremes 1998- Performed with Jazz vocalist Diane Schuur 1993-1998 - Performed and toured with Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra under the direction of the highly acclaimed trumpet player Wynton Marsalis
John Scarpulla – Sax / Vocals / Percussion
Tower of Power, Michael Bolton, Hall & Oates, Huey Lewis, Ricky Martin, Goo Goo Dolls, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Luther Vandross, George Benson, Celia Cruz, Gypsy Kings among many others. John
will also be joining Billy Joel’s band for the historic Shea Stadium performances in July of 2008.Dennis DelGaudio – Guitar / Vocals
Besides his own bands and projects, Dennis DelGaudio has also recorded and performed with many other bands including The Turtles. Dennis holds a BA in music from Hofstra University. His teachers include Jeff Tillman and Bill Zito in guitar and Joe Rubin in voice.
He co-wrote the featured songs for two independent films. "Class of ‘83", released in the fall of 2004, as well as, "Pope Dreams", released in the fall of 2005. He also co-wrote and performed for various jingle houses in New York City including the theme music for two CNBC shows, "The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch" and "Conversations". He was the lead guitarist in the hit Broadway musical "Movin’ Out" from its inception, throughout its three and a half year run, and is featured on the cast album. In the spring of 2006, he became the Musical Director for the limited engagement/London production of "Movin’ Out" at the Apollo Victoria Theater. Dennis is currently living and working in New York City and can occasionally be seen playing guitar in the Broadway productions of "Jersey Boys" and "Grease". Dennis also joined Billy Joel’s band for the historic Shea Stadium performances in July of 2008, and is now a full time member of the band.
Carmine Giglio – Synth
Carmine Giglio is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music. He has performed or recorded with: Movin' Out (Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp's Tony Award winning Broadway show), principal synth player for the 1st National tour of Movin Out, Trans Siberian Orchestra, Ritchie Blackmore's Blackmore's Night, Carly Simon, Joe Lynn Turner, Nine Days, Jill Gioia, O'2L, Greg Raposo, Sasha Lazard, JIVE Jones.Carmine Giglio is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music. He has performed or recorded with: Movin' Out (Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp's Tony Award winning Broadway show), principal synth player for the 1st National tour of Movin Out, Trans Siberian Orchestra, Ritchie Blackmore's Blackmore's Night, Carly Simon, Joe Lynn Turner, Nine Days, Jill Gioia, O'2L, Greg Raposo, Sasha Lazard, JIVE Jones.
Kevin Osborne – Trombone / Vocals
Kevin has played with Mickey Dolenz, 10,000 Maniacs, and They Might be Giants as well as being an Original Movin Out Band member. His voice can be heard on dozens of commercials, most notably Jeffery the Giraffe, and the Jolly Green Giant. He has close to a four octave range. Kevin
also joined Billy Joel’s band for the historic Shea Stadium performances in July of 2008.Scott Kreitzer – Sax
Scott Has played for Spyro Gyra, David Lee Roth, Blood, Sweat & Tears,
Manhattan Transfer, Linda Eder, Billy Joel, Mike Stern, Peter Cincotti, & Phil
Ramone.
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Movin'_Out_(musical)Movin’ Out Band Press
NY Times - Ben Brantley
"An excellent 10-piece band.
"NY Times - Anna Kisselgoff
"Two separate and equal casts of major ballet dancers and rock musicians have propelled Billy Joel fans into delirious ovations at matinee and evening previews."
Broadway.com
"A remarkable cast of 27 and 24 Billy Joel classics played by an electrifying onstage band."
Village Voice
"A powerhouse band"
New York Observer
"The best band on Broadway."
Curtain Up
"This most satisfying stand-in for Billy Joel and the rest of the terrific band are smartly positioned on an on-stage platform that, like the dancers, never stands still but moves from front to rear as well as up and down."
Theater Mania
"Hot-as-a-waffle-iron band above the stage"
The Nation.com
"A smashing rock band elevated above the stage on a platform"
Movin’ Out Band Awards
Nominations
2003 Grammy Award for Best Broadway Cast Album category (Tommy Byrnes - Producer)
Winner
2003 Tony award for Best Orchestration category (Billy Joel and Stuart Malina)