JIM RYAN - Piano

A professional musician since 1962, in Los Angeles and Chicago, has done recording as a performer, and writer/producer of commercial music for television and radio. Jim played keyboards for AL JARREAU on his Grammy Award-winning album "ALL FLY HOME". He toured and recorded with a rock group called THE MOB in the 1960’s. His piano artistry and musical sensitivity are well known in the musical world. He performs regularly with his own groups and as a soloist and with Bobby Lewis in concerts as a Jazz duo through septet   Jim has appeared on all of the BOBBY LEWIS CD recordings for Southport records.

THOMAS KINI - Electric Bass

A native of New Zealand, and virtuoso electric bassist, is one of Chicago’s busiest and most in-demand jazz artists. His music took him to Australia where he studied at the Australian Music Conservatory, and then to Europe where he performed in Spain, Portugal, Germany, Sweden and Copenhagen. Thomas has appeared on many recordings including JORGE DALTO, DONNY HATHAWAY, MANFREDO FEST (Brazilian jazz pianist), STEVIE WONDER, a CD recording by the COLBY CARUSO Quintet with AKIO SASAJIMA, and JOE HENDERSON, and has appeared on all of the BOBBY LEWIS CD recordings for Southport records.

Hailed as one of the most talented musicians in Chicago. Attended North Texas State University and was a member of the outstanding One O’clock Lab Jazz Band. After touring with ARTIE SHAW and WOODY HERMAN, he settled in Chicago in 1990, where he performs  at the Green Mill co-leading the Sabertooth quartet, Saturday's at midnight for more than a decade. He produced a CD recording of his compositions, titled MONDAY PRAYER TO TUNKASHILA, and most recently released Sabertooth: Live at the Green Mill.

 Pat is a member of the Jazz Mentors Sextet sponsored by the Ravinia Festival to develop and teach young jazz musicians in Chicago’s inner-city schools. Pat continues to perform around town with many groups including the  Chicago Jazz Ensemble.

Jeff began his career as a jazz drummer in 1984, building a reputation in Chicago by playing with such superb artists as Chick Corea, Randy Becker, Wynton Marsalis, Eddie Harris, Larry Coryell Patricia Barber, Von Freeman and many others. The Jeff Stitely Quartet has recorded three CDs, toured both the U.S. and Europe and was a finalist in the Hennessey National Jazz Competition. Jeff studied and performed African drumming with Gideon Foli Alorwoyie for five years, and has been on faculty at Northern Illinois and Northeastern Illinois Universities teaching percussion. Along with this he is one of the busiest drummers in Chicago and travels often to perform concerts and percussion clinics. Jeff has been a featured performer on many of Bobby Lewis' CD's and is his first choice drummer for Jazz concert appearances.

Rob Amster -Electric & Acoustic Bass