ben chovnick - guitar
Ben Chovnick, a native of Eastern CT, began studying the guitar at age ten. Early on, he attended a BB King concert and was so taken by the music that he started to study the blues guitar genre. During his teens, he saw many blues shows at the Shaboo Inn, such as Muddy Waters, BB King, Roomful Of Blues, Hubert Sumlin, Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal, all of whom were regular guests at Shaboo. After moving to Los Angeles in 1985, Ben was introduced to the west coast sounds of James Harmon, The Mighty Flyers, The Paladins and guitarists Hollywood Fats, Junior Watson, Charley Baty and Kid Ramos are his favorites. Ben started performing in pickup bands and blues jams regularly and eventually got a regular gig at a ski resort at Big Bear Lake, playing with the Blues Bandits. Ben moved back to Willimantic, CT in 1995 where he played with Patti Tuite. He formed the band Loose Melvin in 1998 where he started playing the jump and swing styles that he was influenced by during his west coast days. In 2002 Ben started The Kingpins with singer-harp player Scott Fairbanks. Scott's dynamic singing style and outstanding showmanship led them to the popularity that they enjoy today. "We have been down a long road, with great times and sad times. Many friends have been members of this band and it's them, that have made this band a great experience. I thank them all, and here's to many more years, and many great times."
keith lyons - vocals
Keith likes to sing anything, anywhere, anytime. He can be heard in a multitude of bands in addition to the Kingpins including the Wild Bill Project and others. Keith is somewhat of a zoologists and in his spare time can be found saving small helpless herbivores.
jim benini - drums
Born in 1959, James grew up on the edge of the Hudson River in Croton-on-Hudson,NY. He started playing in 1974. He holds a BS in Industrial Arts Education from Oswego State University and a MA in Special Education from the University of Connecticut.Since moving to Connecticut in 1982, he has worked with local bands such as the Little Big Band, Second Time Around, Ethnic Fiction, Loose Melvin,and The Kingpins.
Mickey Seretny- Harp & Trumpet
Mickey started playing harp in 1971, being inspired by Alan “Blind Owl” Wilson and Little Walter Jacobs, and spent over a year in Europe jamming and performing with many different musicians. In 1976 he moved to Florida and played with The Saltwater Band and toured Europe several times. Mick was also a founding member of The Roadhouse Band, while living in St. Petersburg, and played with John Lee Hookers’ sideman Eddie Kirkland for 2 years. He toured Europe with Diamond Teeth Mary in 1984, and played with The Mad Beach Band for a year. He moved to California in 1985 until 1999, and played and recorded with The Undulations Band out of Sacramento. Mickey returned to Connecticut in 2000. Since then he has also performed with The BluesTalkers, The Chili Blues Band, The Kingcake Band, and Pete Merrigan and the Sunapee Allstars.
*Mickey is an endorser of Hohner Harmonicas®.*
*Mickey is an endorser of Hohner Harmonicas®.*
chris beaudry - Tenor saxophone
Chris Beaudry has been playing the saxophone since age 10. He can be seen in the Willimantic area performing in upwards of five bands at any one time. Chris attended the Greater Hartford Academy of the arts in Hartford, CT where he studied under saxophonist Jimmy Greene (Harry Connick Jr., Freddie Hubbard). He attended the Berklee College of Music on scholarship where he received his degree in Professional Music. Chris is currently pursuing a certification in Music Education at Central Connecticut State University.
Chris currently hosts a wildly popular weekly open microphone at Corleone's Cafe in Willimantic, CT as well as a Jazz Jam Night every second and fourth Wednesday at Cafemantic in Willimantic. Both events draw all sorts of musicians, poets, writers, comedians and artists.
http://chrisbeaudrysax.weebly.com
http://corleonesopenmic.weebly.com
Chris currently hosts a wildly popular weekly open microphone at Corleone's Cafe in Willimantic, CT as well as a Jazz Jam Night every second and fourth Wednesday at Cafemantic in Willimantic. Both events draw all sorts of musicians, poets, writers, comedians and artists.
http://chrisbeaudrysax.weebly.com
http://corleonesopenmic.weebly.com
Rich Brauch - Electric bass
Rich was born in 1976. He began playing guitar at age 12, and then fretless bass at age 15. He's fond of Gin & Tonic!