Mike Caputo
Mike is a singer, songwriter and musician who has been performing in the NY/NJ/PA area for over 50 years. A vocalist who plays keyboards and drums, Mike was signed to ABC Dunhill records at 15 years old after playing the Cafe Wha? in NYC in 1967. From that point he performed as a lead vocalist and either drummer, or keyboardist in a variety of local bands in the club circuit. Performing 5 to 6 nights a week playing Pop, Progressive, Jazz, R&B, Funk and his own Original Compositions, led him to more studio experience at Private Stock Records in the 70’s.
Mike’s love for the music of the artists featured in the GOOD STUFF repertoire is one of the reasons he formed the band. His vocal style can be heard in the artists he emulates and admires. He has been touted as the signature Donald Fagen vocalist for the past 30 years by fans of his many Steely Dan tribute performances.
Mike has performed at the Berks Jazz Fest for many years, Trump Marina Shell Theater, The China Club, Bethlehem Musikfest and Musikfest Cafe, Scranton Jazz Fest, McLoone’s Supper Club, Roy’s Hall, Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base, The River Street Jazz Cafe, Trumpets Jazz Club and many other popular venues. He has done voice demos for B.J. Thomas, Steve Tyrell, Regis Philbin, and Allan Schwartzberg. Mike is also a published writer who wrote lyrics and melody for “A Question Of Time” by B.J. Thomas from the album “Once I Loved” and “Manhattan Blue” for Rich Cecere’e Big Band.
Mike has always set high standards for himself for both his live and recorded performances and gives his all to the audience. He is now delighted to be working with GOOD STUFF and the outstanding session players who add their own unique skills and personality to some of the most influential music of our time.
Cyriese Lambert
Cyriese Lambert is the newest addition to the GOOD STUFF family. She is a very versatile vocalist who is well versed in the style of the music of the artists covered by the band. Cyriese is also a musician who studied classical piano and has player keyboards in various shows. She has toured with the international company “Up With People” in 1975 and 1976 and was featured in the documentary series “From Rock to Rap.” Later, Cyriese became a member of the Motown recording group, “Platinum Hook” performing live shows in local clubs and hotels in the USA and Canada. In the recording studio she was the house session vocalist for “1800 Records.”
Cyriese has been the lead vocalist for many other bands and shows including The Wall Street Band, A Different View Band, Cyriese Lambert & Company Jazz Trio, Van Morrison Celebration Tribute Band and The Rhythm Ignition Band, which was featured in “The New Yorker” magazine. A few of her recording credits include “What’s Gonna Happen to Our World” and “I Just Can’t Wait for Christmas.” With her amazing range, tone and vocal and musical ability Cyriese is a very welcome addition to GOOD STUFF.
Deanna Carroll
Deanna is a talented singer whose vocal prowess ranges from classic standards to today’s dance music. She honed her powerful vocal and performance skills while working with top New York Tri-State area Entertainment companies and bands. She is continually sought after for live and studio work. Her recorded works include background vocals for British artist, Joss Stone, SoHo Electric/UK (featured artist), and backing vocals for Jazz Saxophonist Paula Atherton. In addition, she has performed on the Tonight Show, The View, Good Morning America and at the Nassau Coliseum as the featured backing vocalist for recording artist, Vitamin C. She has lent her voice to jingles for Honda, Power Outlet, and Lifetime Television, among others.
Deanna also earned a feature spot on the Morning Show and the cover of Inside Connection Magazine as the front to the Soul Country band, GEORGE. Deanna adds the element of style, soul and skill that is required for the music covered in GOOD STUFF and we are both lucky and grateful to have her incredible talent as an integral part of the show.
Carolee Goodgold
CAROLEE GOODGOLD is a session singer and voiceover artist. She can be heard both singing and speaking on countless commercials for Cingular, Cheerios, and Verizon and many more. She has performed and recorded with Larry Gatlin, Cher, Carly Simon, Keely Smith, Sandi Patty, Rosanne Cash, The Chieftains, and Marie Osmond, to name a few. As an actress she’s starred in “Opa” and was nominated for “Best Actress in a Musical.” Carolee has also been a director and musical director for many corporate shows. Carolee made her debut with GOOD STUFF at the Cutting Room in NYC in 2021. She is an amazing vocalist and an absolute pleasure to work with.
Axel Belohoubek
Axel, is originally a classically trained pianist who also grew up transcribing ELP and playing Beatles on guitar. His music career naturally followed an equally eclectic path. Credits include orchestral rock concerts at Lincoln Center, tour pre production for Madonna and David Bowie, original scoring and sound design for countless advertising, TV, film and corporate industrial projects, as well as a non-stop live performance schedule with top tri-state wedding, classic rock, r&b, jazz, Latin, Irish, Klezmer (with Grammy-winning violinist Alicia Svigals), edutainment and other bands, accompanying at NJ Ballet and Fei Tian Dance schools (with Edward Villella, Shen Yun and many other masters from around the world), plus weekly traditional Afro/Caribbean and contemporary gospel services.
Thursday nights he plays and sings jazz and Neapolitan love songs, from Sinatra to Metallica, at a local Italian restaurant piano bar and between occasional daytime studio recordings and highly personalized private lessons he’s forever learning and loading more music onto a tablet for the next gig. Axel is a master musician who can not only play anything on the written page, but can improvise through any complex material. He is an amazing musician and composer who is constantly expanding his musical boundaries.
Jay Dittamo
Jay is a virtuoso drummer and percussionist. He is also a composer who can write with complexity and beauty. As a producer there are few who can compare with his knowledge and technique. Jay is also a sound designer for various drum and synthesizer companies with a lifetime Zildjian endorsement. He is an arranger who listens carefully and knows instinctively how music sounds best. Jay plays a variety of musical instruments and styles from rock, progressive, classical and jazz. He is a high-tech engineer who is always on the cutting edge with ideas for the band.
Jay has performed with shows both nationally and internationally. He has performed with The Les Paul Trio, Jose Feliciano, Chuck Berry, The Crests, Jimmy Webb, Lenny Welch, The Drifters, Frank Zappa’s Band from Utopia, Keith Emerson of ELP, Bucky Pizzarelli, Gloria Lynne, Jay Leonhart, The Vivino Brothers, The Marvelettes, The Shirelles, Marc Anthony, Morton Harkett and The Mystics.
Jay also wrote and performed a brilliant original music score for the 1931 film version of Frankenstein. Jay is an outstanding musician. His heart and soul is in every project he is involved with. The best of the best!
Tom Cottone
Tom Cottone is a professional drummer based in Central New Jersey. His versatility makes him one of the most in demand drummers in the tri state area. Some of the people he has performed with include Randy Brecker, Steve Swallow, Darlene Love, Roy Hargrove, Dionne Warwick John Herrington, The New Orleans Suspects, BD Lenz, Tom Brislin, Glen Burtnik, Bobby Kimball, The Churchills, Fossil, Hyperactive, and Blowup. He has toured the US and Europe, and does numerous studio sessions in the NJ/NY/Philadelphia area, as well as teaching and recording remotely at his home studio. He is a graduate of The Berklee College of music, and currently also performs with the jazz group RED123, Brian Kirk and the Jirks, The Andy Rothstein Group, and the instrumental band One More Once that performs regularly in New York City. He has recently released his own acoustic jazz cd entitled “Passage” with his own band, and performs with them around the NY/NJ area.
https://tomcottone.hearnow.com/
http://www.youtube.com/tomcottone
Don Regan
Don has been a staple in the NY area session and live music scene for quite a while. He has been playing and teaching guitar for the past 35 years. He attended Fairleigh Dickinson University and the Manhattan School of music. Don studied Classical guitar with Manuel Barrueco and Rolando Valdes Blaine. He studied Jazz guitar with legend John Abercrombie and childhood mentor Mike Pompeo.
Don has provided musical compositions for such cable TV shows as Giants Today. He has played with such musical acts as Arctic Dreams ( original -jazz fusion ) and New Power Soul (cabaret band). Don has recorded and toured with Fridays Child (original- power acoustic ), with the release of “Democracy” and many other acts. Don has had many students who have gone on to tour to play with major acts. Tom Morello, various Frank Zappa alumni , Sean Lennon (The Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger), The Bernie Worrell orchestra and The Hansons most notable.
We call him “Steely Don” because of his great renditions of those classic guitar solos. Don is also a huge fan of the other artists we cover in GOOD STUFF. He can write a chart for any of the more complex material we cover. He is a master player and teacher who brings the element of soul and finesse to everything he plays.
Scott Hogan
Scott plays bass guitar and attended NYU as a jazz performance major. He also studied under John Patitucci, who recommended him to Mercury Records for touring with the pop group Hanson. That tour included 5 performances on Late Night with David Letterman and the 1998 Grammy Awards.
Scott also spent four years touring with the Bernie Worrell Orchestra. He has also performed with The Shirelles, Glen Velez, Rah Diggah and Jimmy Destri from Blondie. Scott is always looking to expand his musical horizons and loves taking on the challenges of any complex musical situations. He is our youngest member and an incredible player with a solid foundation in many genres of music, which makes him the perfect fit for GOOD STUFF.
Phil Armeno
Phil is an accomplished player of the saxophone and woodwinds. Tenor, alto and soprano saxophones and flute are his specialty. Phil studied embouchure, sax and flute, with Charles Librizzi. Phil is a first call session player who can multi track multiple sax parts with beautiful tonality, texture and perfect pitch. He has an awesome sense of rhythm and is a master of technique and style. Phil brings a rich tone to his solos and he is our one man horn section. Always ready to explore any improvisational situation, Phil brings GOOD STUFF a big sound and melodic feel.
Phil is a long time player who has worked with The Platters, has performed at Carnegie Hall & Philharmonic Hall Concerts, worked with Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, The Duprees, The Impalas and sessions with The E Street Band and Asbury Jukes musicians. You can Phil’s work on jingles for the clients Coca Cola, Hallmark and Jordache Jeans. Phil is always striving for perfection and is a big fan of the artists we are covering in GOOD STUFF.
Gary Mancinelli
Gary graduated the famed William Patterson University with a B. A. in Jazz studies. He studied under Thad Jones ( mentor and teacher, co leader of the Thad Jones Mel Lewis Orchestra) and with other great pianist such as Sir Roland Hanna, Hank Jones, Barry Harris , Walter Norris and Gary Kirkpatrick.
He has performed with such great artist as Dizzy Gillespie, Thad Jones, Elvin Jones, Billy Hart, George Mraz and Mel Lewis.
After a short tour with Ray, Goodman and Brown in 1988 he joined Gerald Alston’s (lead singer of The Manhattans) band for his solo tour in 1989 where he did a British Isles tour with Natalie Cole and a 6-week European tour with Whitney Houston. Gary then toured Japan , Jamaica and The U.S.
In 1993 The Manhattans reformed and Gary went right along with them, touring South Africa in 1996 and 1998, which produced a live performance gold CD from the 1996 tour. Gary received an award for the recording going gold In South Africa. He has performed at Madison Square Garden, BB Kings club, the Apollo Theater, and Radio City Music Hall.
Gary currently plays in the New Jersey area and can still be seen on the PBS special “My Music: “Soul of the 70s”, where he conducted the orchestra for The Manhattans performance of “You are My Shining Star”.
He continues to write, produce, record, mix audio and perform in The New York Metropolitan area and is indeed a welcome addition to GOOD STUFF.
Rick Brunermer
Rick Brunermer currently directs and arranges for the Motor City Revue horn section, a powerful Motown tribute band. He graduated from the University of Miami, plied the seven seas as an orchestra leader aboard various cruise ships, spent a year on tour with Grammy‐winning R&B gospel singer Larnelle Harris, and toured with India’s premier Grammy-winning film soundtrack composer AR Rahman (Slum Dog Millionaire).
Rick has also performed or recorded with Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Mariah Carey, Jon Bon Jovi, Michael McDonald, Dave Mathews, Jewel, Natalie Merchant, Rob Thomas, Tony Bennett, Cindi Lauper, Trisha Yearwood, Gary US Bonds, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Gloria Gaynor, Lloyd Price, Max Weinberg, Southside Johnny, The Jimmy Dorsey Band, and the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, among others. His talent can also be heard on various jingles nationwide. He has several published songs to his credit.
He is a founding member of the very popular Line Drive; a mainstay of the Jersey Shore, founding member, section leader, and arranger of Glen Burtnik’s Summer of Love, an international theater show, as well as a founding member of the huge musical charity, Holiday Express, where he also leads and arranges the horn section. He also teaches privately.
Linda Ferrano
Linda is one of New Jersey’s most versatile and sought after vocalists. She has the chops to perform her craft effortlessly night after night. This accomplished power house has entertained audiences in and around the Tri-State area with a long list of credits. She has performed at venues such as B.B. Kings, The Bitter End, The Knitting Factory, LePoisson Rouge, The Chance Theater, Harrah’s, Sands, Tropicana, Borgata, Mohegan Sun, Empire City Casinos, and notable NJ’s own Wonder Bar, Stone Pony, Martell’s, Joe Pops, Jenks, and Whiskey Bar to name a few.
Linda has shared the stage with the popular oldies group The Five Satins as a background singer. She has performed with the ultimate Clapton Band, The Bell Bottom Blues. Linda also performs with DONNY & The DIVAS, Everybody’s Everything, Rock Steady, NJ’s Best Rock Show and is excited to be a part of the GOOD STUFF Band. She enjoys free lancing throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and New York.
Theresa Ciavolella
Theresa Ciavolella (Cha-vo-lella) was born into music. Her mother, Debbie Lang, was the lead singer for The Glenn Miller Orchestra. Her father, Lou Chev was the lead tenor sax player for the Glenn Miller Orchestra. It is no wonder that with a musical family like Theresa’s that she would be involved in music at a very early age. By the time she was 4 years old she was receiving vocal training from her mom. Her mother also taught her to play the piano and sometime later Theresa added percussion and guitar to her list of talents. Her singing debut was at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC with a Gospel Choir when she was just 6 years old. Theresa played guitar and sang was in her first rock cover band at age 11 and sang at the neighborhood church where she grew up in Glen Rock, NJ. Theresa played in many rock cover bands in her teens and recorded all original music with the band Night Wind as her first serious musical endeavor at age 15. She then went on to college at William Paterson where she majored in percussion and voice.
Growing up in a jazz family resulted in Theresa being exposed to much of the music from the jazz world as well as meeting and working with some of the many greats in the business. She has worked with Les Paul, Bucky Pizzarelli, John Pizzarelli, and Muzzy. She has performed at The Blue Note, The Bitter End, The Stone Pony, The Wonder Bar and a host of other venues.
Theresa has been involved with many projects involving recording and live performances in Big Band, Jazz, R&B and Rock. Theresa is also the leader of her own project called Terry and the Rockits, a cover rock party band from the
Tri- State area. Theresa’s roots and experience in the genres of music she has performed in makes her a great fit for Good Stuff. She is looking forward to being an integral part of this stellar show.
Geri Rogers
Geri began singing in public when she was 13 years old. Tall, blonde and attractive, she adorns the stage with near perfect pitch and the style, grace and skill level that lends itself perfectly to GOOD STUFF’s challenging repertoire of music. Starting her career at the legendary Dirt Club in 1990, Geri has performed in some of the top NYC venues such as Kenny’s Castaway’s, Le Bar Bat and the China Club to name a few. She has performed both original and cover material with the various artists she has worked with.
Geri has done tributes to Bruce Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac, The Pretenders, Bonnie Raitt and Melissa Etheridge as both a back up and lead vocalist. She has done studio work in NYC for a variety of original artists and has also graced the stage of the famous Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. She has performed in many bands and shows in NY, NJ, PA and CT in the genres of rock, pop, blues, country, oldies, r&b and doo wop and at one time was even approached to sing for our troops with the USO. Geri is a welcome addition to GOOD STUFF.
This page contains both current and former band members