Karin Barth, Vocals, Percussion, Alto Sax

Karin played with numerous New York bands before coming to Connecticut. She was a featured vocalist with the renowned Eight to the Bar, touring with the band for four years. She recorded two albums and the video "Swingin' School" (featured on VH-1) before leaving to form The Cartells. Karin can also be heard in numerous local and national commercials.

Joe Grieco, Keyboard, Vocals

Joe's distinctive vocal style and acclaimed keyboard work were spotlighted recently on “Natural Wonder”, critically acclaimed Singer/Songwriter Phoebe Snow’s 2003 release on Eagle Records. He also writes and performs music for corporate video presentations and national television commercials, notably the nationally aired spot for the Army National Guard. His original songs have garnered him praise as “…a polished and melodic songwriter… coolly passionate…” Joe is a founding member of The Cartells. Visit Joe's personal site at: www.JoeGrieco.net

Tom Majesky, Guitar, Vocals

Tom's guitar work can be heard on the "Blind to Reason" album by RCA recording artist Grayson Hugh, with whom Tom toured for two years. He's appeared on NBC's "Today" show as well as concert stages nationwide. Tom's original material has twice earned him recognition in Billboard Magazine's songwriting competition. In addition to his work with The Cartells, Tom is also engaged as an instructor of guitar studies at the Hartford Conservatory of Music.

Wayne June, Drums, Vocals

Wayne's dynamic drumming and remarkable 3 1/2 octave vocal range have played pivotal roles in a number of popular Connecticut bands, including The Riverside Drivers and Eight to the Bar. He has toured internationally and recorded with Blues Legend Johnny Winter, playing on Johnny's Grammy Award Nominated album "I'm a Bluesman" on the Virgin label, has made appearances with The Harvey Brooks Band, and done freelance work for such CT favorites as: Motown Review and The Black Rock All Stars. His work in voiceover and audiobook narration has also afforded his distinctive voice an international audience.

Peter Lepak , Drums, Vocals

Peter is the son of legendary drummer/percussionist and Hall of Famer, Alexander Lepak. Peter toured and performed several years in nationally known show and dance/concert bands such as: The Fabulous Downbeats, D.D. Smith & Co., The Spiral Staircase, Main Street, South Street and Mr. Big. Peter spent 6 years in LA performing on movie recordings and studio recordings of various artists. His performing took him on worldwide tours before moving back to CT.

Jay Wiggin, Bass Guitar, Vocals

Jay Wiggin (Bass Guitar) is a multi-instrumentalist and classically trained vocalist.  Upon graduating from the University of Connecticut's School of Music, he taught elementary/middle school music.  In addition to numerous recording sessions, Jay has played many stages touring the United States and Japan.   Highlights include a concert at Carnegie Hall, and performances as a bassist with Sesame Street's Bob McGrath, Peter Tork of the Monkees, Dance Fever's Deney Terrio, and Nashville recording star, Billy Gilman.

Rex Denton, Trumpet

Known for his breadth in interpertative style of the trumpet and flugelhorn, Rex is a fixture of the regional jazz scene in Connecticut and New York City. Prior to moving to the area in 1994, Rex was a charter member of the legendary upstate New York Salsa group "La Muralla" , and the Latin Jazz group "Mambo Kings", (recently appearing with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, headed by Richard Delaney and Directed by Jeff Tyzik), where a long-standing affinity for Latin music was refined. In addition Rex was a regular in the little Big Band "Sheer Energy," headed by Composer Carl Atkins, and a member of Gap Mangione's Little Big Band. Rex has studied with Jeff Tyzik, Carl Atkins, Roger Larson and Tim Mear and regularly performs in with vocalist Shawnn Montero, Chris Coogan and Brian Torff and Thunderstick.

He has performed with Ray Charles, The Manhattan Transfer, Bill Watrous, Slide Hampton, Frank Wess, as well as in the orchestras of numerous broadway shows and other nationally recognized acts. Rex is recorded on many albums, but can be heard most recently on Chris Coogan's 2011 recording 'Stars and Wind'.

Ric Cunningham

Richard Cunningham born May 20, 1955 in New Haven, Connecticut, was raised in a musical home. His father was the music instructor in the small New England town in which he grew up. Whether it was recorded music playing or band rehearsals or lessons in the house, Ric was engulfed in music. He went on to West Chester University to study Classical Music for two years before transferring up to Berklee College of Music to concentrate on Jazz and Contemporary Music and to study sax under the guidance of world renowned woodwind instructor, Joe Viola. Ric graduated in 1978 with a B.S. in Music Education, but his real love was playing live and recording. After graduating he remained in the Boston area for several years playing with various Latin, Funk and Jazz Bands and also recording with several well know local artists: Bill Chinnock, Jonathan Edwards, Mat ‘Guitar’ Murphy(Blues Brothers) and Joe Perry(Aerosmith).

In 1983 Ric moved out to Los Angeles and worked with many artists before starting his 2 year stint with legendary R&B singer, Joe Cocker. After several World Tours and recording sessions, Ric left the band to relocate back on the East Coast(N.Y.C.), where he set up his recording studio/production house/record label, Music41, which specialized in background music for TV, Film and Commercials. He wrote, produced and performed the theme for MTVsports, music for the NBC Olympics, NBA, Daytime Dramas ‘Another World’, ‘Guiding Light’, ‘Santa Barbara’, commercials for Dodge, British Airlines, NY Mets and World Diamond Council and background music for the films “Soul in the Hole”(1997), “Invicta”(2009) and played on a song in “Bull Durham”(1988).

www.riccunningham.com