Meet the Band

 Errol Wise is a world-renowned drummer. He is truly a Caribbean artiste with an unmatchable register of achievements. This gifted and extensively traveled performer has toured with such stars as Marvin Gaye, Eddy Grant, and Sam and Dave. He has performed with all the top Caribbean artists, as well as the opening act for international superstars such as Ray Charles, Roberta Flack, Natalie Cole, Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick, The Jackson’s, The Rolling Stones, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Teddy Pendergrass, Jimmy Smith, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Wilson Pickett, and so many others. He has traveled through the Caribbean, Europe, North America, Japan, Africa, and the Middle East. He is affectionately known as “The Wise Man!” 

 Tom Ellison (Saxophones) is formerly the Director of Bands/Instrumental Music Instructor at Craig Hill Elementary Signature School of the Arts, the Arcadia High School Bands and the Athena High School Bands in the Greece Central School District, Rochester, New York having retired in June of 2007 after 34 years in public school education. A 1973 graduate of S.U.N.Y. at Fredonia (Bachelor of Music/saxophone), Mr. Ellison has done graduate work at S. U. N. Y. New Paltz, Crane School of Music /S.U.C. at Potsdam and the Eastman School of Music / University of Rochester.

As a freelance woodwind artist, Tom has enjoyed the opportunity to perform with Tony Bennet, Johnny Mathis, John Denver, Henry Mancini, Andy Williams, Woody Herman and the Thundering Herd, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Rochester Philharmonic, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Aretha Franklin, the Temptations, the Spinners, the Four Tops, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Lou Rawls, the Pointer Sisters, June Garber and many other top name artists. In the theater, Tom has been active as a conductor, pit musician, actor, and director.

Having moved to Florida in August of 2010, he is currently a member of the Naples Jazz Orchestra, the Ken Loomer Big Band, the Sarasota Jazz Project Big Band, the Sophisticated Swing Big Band, the Venice Symphony Orchestra, Soul Sensations, and now fronts his own group “Hip Pocket”.

 Judi Glover (Assitant Music Director/Keyboard 1) is excited to be making her debut with Asolo Repertory Theatre. Since relocating to Florida in 2013 after a lifetime in New Jersey, she has continued a career of piano instruction and performs regularly with the Naples Jazz Orchestra, Soul Sensations, and Trinity Christian Fellowship Church in Sarasota. Upon graduating with a BM in classical piano performance from Rowan University, she became a faculty member at the Univerisity of the Arts in Philadelphia, and worked extensively in Atlantic City showrooms, and aboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.  

 Kenny was born in a small town outside of Reno, Nevada, to a traveling Air Force family. After settling in St. Petersburg, Florida, Kenny started playing the bass guitar in his father's church.  Largely self-taught, playing in church proved to be a great musical education giving him the foundation necessary to graduate to playing jazz with some of the Tampa Bay area's most notable players.  Kenny went on to play with many different artists in the bay area and throughout the state as well as leading his own bands including the critically acclaimed Dr. LoHertz and the Groove Injektors. Playing a rich variety of musical styles including, but not limited to, gospel, jazz, rock, folk, blues, funk, and disco as well as World Music from countries in Africa, South America and the Caribbean. 

Kenny has held the bass chair in several theater productions around the Tampa Bay area. The Wiz (1997), Satchmo (2003, 05) Black Nativity (2004-13), I left My heart (2006), My Way, 70 Girls 70, Gypsy (2007) Pirates of Penzance (2008), Hair, Rooms (2010), and Rent (2011), Bright Lights Big City (2015)

Helios jazz Orchestra, the resident jazz ensemble at St. Pete College (2008-2013).

In addition to Soul Sensations, Kenny currently plays bass with New Groove City.

  John Derick starting playing music publicly at the age of fourteen years old in Philadelphia, Pa. He is proficient in playing guitar, drums, bass and some keyboard. For which he was self-taught and later went for private study regarding music theory, arrangements and writing. The world of music has always been a part of his life, both as a soloist and a member of a musical group playing from memory. He has written musical compositions and created musical ideas using knowledge of harmonic, rhythmic, melodic and total structure within the music scope.

He toured throughout the U.S and Canada. Back in the late 70's he performed in two world tours with The Village People as a musical director for his band Bitter Sweet. During this time they were awarded four Gold and Platinum Albums.

He worked with Robert Palmer on the Heavy Nova Album on EMI Records. In addition he worked on the sound track "Sweet Lies" for Island Records and composed for T.V shows and commercials both International and in the United States. He also had the opportunity to perform with personalities such as: Ben E. King, Phylica Rashad and world renowned Jazz keyboard artist Dr. Loni Smith as well as many others.

He released his first CD titled Day of Perseverance in 2003. Composed and produced by John Derick.

He continues to work as a Musician both Privately and Local.

Tommy has been playing the guitar for about 50 yrs.

He is a retired high school mathematics teacher.

A versatile guitarist, playing rock, blues, soul, and jazz,

He has been performing publicly since 1976.

From small garage bands to club acts and some large

National acts including:

Hitsville Live with former lead singer(75 - 84) of the

Temptations, Glenn Leonard,

The FLOS, Former Ladies of the Supremes,

Elvis Aaron Presley Jr.

Tom is currently working with the Soul Sensations.