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Bobby Schiff has spent years crafting the current version of the Bobby Schiff Band to offer the very best in live music entertainment. Since Bobby specializes in custom music programs tailored to your event, he requires a very high level of musicianship and talent. All our musicians and singers are working professionals, playing live dates and recording sessions in Chicago as well as coast to coast.
Meet the Band
Michael Fiorino, Bass |
Dave Berger, Guitar |
Jack Skalon, Drums |
John Blane, Trombone |
Bob Lark, Trumpet |
Derrick Procell, Vocals |
Mae Koen, Vocals |
Bobby Schiff, Band Leader and Keyboards |
Gayle Gross, Vocals |
Nick Bisesi, Woodwinds |
Meet Some of Our Key Members
When you contract a professional band you expect not just musicianship, but energy and entertainment! In private conversation and on stage, Bobby has a very easy, modest style -- he clearly lets the music do the talking. However, sometimes the band's got to speak, frequently taking on emcee duties, and speak they do. Derrick, Gayle, and Mae are the lead singers and the lead emcees. All three are professional performers with extensive experience in studio recording, voice-over work, and live singing engagements. They specialize in keeping the evening moving, engaging the audience and making sure your key moments are not missed.
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Bobby Schiff, Band Leader, Keyboards |
Composer, Arranger, Conductor, Pianist, Producer
On the Chicago and Los Angeles music scenes for over 35 years, Bobby Schiff has led orchestras and bands, performed on piano and keyboards, directed, composed and arranged for and with the best. Mel Torme, Peggy Lee, Bobby Rydell and Ruth Pointer, are just a few of the premiere entertainers and musicians he's worked with in the U.S. and internationally.
Bobby Schiff has been playing piano and keyboards professionally since he was in high school. His classical training in piano performance and composition began at age five. As a youngster, he worked several years at Universal Recording Studios in Chicago, honing his skills in the music production and publishing business. Throughout the 70's, his award winning commercial music business served such clients as Kimberly-Clark, Sesame Street, McDonald's, John Deere, Sears, Kraft and Hallmark. Several years in Los Angeles provided feature film and television opportunities in composing and arranging. Playing in L.A. record studio recording sessions with such greats as Marvin Hamlisch and Jerry Goldsmith, kept up his performance "chops".
A true music professional, Bobby has served for many years as a National Trustee and National Vice-President of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (The Grammy's). He is currently serving as Vice President of the Association of Professional Orchestra Leaders. He also maintains his memberships in ASCAP and ASMA.
When not called for out of town duties like Wayne Newton’s 2001 USO “A Taste of Home Tour,” Bobby is working primarily in Chicago as one of the nation's premier vocal arrangers and accompanists. Playing, arranging and producing albums for numerous independent artists; he also performs with his own jazz trio at several Chicago venues. Since its inception, Bobby has been Music Director for the annual Women of Southport Jazz Festival in Chicago. He leads several of his own successful events bands; Phoenix, The Bobby Schiff Band and the Bobby Schiff Jazz Trio, and he is a mainstay in the R&B events band Funk Among Us.
Recent studio recording work includes:
- Arranging, producing and playing on “The Rose,” singing phenomenon Susan May’s first album.
- Arranging and playing on cabaret singer/stylist Joan Curto’s latest album, released late 2004.
- Arranging and playing on the jazz album "Concerto for 2," in duo with trumpeter, Warren Kime.
- Arranging, producing and playing on the jazz-swing album "Love Walked In" with trombonist Russ Phillips.
- Arranging, playing and producing "saloon singer" Libby York's album "Blue Gardenia."
- Arranging, producing and playing on jazz vocalist Eugenia Elliott's album "Where or When."
Bobby Schiff Music offers the following music services: arranging, composition, orchestration, music direction and recording session producer. Additionally offered are; solo piano performance, jazz trio and quartet performance and piano accompaniment and rehearsal.
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Gayle Bisesi, Vocals |
Currently, Gayle Bisesi resides in the Chicago area while pursuing her musical career full time.
Gayle is originally from Decatur, IL. She has been singing professionally for 20 years. As a featured soloist, Gayles touring experience began at 9 years of age.
Her singing has taken her to such places as New York City, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, France, the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, and the North Sea Jazz Festival in The Netherlands.
She has shared the stage with such musical greats as:
Clark Terry, Louie Bellson, Denis DiBlasio, Mark Whitfield, Conte Candoli, Hank Marr, Frank Mantooth, Kevin Mahogany, New York Voices, Patti Austin, among others.
You can find Gayle performing at various establishments such as the legendary Jazz Showcase, The Green Mill, Andys Jazz Club, Pops for Champagne,
Park West, Fitzgeralds and more.
In addition to performing and doing jingle/voiceover work, Gayle utilizes her degree in Music Education teaching voice lessons at her private studio Vocal Voyage. She also teaches classes in downtown Chicago at The Bloom School of Jazz.
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Derrick Procell, Vocals |
With his Southern roots and urban sensibilities, Derrick Procell naturally blends the elements that make up country music today. He cut his musical teeth at an early age, fronting a variety of bands from high school on. The pop, rock, blues and country styles all helped to shape what would become his trademark sound.
The most notable of these acts was the Midwestern favorite, Arroyo. Led by Derrick's "in your face" vocals, keyboards, and harmonica, this nationally known country/rock band attracted new fans at every performance. Their debut album, fueled by Derrick's original songs, won the first ever WAMI Award for Best Album.
After several years of touring and flirting with national success, Derrick decided to concentrate on his writing and production skills. As a songwriter, Derrick has won the L.A. Songwriters Showcase, and several Billboard Songwriting Awards. He has also enjoyed chart success with the internationally acclaimed Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.
When not performing with the Bobby Schiff Band, Derrick is a much sought after studio singer and voice-over artist, and has been featured on countless national commercials over the last fifteen years. Derrick recently completed his first solo-artist CD, and is a producer for record projects by local area artists.
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Mae Koen, Vocals |
“I was singing before I was talking, I was dancing before I was walking…” As far back as Mae remembers she was involved with music. From growing up with her church and community choirs, to being voted most talented in high school, to singing with the Roosevelt University and the Chicago Chamber Choruses, she has honed her craft. Mae’s gift goes beyond singing great lead vocals to providing rich background harmonies for the group as well. She can deliver back up vocals in numerous styles, from Blues greats Willie Dixon and Billy Branch to crooners like Phil Perry, Vesta Williams, Angela Bofill and Mikki Howard.
She is constantly sought out by performers as diverse as comedian Bernie Mac and the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. In fact, her specific harmonic talents have made her one of Aretha’s favorite back-up singers – notably on tour with her between 1997 and 2000. She has also appeared with Aretha on several television shows including the Rosie O’Donnell Show, David Letterman, Jay Leno and The View. In 1998 she not only worked with Aretha Franklin, but Mariah Carey, Shania Twain, Gloria Estefan, Celine Dion and Carole King on the first Diva’s Live 98 broadcast.
Locally, besides appearing in the Bobby Schiff Band, Mae can be seen in the Chicago-based jazz vocal group VocalPoynt. With various collaborators, she is also currently exploring World Music and Music of the Americas.
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