Rhythm

Piano

Taylor Goodson (Montclair State University, MA '13) is active as a freelance percussionist in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, participating in performance with members of the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic, the New York City Opera, and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s at many notable venues in both New York and New Jersey. He is the principal tympanist of both the Apex Ensemble (formerly the Montclair Orchestra) and the FEA Symphony and he performs regularly with a multitude of ensembles, including the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra and the New Jersey Festival Orchestra. As an active composer as well, Mr. Goodson has written material for a wide variety of mediums. His music for the concert stage ranges from solo instrumental pieces to large symphonic works where his voice is described as “cinematic” and “emotional.” He has received a multitude of commissions for a large variety of ensembles and has written arrangements for notable soloists and conductors around the globe. Mr. Goodson is a member of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM, Local 802) and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP).

Guitar

Music, Guitars, and technology have been passions for Steve Lucas since childhood. Steve has created regional and national level work for various broadcast and media companies including; ABC / Capital Cities, Westwood One Radio, Sony Studio One, CBS / Viacom, E News Daily, WeTV, Netflix, New Line Cinema, Brick City Pictures, among others. That work includes advertising conceptualization, writing copy, voiceovers, as well as music composition, arranging and performance. Most recently he recorded Guitar overdubs and performed on camera as the Guitarist of The Confirmation Band in The Soprano’s Prequel, “The Many Saints of Newark”, released world wide, by Warner Bros. These skills have allowed him to perform with, or consult for, a wide array of artists which include: Bruce Springsteen, George Benson, Steve Miller, Jimmy Vivino - Conan O’Brien, Pastor Andre Crouch, Al DiMeola, Stevie Wonder, Drummer Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, Studio Guitarist Al Caiola, The B-52's, Johnny A, Don Randi - The Wrecking Crew, Joe Satriani, Barbara Harris - The Toys, The Vanilla Fudge, Robert Randolph - Family Band, Eddie Brigati & Gene Cornish - The Rascals, Jon Paris - Chuck Berry, Brad Whitford - Aerosmith, Ace Frehley - Kiss, Tony Grenier - Bob Dylan, Drummer Chris Parker, Vocalist Bobby Valli, JT Carter - The Crests, Blues Legend Hubert Sumlin, Lou Pallo - Les Paul’s Trio, Richie Cannata - Billy Joel, Johnny Farina - Sleepwalk, Chuck Mangione, Steve Howe - Yes, Jazz Artist Bucky Pizzarelli, and Les Paul. Steve's relationship with Les Paul is what he is most proud of. Les developed the Solidbody Electric Guitar, Multitrack Recording, and the foundations of modern music technology. Les consulted with him often on new developments in Professional Audio, working closely at his historic home in Mahwah, NJ. Les also hired Steve to produce his Front of House Sound at New York's Iridium Club, located in Times Square saying; "Steve, you gave me some of the best mixes ever." This, from the man who invented mixing. As a guitarist, he joined Les onstage several times. Together, with his partner Pamm Wahlberg they continue to work with Les Paul’s family, The Mahwah Museum - Les Paul Exhibit, his bandmates, and friends in paying forward the Les Paul Legacy. Pamm & Steve also work very often entertaining in Restaurants, Libraries, Municipal Concerts, as well as Seniors and Retirement Communities. "Alive & Real Music & Publishing" is their company, which focuses on using skilled musicians, in the studio, to create live music for TV and Movies because; "Alive & Real" just feels better.

Bass

Nate White is well known as a freelance double bassist, private teacher, and conductor in his native New Jersey. Mr. White is a graduate of the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University where he studied double bass with Linda McKnight and conducting with Paul Hostetter. As a soloist, Nate has performed concerti with several orchestras in NJ and NY. In 1999, he won the Grand Prize of the NJ ASTA State Solo Competition and in 2008 he won the Montclair State University Concerto Competition. You can often see him performing regularly in the double bass sections of various orchestras throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Mr. White has served on the faculties of the New Jersey Youth Symphony and the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University. He is currently Artistic Director of the Freelance Ensemble Artists of NJ and Conductor of the FEA Symphony as well as the Music Director and Conductor of the Essex County Summer Players Orchestra.

Drum Kit

Joe DeVico grew up in Madison, NJ, a suburb of NYC. A drummer from an early age, he began studying piano at 12 years old. After high school, Joe attended Indiana University's School of Music where he majored in Jazz Studies and Percussion Performance.

For the past 30 plus years, Joe has performed with multiple ensembles and artists around the world. Locally he’s been the drummer for Cecil’s Big Band under the direction of Joe Elefante, The Jazz Lobster Big Band, The Stardust Big Band, Terry Allworthy and the Big Apple Pops, The Full Count Big Band, Chris Pinnella and his Big Band and the Brookdale Big Band just to name a few. He has performed with Charlie Calello and his Big Band on multiple occasions in NY and NJ. Joe has also been an active pit musician and worked alongside Don Sebesky for multiple shows on and off Broadway. Recently he worked on the recording of “The Nutty Professor” symphonic album in honor of Marvin Hamlisch’s 80th birthday to be released in 2024.

In other genres, Joe plays with Asbury Fever, a Jersey Shore tribute band and Blue Soul, who perform classic soul, blues and R&B music. He has worked with jazz giants including James Moody, Betty Carter, and Freddie Hubbard performing in the rhythm section as part of the Masters in Monaco European tour series.

Joe is also an active studio musician, playing on more than 22 albums throughout his career. He has recorded with David Baker, Dominic Spera, Jerry Coker, Joe Elefante and the Cecil's Big Band and Don Sebesky.

As a composer he has written music for radio and television for such clients as The Food Network, TBS, the We Network and TLC.