Mama Winslow: Bio
Mike B. - Vocals, Trumpet, Keyboards
Mike grew up in West Berlin, NJ playing trumpet under the renowned music director Bill Garton. "Mr. G. had a contagious passion to play music at the highest level,” according to Mike. “He made me want to be a better musician every day.”
Mike eventually went on to study with the late trumpet player and teacher Rick Kerber. “Rick was as good it gets for me. Guitar players cite Hendrix, Santana, Wes Montgomery, etc. as the greatest on their instrument and I offer Rick Kerber for trumpet. He was the quintessential teacher and, more importantly, the wisest friend I have ever had. I miss Rick incredibly, but hope to pay homage to his awesome musical sound and wisdom through my music and teachings.”
After high school Mike attended the celebrated University of the Arts in Philadelphia. “We practiced around the clock at UARTS. Immediately after class ended we went up to the practice rooms and jammed until the building closed. I knew at this time that there was nothing in this world that could captivate me day in and day out like music.” Graduating from the University in 2000, Mike collected a bachelor’s degree in trumpet performance, a master’s degree in music education and performances alongside prominent jazz artists Arturo Sandoval, Grover Washington Jr. and Jon Faddis.
Mike is now a faculty member at Camden County College. His position allows him to interact with aspiring music students, write and arrange for small groups and a big band, and spread the seeds of music that were planted in him by a wonderful community of musicians.
Mike F. - Sax and Rap
Born into an El Salvadorian orphange in 1962, Mike F. took quickly to the country's two most popular pastimes...saxophone and rap. By the young age of 13, Mike was discovered by Mafesto St. Clair, the touring manager for the undervalued genius Gallager Deuce (younger brother of legendary comic Gallager). Some of Mike's musical duties included playing intro and background music on sax, as well as free-styling raps about the sledge-o-matic and other smash comic zingers.
Due to differences in comedic timing and a variety of sledgehammering blunders , Mike left the comedy/music touring circuit in the late 70's and set out for the United States. Finding little or no work to help purchase a one-way plane ticket, Mike rapped his way into a Sally Struther’s commercial only to be spotted by an elderly American couple, Eli and Bobo Freese. By age 15, Mike was living in Berlin, NJ, where he would later meet Mike B. The rest, as they say in El Salvador, "es la historia!"
Joel Aaron - Drums
Joel Aaron is a multi talented drummer, arranger, producer and song writer. Having done recording sessions for Lauryn Hill, Deluxe, Ars Nova, Joyride, and many others, Joel brings a wealth of knowledge to the musical "round table".
Most recently, he has been called upon to do some recording work for the great Larry Gold from Philadelphia. Larry is best known for his production work with The Roots, Jill Scott and John Legend, to name a few.
Joel has toured extensively and after many years on the road as well as in the studio, he has settled in nicely with his new band, Mama Winslow and continues to work diligently both in the music world and behind the scenes at the premier CD manufacturing company, Disc Makers.
For more info on Joel or to contact him, please visit: www.myspace.com/maddrummingskillz.
Christina Bates - Female Vocals
Christina is at home on the stage. She has been performing professionally since she was a small child. She graduated with a music education degree in Jan’06 from Temple University. Christina is a full time music theory teacher and choral director at the Girard Academic Music Program in Philadelphia. One of her greatest inspirations was her high school music teacher Mrs. Butler. She always motivated her to be the best she could be and to push her musical limits. Now one of her greatest inspirations are her students. They are her drive to become a better teacher and musician. Outside of music, Christina is also an accomplished dancer. Even though she keeps a busy schedule, she will always make time for Mama Winslow. She is so very touched and pleased to be a part of this incredible musical collaboration.
Shawn Christie - Guitars
Shawn Christie has been playing guitar for over fifteen years. It all started with Living Colours’s “Cult of Personality.” “When I heard that song,” Shawn recalls, “ I knew I had to learn to play.” Shawn was self’ taught for the first five years, learning tunes by ear, and devouring every book, magazine, or video he could get his hands on. After years of mimicking Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, John Petrucci, Joe Pass, and Allan Holdsworth, he finally realized that he would need some direction to reach the lofty goals he had set for himself. Shawn attended Rowan University for jazz performance and studied with Joe Federico and Joe Mayes. The time spent at Rowan helped Shawn to diversify his playing stylistically and was largely responsible for the development of the techniques that allow him to play more of the complex lines he has become known for.
Over the years, Shawn has remained extremely active through recording, clinics and live performances. He has performed with numerous regional musicians as well as national musicians such as drummer James Bradley Jr. (Chuck Mangione, Anita Baker, Jeffrey Osbourne, Crazytown) all the while being dedicated to his original endeavors. Shawn’s original fusion/ prog-metal group Zeroesque, has garnered critical acclaim as well as a strong fan base. Elias Granillo from the progressive rock site Sea of Tranquility was moved to write: “Shawn Christie has no need to find himself pigeonholed—and won't, anytime soon, unless he doesn’t mind being compared to a chameleon, since he’s already gone from John Petrucci to Tony MacAlpine to Pat Metheny in roughly half of an album.” Also, Shawn has been a clinician for New Jersey State Council for the Arts, as well as teaching privately for the last eight years.
Shawn is endored by the following companies: Brian Moore Custom guitars, MI Audio pedals, DR strings.
Jay Webb - Trumpet/Flugelhorn
Jay grew up in the North West Hills of New Jersey and began playing trumpet at the ripe age of three.
After college, Jay lived and performed in and around New Orleans from 1999 to 2003. His father, also a trumpet player, is president of The Franklin Band (in New Jersey), one of the oldest community bands in the country.
Jay's great-grandfather was a very well respected trumpet virtuoso from Hungary. He studied at various conservatories in Europe and directed Hungarian military bands. After his arrival in America, he started many concert and marching bands in the New Jersey area. Some are still going strong today.
Anthony D' Aquilante Bove - Percussion
Anthony, affectionately known as "Anthony Conga" to his Mama Winslow counterparts, is a completely self taught drummer/percussionist whose musical background started
primarily on drum set some 15 years ago, later dovetailing into congas and percussion over the last decade or so. He is the newest member of Mama Winslow, having recently joined the band in June of 2006. His influences span a wide array of genres and musical styles, all helping to add to the mix of his talents, both on drums and
percussion. He claims that "listening" is the key to learning and has enjoyed playing with what he calls a "very solid group of musicians" in Mama Winslow. Over the last decade, Anthony has lent his services to and collaborated with some of the following bands: Red Window Pane, Block Hero, The John Torres Band, Poor Boy, and Hedzfalinoph, just to name a few.
Fabian B. - Alto Sax/Synth
Bio coming soon...
Bob Colligan - Bass
Bio coming soon...