Djazz Cafe

The Swank Club

02/24/12
10:30pm

the swank club

DENNIS FARAC - Guitar, Steel Drums, Vocals.
This show business veteran has run the gamut from being a founding member of Detroit’s Comstock Lode, to being the featured soloist on guitar & steel drums with Air Margaritaville . In addition, he has two gold albums for his guitar work with Barry Manilow. Already an accomplished guitarist with a unique playing style, Farac was a finalist for Outstanding World Instrumentalist for the 2010 Detroit Music Awards on steel drums.

SUSIE WOODMAN – Keyboards, Vocals.
Susie is a local legend having worked with luminaries such as Dick Wagner, Detroit Women, and Meat Loaf. She was Musical Director for Jaques Briel is Alive & Well and appeared on NBC’s Today Show. She is a multiple winner for The Detroit Music Awards garnering more than 30 awards. Her rhythmic chording and lyrical solo style dovetails perfectly with The Swank Club.
DARRYL PIERCE - Drums, Vocals.
It would be easier to list the groups he hasn’t played with. Pierce is first call drummer for Bettye Levette and has appeared on the Letterman, Leno and Conan shows with her. A partial list of his credits include, MudPuppy, Alexander Zonjic, Mary Wilson, Martha Reeves and Nat Adderley. He has a shelf full of Detroit Music Awards as well. Darryl is known for being a full range drummer with impeccable chops while always laying a groove.

TONY DIORIO – Chapman Stick, Bass, Vocals.
His sweet, grooving bass style landed him on tour with The Four Tops. Diorio is an in-demand bass player all over town. With The Swank Club, he plays The Chapman Stick which is a 12-stringed instrument making it a combination of a guitar & bass. One hand plays the bass parts while the other hand adds melodic percussion and chords. The Stick is another critical piece in the band’s unique sound. It simply has to be seen & heard to be believed.

MAHINDI MASAI – Percussion.
He has toured extensively throughout Europe and South America with scores of jazz artists including Tarig Abubakar & The Afro Nubians, Regina Carter, Amp Fiddler, Larry Nozero, Wendell Harrison and Groit Galaxy. While in Africa, he studied that country’s rich heritage of percussion instruments. Masai brings that wide range of cultures to round out The Swank Club’s rhythmic sound.