Once Removed Blues Band, Chicago Blues and Colorado Mountain Music, Colorado Blues

Vincent was born April 1950 into a family of artists. At age ten he started art studies with his artist parents. At age twelve he received his Mittenwald cello that he continues to play to this day. He graduated Barrington High School in Illinois, All-State Baseball pitcher, cellist in community orchestras, and artist of many art media. Tolpo was a two-time winner of his high school variety show with a cello “psychedelic” rock group. He attended the University of Wyoming on a 1969 baseball scholarship. He was denied further athletic scholarship due to his anti-war activities. His baseball endeavors ended with a back injury while playing at Wright Junior College in Chicago. He attended Chicago Academy of Art while working at American National Bank and HFC, 1970-72. Vincent continued orchestra work with Chicago Civic Symphony and many others. In 1972 he moved to Phoenix, Arizona, to study drawing and painting at Arizona State University (Grad BFA 1974) and to paint the Grand Canyon. He appeared in the first group show of local artists at the opening of the Scottsdale Arts Center 1973. His work was sold through Suzanne Brown Gallery. He created portrait of Pablo Casals for ASU Casals cello library.

In 1975 he returned to Stockton, Illinois to help his father, Carl Tolpo, with an 11' bronze statue of US Senator Everett Dirksen for the State Capitol of Illinois. He taught art part time at Highland College in Freeport, Illinois. In 1975 he founded the Highland Area Arts Council and the Freeport Art Museum. Vincent began work as an arts administrator and a part-time artist. He fell in love and married artist, Carolyn L. Robiscoe-Inglesh 1976. From 1979-81, Vincent continued arts administration as executive director of Quad City Arts Council, Rock Island, Illinois.

Vincent studied cello with many teachers. They were; 1966 Margaret Evans of the Chicago Symphony, Anne Sheribondi student of Janos Starker, David Tomatz of the University of Wyoming, Don Moline of the Chicago Symphony, and Taki Atsumi of Arizona State University 1974. During this time Vincent played in orchestras around the Chicago area, they were; the Elgin Civic Symphony, the Northwest Symphony, the Wheaton Symphony, the Chicago Businessman’s Orchestra, and the Chicago Civic Symphony. During this time he also played in various pit orchestras for musical theater. In Arizona he played in chamber ensembles, the Scottsdale Symphony, and the Arizona Cello Orchestra. In 1975 he returned to Illinois and founded the Freeport Chamber Orchestra as well as three other arts organizations in Freeport. All of them have continued operations for the last 30 years or more.

In those wild years of the early 1970’s Vincent roamed the blues bars of Chicago and the psychedelic rooms in Old Town. He saw Corky Siegel, Muddy Waters, the Butterfield Blues Band, Country Joe and the Fish, Mountain, Usef Latif, and many other performers. He even played cello very briefly with a pickup band of Tower of Power musicians.

Upon moving to the mountains of Colorado in 1981 and beginning a full time visual arts career the cello became a personal outlet without public appearances, except for the rare coffee house performances in the late 1990’s. Vincent has practiced alone for twenty years until now. Joining the Once Removed Blues Band has reawakened the musical talents sublimated for so many years. With the new Fishman C100 pickup and preamp Vincent can play the unique music of our contemporary scene.

Patrick McAllister Guitar, Vocals, Songwriter Born in 1959, started playing Guitar on his 5th Birthday ( Guitar Teacher was Jimmy James, from Bartlett, Illinois ). I saw B.B. King at Ravinia Park when I was 5 years old, from then on I was hooked on the Blues. First Band was at 7 years old, songs played were "Wendy" and "Louie Louie" ! ! At 13 I started to listen to The Siegel Schwall Blues Band (www.chamberblues.com) and knew right then and there this style of music was what Chicago Blues was all about! Patrick left Illinois when he was 15; moved to Massachusetts and formed The Tobin Star Blues Band. Tobin Star was a 3 piece band that played in Pembroke MA, and Elgin, IL. At 17 Patrick moved to Colorado and worked for Cinderwood Music, and Colfax Music selling Guitars, Amps, P.A. and teaching guitar. At 23 Patrick played with Renegade - Renegade won the KPKE "Colorado Rocks" contest in 1982 (dedicated to Tommy Bolin). Renegade's song " Dark Tower" was 15 minutes long! (click to listen to Dark Tower). At 27 Patrick played with Exodus, a Prophetic Rock Band - and opened a Concert Hall called Simon The Lepers. (Click to Listen to Exodus). At 35 Patrick stopped performing to be a Dad! Now at 46 Patrick is the Guitarist with the Once Removed Blues Band. (click to listen to Live at Center Stage)
Audra Chambers Lead & Backup Vocals I've been singing for as long as I can remember. My musical career began at Marshdale Elementary School in Evergreen, CO. I sang in every choir I could get into. That continued on through Junior High where I participated in the Chorale and Show Choir. Attending Evergreen High School provided even more fun opportunities. I was part of several Chorale groups, including a smaller show choir and several women's ensembles over the years. We even toured to the Grand Canyon, Disneyland and numerous other stops along the way. In college, I sang with the Denver Chorale directed by William Morse. In 2001, I found my way to a non-profit acapella choir called The Last Note Singers. We performed at nursing homes, The Denver Zoo, Denver Botanic Gardens, the Georgetown Christmas Festival and for the Colorado Rockies. I've also found a love of singing the National Anthem. Nikki (my Alto partner in crime) and I have sung for Denver University Hockey Games, Metro State Volleyball Games and numerous weddings. In both 1997 and 2002, Nikki and I were selected to sing an acapella duet of the National Anthem for the Denver Nuggets. It was fantastic! I joined ORBB in April of 2005, and have been singing with them ever since. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, playing in the outdoors and hanging out with my boyfriend, friends and family. "Not a shred of evidence exists in favor of the idea that life is serious" So… I say, go out there and have fun and LIVE LIFE! And remember… "Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue". (Thanks to my sister Claire for her great pieces of advice! LOL!)
Scott Messler Drums, percussion, vocals Scott has been playing and performing for as long he can remember. His first "paying gig" came when he was just 8 years old- he earned TWO dollars $$ playing the spoons with a bluegrass group at a festival. A handed down electric guitar from his uncle Doug and a wise investment of that first $2.00 (with lots of help from his parents) on a drum set got things started in the basement. Scott continued his education at the University of Nebraska School of Music. While studying music there he became the director/arranger for the Drumline in the Cornhusker Marching Band. He wrote and arranged music and also performed for many sold out Husker games, as well as the Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl, and Fiesta Bowl. After college he was lured to Los Angeles to see what he could find in the music scene. Lots of auditions with bad bands, few good gigs, and an understanding that it's not always how good you are, but who you know that is important. Alas- a boy from Nebraska didn't really know anyone in the music industry, and Scott settled into a career in the Pro AV industry, met his lovely wife Karen and became a dad. Soon the luster of the big city wore off and the Messlers decided to make a big move to the mountains of Colorado in 2004. Scott, Karen, Jack, Jordan are now happy residents of Evergreen. While starting his new job in Colorado, Scott made a sales call to a client named Patrick McAllister. The conversation quickly turned to music and Pat convinced Scott to "dust off those drums" and start playing again. Funny how you can move 1000 miles away from the "music mecca" and within a few months connect with other local musicians and form a band. Scott plays a vintage SONAR drum set with Zildjian cymbals (but is just as happy with a cardboard box and a pair of brushes)
Randy Reznik Harmonica, Vocals It was in 1980 that Randy went to see the J. Giles band backing up ZZ Top. As he watched and listened to Magic Dick rip on the harmonica, he felt a connection that was in his soul. The next day, with brand new harp in hand, he set out on a personal journey that 25 years later has led him to the Once Removed Blues Band. Self-taught but collaborating with many, Randy has developed a unique and wide range of styles from raunchy blues to clean melodies. He is a student of the harmonica and continues to learn new techniques as well as to pass on his knowledge to other aspiring harp players. The Once Removed Blues Band is definitely expanding his horizons. The first ten harp years were learning and it was ugly at times. The next period was jamming with many informal groups and local bands in Dallas. He played in a regular annual Holiday charity event with “Blue” Lou Marini, of the Blues Brothers. In Colorado over the last 4 years, he has played with the Ken Caryl Ranch Band regularly, and occasionally jammed with several bands including Tick 60.
Vincent Tolpo Cello Vincent was born April 1950 into a family of artists. At age ten he started art studies with his artist parents. At age twelve he received his Mittenwald cello that he continues to play to this day. He graduated Barrington High School in Illinois, All-State Baseball pitcher, cellist in community orchestras, and artist of many art media. Tolpo was a two-time winner of his high school variety show with a cello “psychedelic” rock group. He attended the University of Wyoming on a 1969 baseball scholarship. He was denied further athletic scholarship due to his anti-war activities. His baseball endeavors ended with a back injury while playing at Wright Junior College in Chicago. He attended Chicago Academy of Art while working at American National Bank and HFC, 1970-72. Vincent continued orchestra work with Chicago Civic Symphony and many others. In 1972 he moved to Phoenix, Arizona, to study drawing and painting at Arizona State University (Grad BFA 1974) and to paint the Grand Canyon. He appeared in the first group show of local artists at the opening of the Scottsdale Arts Center 1973. His work was sold through Suzanne Brown Gallery. He created portrait of Pablo Casals for ASU Casals cello library. In 1975 he returned to Stockton, Illinois to help his father, Carl Tolpo, with an 11' bronze statue of US Senator Everett Dirksen for the State Capitol of Illinois. He taught art part time at Highland College in Freeport, Illinois. In 1975 he founded the Highland Area Arts Council and the Freeport Art Museum. Vincent began work as an arts administrator and a part-time artist. He fell in love and married artist, Carolyn L. Robiscoe-Inglesh 1976. From 1979-81, Vincent continued arts administration as executive director of Quad City Arts Council, Rock Island, Illinois. They moved to the Rocky Mountains to begin full-time art careers. Vincent and Carolyn opened Shawnee Mountain Gallery, Shawnee, Colorado in November 1981. Vincent studied cello with many teachers. They were; 1966 Margaret Evans of the Chicago Symphony, Anne Sheribondi student of Janos Starker, David Tomatz of the University of Wyoming, Don Moline of the Chicago Symphony, and Taki Atsumi of Arizona State University 1974. During this time Vincent played in orchestras around the Chicago area, they were; the Elgin Civic Symphony, the Northwest Symphony, the Wheaton Symphony, the Chicago Businessman’s Orchestra, and the Chicago Civic Symphony. During this time he also played in various pit orchestras for musical theater. In Arizona he played in chamber ensembles, the Scottsdale Symphony, and the Arizona Cello Orchestra. In 1975 he returned to Illinois and founded the Freeport Chamber Orchestra as well as three other arts organizations in Freeport. All of them have continued operations for the last 30 years or more. In those wild years of the early 1970’s Vincent roamed the blues bars of Chicago and the psychedelic rooms in Old Town. He saw Corky Siegel, Muddy Waters, the Butterfield Blues Band, Country Joe and the Fish, Mountain, Usef Latif, and many other performers. He even played cello very briefly with a pickup band of Tower of Power musicians. Upon moving to the mountains of Colorado in 1981 and beginning a full time visual arts career the cello became a personal outlet without public appearances, except for the rare coffee house performances in the late 1990’s. Vincent has practiced alone for twenty years until now. Joining the Once Removed Blues Band has reawakened the musical talents sublimated for so many years. With the new Fishman C100 pickup and preamp Vincent can play the unique music of our contemporary scene. Vincent Tolpol Cello, Maestro
KIRK GLIENKE — saxophones/vocals Kirk has played saxophone since the age of 11, at which time his hands were not large enough to reach all the notes, and it was only by good fortune that no one shot him in reaction to the terrible sounds he managed to create. Although he never practiced enough, he also never quit, and he eventually made the transition from being chased and threatened to actually being asked to play. Kirk has played with jazz bands and combos, rock and folk groups, and orchestras. He has performed on orchestra and chorus tours of Europe, and while living in Vienna in 1984-85, he played in many clubs and as a street performer. In 1985, he played at the Jazz Nad Odra Festival in Wroclaw, Poland. While studying as a Rotary Scholar in Switzerland in 1989-90, he played in the “Elephant River Big Band” in Zürich and led his own group, “Fritz Schnellbahn und die Schwarzfahrer.” He also sang lead tenor for the Swiss Youth Symphony Orchestra on its 25th Anniversary Tour. One particularly fond memory for Kirk is playing in a jam session with top Czech jazz musicians at the Reduta Jazz Club in Prague on New Year’s Eve 1989, immediately following the Velvet Revolution. On the night before at Reduta, he also had the opportunity to sit in with Jan Akkerman (Hocus Pocus). Since moving to Colorado from Chicago/Oak Park, IL in 1988, Kirk has roamed the mountains looking for opportunities to play his alphorn, and he has had the privilege of playing with Patrick McAllister's Once Removed Band and with many other wonderful musicians, including: The Roadcone Blues Band, Tempa and the Tantrums, Jennifer Lane, Lisa Bell, Tobacco Road, Emilio Emilio, Detour, Sundance and the M.I.B., Genetic Fuzz/Tommy Ventura, Girls on Top!, The Bill Wright Band, Fringe Element, The Train Wreckers, The Clam Daddys, Michelle and the Book of Runes, The Red Hot Blues Catz/the 285 Band, The Lost Canyon Band, The Douglas Mountain Band, Revolver, Deja Blu, Scooter Barnes, Dominick Paoloni, Edee Gail, Roger Falter, Wayne Fennimore, Tony Medina, Go Junior, Local Disturbance, Sydney Warner and the Blues Zone, The Shane Stringer Band, and the Bill Wissing Jazz Quartet. He also sings with the Golden Concert Choir its chamber choir, Confluence. He is also known for his music photography, and his work can be seen on numerous websites and CD covers. Kirk has served as Entertainment Director and Marketing /PR Director for the Cultural Council of Park County’s Arts and Music Festivals and as Entertainment Director/Event Manager for the Mesa Music Fest in Golden. He was Executive Producer of “Financial Matters,” a progressive financial talk show on AM 760, and he is Director of Musical Talent for Blue Moon Talent, a nationwide corporate event entertainment and production company.
Bill Nash Bassist, Vocals
Jeff Saussier Trumpet Grew up in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania and started playing the honeymoon resorts at the ripe old age of 14. The most memorable experience in those mountains was learning to riff with his neighbor, the renowned jazz clarinetist, Hugh Branum, Mr. Green Jeans from Captain Kangaroo. During the 70's Jeff played with many bands on the east coast as a hire-on sideman with the Cherokee Horns (that provided live performance back-up to many commercial acts). He played in The Crowd featuring George Smith of SNL fame and Stanley Clarke protege Jim Magee's Infinity. After college and graduate school (where he earned an MS in oceanography) Jeff then went on to live, work and continue to play his horn overseas for 25 years, in Asia, Africa and most recently in the Balkans where he recorded with the Blloku Blues Band in Albania. Besides trumpet and flugelhon, Jeff plays, arranges and writes 9with little precision but a lot od spunk) on guitar and piano. Jeff lives in Evergreen with his cat "Fortunate" (a Katrina survivor), a houseplant and three mice that live (temporarily, until the cat gets hungry enough) under the washing machine. He has no children since the US Government suspended his right to breed, or so he says...
Frederick Woehler Our Soundman, Engineer and Guitar Tech Frederick was Born in Pisa Italy grew up in Italy and Germany until early his twenties when he ventured to the States. His first electronics experiment was when he was 11 years old and made a guitar amp from a Sears record player. When he was a teenager he worked with the jazz band Perigeo mixing sound and lights on tour as well as assisting with recording at RCA in Rome. He came to the states to finish electronics school in 1976 and was always involved in musical equipment and repair, i.e. Wedgels Music in Denver, Little Bear Saloon, Cactus Jacks, Evergreen, CO . . . . . . . . . After moving to Colorado for the skiing, he got married, raised a family and opened a business in Aspen Park “Clear Vision Electronics” He ran a very successful business for the past 20 years and once the kids were gone he got back to his love of music and worked at the Little Bear Saloon in Evergreen, CO as sound engineer and repaired sound equipment, mixing board, equalizers, lights and lightshow board, amps, etc…. During this period he mixed for hundreds of local and national bands. Now he is very pleased to be working with Patrick, Once Removed Blues Band, and the diversified sound that they produce.
The Once Removed Blues Band Colorado Blues Live at Center Stage