Meet The Musicians . . .
wedding entertainment
live entertainment
Del Bergeson
Director, Trombone, Vocalist & Arranger
A native of the Joliet area, Del’s experience and love for music has evolved out of his roots in gospel and jazz. During his high school years, he directed numerous theater orchestras in addition to several vocal and swing projects where he arranged music for small instrumental combos and performed throughout the Chicago area. Along with playing for the Old Chicago Mall Circus Band and the Shiners Circus Band, Del has performed in several sacred projects with such artists as Don Shire, Dave Boyer, and 11 years with Perfect Union, a 10-member ensemble. He has performed with such projects as Pyramid as part of a “Chicago” style horn section, the Bill Gerald Orchestra, and the Jay Mau Orchestra, where he played trombone and sang many of the Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Sammy Davis Jr. standards for over 13 years. Since 2012, Del has been the founder and director of the Del Bergeson Orchestra and has enjoyed playing for corporate parties, charity events, dances, summer concert series, holiday banquets, birthdays, and anniversaries.
Donna Rice
Vocalist
Donna has been singing professionally since she was 17. Her first love is musical theater. At Pheasant Run Resort Theater in St. Charles she had the opportunity to perform in Jesus Christ Superstar , Music Man and played the roll of Evita in the production of Evita. Donna can be heard on any local radio station singing promotional jingles such as DriveChicago.com, Roselle Ford, Grant Dean Buick, Manny’s Men’s Warehouse and many, many more. The crowning glory of her musical career came when she signed a record deal with a local record label in Chicago and Sony records in Canada. Her song “Sweet Holiday” received airplay on B96 and reached number 1 on the charts in Canada. Donna has performed with many bands throughout Chicagoland.
Brian Butts
Tenor Saxophone, Alto Sax, Flute & Clarinet
Brian Butts, a native from the Joliet area, received his Bachelor of Music Degree from Elmhurst College in 1981 and a Master of Music from Roosevelt University's Chicago Musical College in 1983. He also received the Outstanding Soloist Awards on saxophone at Governor State University and Elmhurst College Jazz Festivals in 1979 and 1981. Brian has been a private music instructor since 1977, and is known for his expertise in playing a variety of music genres. He has performed regularly with the Teddy Lee Orchestra, Gold Coast Orchestra, Peter Oprisko, and several Chicago area groups playing such venues as the Goodman Theater, Chicago Theater, Star Plaza, Ravinia and others...
Ray Mitchell
Vocalist, Guitar, Alto & Tenor Sax
Thanks to his high school music director, Ray began playing professionally with the Bob Friend Orchestra in McHenry, IL while a junior at McHenry High School. As a Music Major at Western Illinois University, Ray played with the University Jazz Band, and as a member of the select University Swing Choir, “The Newcomers”, opened for such stars as Burl Ives and Bob Hope. After graduation Ray taught high school band and choir in the Burlington, Iowa area. In 1980, he assumed responsibilities as Music Director at First Assembly of God Church in Joliet, IL where he served for 20 years. Musical drams such as the “Gospel According to Scrooge”, “It Really is a Wonderful Life” (which he co-wrote), the Passion Play “Who Will Call Him King of Kings” were performed to the delight of audiences that numbered over 5000. Ray is currently Sr. Pastor of Praise Center Church in Ottawa, IL where he leads worship playing electric and acoustic guitars.
Steve Wonder
Alto Sax, Tenor Sax & Flute
Steve Wunder, originally from Lombard, Illinois, and a member of the 1982 State Champion Glenbard East H.S. Wind Ensemble, is currently a Bradley, IL resident. He has enjoyed performing in the Kankakee, Northwest Indiana, and the Chicago area as a saxophonist in over thirty different ensembles spanning 42 years. His favorite genres center around Jazz, Swing, Fusion, Latin, Classical, Blues and Rock. Steve has worked for over eight years as a judge / clinician at the Herscher Swing and Sing Festival. He holds a Master’s in Education and a Bachelor’s in Science from Eastern Illinois University where he majored in Technology, Music Education and School Counseling. At EIU, Steve played in and toured with multiple ensembles in the central Illinois area. Currently he is playing with Guitarist Freddie Franken, Doug Horn’s Rhythm Makers Big Band, Steve Anthony’s Dance Orchestra, the Jazz Times Big Band, and the Swing Kings Jazz Orchestra. Steve has been a member of the rock band “Silhouettes” for twelve years and has several local recording projects to his credit.
Tom Hahn
Baritone Sax, Tenor Sax, Alto Sax,
Composer & Arranger
To a remarkable degree, Tom has joined the list of outstanding saxophone players such as Charlie Parker, John Colltrane and Mark Turner in addressing the ordinary modalities of life in an extraordinary way with precision and enthusiasm. As a musician, composer, and arranger, he has displayed his craft on the south side of Chicago and beyond. Tom has enjoyed composing, arranging, and performing with such bands as Doug Horn and the Rhythm Makers, Brass Tracks Jazz Orchestra, and a host of others. In addition, he is on the adjunct faculty of Prairie State University and Moraine Valley Community College where he performs regularly with the Community Jazz Bands. Tom has recently added baritone sax to his collection of woodwind instrumenmts and is excited to be one of the newest members of the Del Bergeson Swing Orchestra.
Michael Townley
Trombone
Following the musical talents of jazz trombonist J.J. Johnson, Bill Watrous and Urbie Green, Michael has been donned as another one of Chicagoland's upcoming jazz trombonists. After beginning piano lessons at the age of three, Michael picked up the trombone at age 11. Through middle and high school, he played in various all-state ensembles and small professional gigs in the area. He attended the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and studied jazz trombone. While in Cincinnati he played in small and large jazz groups as well as blues, swing, rock, reggae, and salsa bands. He moved to Chicago in 2004 and made a living teaching private lessons and playing in funk bands, wedding bands, and jazz bands like Alan Gresik's Swing Shift Orchestra and Bob Perna's Persistence. He continues to be active and plays in many diverse groups in the Chicago area such as the Fox Valley Big Band, Chicago Brass Band and is excited to be one of the newest members of the Del Bergeson Swing Orchestra.
Mark Roller
Lead Trumpet, Vocalist & Arranger
Musician, Arranger, Composer, Trumpeter, Mark Roller is one of the most in demand players in the Chicagoland area. Before moving to Chicago, Mark played at Walt Disney World as a Student Musician for 8 years during the Christmas and Easter seasons. He also played 3 years overseas in Europe with the Blue Lake Fine Arts Jazz Band and a fourth year with the Northern Illinois University Jazz Ensemble playing at the Nice Jazz Festival in France, Jazz Fest at The Hague, the world famous Montreaux Jazz Fest in Montreaux, Switzerland. Mark has earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Stetson University and a Masters in Jazz Studies from Northern Illinois University. Since earning his Master's degree, Mark has remained very busy playing trumpet in a variety of styles including Lead in many Big Bands, small jazz groups, Funk, Salsa, Wedding Bands, Large Church Orchestras, and Brass Quintets to name a few. You can hear Mark on Veggie Tales "Lyle the Kindly Viking", Waubonsee Community College Jazz Band CD, Northern IL Jazz Band CD and other videos on YouTube.
Doug Scharf
Trumpet, Composer & Arranger
Originating from Chicago, Doug’s known for his dynamic and vivacious trumpet playing. He is recognized for his amazing level of musical mastery both in Chicago as well as the Los Angeles area, where he has performed since the 1970’s. He has studied with such artists as Ron Schilke, Arnold Jacobs, and George Bean, and has been influenced by such performers as Ray Charles, Elton John, Glen Campbell, Burt Bacharach, and Tony Bennett. Featuring an array of musical genres, Doug has participated in several musical recording projects with such performers as Clark Terry, Cher Bono, Phil Ramone, Jeff Lynne, and the Pointer Sisters. He was also part of the house band for the Late Show with Joan Rivers in 1986 – 1987. As a composer/ arranger, he has worked on multiple soundtracks for movies and television shows with such personnel as Roy Orbison, George Benson, Thomas Bolby and Cher, on projects ranging from Major Dad and Svengoolie to the Late Show with Joan Rivers. Currently, Doug performs with the band Paris Swing and the Chicago Jazz Orchestra.
Dave Rice
Keyboard, Vocalist & Arranger
Dave Rice has played professionally since age 16. He began studying piano at age 6. After playing in bands and singing in choir and music productions through school, he received a BA in Music Education from SIU Carbondale and a Masters in Music Education at Vandercook. He has toured Europe, Asia , North and South America with Otis Rush. He has warmed up for artists such as George Benson, Buddy Guy, Pearl Jam, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant. He also has played with Donna Lori, the Cryan Shames, Gloria Newlun, Bobbi Wilsyn, Carlos Johnson , Pistol Pete, Dan Hayes Orchestra, Buddy Rich Band and many others. Dave has written a book “Improvisation on the ii-V-I and Blues progressions”. Dave has retired from teaching in the Valley View School District in Bolingbrook/ Romeoville and currently teaches at College of DuPage and teaches Jazz Lab Band at Naperville Central High School. He also is a jazz piano accompanist at Elmhurst University and plays music full time. In December Dave was inducted with the other members of the Cryan Shames into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Rob McDougle
Guitar & Vocalist
Veteran Chicago guitarist Rob McDougle played his first professional job at 14 and never stopped. Rob won the Oak Lawn award for jazz guitar at the Oak Lawn Jazz Festival, then the largest high school jazz festival in Illinois and then continued playing and studying music in college. His professional career in music has included touring with country music singer David Wills (5 top forty hits) and Blues diva Nora Jean Bruso with appearances across the US and Europe. Here in Chicago Rob has performed with jazz violin virtuoso Johnny Frigo, and played for several years in the sextet of trumpet master Guy Fricano as well as numerous appearances with professional party bands: "The Rockerfellers", Guy Lawrence and "Chideco Zydeco", The Karen Dale band, The Tony Bernard Show, The Stanley Paul Orchestra, and many others and most recently with Sandi Haynes and the Blue Rocket Boys and the Del Bergeson Orchestra. An experienced teacher, Rob has taught guitar for many years at area music stores and for 4 years was the director of curriculum for "Rock Camp USA" a music camp for kids held at Elmhurst college in Elmhurst Illinois.
Jeff Rutter
Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar & Vocalist
Bassist, Guitarist, Vocalist Jeff Rutter, began his musical life with trumpet lessons at the age of nine. He continued trumpet lessons off and on throughout grade school and college. At age 10, Jeff added guitar to his repertoire and for 6 years, studied guitar with Fred Filipiak. Throughout his educational career, he continued his musical education, playing with his school’s concert, marching, pep and jazz bands. He completed his college studies at Northern Illinois University, studying vocal education as well as participating in the famed NIU jazz program. After leaving college, Jeff began his professional performance career, touring with such acts as “The New Seekers”, Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart and R&B legends, “The Drifters”. Since 1979, Jeff’s been performing with his own band, “Scramble”, and beginning in 1985, “The Nightshift Orchestra”. Also in 1985, Jeff became the guitarist for “The Cryan’ Shames”. Today, Jeff still “tours” with a school music-lecture program that provides basic music education and practices to schools and municipalities’ summer youth programs throughout the Chicago and southern Michigan areas.
Gary Donnelly
Drums & Percussion
Gary’s interest in drums began at the early age of three and by the age of five he was taking lessons and gigging around the LaSalle-Peru, Illinois area playing for weddings, dances and shows. He eventually pursued his B.A. in music Education and M.A. in Percussion at Western Illinois University. While at Western, Gary was afforded many opportunities to perform with the University Wind Ensemble as principal timpanist and as drummer with the University Jazz Band. He performed shows with such notable figures as saxophonist Don Menza, bassist Rufus Reid, world-renowned vibraphonist Gary Burton, comedian Bob Hope and impressionist Rich Little. Coming to the Chicagoland area in the early 1980s, Gary began performing as both, a freelance drummer in the Chicago jobbing scene for various functions at all the major downtown venues and as a member of several bands traveling throughout the Midwest. He has performed regularly as a member of many local diverse musical acts from Northwest Indiana to Southern Wisconsin playing Classic Rock with 70’s FM (part of the Soundtracks of a Generation series) and 8 Miles South, Blues with Jeff Grossberg, Country with The Original Hazzard County Band, Virgil Kane and the White Saddle Band, Western Swing with the Hoosierbillies and Jazz with the Nuclear Jazz Quartet, the Unwined All-Stars and Fascinating Rhythm Aces.