STEPHEN CHOPEK - drums
Stephen and I met at my former day job right after he came off tour with John Mayer. He needed a place to store his tour cases. So I found him a locker, set him up with a great price and we started talking which led to our friendship. About a year later Stephen and I got together and started working on my songs, which led to him coming into the studio to record Embers with me. He is currently performing with “The Alternate Routes” and other major and independent artists worldwide.
www.chopeklovejoy.com 

NICHOLAS D’ AMATO - bass
Nicholas and I met through a mutual friend and another excellent songwriter Paul Brubaker. I was in search of a bassist to play on some of the record and Nicholas and I seemed to hit it off pretty quick. His cool natured demeanor and serious finger chops convinced me right away that he was the right guy for the job. Stephen and Nicholas also knew of each other but had never had the chance to play together. Nicholas has been a busy touring musician with “Poppa Chubby”, “Spiraling” and is currently performing with his own project “Nicholas D’ Amato’s Royal Society” which features Matt Beck on guitar and Van Romaine on drums. 
www.nicholasdamato.com

ROB CLORES - keys
I've known Rob Clores casually over the years through Sal and some of the other guys I worked with. When I needed a great keyboard player who could lay down piano and b-3 for some of the new tunes, Sal recommended that we call Rob. Rob came in to the studio and with a few passes of the music left me with some of the best work I could have ever imagined. Rob has performed with “Blues Traveler”, “Chris Robinson” and is also currently working as performing artist and touring musician worldwide. 
www.myspace.com/robclores 

PETE VITALONE - accordion & melodica
Pete’s scenario is the same as Rob Clores. We’ve known each other casually for years through the music circles. I wanted an earthy kind of sound for the song “Feed the Animals” and Pete gave me the Stevie Wonder inspired combination of accordion and melodica featured in that song. Pete is also a performing artist, singer and songwriter who can be found on and off stage throughout the NY/NJ metro area.
www.intheno.com/index

SHELLY BHUSHAN - backing vocals
Shelly is one of the most amazing singers I’ve ever met in my life. She’s also a fantastic songwriter as well. Shelly and I met through a songwriting class in NY in 2002 and have continued to write and collaborate together ever since. Shelly’s voice has been compared to “Aretha Franklin”, “Joan Osborne” and “Roberta Flack”. And as her bio reads, “she knows how to activate the goose bump button on the back of your neck”. 
www.shellybhushan.com  

JOHN TAGLIERI - backing vocals
John is an extremely powerful singer with an amazing voice. He’s also one of the hardest working and most dedicated independent artists I’ve ever known. John is a true testament of how the DIY approach can pay off with enough dedication, hard work and perseverance. John is also a busy and talented performing singer songwriter who regularly can be seen opening for artists such as “Edwin McCain”, “Jeffery Gaines” and others.
www.johntaglieri.com