Bios

Stephanie Rogers
With infectious positive energy, Stephanie Rogers is a local music favorite. Having sung with over 30 Chicago bands and orchestras, she has been entertaining audiences for nearly 20 years. Stephanie has three cds of her own music out on her label (Hipchick Records) and is very active with charity organizations and her community. Stephanie has been heard on Chicago’s WXRT, Q101, WFMT and WBEZ and has played in hundreds of venues, country clubs, bars, hotels, cafes, lawns and festivals. Since graduating from Northwestern University’s Theatre Department, Stephanie has been seen in over 50 commercials, tv shows and movies and has been a successful band leader for years. She proudly leads one of the hippest, coolest and most fun event bands in Chicago.

Samotta Acklin - vocals
Samotta is a renowned Chicago vocalist who hails from a musical family, which includes famous mother Barbara Acklin who had numerous hits as a pop and R&B vocalist in the 1960's and 70's. Music was Samotta's first language. She has toured throughout the U.S. and Internationally with such acts as R. Kelly, India Arie, The Chi-Lites and Destiny’s Child. She has also choreographed and toured for Bernie Mac's "Who Ya Wit” tour and has been featured on over 40 recordings. Samotta has performed with countless bands and musical productions and recently won Best Lead Actress from the Black Theater Alliance Awards for her role in "The Divine One, Sarah Vaughn.” Samotta is the exhuberant emcee at The Checker Board Club, where Chicago's best musicians jam every Monday night. Samotta lights up the stage with star-quality.

Doopy Lupree - vocals
Starting his singing career in his parent's church, Doopy developed a distinct and soulful sound at a young age. His range extends from angelic ceremony music to rockin' in bar bands. His popular group, Sticky Lupree, has had a regular weekly gig at Webster Wine Bar in Chicago for over ten years. Doopy scats, wails, croons and improvises. His gentle caress of melody often moves people to tears. He is able to emulate many R&B artists, and he can sing in any style imaginable. Doopy was a member of 78 cents, an a cappella trio that won an award in the "Grammy in The Streets" series, and was also featured on CNN, Jerry Springer, US 99, WGN and NPR.

Bradford Newquist - vocals
With his stellar voice and elegant style, Chicago favorite Bradford Newquist has won fans at theatres, concert halls and clubs across the country and around the world. Bradford has thrilled audiences with his own arrangements of big band standards, jazz, pop and Broadway for nearly two decades. The demand for his winning combination of charming stage manner and a smooth, gorgeous voice has taken him around the world as a headliner on eight cruise ship tours, including the SS Rotterdam Silver Anniversary World Cruise and to a solo concert series in Australia. As the former lead vocalist for The Stanley Paul Orchestra, Bradford brings his magical presence to The Stephanie Rogers Band, where he is the band's ever delightful, silk-toned crooner.

Chris Miskel - drums
The astounding Chris Miskel began playing drums in church at a very young age. Naturally gifted, Chris is a self-taught musical genius who gained drum inspiration from mentors Oscar Seaton Jr. and Khari Parker. A world-class drummer who often tours, Chris has worked with guitarist Nick Colione, jazz artist Brian Culbertson, Dave Koz, saxophonist Gerald Albrigh, R&B vocalist Howard Hewitt and saxophonist Boney James, among many, many others.

Jamie Martinez - bass
Jamie Martinez, an outstanding musical presence, has studied music in both Denver and Chicago for the last 23 years. Playing tuba, and upright and electric bass, Jamie has toured nationally in styles ranging from mariachi choir to musical theatre. He's also been featured on over 30 recordings, many of which have had regular radio rotation. Jamie brings plenty of humor and groove to The Stephanie Rogers Band.

Roger Harris - keys
A Chicago native whose amazing musical talents were evident at an early age, Roger Harris began his formal piano training at the age of 6. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in music education from Roosevelt University in Chicago, he taught band, orchestra, choir, general music and commercial music in various Illinois and Indiana school districts. He has played behind many jazz greats, including Stanley Turrentine, Freddie Hubbard, James Carter and Orbert Davis. He has also played with Aretha Franklin, Melba Moore, Jean Karnes, Charelle, Angela Winbush and The Jones Girls. As an adjunct faculty member, Roger currently teaches at Roosevelt University and at The American Conservatory of Music. Roger is a member of the jazz ensemble of The Center for Black Music Research at Columbia College in Chicago and a jazz mentor for the Title 1 program, “Music Alive,” founded by jazz trumpeter Orbert Davis.

Derek Bahr - guitar
Guitar star Derek Bahr joined the Stephanie Rogers Band last year fresh from graduating with a Bachelor of Music degree from Columbia College. In the 5 years he has lived in Chicago Derek has played almost every venue in the city and many major festivals including the Chicago Blues Festival, the Taste of Chicago, and the Chicago Jazz Festival. He's also had the great opportunity to play with some of Chicago's finest musicians and with many nationally and internationally renowned artists including Joan Osborne, Bob Mintzer, and Fred Wesley. Derek plays in a huge range of styles and is also a singer-songwriter.

John Bowes - saxophone
John Bowes is a Berklee School of Music alum whose early influences include Rufus, Earth, Wind, & Fire, Tower of Power, Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, and almost anything Motown. John has been on tours throughout the U.S., Asia and Europe with a vast array of artists. He has lent his soulful sax stylings to Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, The O’Jays, Lou Rawls, The Supremes, The Funk Bros (Motown Studio Band), The Dells, and many others. Theater performances include “Love, Janis” (based on the life of Janis Joplin) at the Royal George Theater in Chicago, and “Imagine Tap,” which had its world premiere at the Harris Theater in Millennium Park. John has recorded with and arranged for a variety of bands in Chicago, among them, The Pete Special Band, BrotherBrother, Dick Holliday and the Bamboo Gang, Uneek, The Buckinghams, The Robert Cornelius 7 and the Grammy-nominated debut CD of the 911 Mambo Orchestra.