The band formed in the early spring of 2005 when Johnny Moon called together an eclectic collection of dedicated musicians whose paths had crossed at various gigs and jam sessions over the years. Spending long hours playing together to develop the sound, feeling and catalog needed to go out and play, they committed themselves to a goal or challenge as it were to every single person in the audience to have as much fun at their shows as the band does whenever they hit the stage. The group takes this challenge very seriously so when you get a chance to experience the Moon & Starz challenge.
 
They'll be ready, are you?

This searing eleven piece band pumps out a heavy percussive sound starting with a rock solid meter in consummate drummer Frank Bertolucci, Jr leading the pack. Back that up with “Rockin’” Rick Surrano on harp (harmonica for the uninformed), vocals, congas and various percussion sounds from his secret bag of tricks.  Then to complete the powerhouse punch in the bottom end Johnny Moon mixed in a large helping of Mike Persico and his 5 string bass, pushing out a fat toned sound that will have you jumping up and down and screaming for more. Throw in a trunk full of horn players featuring section leader Paul Ilsley on 1st trumpet, guitar and vocals, Johnny Moon, tenor, Anthony Michael, alto ,  Brent Wheat, 2nd trumpet and the ever effervescent Shaun Bazylewicz on the trombone and the stew is definitely starting to boil.



Now it’s time for the high end. Mix in the down home funk of keyboardist/vocalist Craig Kiel with a helping of lead guitarist Jefferson Kewley’s hard driving rhythms and soulful stinging blues licks and you as the listener realizes that the shear musical power of these players raises the bands sound to the next level. Not to be out done by any of the above mentioned ingredients, lead vocalist Jacque Stoudemire completes the recipe for this hard hitting eleven piece powerhouse by adding her sexy, sultry, down and dirty vocals. This incredible singer will lure the entire audience into the heart of each song as the set grows in intensity.



If you combine the total number of years these players have been performing you are looking at almost 300 years of performing, jamming, rocking, singing, dancing and just having fun at what they do. With the ability to play funk, rock, soul, pop and blues this band provides the audience with a vast assortment of musical styles played at a level that you would expect from this group of professionals.

So come out and take the Moon & Starz challenge, they’ll be ready, will you?

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