Amanda
Amanda
Andrew
Andrew
Caitlin & Jason
Caitlin & Jason
The Stitely Orchestra Old School Compilation
The Stitely Orchestra Latin Compilation
The Stitely Orchestra 15-pc “Contemporary Dance”
The Stitely Orchestra Contemporary Dance Compilation
The Stitely Orchestra Post Modern Jukebox
The Stitely Orchestra 15-pc “Old School Classics”
Background Music with Strings
This fun, high-energy Chicago wedding band is guaranteed to pack your dance floor and bring an unparalleled level of professionalism and excitement to your party. You can choose from a huge list of classic and contemporary dance songs so the party reflects your taste and is as unique as you are.
Stitely’s cutting edge electronic dance elements ensure the top 40 songs sound authentic. Our DJ mixes with the live band, band breaks and after-party jam for those seeking a club vibe. Call or email now to hear more about this exciting Chicago band.
vocals
When Bruce is on the bandstand, you feel the depth of his personality and you’re instantly moved. His dedication and passion for music comes through in the delivery of a lyric and his sound is unmatched.
He is "Soul" Full of Sound
Born in Mississippi, Bruce A. Henry was publicly singing by the age of 5 in his Baptist church on the West side of Chicago and was classically trained at the Chicago Conservatory of Music. Garnering a large following in France and the Far East, Bruce has been heard on a Worldwide Radio Live Concert on the B.B.C. as well as notable movie soundtracks. Bruce has also performed with Doc Severinsen, The Sounds of Blackness, Bobby McFerrin and opened for Roberta Flack, Ramsey Lewis, Natalie Cole, Stéphane Grappelli and Chris Botti. In addition, he has performed on exotic and legendary stages such as the Malate concert in Manila, the Klezmer Festival in Israel, Le Bilboquet in Paris, The WhitBread in London, an the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. If a frenetic performing and recording schedule wasn’t enough, Bruce is also a committed advocate of African American music programs for kids, instilling confidence and pride of their heritage.
Bruce Henry
vocals
vocals
Joan will soothe your soul and warm your heart. She shares her talent and spreads her love of music through organizations like Timeless Gifts on Chicago’s south side that invests in the lives of our youth by teaching them to appreciate music. A true impresario of the arts, she’s committed to music both on and off the stage.
Inspiring, Timeless and Vivacious Groove
Joan Collaso is an international vocalist who hails from Chicago. Her smooth, moving vocals have been enjoyed by music lovers all over the world, including the North Sea Jazz Festival in The Netherlands. In addition to producing five CDs of her own and singing on countless jingles and commercials, she has supported numerous major artists such as Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Celine Dion, George Duke, Ray Parker, Jr., Jerry Butler and Michael Henderson. She’s recognized for singing on and helping to create the soundtrack for the TV show, Empire. She also appeared in the 1997 history-making film, Soul Food. Joan can be heard performing every Friday night as the featured vocalist at the Four Seasons Hotel on the Magnificent Mile.
Joan Collaso
vocals
vocals
Kendel exudes positivity when she sings and has the ability to bring life into any room with her vocals. As an accomplished pop/rock and jazz singer, Kendel is a true performer.
Sparkle and Shine
Originally from Las Vegas, Kendel is a singer, songwriter, and musician with a long performance history from The Venetian Hotel to cruise ships to currently writing and producing her own original project. Coming from a family of broadway dancers, Kendel developed a love for all styles of music and a passion for songwriting and performing. She has been privileged to work with some of the top musicians in Chicago as well as perform with local legends such as Dennis De Young and Andrew Bird. Kendel has received numerous accolades and awards for her original compositions and was recently named a "top up-and comer" in Chicago by CBS. In addition to singing, Kendel is a skilled pianist, french hornist and painter.
Kendel Lester
vocals
saxophone
The brass tacks is that this guy can really play the sax. He also happens to be our resident band clown and comedy aficionado. On top of that, he is a lexicon of music history - knowledgeable about every music style. Get him started and he’ll talk your ear off, so just ask to hear him play instead.
One Cool Comedic Cat
Bill was born in Memphis and grew up immersed in its tradition of blues, soul and jazz. He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Music Education from the University of Illinois. After moving to New York in 198, he performed with artists such as The Temptations, Mel Lewis, Doc Cheatham, Vic Dickinson, Rosemary Clooney, Odetta Bo Didley, The Spinners and The St. Luke’s Chamber Orchestra. He has also worked with a number of Broadway orchestras and has extensive recording experience. While in New York, Bill also taught at William Peterson College, The Brooklyn Conservatory and The Aebersold Summer Jazz Clinics. Bill moved to the Chicago area in 1998 where he continues to perform with the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, the Ellington Dynasty, The Ravinia Festival Orchestra, Frank Wess, Kenny Burell and many others.
Bill Overton
saxophone
trumpet
Art has been the center of many of the great jazz groups in Chicago and it’s no surprise given the depth of his music knowledge. When one of the finest jazz players comes to the party, the room comes alive and the crowd becomes inspired to rock the dance floor all night long.
World Class ARTistry
Art Davis is an experienced performer and teacher committed to the promotion and education of jazz and world music. Art received both his Bachelors in Music Education and Masters in Musicology from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. Art is currently a trumpet instructor at the University of Illinois, Chicago and professor of Jazz Studies at Northern Illinois University. Art has been a professional freelance musician in the Chicago area and has also toured with legendary artists Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra and Rosemary Clooney. He has also performed with Doc Severinson, Clark Terry, Louis Bellson, Joe Williams, Dizzy Gillespie, Nancy Wilson, Natalie Cole, Diane Shure, Sammy Davis Jr and Bill Cosby among others.
Art Davis
trumpet
trombone
Tim exemplifies the term “Mr. Nice Guy”. When he doesn’t have a trombone up to his lips, he has a smile on his face as he’s always happy to be performing. While adding depth to the low end of Stitely Orchestra’s brass section, Tim is also a charismatic and electrifying soloist.
Not a Mean "Bone" in His Body
A graduate of the prestigious Jazz Studies program at Indiana University, Tim Coffman is one of the most active trombonists and teachers in the Chicago area. He is in high-demand for studio and show work and has performed with Frank Sinatra, Frank Sinatra Jr., Andy Williams, Natalie Cole, Lou Rawls, The Temptations, Louie Bellson, The Woody Herman Orchestra, Paul Anka, Al Jarreau, Henry Mancini, Stevie Wonder, Diane Schur, Jimmy Heath, Randy Brecker and Benny Golson among others. He has performed in the pit orchestra for “The Producers” and also performed with the Chicago Symphony playing lead trombone in the Duke Ellington “Nutcracker.” He is currently the jazz trombone instructor at DePaul University and he just finished recording his own CD entitled “Crossroads.”
Tim Coffman
trombone
drums
As the band leader of the Stitely Orchestra, Jeff is the mastermind behind this whole kit and caboodle. He loves working with people and bringing joy to their celebrations. He has pulled together the top musicians in Chicago in order to consistently guarantee that your party has the best entertainment and that you will have an unforgettable night.
A Rhythm That Can't Be Beat
Jeff began his career as a jazz drummer building a reputation in Chicago by playing with such superb artists as Chick Corea, Wynton Marsalis, Randy Becker, Eddie Harris, Larry Coryell, “Groove” Holmes, Kathleen Battle, Zoot Sims, Patricia Barber, Von Freeman, the Grant Park Symphony and many others. Jeff won “Best Soloist” at the 9th International Jazz Competition of Belgium and has been awarded 2 National endowment for the Arts grants. The Jeff Stitely Quartet recorded three CDs. “Chameleon Eyes” won the distinguished award of “Top 10 CDs of the year” by WBEZ and the Sun Times. They toured both the U.S. an Europe and were finalists in the Hennessey National Jazz Competition.
Jeff studied and performed African drumming and dance with Gideon Foli Alorwoyie for five years. This great musical tradition is about bringing spirit to the rituals of the community. In that same spirit, Jeff started Stitely Entertainment in 1994 to provide quality music for our celebrations.
Jeff Stitely
drums
bass
Cory is a pro, always ready to play your favorite tune while adding impeccable groove. As an exemplary musician, you can count on him to consistently bring it.
Carries a Big Bass
After teaching in Nebraska’s Lincoln Public Schools for a year, Cory moved to Chicago to attend DePaul University where he received a Masters Degree in Jazz Performance in 2004. He studied with many DePaul faculty members including bassist Kelly Sill and had the opportunity to play with notable jazz performers, Phil Woods, Marvin Stamm, and Kenny Werner. He’s also had memorable nights backing Rich Little and the Guy Lombardo band. Cory is on the faculty at Harper College, a private instructor at the Laughlin School of Music, and an adjunct faculty member at Harold Washington College. He performs with jazz, classical, and contemporary bands covering a wide variety of musical styles and also performs as a freelance musician on both acoustic and electric basses around the Chicago area.
Cory Biggerstaff
bass
piano
As a true jazz lover at heart, keys are in this guy’s blood. So much that he even married another piano player! You will feel the passion Chris has for music and appreciate his acute sensitivity to every element guaranteeing each note will be perfect.
And All That Jazz
Chris White hails from Toronto, Canada and after obtaining a B.A. in English from the University of Toronto, he decided to focus his studies entirely on music. In 1997 he attended Indiana University’s prestigious Jacobs School of Music to pursue his Masters in Jazz Studies, graduating with a Phi Kappa Lamda award (National Music Honors Society). Gaining valuable experience in Indianapolis, he performed with The Bloomington Symphony Orchestra, David Baker, Jamey Aebersold and Oliver Nelson, Jr. He has studied piano with Luke Gillespie, Lynne Arriale, Joanne Brackeen, Barry Harris and Andy LaVerne. Currently he is an instructor of jazz piano and theory at Lake Forest College, North Park University and North Central College. Chris has performed at The Jazz Showcase, Andy’s, The House of Blues, Navy Pier, The Peninsula Hotel, the Coq D’or at the Drake Hotel and many more. In 2010 he completed his Doctoral of Musical Arts in Jazz Performance at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Chris White
piano