Meet The Flight Crew
TIM PERKINS, Bass & Vocals
Timothy Perkins (Upright bass, electric basses, and lead vocals) has developed his skills as a true all-around singing bassist. While living and performing for several years in Kansas City he honed his skills as a Classical, Jazz, Rock, and Fusion musician. Tim consistently provides rock-solid bass grooves and is equally able to move into the spotlight with solo work ranging from fluid, lyrical melodies to the energetic speed work and finger gymnastics typically associated with the guitar and saxophone. While actively participating in the classical and jazz scenes in Kansas City, Tim had the opportunity to perform with many of the acts that toured across the United States. You may also have seen Tim performing over the last fifteen years with the Vic Ferrari Symphony on the Rocks and Unity The Band.
artist spotlight - Tim Perkins
the lonely man theme
Tommy "Valentine", saxophones, keys & vocals
Tom Sobel has lived the majority of his life on stage. He was only four years old when he laid hands on his first piano. He was immediately enrolled at a private music conservatory to study classical piano. At the age of 14, Tom fell in love with the soulful tone of the saxophone, and began to earnestly study that instrument as well. From that moment on, Tom dedicated himself to mastering both instruments. For over 40 years, Tom has taken the stage performing on all of the woodwind instruments, keyboards, percussion and vocals. Tom is also an accomplished musical director, vocalist, composer, and arranger. From flying airplanes, to rebuilding vehicles, to advanced home improvement, Tom has also pursued a wide range of hobbies and other endeavors outside of music.
Tom has performed, recorded and collaborated with Luther Allison, Bernard Allison, James Solberg, Jim Liban, Clyde Stubblefield, W.C. Clark, Buddy Miles, Ernie Watts, Myron Floren, Buddy Guy, Dave Mason, Vic Ferrari, Dave Steffen, and Jimmie Vaughan.
artist spotlight - Tommy "valentine" featured solo artist with the john garr band
tom "dragon" wroblewski, keys, harmonica & vocals
Dragon is a musician, engineer, and teacher who resides in Appleton, Wisconsin. He has performed in 12 countries, and 20 states. As a child in Milwaukee, Tom had four years of piano lessons taught by violin and voice teachers. His musical influences include composers and performers, especially Mozart, Beethoven, The Beatles, Queen, Pink Floyd, Elton John, Billy Joel, Louis Armstrong, Sigmund Snopek,
Supertramp, George Winston, and many others. Dragon is a member of the Vic Ferrari Band. Prior bands include Hyde, IX Lives, Cloud 10, and others. He's been a soloist for over 40 years (Play It Again Tom), featured regularly in piano bars in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Chicago. He's also provided entertainment at annual events for the Pulp & Paper Industry, the Edison Electric Institute, and Historic Fox River Mills.
Work and family life balance are important to him. As a father in Stevens Point, Tom raised three children, each of whom are college-educated and have successful careers. All three engaged in music by learning one or more instruments as kids, sometimes performing with dad. Tom is a registered Professional Engineer, and is a former adjunct professor in the University of Wisconsin System. His engineering career focused on energy in utilities, pulp & paper, and industrial/commercial consulting. In a never-ending desire to share knowledge, Tom teaches multiple subjects in the WI school districts of Appleton, Kaukauna, Kimberly, and New London.
BRETT OEMIG, drums
Brett Oemig was born into this world annoyingly tapping on everything, eventually turning this annoying habit into an even more annoying habit on the drum set at age 13. After studying music at UW Stevens Point, Brett began teaching and performing professionally. He has played live and recorded with many musicians in Wisconsin in the years since, but hasn’t yet found a permanent home performing.
That is, UNTIL NOW. With The Flight Crew, Brett brings the boogyin’ beats you know and love, with a bit of his own spice to a repertoire that keeps everybody grooving and dancing!
TYLER JONES, trumpet
After studying trumpet at Lawrence University, Tyler performed in bands of all kinds on cruise ships for 12 years. He has also played with many of the best bands in Wisconsin, including Vic Ferrari, Symphony on the Rocks, and Unity. Additionally, Tyler is the king of France. He led a revolution riding a white horse through the streets of Paris, waving a big loaf of French bread.
Scott m. Davis, Guitars
Scott M. Davis is a versatile and accomplished guitarist. A Wisconsin native, he has performed throughout North America, South America, Europe, and Africa since beginning his professional career during the Carter Administration. Equally adept at Blues, Jazz, Rock, Pop, and Country, he spent 26 years as guitarist, keyboardist, and unit leader with the United States Navy Fleet Bands while stationed in Virginia, Chicago, and Italy. Mr. Davis provides a solid rhythmic foundation and creative solos that produce an exciting and engaging atmosphere. Scott has opened for/performed with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Diana Krall, Styx, Smashmouth, James Solberg, Clark Terry, Lou Donaldson, Neal McCoy, Larry Gatlin, Kenny Ray Horton, The Swingomatics, Paul Stiller, Luther Allison and many others. He currently resides in the Far North suburbs of Chicago where he frequently performs as a solo artist when not engaged in Flight Crew operations.
Jake Opperman, sax
Jake resides in Fond du Lac, WI, and is a top-notch performer in Wisconsin. He has a very distinct playing style which follows the footsteps of saxophone greats like Jeff Coffin and Dexter Gordon and excites audiences with his electricity and effortless range that he has been perfecting for almost two decades.
Earning degrees in Jazz Studies: Woodwind Performance and Instrumental Music Education from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, he now teaches in the band program at Fond du Lac High School. He is also an avid performer, composer, and, arranger and has performed in places such as New York City, Chicago, New Orleans, Denver, Miami, Disney World, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Akumal and Cancun, Mexico; as well as enjoying a career as a regular performer around the state of Wisconsin.
Since picking up the saxophone back in 2004, Jake has had the opportunity of sharing the stage with national and international acts such as the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Jeff Coffin Mu'tet, John O’Hurley, Hailey Reinhardt, Donny Most, Eugene Landau Murphy Jr., Joe Piscopo, Miguel Zenon, Matt Wilson, Conrad Herwig, Jim McNeely, Martin Wind, Brian Lynch, Gordon Goodwin, Andrew Martin, Wayne Bergeron, Jose Valentino-Ruiz, Janet Planet, Tom Washatka, Dave Damiani, Ben Allison, Steve Cardenas, Allison Miller, Michael Dease and John Raymond.
Karen Mani, Violin
Karen Mani started playing violin at age 10 with the Sheboygan Area School District. Her passion to perform grew in junion high school when she studied guitar, piano and sang in several choirs. Karen earned a BFA degree from UW-Milwaukee. She managed and performed in a string quartet for 25 years. As a member of the Sheboygan Symphony orchestra for over 45 years, Karen has experienced many genres of music. She especially enjoys playing acoustic and electric violin. Some of her favorite styles include rock, swing, jazz, blues, Motown and classical. "It has been my lifelong dream to perform with musicians from different backgrounds. We gather together and experience the beauty of music, whether it's playing by ear in a jam session or at symphony hall performing Mozart. " Karen is married to Jim and they have two amazing children.
