Peter Hennes...

After graduating Cum Laude from Boston's Berklee College of Music, Peter Hennes began his career in Atlanta, playing guitar with entertainers Frank Sinatra, Liza Minelli, Bob Hope, Debbie Reynolds, Bernadette Peters, Nancy Wilson, Ben Vereen, and Marvin Hamlish, pop artists Del Shannon, the Shirelles, and the Coasters, jazz guitarist Larry Coryell, and Earth, Wind, and Fire drummer Sonny Emory. He was also guitarist for the Atlanta Ballet, Atlanta Pops Orchestra, Fox Theater Orchestra, and the Atlanta Symphony, and played with the touring productions of Broadway shows Evita, Grease, My One and Only, La Cage Aux Folles, A Chorus Line, 42nd Street, Pippin, and Big River.

Since moving to Chicago, in addition to leading his special events orchestra, Peter has enjoyed a thriving career as one of Chicago's top studio musicians, playing a wide variety of fretted stringed instruments on hundreds of national and international commercials, and has also played with jazz sax great Richie Cole and rock musicians Darryl Jones (Rolling Stones/Sting), Jeff Baxter (Doobie Brothers/Steely Dan), and Todd Sucherman (Styx).

Bringing his diverse musical experiences together as the leader of the Peter Hennes Orchestra, Peter's greatest concern is the total satisfaction of each of his clients. From his meticulous planning to his band's energetic performance he ensures that yours will be a celebration to remember!

Our Singers...

In the 1990's Shawn Christopher's worldwide hits "Another Sleepless Nite," "Don't Lose the Magic," and "Sweet Freedom" topped the Billboard dance music charts, placing above artists like Madonna and L.L. Cool J. She also sang on Sonia Da Da's triple platinum hit "You Don't Treat Me No Good No More," and has been featured on recordings and live stage show with Meli'sa Morgan, Vesta Williams, and Gavin Christopher, as well as touring for three years singing back up vocals for Chaka Khan.

One of Chicago's most gifted and versatile vocalists, Greg Parker's magnetic stage presence and enthusiastic performance style enthralls audiences. He can be heard singing on commercials for the CTA, Power Ball, WNUA, Page Jewelers, Coke, Pizza Hut, and countless others, and has also performed in several Main Stage Theater productions, including the award winning "The Good Times Are Killing Me." Greg's powerhouse vocals are sure to ignite any event!

An exciting front man who mixes Jazz, R & B, and Motown together with a crowd drawing energy, singer Emanuel Barr is known for taking your event to the "next level!" He has sung all over the world from LA to Rome! Emanuel has electrified audiences in some of Chicago's great venues such as the Arie Crown and Chicago Theaters, as well as Chicago's Auditorium Theater.

As a highly sought after vocalist in the Milwaukee, Chicago and regional areas, Barbara Stephan is a master at authenticating any style she goes after with a polished, powerful sound. She has performed as a background vocalist for blues singer Susan Tedeschi, and has shared the stage with other blues greats such as George Thorogood and Jon Paris. Her voice has been featured on many commercials including Hyundai, Potowatami Casino and Master Z’s,and she has been a regular performer at all of the major music festivals in Milwaukee including Summerfest, Third Ward Jazz Festival, Rainbow Summer, and Jazz In The Park.

The Rhythm Section...

Cincinnati native keyboardist Andrew Toombs is a graduate of Berklee College of Music. He has been playing piano since age six and was performing regularly by age eleven. His solo debut came at age 14 with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. He has performed several times with the Pops and The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Andrew has played or performed with many other artists including Mel Torme, Kenny Rogers, Faith Hill, Roy Ayers, Ted Nash, DJ Hi-Tek, Eric Roberson, Benny Golson, Wilbert Longmire, Hal Crook, Chico DeBarge, Jason Palmer, Fred Anderson, Ohio Players, Camp Low, Dave Brubeck, Mike Smith, Tito Carrilo, Lin Biviono, Tony Royster, Joe Sanders, Juma Santos, Keith Lockhart, Stacy Dillard,and Bootsy Collins.

Bassist Tim Seisser is a Chicago native who has been busy in the music scene from an early age. Tim has worked in many styles, regularly switching genres and settings, since he began his full time music career in 2004. He has worked with many of Chicago's finest musicians including Mark Colby, Howard Levy, Rob Parton, Nicole Mitchell, and A Cor Do Brasil. Tim has performed at The Chicago Jazz Festival, The Cherokee Jazz and Blues Festival and The Blues to Bop Festival in Switzerland. Tim was an artist in residence for the Union League of Chicago Civic and Arts Jazz Ensemble in 2008. In addition, he has had the opportunity to back celebrity entertainers Max Weinberg and Charo. In 2008, Tim released his first album as a leader entitled "Wire and Wood," which received acclaim from jazz reviewers and has been played on multiple Chicago area jazz stations including WDCB and WNUA. Tim is a staff writer for Bass Musician Magazine.

Drummer extroadinaire Frank Alongi has been creating music professionally for eleven years. He is a clinician for Innovative Percussion and does percussion workshops in the Chicagoland area for high schools and other various educational settings. Frank currently directs the Cooper Middle School Percussion Ensemble in Buffalo Grove, IL where he also maintains a successful private studio. He performs regularly with his fusion quartet "The Renegades," directs the Latin jazz ensemble "Caribe," and has established himself in the Chicagoland area as a prominent upcoming artist.

The Horn Section...

Fred Cantu is one of the most sought after lead trumpet players on the Chicago music scene. Well known for his fluid sound and his incredible upper register, Fred has played with Trent Carlini, Danilo Perez, Chucho Valdes, Willie Wilson, and the Grammy nominated 911 Mambo Orchestra. He can be heard on recordings from Las Vegas, New York, and Chicago, and he plays lead trumpet every week on the nationally syndicated WGN tv show "Singsation." Fred studied with world renowned trumpet player Roger Ingram.

Saxophonist Matt Wifler has played with the national touring companies of Funny Girl and Peter Pan and toured with many bands including the legendary Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and the Glenn Miller Orchestra. He has played with Mickey Dolenz and Davey Jones of the Monkees, Ben Vereen, Charro, The Boxtops, and Gary U.S. Bonds. Matt has also toured the Midwest and recorded with original rock band Kokapelli and can be heard both live and on recordings with one of Chicago's most highly regarded and entertaining big bands, the Model Citizens.

The awesome, smooth sound of trombonist Raphael Crawford has been heard with world renowned jazz musicians Bob Berg, Clare Fischer, Tom Harrell, and Danilo Perez. He is an in demand composer, arranger, teacher, and performer whose playing has thrilled audiences throughout the Midwest and Europe.