Bios of Our Chicago Wedding Musicians and Singers...

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 musicians Larry Coryell and Richie Cole, and Darryl Jones (Rolling Stones/Sting bassist), Sonny Emory (Earth, Wind, and Fire drummer), and Jeff Baxter (Doobie Brothers/Steely Dan guitarist). 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.

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.

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 performed for both the Mayor and the Chicago Office of Special Events in the Summer Concert series, "Under the Picasso," and has electrified audiences in some of Chicago's great venues such as the Arie Crown and Chicago Theaters. Emanuel has also recently been featured at the world renowned Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.

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.

Keyboardist Paul Mutzabaugh is very active in the Chicago music scene, having performed and recorded with a number of different artists and groups including Crawl, Aaron McEvers' M13, Typhanie Monique, Ladies of the Canyon, Willow Creek Community Church, Héctor Hermosillo/Casa de Luz, Frank Russell, Peter Lerner, Ari Seder, Chris Long, and Danny McGuinness. Paul also leads his own piano trio as well as The Renegades, an original fusion band for which he both plays keyboards and composes most of the material.

Dynamic bassist Eric Hervey has played with Daryl Stuermer of Phil Collins/Genesis, former Journey/Frank Zappa drummer Aynsley Dunbar, blues guitarist Tino Gonzales, smooth jazz violinist Doug Cameron, R & B artist Eric Benet, and many others. He played on the 80's hit "When I'm With You" by the rock band Sheriff, and is an in demand studio musician and producer.

Described by Modern Drummer magazine as an intelligent player with chops, Del Bennett has toured with some of the music industry’s heaviest hitters, including guitarist Greg Koch and Sam Llanas of the Bodeans, and has played with Phil Collins/Genesis guitarist Daryl Stuermer, Paul Cebar and the Milwaukeeans, jazz guitarist Jack Grassel, and many others as well as playing on hundreds of commercials.

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.