A High Energy, Professional Vocal and Horn Band located in Denver, Colorado.
"The dynamic vocal presence combined with the antics of the horn section make this show exciting to be a part of." -Colorado Music Buzz Magazine
The Homeslice Band is a nine-piece vocal and horn musical powerhouse group based in Denver, Colorado. The enthusiastic and animated performances of the group are targeted to captivate and entertain a wide variety of audiences and ages. The HomeSlice Band members have an impressive wealth of professional experience from a full spectrum of musical genres including rock, funk, blues, bluegrass, jazz, and all that is awesome. These members have also shared the stage with a myriad of nationally and globally recognized musicians.
Homeslice was created nine years ago, drawing from the great horn bands of the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and 2000 decades. Their music originally was based on the classic funk and Rhythm and Blues scene as they continued to perform a wide range of horn-driven music from the bands Chicago; Blood, Sweat &Tears; Earth, Wind, and Fire.
Today Homeslice continues to perform many different genres of music including jazz, rock, country, latin, pop, including the ever-growing performances of original compositions that reflect their love for the horn band sound with a 21st century representation.
From intimate private performances to high-energy public concerts along with a vast selection of original and cover music, Homeslice's audience interaction is always a highlight of the event - you'll be singing, dancing and laughing right along with them!
For private event buyers, Homeslice provides dedicated and professional sound (and lighting) reinforcement for your event, consisting of state-of-the-art equipment along with the group's professional sound people running the controls. Your party, event, or club will be a hit with the HomeSlice Band...fresh, funky and especially fun for all!
Jon Benson - Trumpet/Backup Vocals
Jon has played trumpet for 14 years. During high school, Jon received numerous awards and participated in the Colorado All-State band both his junior and senior years. Upon graduation, he relocated to Concord, California and performed with the prestigious Blue Devils drum corps. Jon performed on trumpet for the 2001-2002 seasons, and became drum major for the 2003 DCI World Championship season. Shortly afterwards, he participated in the Okayama Music Festival in Okayama, Japan. Since relocating back in Colorado, Jon has joined HomeSlice, and spends his summers working at Legacy High School, where he is commissioned for brass instruction and marching technique. Jon continues his education at the University of Colorado, where he is studying mechanical engineering.
Peter Benson - Bass/Backup Vocals
Peter Benson is HomeSlice's bass player extraordinaire. Playing the Denver music scene for almost 10 years, Peter is often well-recognized and praised as one of the best bassists around. Often complimented on the large size of his instrument (upright bass) and his huge talent, Peter enjoys the opportunity to show off that beautiful bass on some of the swing and blues tunes. His journey as a bassist began in jazz groups and his quick talent for the complicated basslines quickly moved him on to play with the nationally acclaimed UCD Claimjumpers while also playing through the years with local swing/blues bands Three Shades of Blue, The Sidewinders, Swing West and Harmonica Loowinski. Peter, along with two other band members, became one of the "founding fathers" of HomeSlice, wanting to combine his jazz/blues experience with a "funked up" sound. His slappin', body shakin' bass licks keep you on your feet the whole night through.
Pete Dunnawald - Sound and Light Engineering
Pete is our exclusive, dedicated sound and lighting engineer who provides nothing less than the highest quality of equipment and sound reinforcement available for all of our private and corporate events.
John Evans - Alto and Tenor Saxophones/Guitar/Backup Vocals
John started playing saxophone when he was only ten years old. Now he is a high school physics/chemistry teacher by day, but admits that saxophone is his connection to sanity. He attributes his love of music to his father, also a musician and teacher. There are many musical influences in John’s life including Eric Clapton, Lenny Picket, and Maceo Parker. He is extremely proud to play in and have helped form the band HomeSlice. John is an experienced saxophonist that is simply exciting to watch. He may also be the only saxophonist in Colorado to have landed a double front flip on a snowboard.
Steve Franklin - Guitar/Vocals/Trumpet
Steve Franklin plays guitar and sings, (bustin' a few notes on the tuba) and sits in playing the cornet which completes the horn section.
Fred Garlington – Lead Trumpet/Flugelhorn /Backup Vocals
Fred’s career in music began at the ripe old age of 4 when he first learned the tune “Cruella DeVille” by ear on a plastic trumpet his parents had given him. He started taking piano lessons at 6, picked up his first real trumpet at the age of 8, and began studying jazz at 11. Fred’s love affair with high notes began when he first heard a recording of Jon Faddis at the age of 15. Fred was selected as a member of both the inaugural Colorado All-Star Band in 1997 and the Colorado All-State Jazz Band in 1998. Fred graduated from the University of Colorado in 2002 where he studied jazz and lead trumpet under Dr. John Davis in Jazz Ensemble I and recorded several tracks, including the definitive recordings of several Glenn Miller originals discovered in CU’s music vaults. He has played with the likes of Dave Grusin, Arturo Sandoval, The Air Force Falconaires, Byron Stripling, Nelson Rangell and many others.
Amanda Martinez - Vocals
Mandy joined HomeSlice in January 2011, and as our newest member of the band Mandy has participated in vocal performance from a young age. She grew up singing in the church choir and has enjoyed being a part of a variety of choral ensembles and vocal performance groups over the years. She performed in several choirs and small ensembles as well as multiple musicals during college and was invited to perform the National Anthem at several professional sporting events while living in Washington DC. Most recently she was featured on a Holiday CD project, a compilation of favorite holiday songs, produced by close friend Quinn McCann. Here in Denver, she has enjoyed guest performances with members from local groups like Otone Brass Band and The Owen Kortz Trio.
John Patterson - Drums
Joining the ranks of the Home Slice regiment, John is excited to relive and rehash the days of old with fellow Hott rocker Steve Franklin. When asked about his styles and influences, he tries to sum it up in two sentences. “My playing style for this group can best be described as Clusterfunk Debauchery.” and “I always get a flu shot for that!” John is wanted in 3 states for the murder and misinterpretation of the English language. If that’s not a drummer ...
Kenny Saccomano - Keyboards
Originally from the Denver area, Kenny's background in classical and jazz music led to a carer in Las Vegas for over twenty years. As a professional pianist and organist, and conductor for the Riviera and Caesar's Palace orchestra, he also led many of his own smaller groups in the Vegas scene. When not performing Kenny spends time with his second passion - photography.
Brent Smith - Trombone/Bass Trumpet/Backup Vocals
As one of the true sports fan in the band...Brent's current batting average is .301 (right handed) .186 (left handed) and co-leads the team for the single season record for the most appearances (and frequent flyer miles) in the league. He attended the University of Colorado (ironically during the same time as Steve Franklin and John Patterson) majoring in music, specifically in the field of Heavy Metal playing the tuba. Brent also proudly served in the United States Army and National Guard as a musician.