"Shining Star" Tribute to Earth Wind & Fire
On Percussion and back up vocals, Sally Zori from the U.A.E. has played with Drew and Miller in the JD Project over the last two years.
A die hard fan of EWF and a seasoned session player, Duncan Grant, production keyboardist for Cats and Miss Saigon, was recommended to Miller and was welcomed into the SS family.
Rick Januses, seasoned section player and former member of The Purple Gang, plays Alto, Tenor, and Baritone Sax.
Former member of Maynard Ferguson’s Big Band, Kenny Robinson, recommended by The Sun Messengers, plays trumpet and flugel horn; who brought with him into the SS family...
Tony Bucelli, a private music teacher and one of the brassiest players around.
Together Januses, Robinson, and Bucelli preserve the authentic
E W & F horn sound.
When all are brought together, Shining Star is a show Band that recaptures the vocals, energy ,and musicianship of Earth Wind & Fire and has fun doing it. Come, Groove Tonight.....
with Shining Star.
Shining Star came together in 2007 for an Earth, Wind, and Fire tribute. Larry Miller (drums), from Philadelphia, Pa. has been in numerous soul and R&B bands that have toured and traveled throughout different parts of North America. With the previous experience of being in similar bands , he brought together several touring and studio musicians to complete Shining Star.
With a gospel singing background and a Phillip Bailey falsetto, Detroit based Mike Whitehead was discovered and quickly became part of the Shining Star family.
Speaking of family, Levi Johnson, the second vocalist, is Mike’s father. A fan and entertainer from the era of Earth, Wind & Fire, Levi has a soulful Maurice White style.
Our third, but first to join, vocalist Anthony Dupree, from Port Huron, Michigan, has a more distinct style with a rock background.
On rhythm and lead guitar, as well as backing falsetto, John Drew, of Windsor, Ontario, has been playing with Miller for the last eight years.
Detroit session ace Butch Ford, previously from one of Miller’s superstar bands, is on lead, rhythm, and synth guitar.
Another familiar member is the touring bass player Freddy Williams who has also played with Miller over the years as well as The Contours.
