From left: Scott, Don, Debra, Bob, Michael, John, Jeff

Jeff Garmel

Jeff Garmel came from the Motor City. He listened to Motown growing up, and started playing the saxophone hoping to emulate what he heard. He's still hoping.

Bob Cooper

Bob hails from upstate New York, but has lived in the Boston area since 1988. He was a member of the John Mooney Blues Band from 1978 to 1981, performing twice at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and annually at Tipitina's and other fine NOLA clubs. He appeared on John Mooney's first two CDs (ok, they were vinyl): "Comin' Your Way" (1978) and "Telephone King" (1981). He has played with many bands since then, but is noted in particular as the keyboard player for Harvey Robbins' Doo-Wopp Hall of Fame concerts from 2000 to 2009, including the annual Symphony Hall induction ceremony every year since 2003.

Bob likes to recall that when he first saw the movie "American Graffiti" he thought of the music as "oldies, not my kind of music." But after several years with the Doo-Wopp Hall of Fame he saw the movie again and realized that he had played with members or descendants of many of the groups featured on the soundtrack of the movie - The Flamingos, Pookie and the Hudsons, The Cleftones, Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, The Big Bopper Jr. (son of the B.B.) and The Diamonds.

Debra Vinci

Debra used to sing and dance to the Big Bopper's "Chantilly Lace" when she was five. At seven it was Billie Holiday and Dinah Washington from her dad's record collection. In 1987 she and her cat Motown moved to Boston where she sang with a number of R&B bands as well as with jazz pianist Steve Sweeting before joining Hipsocket in 1999. Debra is most grateful to Aretha Franklin, Sarah Vaughan, Abby Lincoln, and Etta James for their sassy, soulful influences.

Michael Miller

Through four decades, Michael has played bass in bands with some of the greatest names ever - "Lost Time", "Constant Change", one with his brother called "Peter Miller and the Pop Mechanics", and now, of course, "Hipsocket". In addition to playing bass, Michael loves to sing, and avers that backup vocals - executed with fervor - are a reason to live.

Here is a recording project he did a long time ago and still likes.

John Monterisi

John began his musical career at the age of four singing on street corners in Queens, NY. He considers himself a bit of a pop jukebox, and stuns audiences with his ability to play obscure requests. For equipment, John likes Fender strats with maple necks, the Swart Atomic Space Tone amp, and Fulltone's OCD pedal.

In 2002, John wrote and produced the CD Supreme Meal featuring members of Hipsocket; it is available here. In 2009 John produced the CD Mission in Medford — ten original tunes recorded with his studio band, The A Team. Sales from both CD projects benefit charity. John bows to the Hipsocket family, friends and fans for their continuing support.

Don Anderson

Don is originally from Falls Church, Virginia, and came to Boston to play trumpet and enjoy the long winters. He played with New England bands including Right Time, Doctor Burma, Smokin' Joe and the Henchman, Casual Sextet, and The New England Transcendental Brass Band. He currently plays with The Jazz Marauders. Besides the trumpet, Don also has been spotted blowing into a contraption called the EVI (Electronic Valve Instrument). Don invites you to check out his website.

Scott Shreve

Growing up right outside NYC, Scott's earliest drumming influences were big band, jazz and swing. After touring the Midwest professionally, Scott came to Boston, where he's played and recorded with a variety of local bands, most recently with the blues-flavored Jameson Road Band. Scott plays DW drums, DW pedals, and Vic Firth sticks, exclusively.

Friends of the Hip

Scott Jordan

Scott Jordan is Hipsocket's guardian angel and our premier sound engineer for live performance; we've been lucky enough to work with him since 2006. He's been a professional audio engineer since 1995 and works a day job as an audiovisual consultant. Scott has always been incredibly generous with his time and skills and the band adores him.

John McGovern

"Johnny Mac" motors down from New Hampshire to sub for us on trumpet from time to time. Besides his great tone and sit-up-and-take-notice solos, John brings a lot of style to the band. He's a spiffy dresser, puts on a show when he plays percussion, and can sing harmony like an angel. A gig with John is always an event to remember.

Tim Egan

Tim is a pro drummer from Braintree, MA. He has performed with well-known national and local acts in many different concert halls, clubs and other venues. For the last year Hipsocket has been thrilled to have him sit in on drum kit. Sturdy, steady and always ready, Tim brings good humor to our band and rock solid playing to its rhythm section.

Mary Glaser

Mary Glaser is an awesome percussionist who has been helping Hipsocket rock the house since 2005. In her moments away from the groove, Dr. Glaser teaches advanced mathematical concepts; onstage she teaches us all about keeping it On The One. Not only does she bring texture and excitement to the rhythm section, she brings sequins — and we are honored to have her sit in with us.