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

Jeff Garmel

Jeff Garmel came from the Motor City, and if you've ever been there, you know why he left. 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 since 2000, 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.

Bob is also proud of a particular performance at the Montreal Jazz Festival with Frankie Lee, a powerful soul singer who took the crowd to church that day and held them spellbound for the duration.

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

Originally from the 'burbs of Philly, Michael has covered everything from reggae to the Grateful Dead. He has played in a number of bands since his halcyon days at Dartmouth, including one with his brother called Peter Miller and the Pop Mechanics. In addition to playing bass, Michael sings harmony and lead when the mood strikes.

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. In 2002, John wrote and produced the CD Supreme Meal, featuring members of Hipsocket; in 2006, he wrote and produced a CD of three new tunes, titled The A Team. 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.