The Players
TK Howard (lead vocals)
Soul Injection's lead singer attended the famous School of the Performing Arts in New York City, and is a veteran of musical theater and shows on New York stages and in clubs. TK spent some time as an entertainer in Las Vegas, where he performed R&B, including a Motown Revue, in casinos and other Vegas venues.
Locally, TK has performed with many popular local bands in central NY, and has demonstrated a wide range of styles that includes Broadway and Dixieland. He was the director of a run of The Wiz at the Stanley Center for the Arts in Utica.
John Short (keyboards/vocals/music director)
John Short lives in Herkimer, New York and is a graduate of the Ilion School District. After spending a year at St. Lawrence University immersing himself in the Music program, he returned to the valley to earn an AAS degree in General Studies from HCCC, while playing out 3 to 4 nights a week.
John is a 25 year veteran of the CNY music scene. Many know him as a founding member of the band Showtime, and more recently his work with Classified. He has shared the stage with everyone from sitting members of Congress (John Hall D-NY) to Michael Glabicki (the lead singer of Rusted Root) and many others in between.
John credits his passion for music to his Violin instructor TJ McAveny. Self taught on Keys, John also plays violin. His addition fills out the sound of Soul Injection, and allows for greater arranging vocally and instrumentally.
Dan Anthony (guitar, tech wizard)
A guitarist for more than 35 years, Dan brings expertise on sound engineering along with his years of playing guitar; He blends the two together for an energetic experience on stage. Dan has been a lifelong guitarist, studying with Carmen Caramanica and working with some of best musicians in the area.
Joe Karwacki (bass, vocals)
Joe comes to play first bass for Soul Injection with a varied background that includes composer, arranger, music director, classical/jazz upright bassist, piano technician, and music educator. He is a graduate of Ithaca College’s School of Music and has studied and played bass throughout the United States. An in-demand bassist, Joe juggles his performance schedule among several groups. He has worked for Al Martino, Ella Fitzgerald, Harry Connick Jr., Barry Manilow, and local groups; One Sweet Ride, Ladies of Soul, C.O.D., Johnny & the Robbers, Rick Compton Trio, Matt Rockwell Group, Bevel, Jump, and Rio. In 2008, he and Scott Madonia founded the 19-Piece Stage Music Big Band, which featured several current and past horn players from Soul Injection.
Vic Tocco (keyboards/vocals)
Vic has been playing music in the Central New York area for more than twenty-five years. He has played in several successful bands before coming to Soul Injection, including Crystal Ship, Amber, Excel, and Direct Hit. In addition to providing background vocals, Vic has perfected the chop technique on the keyboard, lending support to both percussion and chord progressions. Also a drummer, Vic finds his influences in the ‘80’s - White Snake, Guns N Roses and Aerosmith.
Sam Sampere (reeds, vocals)
Sam started playing clarinet in 4th grade, then switched to saxophone that summer, studying with local sax legend Jerry Santy, until he finished his undergrad. An alumnus of Henninger High School's (Syracuse) music program, Sam chose to attend LeMoyne College to study physics. While there, Sam continued his musical pursuits playing in the Syracuse University Big Band, and then played in the big band when he went to grad school at SUNY Binghamton. Stints in New Jersey and Toledo afforded Sam opportunities to play in regional big bands with renowned musicians. Sam returned to Syracuse to teach physics at Syracuse University, and played in numerous local groups including The Celebration Band and Soul Mine. A versatile woodwind performer, Sam plays tenor, alto, and soprano saxophones, clarinet, and flute.
Tim Watson (trumpet)
A graduate of the Crane School of Music, Tim enjoyed a 33-year career as a band director at Oneida High School. Tim's legacy at Oneida is the establishment of the Oneida Jazz Festival. This annual event grew to include 35+ middle and high school jazz bands and nationally known guest artists, including Ed Shaughnessey, Dave Weckl, Chris Vadala, Bob McChesney, Tom “Bones” Malone, trumpet greats Maynard Ferguson, Bobby Shew, Allen Vizzutti, Mike Williams, Lew Soloff and dozens more.
A Central NY native, Tim has played lead trumpet with NY Express, Marv Arnold Big Band, Easy Money Big Band and performs for weddings and church services. While wintering in Georgia he performs with the Jekyll Island Big Band, the Golden Isles Community Band and the Coastal Brass Choir.
Dana Jerrard (trombone, vocals)
Dana’s first instrument was trombone, but for the past 30 years he has performed as a Dixieland tuba player for groups such as The Clef Dwellers, North Country Preservation Jazz Band and the Gutbucket Five. As a trombonist, he has played a wide range of musical styles, from the classical repertoire of the Paris Hill Brass Quintet, to the big band sound of the Stage Music Big Band, the Utica Symphony, and musical pit orchestras for area shows and touring productions.
Maurice "Mo" Putrello (drums)
Maurice is one of the most celebrated and legendary drummers in our area. Born a true Utican, he hit the road as a yoot and toured professionally in the southeast United States for many years. Returning home, he was a founding member of a local legendary band of the 80s, Target. and has now returned as the bedrock of the Soul Injection sound. Mo has taught and inspired drummers far and wide, many of whom are playing professionally. When not on the throne, Mo can be found weeding his garden or doting over his rescue pup.
Tony Brindisi (coordinator & general manager /sound tech)
Tony brings over 30 years of professional management skills in the music industry to the Soul Injection family. Tony has been the key reason for the success of many regional and national acts going all the way back to the early 70s with such groups as "August ", "Heaven" and ending most recently in the last few years with "Showtime." Tony also acts as special consultant to his Son's band, "Mike Brindisi & The New York Rock." When our founder and General Manager Bob Crossway made the decision, due to deteriorating health issues, that he needed to retire, his search for a replacement was made easy when he found out that Tony was available and interested. Bob has known Tony for many years and has total confidence in not only Tony's ability to handle the position and make the change a smooth transition, but also to take Soul Injection to even greater levels then have been accomplished in the past. Tony is known asThe Miracle Man because of his ability to make things happen when the odds seem to be stacked against him.
The Soul Injection family, our loyal friends and followers, was devastated by the loss of band co-founder, front man, lead vocalist and vocal director Fred "Freddy Pep" Piperata in December, 2020. In introducing Freddy from the stage, John Short would say "Here is the man who puts the soul in Soul Injection", and what a fitting description that was. Freddy was the consummate professional, taking over the stage and making everyone in the crowd feel like they were part of a musical family. Freddy's work cemented the legacy of Soul Injection in central NY, and now the band begins a new chapter, standing on his shoulders and remembering him as our heart and Soul.