The UpBeat Band took Stage 151 by storm on August 12, 2011. Many long time fans came to this exhilarating concert, and UpBeat made a great many new friends too! Stage 151 is Chicago land’s premier live concert stage at Harrah’s in Joliet, and UpBeat is a great fit for this venue, performing a versatile playlist for a variety of guests, and musically connecting with everyone. UpBeat delivered a high energy dance party set, including requested ”I Gotta Feeling,” “Don’t Stop Believing,” “Living On A Prayer,” “Proud Mary” contemporary fav’s including “California Gurls,” Lady Gaga, also Motown R&B classics, 80’s retro, and 70’s funk.
This special concert featured UpBeat’s “vocal funkmaster” Curtis Bryant, soul-singing-superstar Victor Bryant, vocal virtuoso Karla Beard-Leray, insanely-multi-talented (3 musicains in one!) pianist/vocal Reid Spears, UpBeat’s secret weapon guitar virtuoso Casey Ostrowski (aka “KC”), funky bass by Tyrone Allen, soulstress Precious Taylor, and Mike Cascio on Drums.
Soulful world class vocalists, dynamic horns, and a cooking rhythm section. Our team of veterans perform musical drama with creative arrangements and originals in the tradition of Chicago’s Blues, R&B, and Soul legends, and the group performs an immensely fun and dynamic party atmosphere. The R&B Machine is also known for it’s interactive show, so be prepared to sing along with our group and answer the the call: “Let The Good Times Roll!”
Our Blues/ R&B groups band comes in several sizes and flavors – you can see these options on our Blues Page.
is the band leader and music director of UpBeat. As a leader, Michael has assembled a dream team of Chicago's finest and most versatile professionals. Michael has led and performed many hundreds of dates in the past decade, and as Maria Barberi, Event Manager for RE/MAX wrote:
"You are my guarantee for fabulous entertainment! Everyone we spoke to LOVES your band and had a great time dancing. It is always a pleasure to work with you!"