About Us

Saxophone, Guitar, Bass

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Vincent Ioia’s emergence onto the urban jazz scene with his explosive and infectious track “First Time” – the lead single from the New York based saxophonist’s album No Time Like Now - is testament to the healing power of music and a reminder that, once an artist’s passion takes root, his dreams can only be set aside for so long.

For many musicians as talented and versatile as Vincent, finally finding time to devote to launching a career not only as a professional musician but a bonafide artist after a 30 year career as an Information Technology professional and C-level executive on Wall Street would be the compelling story all by itself – especially considering the contemporary jazz powerhouses he’ has worked with.  Ioia, who began playing guitar and sax in his mid-teens and whose lifetime of influences range from The Beatles, The Stones and The Lovin’ Spoonful to Tower of Power, Chick Corea, The Brecker Brothers, David Sanborn, Dave Koz, Peter White, Jeff Lorber, Jeff Kashiwa and many others, collaborated on No Time Like Now with Ricky Peterson (Dave Sanborn’s keyboardist and musical director for over 30 years), Gerey Johnson (touring guitarist with Peter White, Brian Culbertson, Euge Groove and others) and longtime Rippingtons keyboardist, Bill Heller.

But for Vincent, dedicating his time, heart and soul full throttle to the music is also a necessary part of a deep emotional odyssey that has given him renewed hope and purpose after a dark, emotionally challenging season of his life in which he lost Linda, his wife of 21 years, to breast cancer; left his longtime position as Chief Information Officer at a major Wall Street Investment bank to take care of her in her final months and, just as things were looking a bit sunnier, lost his New Jersey home to the ravages of Hurricane Sandy.  “2012 was a total mess”, he declares.

“I am so happy to be living in Florida these days, playing with such talented musicians as Skip, Cricket and Jimmy.”

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"Vincent Ioia's debut album, No Time Like Now, is a refreshing take on the smooth jazz genre. Ioia takes the time to craft wonderfully accessible tracks without them sounding overly commercial. Any one of the tracks from this CD is a potential hit in any station's playlist."  

- Ed Tankus, Blute Plate Radio

"No Time Like Now is a stellar new release just waiting to be experienced"

- Sandy Shore, SmoothJazz.com 

Vocals, Keyboards

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Skip has been a professional Entertainer and Musician for over forty years. He is an accomplished trumpet player, keyboardist and lead vocalist with a fantastic smooth voice.  In the past, Skip has performed many years with The Johnny Page Orchestra, The Frank Terrace Orchestra and the Peter Duchin Orchestra (Peter is the son of the famous Eddie Duchin).  Skip has also played with The Souveniers, Brass Taxx, Fantasia, The Island Boys and most recently with The Funky Munky band in which Skip was the driving force of the band.  

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Skip is now the musical director, vocalist and keyboard player for The Cool Breeze Group.

Vocals

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I've worked with a multitude of bands since age 17. My music career began singing in church weddings, then branched out into the band world. I'm currently working with Cool Breeze along with a couple of other local bands in the Sarasota/Bradenton area.

I've been in many bands with genres ranging from Motown, Variety, Dance, to Classic Rock, specialized in Blues and Jazz while in my hometown New Orleans.
My music influences include but are not limited to Journey, Evanescence, Supertramp, Boston, etc. The list is limitless.
My opportunities included opening for the band Badfinger, Bill Deal and the Original Rhondels,performed with a couple of members of the band Toto.

Shortly after moving into the Sarasota/Bradenton area,entered and won the local Motorworks Idol contest. 

Guitar, Vocals