the asbury park band
steve leftridge
 |
lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica |
| Steve is a prolific singer-songwriter and veteran of the St. Louis, Columbia, and Springfield band scenes and is the long-time frontman for good-time rockers Gateway. In addition, he has sung for The Hostages ('80s rock), The Leftovers (roots-rock), and Hominy Creek (newgrass), and Steve brings that versatility to Springsteen’s varied musical styles. According to Stir frontman Andy Schmidt, “Steve was the singer in one of my first bands; he’s an all-around great vocalist and performer.” |
justin burch
 |
lead guitar, harmony vocals |
| One of the busiest and most acclaimed guitarists in the St. Louis area, Justin has founded and performed in a variety of rock bands throughout the ‘90s and ‘00s, including Gateway, Liquid Sky, The Dragsters, The Charmers, and others. Justin’s expressive, fleet-fingered style brings a rich and dynamic sound to Asbury Park. Kelly Brown, keyboardist for legendary rockers The Skeletons, calls Burch “…one of my favorite guitarists--Justin can do it all.” |
spencer marquart
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drums, backing vocals |
| Spencer has an impressive résumé as one of Americana music’s most sought-after drummers. Having toured and recorded with Belle Star, Mike Ireland’s Holler, One Fell Swoop, and many others, Spencer is a seasoned pro. Spencer even played onstage at Farm Aid in 1996 with Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and others. Johnny Horton, guitarist for Bloodshot recording artists The Bottlerockets, calls Spencer “a drummer’s drummer—he’s a force behind the kit.” |
mark manary
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bass |
| Mark first made a name for himself as the founder of Gateway, the legendary party band from Southwest Missouri, before going on to form the hard rocking Persuasion and the alt-country band The Leftovers. VH1’s Tom Bellos: “Mark is one of the smartest bass players I’ve worked with—he holds a PhD in putting the hammer down!” Certainly, as a member of Asbury Park, Mark is a great talent. |
jake elking
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piano, organ, backing vocals |
| It takes a talented keyboardist to step into the roles in the E Street Band, and Jake is one of the area’s most gifted young musicians. Jake may be better known as his solo alter-ego buz (www.thebuz.net), one of the techno scene’s rising stars. He is also the keyboardist for El Monstero y Los Masked Avengers, whose Pink Floyd tribute shows sell out The Pageant each December. Says El Monstero frontman Andy Schmidt, “Jake is a terrific player—piano, techno, anything.” Asbury Park is fortunate to have Jake lending his fine musicianship to this ensemble. |
bob bennett
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saxophone, percussion, backing vocals |
| Bob is a powerful and exciting sax player, who is featured in numerous area combos, including his own jazz band, Bob Bennett’s Swing & Soul. As Operations Manager for Jazz at the Bistro, Bob is one of St. Louis’s most important jazz figures, and as a major Springsteen aficionado, is the perfect saxman for Asbury Park. Rob Frye, 2005 Missouri State Saxophone Soloist of the Year, calls Bob “an incredible player” and “a highly artistic soloist.” Bob brings an original, commanding sound to the band, as well as spot-on recreations of Clarence Clemens’ most famous solos. |