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* Meet the Band *
| M I R A G E |
Brett Hofius, keyboards, saxophone, vocals and occasionally drums, is a
founding member of the band. Going back almost 20 years, Brett along
with his brother who use to play bass guitar in the band, formed Mirage.
Playing multiple instruments as he does, makes Mirage that more
versatile. For a short time, Brett pursued other musical interests and
played with the band Vision and was fortunate to open for nationally
known acts. Brett has shared the stage with bands that range from REO
Speedwagon to country star Kimberly Cash. Away from Mirage, Brett is
the president and owner of QCE Aluminum Fence Company.
founding member of the band. Going back almost 20 years, Brett along
with his brother who use to play bass guitar in the band, formed Mirage.
Playing multiple instruments as he does, makes Mirage that more
versatile. For a short time, Brett pursued other musical interests and
played with the band Vision and was fortunate to open for nationally
known acts. Brett has shared the stage with bands that range from REO
Speedwagon to country star Kimberly Cash. Away from Mirage, Brett is
the president and owner of QCE Aluminum Fence Company.
Craig Roeckle, bass guitar and vocals, is a well versed musician
accomplished in playing all styles of music from jazz standards to funk
and all genres in between. A veteran of the St. Louis music scene, Craig
has been with Mirage for close to four years. Craig has been played with
other St. Louis bands such as Bob Kuban, The Johnny Polzin Orchestra,
Four Hits and a Miss and Xpression to name a few. Having studied
music at Loyola University in New Orleans, Craig brings a wealth of
music theory to the band and is responsible for most of the band’s
arrangements. When not playing music, Craig is a quality control
manager at Duke Manufacturing in St. Louis.
accomplished in playing all styles of music from jazz standards to funk
and all genres in between. A veteran of the St. Louis music scene, Craig
has been with Mirage for close to four years. Craig has been played with
other St. Louis bands such as Bob Kuban, The Johnny Polzin Orchestra,
Four Hits and a Miss and Xpression to name a few. Having studied
music at Loyola University in New Orleans, Craig brings a wealth of
music theory to the band and is responsible for most of the band’s
arrangements. When not playing music, Craig is a quality control
manager at Duke Manufacturing in St. Louis.
Darren George, drums and vocals, is another original member of
Mirage. Playing drums through grade school, high school and college
and also teaching for many years at Nottelmann Music Company and
several grade schools in the area, you’d be hard pressed to find a time
when he was not playing music of some kind. Darren has also played
with other bands including – Atlantis, Rising Star, Deliverance, Xpression
and Quintessence. When not playing music, Darren is a business
manager at The Boeing Company..
Mirage. Playing drums through grade school, high school and college
and also teaching for many years at Nottelmann Music Company and
several grade schools in the area, you’d be hard pressed to find a time
when he was not playing music of some kind. Darren has also played
with other bands including – Atlantis, Rising Star, Deliverance, Xpression
and Quintessence. When not playing music, Darren is a business
manager at The Boeing Company..
Lou Bleile, lead vocals, guitar and keyboards is also an original member
of Mirage. From teaching guitar lessons for many years at Nottelmann
Music Company, to playing in his church’s ‘Praise” band, music has
been and is a big part of Lou’s life. As if playing two instruments and
singing is not enough to keep him busy on stage, Lou also runs sound
for the band and does all admirably well. When not performing with
Mirage, Lou is a loan officer for a local mortgage company.
of Mirage. From teaching guitar lessons for many years at Nottelmann
Music Company, to playing in his church’s ‘Praise” band, music has
been and is a big part of Lou’s life. As if playing two instruments and
singing is not enough to keep him busy on stage, Lou also runs sound
for the band and does all admirably well. When not performing with
Mirage, Lou is a loan officer for a local mortgage company.
Bonnie Ramsey is an extremely talented vocalist who can cover a
beautiful ballad or jazz standard, belt out a Motown classic and rock with
the best of them. The excitement and professionalism she brings to
every performance is second to none. Prior to joining Mirage, Bonnie
toured the world with the U.S. Air Force band Starlifter, entertaining
thousands. When not on stage, Bonnie loves to spend time with her
family and is a Protocol Specialist for the United States Government. She
specializes in event planning for high ranking government officials and
VIPs.
beautiful ballad or jazz standard, belt out a Motown classic and rock with
the best of them. The excitement and professionalism she brings to
every performance is second to none. Prior to joining Mirage, Bonnie
toured the world with the U.S. Air Force band Starlifter, entertaining
thousands. When not on stage, Bonnie loves to spend time with her
family and is a Protocol Specialist for the United States Government. She
specializes in event planning for high ranking government officials and
VIPs.
Ken Schwein (alto and tenor sax) is quite the accomplished musician
having played in the band Quintessence for several years as well as
The Steve Marino Review. His experience also includes a number of
school bands including the University of Missouri at St. Louis, where he
earned his music degree. His musical training dates back to 5th grade
on the clarinet, followed by alto, tenor and baritone sax.
Ken's soulful saxophone sounds are inspired by Michael Brecker, David
Sanborn, Stan Getz and Charlie Parker. He also has a great
appreciation for pop-rock groups that made horns a distinctive signature
in their music such as Earth, Wind & Fire, Chicago, Tower of Power, and
Blood, Sweat and Tears. When he is not playing saxophone, Ken is a
compliance officer for a major securities firm.
having played in the band Quintessence for several years as well as
The Steve Marino Review. His experience also includes a number of
school bands including the University of Missouri at St. Louis, where he
earned his music degree. His musical training dates back to 5th grade
on the clarinet, followed by alto, tenor and baritone sax.
Ken's soulful saxophone sounds are inspired by Michael Brecker, David
Sanborn, Stan Getz and Charlie Parker. He also has a great
appreciation for pop-rock groups that made horns a distinctive signature
in their music such as Earth, Wind & Fire, Chicago, Tower of Power, and
Blood, Sweat and Tears. When he is not playing saxophone, Ken is a
compliance officer for a major securities firm.
An accomplished trombonist, Robert Ray is also an audience favorite
on vocals with his booming baritone. His renditions of "Wonderful
World" and "Shout" unfailingly fill the dance floor and bring the crowd to
their feet. He has played with Quintessence after playing with the
University of Missouri at St. Louis Jazz Band and did numerous jobs
aboard the S.S. Admiral back in the day.
Robert studied music education at the University of Missouri at St. Louis
and won three outstanding jazz musicianship awards. His musical
influences are wide-ranging, encompassing artists from the 1950s
through the 1990s.
on vocals with his booming baritone. His renditions of "Wonderful
World" and "Shout" unfailingly fill the dance floor and bring the crowd to
their feet. He has played with Quintessence after playing with the
University of Missouri at St. Louis Jazz Band and did numerous jobs
aboard the S.S. Admiral back in the day.
Robert studied music education at the University of Missouri at St. Louis
and won three outstanding jazz musicianship awards. His musical
influences are wide-ranging, encompassing artists from the 1950s
through the 1990s.
Kurt Schmid (trumpet) is a veteran of the St. Louis music scene, having
played with numerous bands over the years. His local stints included
Dixieland and pop with Spring Avenue Jazz and big band style with Stan
Fonaszewski as well as a long run with Quintessence.
Kurt holds a bachelor's degree in music management from the University
of Missouri at St. Louis. Trumpet has been his instrument of choice since
4th grade, thanks in part to his Dad's affection for Herb Alpert and the
Tijuana Brass. Not surprisingly, his musical influences include classic
jazz artists such as Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and Maynard Ferguson.
Kurt supports his music habit as a systems and support manager for the
St. Louis Public Library.
played with numerous bands over the years. His local stints included
Dixieland and pop with Spring Avenue Jazz and big band style with Stan
Fonaszewski as well as a long run with Quintessence.
Kurt holds a bachelor's degree in music management from the University
of Missouri at St. Louis. Trumpet has been his instrument of choice since
4th grade, thanks in part to his Dad's affection for Herb Alpert and the
Tijuana Brass. Not surprisingly, his musical influences include classic
jazz artists such as Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and Maynard Ferguson.
Kurt supports his music habit as a systems and support manager for the
St. Louis Public Library.
