The Homeslice Band is a nine-piece vocal and horn musical powerhouse based in Denver, Colorado.
From intimate private performances to high-energy public concerts, Homeslice's audience interaction is always a highlight - you'll be singing, dancing and laughing right along!
For private event buyers, HomeSlice Band provides professional sound as needed, consisting of state-of-the-art equipment along with the band’s professional sound people running the controls. Your party, event, or club will be a hit with the HomeSlice Band...fresh, funky and fun for all!
The Players
Jon Benson - Trumpet/Backup Vocals
Jon has played trumpet for 14 years. During high school, Jon received numerous awards and participated in the Colorado All-State band both his junior and senior years. Upon graduation, he relocated to Concord, California and performed with the prestigious Blue Devils drum corps. Jon performed on trumpet for the 2001-2002 seasons, and became drum major for the 2003 DCI World Championship season. Shortly afterwards, he participated in the Okayama Music Festival in Okayama, Japan. Since relocating back in Colorado, Jon has joined HomeSlice, and spends his summers working at Legacy High School, where he is commissioned for brass instruction and marching technique. Jon continues his education at the University of Colorado, where he is studying mechanical engineering.
Peter Benson - Bass/Backup Vocals
Peter Benson is HomeSlice's bass player extraordinaire. Playing the Denver music scene for almost 10 years, Peter is often well-recognized and praised as one of the best bassists around. Often complimented on the large size of his instrument (upright bass) and his huge talent, Peter enjoys the opportunity to show off that beautiful bass on some of the swing and blues tunes. His journey as a bassist began in jazz groups and his quick talent for the complicated basslines quickly moved him on to play with the nationally acclaimed UCD Claimjumpers while also playing through the years with local swing/blues bands Three Shades of Blue, The Sidewinders, Swing West and Harmonica Loowinski. Peter, along with two other band members, became one of the "founding fathers" of HomeSlice, wanting to combine his jazz/blues experience with a "funked up" sound. His slappin', body shakin' bass licks keep you on your feet the whole night through.
Jill Carr -Vocals
Born in Las Vegas into an extremely musical family, Jill's musical performance has traveled the world not only as a headlining act, but she's also shared the stage with world class performers such as Gladys Knight, Lee Greenwood and many more. In the past Jill worked with other local groups, such as Park Avenue, Full house, and The Jill Carr Experience performing festivals and other corporate events. Now residing as a permanent resident in Denver (in which Jill admits this is her longest stay anywhere in her lifetime), is excited to be a part of Homeslice while she continues to enjoy raising her six year old son - Lars.
John Evans - Saxophone/Guitar/Backup Vocals
John started playing saxophone when he was only ten years old. Now he is a high school physics/chemistry teacher by day, but admits that saxophone is his connection to sanity. He attributes his love of music to his father, also a musician and teacher. There are many musical influences in John’s life including Eric Clapton, Lenny Picket, and Maceo Parker. He is extremely proud to play in and have helped form the band HomeSlice. John is an experienced saxophonist that is simply exciting to watch. He may also be the only saxophonist in Colorado to have landed a double front flip on a snowboard.
Steve Franklin - Guitar/Vocals/Trumpet
Steve Franklin plays guitar and sings, (bustin' a few notes on the tuba) and sits in playing the cornet which completes the horn section.
Fred Garlington – Lead Trumpet/Flugelhorn /Backup Vocals
Fred’s career in music began at the ripe old age of 4 when he first learned the tune “Cruella DeVille” by ear on a plastic trumpet his parents had given him. He started taking piano lessons at 6, picked up his first real trumpet at the age of 8, and began studying jazz at 11. Fred’s love affair with high notes began when he first heard a recording of Jon Faddis at the age of 15. Fred was selected as a member of both the inaugural Colorado All-Star Band in 1997 and the Colorado All-State Jazz Band in 1998. Fred graduated from the University of Colorado in 2002 where he studied jazz and lead trumpet under Dr. John Davis in Jazz Ensemble I and recorded several tracks, including the definitive recordings of several Glenn Miller originals discovered in CU’s music vaults. He has played with the likes of Dave Grusin, Arturo Sandoval, The Air Force Falconaires, Byron Stripling, Nelson Rangell and many others.
John Patterson - Drums
Joining the ranks of the Home Slice regiment, John is excited to relive and rehash the days of old with fellow Hott rocker Steve Franklin. When asked about his styles and influences, he tries to sum it up in two sentences. “My playing style for this group can best be described as Clusterfunk Debauchery.” and “I always get a flu shot for that!” John is wanted in 3 states for the murder and misinterpretation of the English language. If that’s not a drummer ...
Kenny Saccomano - Keyboards
Originally from the Denver area, Kenny's background in classical and jazz music led to a carer in Las Vegas for over twenty years. As a professional pianist and organist, and conductor for the Riviera and Caesar's Palace orchestra, he also led many of his own smaller groups in the Vegas scene. When not performing Kenny spends time with his second passion - photography.
Brent Smith, - Trombone/Bass Trumpet/Backup Vocals
Brent's current batting average is .301 (right handed) .186 (left handed) and co-leads the team for the single season record for the most appearances in the league. Recently when asked during a local radio interview about the worst advice given to him, his reply was "I don't know about bad advice, but I've been given bad directions..... no seriously, one time a friend of mine said, 'it's okay to only eat the green ones'." He attended the University of Colorado (ironically at the same time as Steve Franklin and John Patterson) majoring in music, specifically in the field of Heavy Metal (as a tuba player). Brent also proudly served in the United States Army and National Guard as a musician.
