NYXpress Dance Band from Metuchen, NJ

NYXpress is a professional 6 piece Performance Band. We cover music from the last 5 decades to today’s current hits. We always want our audience to dance, have fun, and retain precious memories from our performance. We perform at Weddings, Corporate Events, Private Affairs, Clubs, and Benefits. We are not your average band, because we believe that work should be fun! Our work should be fun attitude always carries over to our audience; thus, our audience takes home a very memorable event. Truth be told, we have a ton of fun!!!! When the crowd is mesmerized by our show or dancing to the music, we know that they are having fun. NYXpress realizes that entertainment brings with it a vast array of personalities and musical tastes from Al Jolson to Jimi Hendrix, Django Reinheardt to Mozart, the 5 Satins to Cher, Chicago to Deep Purple, Black Eyed Peas to Hank Williams, Van Halen to the Four Tops, and Kid Rock to Rascal Flatts. With so much available music the band can easily find that common thread within us all and gets everyone on the dance floor while putting on an entertaining show. This is where NYXpress excels. You’ll always find us dancing/moving to what we’re playing, swinging guitars to the beat or someone doing a Chuck Berry duck walk across the stage. Each and every performance is with a smile. We have fun, really enjoy what we do, and it shows! Our having fun is contagious and our sound is solid! Each band member has over thirty (30) years of professional music experience including performing with professional recording artists, weddings, clubs, and corporate events. We are a band of seasoned professionals. Some of the artists that we cover are: Rihanna, Chiffons, Dion, Everly Brothers, Santana, Eagles, Billy Joel, Mellencamp, Springsteen, Linda Ronstadt, Cher, Carol King, Carly Simon, Barry White, Donna Summers, Bon Jovi, Melissa Ethridge, Janis Joplin, Shania Twain, Loggins and Messina, Etta James, Traveling Wilburys, Roy Orbison, KC and The Sunshine Band and much more… We are certain that one you book us, you will see and hear the difference on how we can enhance your entertaining experience; hence, you will feel very comfortable to book us again. We share great music with you, so you can have great moments to remember. Band Members: Linda Hagen – Lead Vocal Linda's musical journey began at the age of 5 as lead soloist in school productions, musical theater and choral groups. Her strong passion for music led to her first professional gig in the early 70's and has continued thru today. She has over 25 years professional experience from casinos, theaters, weddings, corporate events, and clubs. Influenced by the likes of Aretha Franklin, Pat Benatar, Linda Ronstadt, Donna Summer, Gladys Knight, Sinatra, Madonna and more… Linda states “Music puts a smile on your face, a groove in your step, and a song in your heart. I know it’s only rock-n-roll but I like it…yes I do!" Linda has performed with: The Lynn Raven Band, Rumours, Celebration, It's All Good, The Agents, The Bell Bottom Blues, Last Exit, Heaven's Choice, and Millennium. Also she was a background vocalist for the Five Satins. “I joined NYXpress to provide a night of pure musical entertainment and leave a lasting impression and great time memories with the audience. It has to be fun for everybody! I want to continue performing and working the crowd. It's a wonderful feeling knowing you have people on their feet dancing to the music leaving their troubles behind, if only for a moment in time. Pink said it best with I'll be your connection to the Party line. If the crowd is happy, I'm happy. I found a home with NYXpress.” Mike Quinn –Bass, Sax, Percussion, Keys, & Vocals Mike’s vision of NYXpress took focus in 2008 when he drew on his many years of experience and brought together talented musicians forming this energetic entertainment group. A monumental task facilitated by experience playing with groups like The Duprees, The Platters, and Three Dog Night, and many local Staten Island, New York, and New Jersey bands. Mike is excellent on five string bass guitar, alto saxophone, keyboards, percussion, and vocals. At an early age Mike began to play the piano. During his teenage years rock n roll grabbed a hold of him and he started with the bass. At that time he was also introduced to the sax. He started to hone his craft of piano, bass, & sax and it clearly shows. Years later he expanded his musical ability to include percussion and vocals. He loves going into the studio; however, his heart truly lies with the live performances. As a lifelong musician with formal training, Mike has developed his skills over many years of working with gifted and talented musicians. His goal is to entertain audiences from every walk of life with NYXpress. Mike’s motto: “Let’s Have Fun.” Mike found a home with NYXpress. Don Sanbeg –Bass, Acoustic Guitar, & Vocals Inspired by the Beatles, Donny started playing the guitar and bass at the age of 9. His influences of The Beatles, Stones, Motown Yes, E.L.P. Pink Floyd, King Crimson , Genesis, progressive rock, and jazz is evident in Donny’s versatile styles of playing. Donny has performed with: The Blue Beats, Darkashire, Sire, The Heat, The Indicators,The Greenwood Underground, Catch 22, Red (with Janna Allen), Profile, & The Clam Diggers. He has opened for professional groups such as: Marshal Tucker, Johnny Winter, and The Dicksie Dreggs. His main focus has always been writing and recording his own music since about 1979. “I always expect hard work and results from myself and those I'm working with. I really have fun and I expect those around to have fun too. I love what I do! I want to continue performing interesting music that many can enjoy. I believe that if you show that you love what you play, others will love it too. It’s got to be fun.” Donny found a home with NYXpress. Yaz Samat - Guitar (lead/rhythm/ & acoustic), & Vocals Yaz has been playing guitar since the age of 9. Although he was self taught, it wasn't until he attended high school when his musical ability began to really take shape. His influences are Andre Segovia, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Wes Montgomery, and Paul Simon. In the 80’s, you could see his acoustic show on Staten Island in venues such as the 4 O’clock Lounge and the Kings Row. One day, while in a music store a gentleman asked the store manager where he could find a solid guitar player that sings. The store manager pointed to Yaz; hence, he began to play with "Witness" and specialized in their 50's doo-wop show. Later he moved on and created his rock band "The Heat." They covered Beatles, Costello, Joe Jackson, and the Police. You would always find The Heat playing at The Rock Palace, The Factory, Speaks, and My Father's Place. Yaz soon received a call from an old pal and asked him if he would be interested in reforming Witness. He did and before long the band was great playing tunes from the 50's to The Ramones, singing, strumming, and having a ball. He did a significant amount of playing for Johnny and Joe; thus, he performed to packed houses at The Continental Arena, Nassau Coliseum, and Westbury Music Hall. Yaz would frequently play Manhattan's corporate events. At times you could find him jamming back stage with the likes of The Coasters, Stylistics, & The Planotones. Also, for you “rockers” there were also many memorable jam sessions with the legendary Ritchie Blackmore! After years of playing, Yaz decided to take some time off from live performances and pursue his music accomplishments through recording. By accident he ran into Mike Quinn and decided to create NYXpress to be a new, modern, and dynamic live band. It seems they’ve cornered the market on dedication and professionalism! “But the real key here is you have to have FUN and everything else just falls into place.” Yaz found a home with NYXpress. Ray Fasano – Keyboard/ Sax Ray, who joins NYXpress on keyboards and alto sax, began his musical career as an award-winning accordionist at age 10. By age 14, Ray was already playing weddings, block parties, and special events on Staten Island and in New York City, including a special engagement at Rockefeller Center. Over the years, Ray has performed with such groups as “Sixth Sense”, “Rock-o-Logy”, “Gut Course” and “Midnight Magic”. Along with his instrumental abilities, Ray’s passion for music quickly broadened to musical direction, arranging and conducting, including musical productions of “Pippin”, “Man of La Mancha”, “Godspell”, “Guys and Dolls”, and several versions of “The Nativity”. Ray also has found time to donate his musical talents to several Christian rock music ministries throughout central New Jersey, including “Joyful Praise”, “Praylude” and “Image of Christ”. Whether on keyboards or sax, Ray brings a smooth, soulful playing style to the group, helping to make each cover sound just the way you remember. Ray found a home with NYXpress. John DiMarzio - Drums/ Vocals John has been playing drums since the age of 10. He has played with many bands in the NJ/NY area, most notably in Catch-22, Blame it on Ritchie, and Charisma. “To me, drumming is part of my soul, as well as the music that surrounds me everyday! I am inspired by al types and styles of music as well as all the beats and rhythms that accompany it.” One can easily see and hear the versatility of John’s musicianship from his performing on acoustic drums and/ or his performance on electric programmable drums. He is a perfect time keeper, knows when to keep it simple or fill the gap, and he provides a solid foundation to drive NYXpress from a romantic ballad to jaw dropping dance tune. John is one solid time keeper, keeps the band a the perfect volume, and he is an accomplished vocalist too. Besides playing in cover bands John has also worked as a production assistant at MTV Productions, and worked as a remote sound engineer at NY’s K-Rock Radio Station. John found a home with NYXpress.