Kathy Thompson-Casey
Lead vocals, guitar
Starting out as an acoustic solo artist back in 1990, there is no way Kathy Thompson could have ever fathomed where her musical journey currently resides. After spending decades honing her skills as both a singer and guitarist, she now fronts the 7-piece colossus that bears her name. Beginning with Kathy’s soulful, bluesy singing style, she has amassed a supporting roster of musicians that have been described by the Hartford Advocate as “impeccable…finely calibrated…and tight.”
Behind Kathy’s powerful voice, she is joined by a three piece horn/background vocal section consisting of Patrick Casey on trumpet and flugelhorn, Keith Lafond on both tenor & alto saxophones and flute, as well as Frank Arciuolo on baritone saxophone. Joining Kathy and the horn players is Greg Benn on lead guitar and background vocals, Marco Santana on drums an background vocals, and Paul Lebinski on electric bass and background vocals.
Together, KTB, as they are collectively known, is an unstoppable force in any room, bringing an excitement that gets patrons out of their seats and onto the dance floor. Mixing old school funk, soul, and R’n’B hits along with a complementary sprinkling of selections from contemporary artists, KTB is able to command any audience, young or old, and send their spirits grooving.
Throughout their tenure as a group, Kathy and her band have shared the stage with a myriad of national artists such as Joe Bonamassa, Roomful of Blues, The Machine, Matt “Guitar” Murphy, Shakedown, Johnny Winter and many others. The band has graced the stages of such celebrated venues as The Ridgefield Playhouse, Toad’s Place, The Webster Theater, and the Wolf’s Den at Mohegan Sun Casino to name a few. The current incarnation of KTB has been together for nearly a decade now and is performing at a level that exceeds the average “bar band” one usually finds. KTB is a collective of skilled musicians hell bent on delivering the goods to any audience, leaving them exhausted from dancing and clamoring for more.
- Greg Benn - Guitar
Greg has been an active professional guitarist in the Tri-State area for twenty-five years. He has had the pleasure of performing at the Art On the Edge festival, The New Haven Jazz Festival, The Twentieth Annual Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival, Coogan's Salsa and Blues Road Race, and The New Haven Blues and Roots Festival.
Greg has been playing with The Kathy Thompson Band for six years. He also performs regularly with New Haven blues band, The Cobalt Rhythm Kings and local rock band, Just One More.
Greg graduated from Western Connecticut State University with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. He is a music teacher in the West Haven Public School system and a guitar instructor at A Sound Choice.
- Patrick Casey - Trumpet
Patrick grew up in Milford CT, where he began his study of trumpet while attending Saint Gabriel grammar school. In high school, in addition to the high school bands, he played professionally at private parties, musicals, and church functions, and eventually, with his brother, formed his own group- “The Casey Brothers Rhythm and Blues Band.” Later, while still in high school, he joined the R&B show band “Black and Blues” playing at many of the area’s local clubs. Just out high school, while studying Jazz with Sonny Costanzo, he became one of the original members of the “Elm City Blues Project” until he attended the Hartt School of Music, where he studied under Jackie McLean. After returning home, he became a part of “Brother Clampett and the Brass Knuckle Horns,” playing extensively throughout CT. Patrick has filled in at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre in Bridgeport, CT, and has freelanced with various groups and artist including: Rocky Lawrence, “In the Pocket,” Mary Taylor, “Blues Patrol,” “Cobolt Rhythm Kings,” “Party Line,” Cecelia Callaway, “Pocket Full of Soul,” and “Memphis Soul.” He is currently a member of the “Kathy Thompson Band” and is an adjunct musician with the “Casey Girls Singers.”
- Keith Lafond-Alto and Tenor Saxophones
Keith graduated from Western Connecticut State University with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance and certification in Music Education. He has studied with Dave Tofani and Jim LaPine and teaches instrumental music. Keith is a Connecticut native that has performed in a variety of settings throughout the area and has been playing with the Kathy Thompson Band for the past six years.
- Frank Arciuolo - Baritone Sax
- Marco Santana - Drums
- Paul Lebinski - Bass Guitar
