The Park City Institute

Presents

Danny Seraphine’s

Take me Back to Chicago Tour
Featuring CTA

Theater

The Eccles Center is the largest theater in Park City, Utah with 1,269 seats. It is home to Park City Institute's Main Stage Season from October through April each year, presenting a broad range of world-class performing arts from international dance companies to Broadway icons to beloved author/humorists to virtuosos in a host of musical styles from Chamber Music to rock'n'roll.

Health and Safety

The Park City Institute and the Park City School District have taken measures to assure the health and safety of our patrons, staff, and performers. These include updated HVAC, touchless restrooms, electronic ticketing, electronic programs, all volunteers and staff to be fully vaccinated, enhanced cleaning, and empty seats. We ask that all patrons arrive at the theater wearing a mask and keep it on until seated and whenever moving about the building.

Danny Seraphine and CTA

From the beginning, Seraphine as the drummer was always the backbone of the operation. It was his job to keep everyone in time and on balance. Seraphine helped chart the band's comeback in the ’80s. In 1990, after 23 years of performing, composing, and recording albums with Chicago, Seraphine left the group of musicians he considered brothers.

In 2007, Danny was approached by fans in search of that early Chicago sound—the pure, live energy that made fans of Janice Joplin and Jimi Hendrix—the musicianship that exemplified the '70’s rock sound. So Danny put together an all-star band that would take him back to the days of that magnificent rhythm section of early Chicago.

Ed Roth on the keyboard, Travis Davis on bass, virtuoso guitarist Marc Bonilla (who seems to be able to channel Terry Kath’s magic as a rhythm and lead player), and a live LA Session Horn Section along with Danny Seraphine result in what many critics call “Chicago on Steroids”.

He didn't stop there, Danny and his new band, California Transit Authority, released two critically acclaimed albums with original music and some interesting takes on classic tunes. Imagine, if Chicago continued putting out music that sounded like those early years, that is what Danny and CTA have done.

MARC BONILLA - Guitar/Vocals

Marc Bonilla has played guitar and toured with Warner Bros. recording artists Toy Matinee as well as recording two critically acclaimed guitar instrumental albums for Reprise “EE Ticket” and “American Matador” as well as the most recent release - the much-anticipated third guitar instrumental album “Celluloid Debris”. He has also has produced, recorded, and performed with several artists including Ronnie Montrose, Gamma, Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple), Eddie Jobson (U.K., Roxy Music), Slash, Peter Frampton, Rob Halford, David Coverdale, Paul Rogers, Edgar Winter, Ambrosia, Robbie Kreiger, Sammy Hagar, Tesla, Sheryl Crow, and many others.

In the past twenty years, he has composed and performed for numerous television shows and major motion pictures including The Bourne Legacy, Green Lantern, Iron Man 2, The Scorpion King, The Replacements, Falling Down, Terminal Velocity, Waterworld, Mad Money, Spy Kids, Spiderman 2, Bruce Almighty, Las Vegas, Kid Notorius, The PJ’s, Justified, ER, and the Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore collaborating with such notables as James Newton Howard, John Debney, Joel McNeely, Steve Porcaro, and Snuffy Walden receiving an Emmy award nomination in 2001 for his score for David Milch’s Big Apple.

Marc’s association with Keith Emerson, of ELP fame, began in 1988 when the two met in Northern California on an album project for Keith, which later appeared on the albums “Hammer It Out” and “Changing States”. Marc and Keith joined forces with Glenn Hughes and Ronnie Montrose in 1998 and toured under the moniker, Boys Club, resulting in the album, “Live From California. In 2006, Marc joined the Keith Emerson Band and produced, co-wrote, and recorded the album “Keith Emerson Band Featuring Marc Bonilla” in 2008. Shortly thereafter, the Keith Emerson Band toured Japan and Eastern Europe and released the live DVD entitled, Moscow. He recently helmed the new Digipak release “Official Keith Emerson Tribute Concert” in L.A. with such notables as Dream Theater’s Jordan Rudess, Brian Auger, Steve Porcaro, Steve Lukather, Vinnie Coliauta, Skunk Baxter, Gregg Bissonette, and several others.

He also performed with the Birmingham Symphony in August 2017 along with Yes keyboard wizard Rick Wakeman. The most recent release with Keith Emerson is entitled the “Three Fates Project” featuring the Keith Emerson Band with the Munich Radio Orchestra conducted by Maestro Terje Mikkelsen. It features compositions by both Marc and Keith, which introduce the genre of Symphonic Fusion. It was debuted at Barbican Hall in London in 2015 with the BBC Concert Orchestra and has recently released a new album with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields at Abbey Road, Keith Emerson - Beyond The Stars.

He also produced and founded the indie band, Saville Row, with the debut album “The Way Around It, and has a production team working with up-and-coming young artists along with Tesla drummer, Troy Luccket- ta”. Marc has also been recently featured on the television special, “A Concert For Ronnie Montrose”, on AXS TV and the recent album “10 x 10” along with Sammy Hagar, Mark Farner, Tommy Shaw, Joe Bonamassa, Brad Whitford, and others.

Marc also records and tours with Harry Shearer / Derek Smalls of Spinal Tap fame.

ED ROTH - Keyboards

You might not be familiar with Ed Roth’s name, but you’ve heard his soulful keyboards both live and on recordings, showcasing his signature, melodic style. Roth has recorded and/or performed with a variety of artists across all kinds of genres including Robby Krieger and John Densmore (the Doors), Ringo Starr, Joe Walsh, Annie Lennox, Shelby Lynne, Sophie B. Hawkins, The Avett Brothers, Tom Morello, the Brothers Johnson, Mya, Taylor Dayne, Jimmy Barnes, Ronnie Montrose, Keith Emerson, Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple), the Divas of Disco, and Rob Halford.

The keyboardist, arranger, producer, and musical director has recorded and/or performed with 12 Grammy winners.

As a solo artist, Roth’s albums have garnered two Top 10 iTunes Jazz singles and a top 10 iTunes Jazz album in Europe. In the USA, his albums have attained a Top 25 iTunes Jazz album, a Top 100 JazzWeek album, and a Billboard top 100 jazz song of the year, “Blue” (which has been streamed more than 700,000 times).

Roth is also a band member of The new Experience, (featuring Robby Krieger of the Doors); The Bombastic Meatbats (featuring Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers); and CTA (featuring Danny Seraphine of Chicago).

His soundtrack, video game, and commercial credits include Grey's Anatomy, Scrubs, Bones, Community, Red Band Society, Revenge, Driven, Heroes, Guitar Hero, the History Channel, Telemundo, Honda, Tropicana, and Kenwood. He has also appeared in movies including “Hired Gun” and “Not Black Enough”.

Ed Roth is the musical director for a number of charities, including Safety Harbor Kids, the Asian Hall of Fame, and the Medlock Krieger Annual fundraiser for St Judes.

Roth specializes in playing true old-school keyboard instruments, not samples of them, including acoustic piano, Hammond B3 organ, Fender Rhodes and Wurlitzer electric pianos, Hohner Clavinet, accordion, and various analog synthesizers.

TRAVIS DAVIS - Bass/Vocals

Born and raised in southern Indiana, bassist/vocalist Travis Davis has performed around the globe as a featured member of the Keith Emerson Band, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Member Danny Seraphine’s CTA. Born and raised in southern Indiana, Davis studied French Horn at Indiana State University (on a full scholarship), receiving an MA in music performance from Northwestern University.

Davis has performed with a wide variety of artists including Tommy Thayer (Kiss), Robby Kreiger (Doors), Steve Porcaro (Toto), Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), and Bill Champlin (Chicago). Now residing in Southern California, Davis has become a prominent member of the Los Angeles music scene.

TONY GRANT - Vocals

Actor, writer, producer, and Grammy-nominated musician Tony Grant has become one of the most sought-after, multi-faceted talents in the entertainment industry today. In 2014, Grant starred as “Phillip” on the OWN Network and Tyler Perry’s original comedy series “Love Thy Neighbor.” On the film front, Grant was featured in the independent drama THE LAST PUNCH opposite Keith David, David Banner, and Karon Joseph. Grant returned to music in June 2014, with the release of his full-length album Access Granted through his label, TraFace Music Publishing. After eight years since his last album [Grant Life], Access Granted will showcase Grant’s internationally known powerhouse vocals, passionate lyrics, and original love songs that bring heart and soul back to R&B music.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio and raised in North Carolina, Grant grew up in a musically inclined family, however his dream as a child was to fly jets in the Air Force or play ball. When he was thirteen years old he began playing drums for his church while his mother would sing, and his love for music was established. Although singing and music were inherently a part of his nature, it was not his first passion.

Grant achieved his initial fame as the lead vocalist of the internationally acclaimed, Grammy-nominated group Az Yet [LaFace Records]. It was Grant’s smooth tenor voice that held audiences enthralled on hit songs including: “Last Night” and “Hard to Say I’m Sorry.” He went on to perform and record with an array of accomplished artists including Brian McKnight, Dr. Dre, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, James Brown, Celine Dion, Stevie Wonder, and Harry Connick Jr., to name a few.

In 2006, Grant made his debut in the film world, with a supporting role in WHY DID I GET MARRIED for The Tyler Perry Company. Additional film and television credits include: THE CLEAN UP WOMAN, THE MARRIAGE CHRONICLES, A MADEA CHRISTMAS, MADEA GETS A JOB, THE MARRIAGE COUNSELOR, “She’s Not Our Sister,” and “She’s Still Not Our Sister.”

Grant continues to flourish gaining critical acclaim and increasing popularity for his work in film, television, theater, and music. His writing skills are also an intricate part of his talent arsenal, he has penned a collection of theatrical productions, movies, and music - not only for himself but for a host of accomplished actors and singers.

Alex Budman - Sax/Flute

Since his move to Los Angeles from San Francisco in 2005, Alex Budman has been in heavy demand as a session musician and soloist, recording on a wide variety of albums, TV shows, and movies. His command of the saxophone, clarinet, and flute keeps him busy playing in the top tier of LA's musical community. Known for his jazz clarinet playing, Alex was included in Hal Leonard’s transcription collection Clarinet Omnibook. He can also be found playing lead alto sax in many of the top big bands in Los Angeles.

As a bandleader in the San Francisco Bay Area, Alex directed his 16-piece Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, playing more than 300 shows and recording two albums. The second, Instruments of Mass Pleasure, was released in 2005 to critical acclaim. In 2012, he and trombonist/composer Jeremy Levy released the Budman/Levy Orchestra's debut album From There to Here, featuring a top-flight group of young Los Angeles musicians, solos by Alex, and Jeremy's original compositions and arrangements. In 2017 they collaborated with vocalist/songwriter Spencer Day on his Angel City project, an album of originals about Southern California. Their most recent collaboration (under Jeremy’s name) The Planets: Reimagined was nominated for a 2021 Grammy™ Award in the instrumental arranging category. Alex co-produced the album and is featured on lead alto sax.

RYAN DRAGON - Trombone

Ryan Dragon is a trombonist and a fixture on the LA jazz and studio scenes and avant-garde community. After spending a number of years performing on the east coast where he attended the Berklee school of music and performed with Cirque du Soleil, Ryan moved to Los Angeles where he quickly became one of the most highly sought-after young trombonists in the area.

Known for his virtuosity and distinctive approach to improvisation, Ryan has contributed his playing live and on recordings with Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, John Legend, Usher, Gwen Stefani, Imagine Dragons, and Panic at the Disco. Film score credits include soundtracks for Crazy Rich Asians, Ice Age 5, Money Monster. His playing and soloing can be heard on multiple Grammy-nominated albums with Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band and John Beasley’s MONK’estra.

In 2016, Ryan released his second album, Kid Songs, on Orenda records. Ryan performs actively with his Kid Songs quartet and is the co-leader of the extreme trombone musical comedy duo Dragon/Sellers.

Ryan hails from Orange County, California where his original artistic influences were his mother and father (a dancer and trombonist respectively). He currently resides in East Los Angeles with his wife, Noelle, a fabulous musician and woodwind doubler.

Dave Richards - Trumpet

Dave Richards received both his BM in jazz arranging and his MM in jazz composition from the University of North Texas. During his time at North Texas Dave played both trumpet and trombone in the GRAMMY-nominated One o'clock Lab Band. Since graduating from UNT in 2009, Dave has gone on to travel the world with various big bands and touring musical theater productions of Broadway shows. He currently resides in Los Angeles where he works as a freelance brass player, composer, arranger, and bandleader. He has had the pleasure of playing with such artists as California Transit Authority, Frank Stallone, Tom Saviano, Spencer Day, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, The Mike Barone Big Band, and The Tom Kubis Big Band. Dave can be heard playing trumpet on select tracks on Gwen Stefani’s 2018 Christmas album, You Make it Feel Like Christmas, Deluxe edition.  Dave can also be heard on Katy Perry’s single, “Smile”.

The 2021-22 Main Stage Series is made possible with the generous support from the following individuals and organizations:

John & Jean Yoblonski, Shawn Fojtik, Rachel and Robert Alday, Holly Etlin & Andrew Krieger, the KTC Fund, Robin Hauser, Terry Homer & Ann Marie Horner, Cole Sport, PBS Utah, The Park City Community Foundation, and the Utah Division of Arts & Museums