Lissy Rosemont ( Lead Singer, Lead Banjo)
Born and raised in Atlanta Georgia, Lissy Rosemont came to Washington DC to pursue her graduate degree at Georgetown. Lissy grew up with three distinctive musical influences 1) her mother waking up the house every morning by playing hymns on the piano 2) her father waking her up in the middle of the night to sing his favorite Hank Williams tunes to his buddies and 3) her family's fiddler's festival in Union Grove, NC where she has been performing or watching her father perform since she was a child. Alison Krauss's "Baby Now that I Found You Collection" was in constant rotation in her Atlanta home, coming out of every sibling and parent's room, and is considered (along with Pearl Jam) the largest influence on Lissy's love of vocalists. In 2000, after high school graduation, Lissy and three Georgia friends followed Pearl Jam around western Europe and the Southeast on the "Binaural" tour, confirming her deep love for rock music and poltical activism. In college, when Lissy was introduced to Bela Fleck, Lissy bought a banjo at Ben Harper's mother's folk music store while visitng a friend in LA, though she didn't begin official lessons in music theory and picking until 2006. While working as a federal employee at the National Institutes of Health, Lissy was briefly in the "Rosemont Family Reunion", an americana obscura rock band based out of a co-op housing basement in DC's Columbia Heights. When the band decided to split in November 2006, she and her now fellow Junior Leaguers begat this band. Lissy still performs with her father, Hal Beaver and Blackgrass, at Union Grove every memorial day in North Carolina. Please watch the feature that ABC News did on Lissy Rosemont and The Junior League Band : http://blogs.abcnews.com/amplified/2010/01/lissy-rosemont.html (By: Erika Wood)
Sadie Dingfelder (Fiddle)
Sadie Dingfelder was initiated into the terrifying world of
improvisation when, in 2004, she was recruited off her front porch to
play with a bluegrass band. Though she's been playing classical violin
since age 10, it took many on-the-house drinks to get Sadie onstage
without the comfort of sheet music. Since then, she's become more
fearless, thanks to Lissy and other members of Junior League Band who
make concerned faces in Sadie's direction to helpfully indicate that
its fiddle-solo time.
Photo Credit - Rachel Eisley
improvisation when, in 2004, she was recruited off her front porch to
play with a bluegrass band. Though she's been playing classical violin
since age 10, it took many on-the-house drinks to get Sadie onstage
without the comfort of sheet music. Since then, she's become more
fearless, thanks to Lissy and other members of Junior League Band who
make concerned faces in Sadie's direction to helpfully indicate that
its fiddle-solo time.
Photo Credit - Rachel Eisley
Brandon Kalber (Bass)
Brandon has been playing music in one way or another for as long as he can remember. Born and raised in Orlando Florida, he was brought up in a very musical house. His mom is a stage actress and singer and his dad is a jazz musician. Brandon dabbled with lots of different instruments growing up. He tried clarinet and saxophone like his dad, as well as piano. It wasn’t until he was in 6th grade however when he found his true love and picked up the electric bass. While he was studying electric Brandon also started studying the upright bass and played in his high school orchestra. He continued playing both electric and upright in college while earning a degree in jazz studies.
Brandon moved to the Washington DC area 5 years ago to play and tour with a band called The Hellfighters. Since then, he has had the chance to meet and play with a number of wonderful musicians in the area. Currently, he plays in a few different bands including Poor But Sexy and of course, the Junior League Band.
Brandon moved to the Washington DC area 5 years ago to play and tour with a band called The Hellfighters. Since then, he has had the chance to meet and play with a number of wonderful musicians in the area. Currently, he plays in a few different bands including Poor But Sexy and of course, the Junior League Band.
Ian Thompson (Drums)
Waiting on Ian to write a bio ...... :)
John Lee ( Electric Guitar)
John Lee is a guitarist and composer with a very diverse and ecclectic vision. His style hails from all walks of life in music, such as jazz, rock, blues, African, Indian, classical, etc., combining them all together in one very special sound. John picked up the guitar at age 10 and never put it down. After practicing for many years, he attended The New School University's Mannes and Contemporary Jazz Program in New York City. There he studied with masters Kurt Rosenwinkel, George Garzone, David 'Fuze' Fiuczynski, and Jamey Haddad. John has performed with John Zorn, Matisyahu, and The Disco Biscuits, as well as traveling all over the U.S and over seas performing his music.
Currently John performs throughout the U.S. in several groups including The Junior League Band, Cyro Baptista's Beat The Donkey, Baye Kouyate and Les Tougarakes, and also with many D.C Jazz musicians. John leads his own group The J.L.e. You can visit him online at www.chineseirishman.com
Currently John performs throughout the U.S. in several groups including The Junior League Band, Cyro Baptista's Beat The Donkey, Baye Kouyate and Les Tougarakes, and also with many D.C Jazz musicians. John leads his own group The J.L.e. You can visit him online at www.chineseirishman.com