About the Band

Made up of seasoned and experienced professionals from the Connecticut/New York area, “What It Is” plays a wide variety of time-tested and current popular music.  Members have played not only with various rock bands but symphony orchestras, wedding bands, jazz ensembles and numerous theater pit bands for productions throughout the Tri State area and New England.

In 2012 the idea came to combine the very best musicians available and put together a band that went beyond typical guitar-based music.  The group enjoys the challenge of performing interesting and sometimes complicated rhythm, horn, and vocal arrangements while entertaining and interacting with an appreciative audience.

The 4 piece horn section enables a repertoire that includes Steely Dan, Chicago, Tower of Power, Brian Setzer Big Band, Ray Charles, and Earth, Wind and Fire.  The rhythm section is filled with players that could stand on their own in any rock, pop or blues band and are center stage with material from Stevie Ray Vaughn and Delbert McClinton.  These cats can play!

“What It Is” employs two lead vocalists who as brothers, have sung together since they were kids.  The blend is genetic and their range extends from James Brown to Paul Simon and Bobby Caldwell to Al Green - raspy blues to expressive ballads.  Other members of the group sing additional harmonies and backup vocals. 

The band is hitting the club circuit throughout Connecticut but is also ideally suited to weddings, festivals and town concert settings.  We play a mix of genres –  rock, soul, pop, jazz, and even a little country!  “What It Is” has a stage presence that is family friendly and provides an opportunity for young sax, trumpet and trombone students to see their instruments in action.

The group is easy to deal with.  We start on time, end on time, and take reasonable breaks as agreed.  We are equipped with professional sound and lighting systems and play at an appropriate volume according to the acoustics of the venue.

“What It Is” looks forward to working with you to provide great music for your next event.