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Ted Fulte
Leader, Drums
After receiving his music education degree from the University of Northern Colorado, Ted became the house drummer in some of Denver's most famous night clubs including Taylor's Supper Club and The Warehouse. To his credit, he has performed with such household names as Tony Bennett, Bob Hope and The Pointer Sisters. Ted really enjoys being a "Tomato" and the time he gets to spend with the band!
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Jack LaForte
Saxophone, Vocals
"Quiet and shy" Jack moved to Denver from Kansas when he was four years old and Denver has never been the same!
After a four year stint in the Navy (assigned to two Admiral's Bands), he graduated from DU and went on to teach in Denver Public Schools for 30 years, retiring in 1989.
To his credit, Jack has performed with many entertainers, including Sammy Davis, Jr., Johnny Mathis, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, the Four Tops & Temptations, Rita Moreno, & Joan Rivers. He also played with the Denver Bronco Jazz Band for 32 years!! Jack joined The Hot Tomatoes in 1990. |
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Kevin Bollinger
Trumpet, Vocals
Kevin came on board with the band in 1984. He attended the Eastman School of Music and received a trumpet performance degree upon graduation.
Kevin is also a much sought-after freelance performer and arranger in both classical and jazz idioms.
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Joe Lopez
Bass
In 1992, Joe joined The Hot Tomatoes and is also another Denver native. He has performed for many years in most of Denver's finest nightclubs and has toured with such jazz greats as Gene Harris, Carmen McRae and Sammy Davis Jr.
He has twice received the "Outstanding Bassist" award from DownBeat magazine. Joe just loves drivin' the band!
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Charlie Smith
Trumpet, Vocals
Charlie is not only a business man but a well traveled musician. He has toured the world with the Glenn Miller
Orchestra and performed with the Woody Herman Orchestra. Music festivals around the world have heard his trumpet
playing. In the Denver area he plays on a regular basis with local ensembles, big bands, disco and jazz groups.
Charlie holds a degree in trumpet performance from the University of Northern Colorado.
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Jack Fredericksen
Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute
A Denver native, Jack earned a master's degree in composition from the University of Colorado and has extensive credits as a composer and arranger. His arrangements and compositions are included in the libraries of University of Colorado, Denver Public Schools, Cherry Creek Schools,The International Clarinet Symposium, The Denver Symphony (now the Colorado Symphony), The Denver Brass and of course the Hot Tomatoes Dance Orchestra.
He also performed for many years with the Brown Palace Hotel Orchestra, and the Denver Bronco Jazz Band as well as a stint "on the road." Performances with well known entertainers include, Sammy Davis, Johnny Mathis, Ella Fitzgerald, Debbie Reynolds, Bob Hope, Mel Torme, Andy Williams and engagements playing with many Broadway shows. After retiring from 34 years of teaching in Denver public schools, Jack joined the band in 1991.
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Rich Maul
Alto Saxophone, Clarinet
Another alumnus from the Brown Palace Hotel Orchestra, Rich has been with the band since 1992 delighting fans with his musical interpretation of Artie Shaw and others. He has populated the saxophone sections of most of the best big bands in Denver for years.
In addition to his many talents, Rich is also a professional piano technician.
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Dave Wiske
Trombone, Vocals
A Colorado Native, Dave has been playing trombone in the Denver area for the past 25 years. He has performed with artists such as Natalie Cole, Linda Ronstadt, Frankie Valli, Rita Moreno, Marvin Hamlish, Jim Neighbors, The Temptations, The Four Tops, and the big bands of Woody Herman, Tommy Dorsey, Nelson Riddle, and Benny Goodman. He received both his bachelor's and master's degrees in music education from the University of Northern Colorado and is currently working on a doctoral degree in trombone performance at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Dave has taught music in the Thornton, Colorado area for the past 20 years.
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Gary Dempsey
Piano
Gary live in Estes Park after retiring from a career that included responsibilities in marketing, public relations, and web/enterprise portal development for a Seattle-based software company.
With a BME degree from the University of Missouri at Kanasa City, his primary interest in the arts evolved as a pianist that eventually led to performances/tours with the Andy Williams/Henry Mancini show as well as a number of ‘name’ road bands. His background includes various ‘hotel band’ gigs in Kansas City, Salt Lake City, and Milwaukee, as well as a three -year stint in the house band at the venerable Taylors Supper Club in Denver.
Visit Gary's website at: www.gdempsey.com
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New CD Release!
Check out! the newest CD from The Hot Tomatoes -
"Come Fly with Us!"
Book your party!
The Hot Tomatoes play all kinds of events including corporate and private parties, public concerts, wedding, birthdays, and more!
Call 303-696-0136 today!
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