Get to know the band

Members:

Jim Hart:

Drummer

Frank Koscielski:

Keyboard

Joe Salisz:

Guitar

Jeff Mueller

Bass

big SHORTY

was formed in June 2004 by four veteran Detroit-area musicians

with roots deep in Detroit area music history. This dynamic and original blues,

rhythm and blues, rock, funky band is eclectic and electric with its own sound

emanating from the backgrounds of its stellar musicians.

big SHORTY

is:

Dr. Jim Hart, a veteran Detroit jazz drummer, who has performed for decades
with local and national acts, most recently the swing band Cats Pajamas.

Frank Koscielski (aka Frankie the K) on keyboards and vocals played rock with
the band BADGE in the late 1960s to the mid-1970s, devoted the 1980s to
classical music, and has now come full circle to roots music of various
persuasions.

Frankie the K and Hart began doing small gigs around town about the year 2000.
The mix of music was eclectic reflecting both Jim’s passion for jazz and Frank’s
interest and roots in rock, blues and classical music. Standing at around 5ft. 8 in
Frank and Jim are the shorties of the band. But they wanted some biggies!

Joe Salisz is an accomplished guitarist and vocalist with a penchant for
southern-style rock and blues with a Detroit attitude. Big Joe is 6’4, plays a
mean slide guitar and has a sweet sound all his own.

Jeff Mueller on bass guitar is the newest member of the band. Jeff, originally
from the wrong side of the tracks in Cleveland grew up with a heavy influence of
blues and jazz. Jeff joined the band in early 2007 and plays funky, funky bass
holding down the bottom end of tight grooves. At 6’1 he’s a biggie too.

big SHORTY now has a killer set of original tunes which they will soon record as
well as a hot demo of great cover and original songs. Their impressive song list
is amazingly eclectic including jazz classics from Gershwin to Brubeck to Silver,
blues from Taj Mahal to Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon, rock from the Allman
Bros., Hendrix, and Winwood, soul from Sam Cooke, folk from Dylan, touches of
classical from Bach, Beethoven and Chopin and even a wee bit of country. Tom
Waits, the Beatles, Booker T. Dr. John: they’re all here. This is an
interdisciplinary fusion band! Mostly this is a group that thrives on grooves,
tasty solos, and original arrangements of well-known and obscure musics, and
their own songs regardless of labels or styles.

Why big SHORTY? One look will tell you. Come hear us and you’ll be hooked!

To request the band at your local hot spot, email us @ ac2668@wayne.edu