Lex was born in Manhassett, NY in March of 1975. His earliest influences were King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Jimmy McPartland, Wild Bill Davidson, and Al Hirt. As a teenager, Lex became heavily influence by Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker, a little while later discovering Lee Morgan, Clifford Brown, Booker Little, Chet Baker, Fats Navarro, and Miles Davis.
After this period, Lex explored the world of Free/Avant-Garde jazz and was heavily influenced by Kenny Wheeler, Bill Dixon, Arve Henriksen, and many other current players on the scene today. Lex has studied with numerous teachers including Patrick Dougherty, Raymond Mase, Roger Ingram, Lew Soloff, Laurie Frink, David Sheetz, and Bill Dixon.
Lex has performed and recorded with many various artists including Wynton Marsalis, Jon Faddis, The Heath Brothers, The Four Tops, Donna Summers, and can be heard backing various recording artists on both radio and television. He has appeared on recordings with Madison Rast, Sean Costello, Bob Margolin, Mookie Brill, Mitch Easter, Aaron Bachelder, and David Boatwright. Right now, Lex is working on several free jazz improv projects, is busily gigging as both a free jazz and straight ahead jazz musician, as well as doing many commercial, latin, and classical gigs and recording sessions.
Ralph Hamperian is a musical Renaissance man. In addition to his work with City Sounds he also performs extensively on the upright bass and the tuba. In the course of his career as a New York freelancer he has enjoyed lengthy tenures with Lionel Hampton, Jaki Byard and Arthur Prysock as well as shorter appearances with many other notable figures from the world of jazz such as Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey, James Moody and Clifford Jordan. From 1993-98 he was a staff musician at New York’s Rainbow Room, performing there with the house jazz, swing and latin bands. He has also performed in the pits of the Broadway shows Chicago, Parade, The Wild Party, Thou Shalt Not and Chitty-Chitty Bang- Bang.
As a tuba player Ralph has appeared with Mac Gollehon’s Smoking Section, The Bill Ware Octet and the Brooklyn Repertory Ensemble big band as well as fronting his own jazz quintet.
Samantha is the VOICE OF "CITY SOUNDS". She has been singing since the age of 8 through church and school choirs along with all sorts of talent shows. At age 9, she began her training - partly at the Queens Village School of Music where she was coached by Brother Jerome "City" Smith. At age 18, she was introduced to the idea of being a lead vocalist; and has been just that ever since - of course all the while under the love and guidance of "City." Today, at age 24, she's working as a Therapeutic Assistant for disabled children, a Beauty Consultant with Mary Kay, a college student studying Speech Pathology and continues to be a part of the "City Sounds" family.
Rhonda Grindell, "Queen Bee" has been playing drums professionally since the age of 16 and traveled the country with an all girl band "La Femme" at the age of 20. The next band, "Roxanne", worked many years on the hotel circuit and had many newspaper write-ups describing the talent of the members especially the drummer. Rhonda created the band "Precious"and played the Jersey shore, opening for the "Eurythmics". She has played off-Broadway in the band for the hit "Nunsense". Rhonda is not only the "backbone of the band" but is a wonderful singer in her own right. Whether singing lead or back-up vocals, her voice complements the expertise of Jerome and Samantha.
Jim is a full time musician and music teacher. He started playing professionally at the age of 14 and teaching at the age of 16 up until now. He plays several instruments such as saxophone, clarinet and trumpet just to name a few. He also sings and has played and plays all styles of music from classical to Swing, Big Band, Doo Wop, Classic Rock, Disco and Contemporary music.
Jim has also played with and on the same show with may famous artist such as The Drifters, The Duprees, The Devotions, Lenny CoCo, The Chimes, Larry Chance and The Earls, Jonny Masetro and The Brooklyn Bridge, Chubby Checker, Shirley Alston, Martha Reeves and The Supremes just to name a few.
Frank has spent the last 28 years teaching in North Babylon Schools as a Marching Director, Concert Band Director, Jazz Band Director and Music Theory Instructor. His 120 piece marching band has performed in the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade for the past 12 years, among other events. He plays the keyboards, trombone, trumpet, tuba, flute, percussion and is a vocalist. He is currently the musical director of the Town of Babylon All-Star Jazz Band and has been for the last 16 years. Frank is also a Nassau BOCES Arts-in-Education artist, who is commissioned by schools districts to write custom marching band drill design. Most notably, he was recently selected as a guest conductor for a second time by the Nassau Music Educators Association for the Division I/II All-County Jazz Ensemble at the C.W. Post Tilles Center in January 2009. Frank is the tech-guru of the band, using computer technology to get the right sounds needed for any type of music. In addition, he has a private company that designs DVD'S for clients using personal photos, music and video for any special event or occasion.
Steve is a Songwriter, Jazz Guitarist and Music Composer.He graduated from City College where he received a B.A. in Music Composition and Education.
As a Guitarist he performed and toured with such renowned Artists as; Najee, Kashif, Lenny White, Roy Haynes and Sam and Dave. Steve wrote the hit singles - “Hi How Ya Doing" and “Do Me Right” by Saxphonist, Kenny G. "That’s How It Goes” - Kashif, “You’re The Only One I Love” - Glenn Jones, “Crazy” - The Manhattans, “Rockin To The Beat” -The Fatback Band and “Slip Away” by Lenny White & Twennynine on Electra Asylum Records. Steve's blazing guitar and sweet soul school vocals are an added treat to the City Sounds Beat.
City is the Bandleader, Master of Ceremonies, Lead Male Vocalist, Entertainer Extraordinaire, Musical Director and Ceo of City Sounds Music. He also an Actor, Recording Artist, Arranger, Producer, Songwriter, Drummer, Keyboard Player and Bassist. His credentials are as follows: STYLESOF MUSICPERFORMED - R&B, Soul, Pop, New Jack Swing, Rock, Reggae, Afro-Cuban, Jazz, Classical, Fusion, Jewish Horahs, House Music, Gospel, Blues, Rap/Hip Hop. RECORDING ARTISTS PERFORMED WITH - The Original Drifters - Featuring Charlie Thomas, Jeffrey Osborne , Mary J Blige , The Shirelles, Village People, Dionne Warwick, Joe Fonda Rae, Tavares, Chico Debarge, Byron Stingley, Melba Moore, Rude Boys, Carol King, Philip, Leaders of the New School Martha Wash (Weather Girls), Sue Ann Carwell, Milira, Peabo Bryson, Menace Jump Records, Ru Paul RECENT CONCERT PERFORMANCES -City debuted his soon to be released Gospel Song at The 2006 Summer Concert Series in Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, N.Y. His single “Don’t Tread On Me” charted in Great Britain 2006. BROADWAY - “Buddy” - The Buddy Holly Story - Roles: Sam Cooke, Apollo Bass Player and Drummer, Clearlake Concert Drummer and Apollo's M.C.
TELEVISION APPEARANCES - Actor for a recurring role of "Hoff" in N.B.C. Daytime Soap Opera "Another World". Host of the "The Bro. Jerome "City" Smith Power Hour on "Cablevision Channel 20 T.V. Show. Performed on The W.B. Channel 11 “The Maury Povich Show’ with Jack Hanna & his amazing animals and performed on the Gordon Elliot Show.
OFF-BROAD WAY PLAYS - Jesus Christ Superstar, Working, Raisin In the Sun, The Me Nobody Knows and Wiz.
THE BIG APPLE CIRCUS - Drummer and Co-Ring Leader
EUROPEAN TOUR - "Black Gospel Pearls"- Germany, Switzerland and Austria, Recording - Black Gospel Pearls Christmas Album Vol.2., All Drums and Percussion, Vocals, & Co-Producer. -CD upon request, St. Johns University's "Voices of Victory" - Norway, Sweden, Denmark
NORTH AMERICAN NATIONAL TOUR - Broadway Musical "Hair" The 25th Anniversary National Tour, "Buddy" Toronto, Canada, "Buddy" Alberta, Calgary Canada, “Raisin” – Starring Lynette Hawkins singer of “OH Happy Day”
ARTISTS ACCOMPANIED - Shirley Ceasar, Strafe, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Junior Walker, Nat Adderly, TheDrifters, Mau-Mau, U.T.F.O., Clark Sisters, Hannibal Peterson, Pete Yellin, Tito Puente, John Scofield, Michael Brecker, Barry Harris, The Prime Directive, Joe Henderson, Clark Terry, Instant Funk, Sharon Freeman, Lyle Atkinson, Jamil Nasser. Benny Powell, and Lionel Hampton, Harold Mabern, Steve Turre, Mighty Sign, Cult Jam (Lisa Lisa), Peter Moffitt, The Stylistics.
VENUES - Sweetwaters, LeMouche, SpoDeOde, C.B.G.B., Mikells, Wetlands, Indigo Blues, Town Hall, Bottom Line, Bitter End, Cat Club, Club Paradise, Downtown Beirut and St. Peter’s Church, Golden Gate Theatre, Roystons, The Atrium-South St. Seaport, Manhattan Club, Alice Tulley Hall, Royal Alexander Theatre, Bryant Park, Prospect Park, PTL Club 700, Bridge St. A.W.M.E.Church, Helmsley Palace, Waldorf Astoria, Wilsons, Honey Suckles, El Macambo, Lone Star-Road House, New Frontier, Nells, Rex, China Club, Roseland, Eisenhower Park, Tralfadors, Club Benee, Sweet Jane, Knitting Factory, Radio City Music Hall, Trumpets, Shubert Theatre.
Lex was born in Manhassett, NY in March of 1975. His earliest influences were King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Jimmy McPartland, Wild Bill Davidson, and Al Hirt. As a teenager, Lex became heavily influence by Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker, a little while later discovering Lee Morgan, Clifford Brown, Booker Little, Chet Baker, Fats Navarro, and Miles Davis. 
Ralph Hamperian is a musical Renaissance man. In addition to his work with City Sounds he also performs extensively on the upright bass and the tuba. In the course of his career as a New York freelancer he has enjoyed lengthy tenures with Lionel Hampton, Jaki Byard and Arthur Prysock as well as shorter appearances with many other notable figures from the world of jazz such as Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey, James Moody and Clifford Jordan. From 1993-98 he was a staff musician at New York’s Rainbow Room, performing there with the house jazz, swing and latin bands. He has also performed in the pits of the Broadway shows Chicago, Parade, The Wild Party, Thou Shalt Not and Chitty-Chitty Bang- Bang.
Samantha is the VOICE OF "CITY SOUNDS". She has been singing since the age of 8 through church and school choirs along with all sorts of talent shows. At age 9, she began her training - partly at the Queens Village School of Music where she was coached by Brother Jerome "City" Smith. At age 18, she was introduced to the idea of being a lead vocalist; and has been just that ever since - of course all the while under the love and guidance of "City." Today, at age 24, she's working as a Therapeutic Assistant for disabled children, a Beauty Consultant with Mary Kay, a college student studying Speech Pathology and continues to be a part of the "City Sounds" family. 
Rhonda Grindell, "Queen Bee" has been playing drums professionally since the age of 16 and traveled the country with an all girl band "La Femme" at the age of 20. The next band, "Roxanne", worked many years on the hotel circuit and had many newspaper write-ups describing the talent of the members especially the drummer. Rhonda created the band "Precious"and played the Jersey shore, opening for the "Eurythmics". She has played off-Broadway in the band for the hit "Nunsense". Rhonda is not only the "backbone of the band" but is a wonderful singer in her own right. Whether singing lead or back-up vocals, her voice complements the expertise of Jerome and Samantha. 
Jim is a full time musician and music teacher. He started playing professionally at the age of 14 and teaching at the age of 16 up until now. He plays several instruments such as saxophone, clarinet and trumpet just to name a few. He also sings and has played and plays all styles of music from classical to Swing, Big Band, Doo Wop, Classic Rock, Disco and Contemporary music.
Frank has spent the last 28 years teaching in North Babylon Schools as a Marching Director, Concert Band Director, Jazz Band Director and Music Theory Instructor. His 120 piece marching band has performed in the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade for the past 12 years, among other events. He plays the keyboards, trombone, trumpet, tuba, flute, percussion and is a vocalist. 
Steve is a Songwriter, Jazz Guitarist and Music Composer. He graduated from City College where he received a B.A. in Music Composition and Education.
City is the Bandleader, Master of Ceremonies, Lead Male Vocalist, Entertainer Extraordinaire, Musical Director and Ceo of City Sounds Music. He also an Actor, Recording Artist, Arranger, Producer, Songwriter, Drummer, Keyboard Player and Bassist. His credentials are as follows: STYLES OF MUSIC PERFORMED -
