John Profeta
bass and drums in
local bands throughout Junior and Senior High School. Switching to keyboards,
John played in several club and "Lounge" bands until he joined the Chaperones,
a L.I. group that had had several minor hits in the early '60's Doo-Wop era.
While with the Chaperones (and others), he shared the stage with Chubby Checker,
Ben E. King, the Shirelles, the Dovels, Tommy James, the Brooklyn Bridge,
Looking Glass, NRPS, Melissa Manchester, the Platters, the Capris, Danny
and the Juniors, the Belmonts, Sam the Sham, and many others. Later Doo-Wop
adventures include stints in the Passions (Just To Be With You, Gloria) ,
and in the backing band for the "Murry the K Revue" (It's what's happening
Baby!!!!). Also in the Long Island years, John worked with everything from
lounge bands (Roxy, Society) to Southern Rock (Boston Charlie), '50's (the
Dukes, 4-Way Street), to horn bands (Morning Glory - '72 Nassau County
Battle-of-the-Bands 2nd place winner), Original Bands (Count Vronsky-'73
Nassau County Battle-of-the-Bands 1st place winner) to a Power Trio (Fever!).
John moved upstate in 1986 and immediately started working with local bands, Johnny D and the Demons, and later, Railway Express. Taking a 90 degree turn, he joined Country Singer Mirinda's band, Blue Steel in 1990 and worked throughout the N.E. headlining and opening for Charlie Daniels, Tom Wopat, Shotgun Red, Little Jimmy Dickens, and serving as the backing band for dates with David Frizzel and the Hager Twins. He played keys and guitar for Paula Frasier and Montana from 1991 to 1996, and wrote (with drummer Mark Mauceri) and recorded their N.E.C.M.A. Song of the Year nominee, It Might be You, (which recently was a featured song and went top 10 on MP3.com's Country Countdown). He is currently playing keyboards with TS Ensemble, a 7 piece party band; and also occasionally plays bass with award-winning singer/songwriter Valerie DeLaCruz. John also owns and operates Silver Streak Studio. A recent project of note, and one he is very proud of, is the recording of Jim Dufty's Street Hero, featuring Valerie DeLaCruz on guitar and vocals, Don Gaylord on keys and backing vocals, Dave Grapka on drums, and John on bass and lead guitar. All proceeds from the sale of this single will go to Capital District Homeless relief. Street Hero, and What Makes You Think?, a JP Solo recording, are featured on a N.E.C.M.A. Compilation CD, (Now out!!). John is also a part of Midnight Tracker's Side By Side album, playing bass, guitar, drums, keys, sax and singing background on some cuts. John's got some of his own music on MP3.com, and recently had a top 10 song in the Jazz Vocal category, Tell Me With Your Kiss, sung and co-written by Valerie DeLaCruz.