About The Band
Retrospecticus is comprised of nine hard-working and skilled musicians who take pride in their craft, are well-prepared for shows, and above all, professional in appearance, attitude, and actions. We don't like to boast when it comes to resumes, but it?'s hard to be humble when you have these kind of credentials...
Stephanie Fisher - vocals
Stephanie has been the featured vocalist for the popular covers band, Retrospecticus, for the past two years. She's earned solid reviews performing as a jazz vocalist working with guitarist Scott Morgan (at Montsweag Roadhouse in Woolwich, and Augustine's Restaurant and Lounge in Brunswick), and keyboardist Matt Fogg (at Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport). Singing has been a life-long passion for Stephanie; from singing with the Morse High Jazz Singers, to winning 1st Place for the state of Maine in the Talent America Competition in 2000. She continues to develop her vocal skills and repertoire; working on a variety of projects with Matt Fogg, ranging in style from jazz and soul, to R&B and gospel.
Matthew Fogg - keyboards
Matt is an accomplished performer, educator, and arranger who graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in music education. He taught in the Portland school system for several years before co-founding the Midcoast School Of Music with percussionist Chris Marro. His recordings through the years with other musicians have garnered rave reviews from critics and his sought out as both a collaborator and solo performer. In 2008, Matt was honored as the first Artist In Education by Yamaha and has been a Yamaha-endorsed performer ever since. For a more detailed biography and a listing of Matt's other performances, you can go to www.MattFogg.com.
Joe Farrell - guitar
Joe Farrell has been teaching music at King Middle School in Portland for seven years and teaching private lessons in New England for about 15. He was the lead guitar player and singer in the band Percy Hill, an original, nationally touring act which garnered a loyal, regional following after over ten years of touring and recording. Percy Hill has six CDs to its credit, including the critically acclaimed Color in Bloom, which received the award for best album in the 2000 annual Jam Band awards. The Boston Globe proclaimed, "...few grass-roots bands tap such a polished sound...". He has studied Rock, Jazz and Classical guitar with various teachers throughout New England over the course of his fifteen-year music career. He has also been to Namibia, in southwest Africa twice and studied indigenous songs and drumming and produced a video documentary of these experiences in 2004. He also studied Flamenco guitar in Co?Lrdoba, Spain with Paco Serrano. In March 2007, he and his wife Emily, also a teacher at King Middle were blessed with their first child Saoirse Rose Farrell.
Mike Derosier - guitar
Mike started gigging regularly in college while earning his BA in English at the Unversity of Maine. After graduating he continued to gig extensively and study music privately with many area professionals and educators of note. His experience has ranged from trio and small combo work in clubs as well as playing with several of the area's premier function bands over the past 15 years. Mike was an early member of Retrospecticus before leaving to pursue other opportunities but is back in the rhythm section and churning out the grooves!!
John Berce - bass
John is a rarity among gigging bass players in that he didn't come to the instrument by way of guitar. As a matter of fact, we're pretty sure that he was born with a bass in his hands with a rudimentary understanding of chord shapes. An accomplished player, he also creates his own instruments in his spare time.
Anthony Marro - saxophone
Anthony Marro graduated from the University of Southern Maine in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. Anthony?fs major instrument was clarinet, with piano as his minor. His principal teacher on clarinet was Thomas Parchman, the principal clarinet for the Portland Symphony Orchestra. Anthony has also studied clarinet, saxophone and flute with Joe LaFlamme, Rick Gordon and Bob Carabia. In college, Anthony was principal clarinet in both the University Concert Band and University Wind Ensemble, while also playing lead alto saxophone in the University Jazz Ensemble. He has performed with the following world-class musicians and groups: The Temptations, Barry Manilow, Glenn Miller Orchestra, Artie Shaw Orchestra, Jerry Bergonzi and Harry Allen. Anthony has also performed with local musicians and groups in the Portland area: Don Doane Sextet, Terry White Big Band, Al Corey Big Band, Tony Boffa Band and Matt Fogg. Currently Anthony is the director of instrumental music at Morse High School in Bath, Maine, where he directs a concert band, jazz band, jazz combo, pep band and teaches courses in Music Theory, Jazz Improvisation and Film Scoring.
Justine Kendzia - trombone
Justine Kendzia has been playing trombone for over six years studying with Anita Jerosche. She has also been playing piano for nine years and is currently studying Jazz piano with Matt Fogg. Through high school, Justine has made the top trombone chair for the District III Honors Band, All-State Honors Band, and All-State Jazz Honors band. While attending the Berklee Jazz festival, Justine has received the judges' choice award two years in a row. She has also played in the Bowdoin College Big Band, Orchestra, and Trombone Choir. She has also been a member of the Latin Ensemble at the University of Maine in Augusta. Justine has also been hired to play in the pit band for the Waterville Opera House for Caberet. She is currently playing in the band, The Blues Buzzards. Soon, Justine plans on attending college to major in music education. Justine joined Retrospecticus during the summer of 2009 and has been a welcome addition.
Derrick Ramos - saxophone
Derrick Ramos began his musical voyage as a saxophonist at the age of nine. Graduating from Westbrook High School in Westbrook, Maine, Derrick played saxophone for the school?fs combo and jazz ensemble. During his high school career, Derrick won several state and regional jazz festival awards, including the Berklee College of Music High School Jazz Festival Outstanding Musicianship Award for Woodwinds in 2001 and 2003. From 2000-2003 Derrick was one of five saxophonists chosen as a member of the Maine High School All-Star Jazz Band, which opened for world-class musicians such as Dave Brubeck, Cleo Lane & Johnny Dankworth, and Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra for the annual Maine Jazz Festival. While attending Berklee College of Music at the age of 18 to pursue saxophone/woodwind performance, Derrick maintained a busy performance schedule as a freelance saxophonist throughout the New England area. Playing in Funk, live hip-hop, and dance party groups, to performing with local Indie-Rock band such as Boston-based band Ranger Poacher Bear, he had established himself as an all around player. Derrick has performed and recorded through out the United States, the US Virgin Islands, and the Philippines. He has toured with Spiritual Rez, a Boston-based, nationally touring reggae/funk band. During his time with Spiritual Rez, Derrick had the pleasure of performing and sharing the stage with legendary musician Bernie Worrell (best known for work with Parliament-Funkadelic and Talking Heads). Aside from performing with Retrospecticus, Derrick can be found performing with his jazz quartet, Midweek Jazz, and Dreamosaic, a live electronica band who was recently chosen for a spot in Relix Magazine?fs November sampler CD and featured in the "On The Rise" section of the November 2009 issue.
Chris Marro - drums
Chris Marro grew up in South Portland, Maine and began playing drums at the age of 9. Chris studied drums and percussion with Phil Verrill, one of the top New England drum instructors. With Phil's guidance, Chris started his teaching career in the greater Portland area in 1999. Chris is currently employed by the Bath, Cape Elizabeth and Westbrook School Departments as their percussion specialist. He also teaches drum lessons privately at the Drum Shop and taught at the Tony Boffa School of Music for over 10 years. Chris is the director of the New England Percussion Camp Association?fs annual summer camp. Over the years, Chris has become one of the most demanded private instructors in the area. From 1999-2002, Chris was the percussion instructor for the Westbrook High School Marching Band. Chris also helped to instruct the Southern Maine Youth Percussion Ensemble into national competition at the WGI world finals in 2001 and 2002. In 2005, Chris graduated from the University of Southern Maine with a B.A. in Communication and Media Studies. Chris played drums for The Tony Boffa Band for 2 years and is currently the drummer for the band Retrospecticus.
