Bio's
John Hill
Lead Vocal & Percussion / Bandleader
John began performing at the young age of 8 years old with his father bandleader Joe "Joey Daniels" Hill and his big band with local legends such as guitarist Franny Beecher from Bill Haley & The Comets, drummer Jack Pastorius father to the late great Jaco Pastorius and other noted musicians.
John started out playing saxophone and studied jazz, big band and rock n roll through his childhood years while being influenced by Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, Chicago, Steely Dan and Earth Wind & Fire.
Singing became John's focus over the years and has performed with various entertainers including Jim Belushi, Wayne Newton, Jay Leno and other note worthy musicians.
Having such a wide range and love for various genre's John began to build The Dirty Dance Band with versatility and first rate musicianship to offer music that will touch all time periods.
Toby Johnson
Internationally renowned Drummer
Internationally renowned Drummer - is also a songwriter, arranger, and producer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Toby is well versed in a variety of musical styles, including Jazz, Fusion,
R&B, Rock, Pop, Reggae, and Gospel, and has traveled the world extensively from coast to coast, including five (5) continents. Toby is an Atlantic Records Recording Artist, and was the original drummer for the International recording group CHANGE, which featured Luther Vandross as lead vocalist, producing two number one hits: Glow of Love and Searching. In addition to CHANGE, Toby has performed and toured with the following Artists:
- Chubby Checker - Denise Williams
- The Force MD’s - Billy Paul
- Freddie Jackson - Ray, Goodman, and Brown
- Evelyn “Champagne” King - Chi-Lites
- Melba Moore - Dee Dee Sharp
- Stylistics - Cameo
Toby has also had the privilege to tour and share the stage with these Artists as well:
- Madonna - Little Richard
- The Beach Boys - REO Speedwagon
- Chuck Berry - K C and The Sunshine Band
- Paula Abdul - Heavy D
- Michael Bolton - Run DMC
- Color Me Badd - Club Nouveau
Toby continues to devote his time to performing, writing, arranging, and studio work. He performs a variety of musical requests, including background vocals, lyrics, instrumental and vocal arrangements.
Kenneth ‘Kalah’ Higginbotham
Keyboard / Vocalist
A native of Philadelphia; an artist, pianist, keyboardist, synthesist and an Emmy nominated producer he studied music at and graduated from The University of Pennsylvania, earning his bachelors degree in Theatre Arts.
His influences range from Oscar Peterson and Count Basie to Herbie Hancock, Sting, Michael Jackson, The Beatles and others. He has played for and performed with artists such as Billy Paul, Dee Dee Sharp, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, The Intruders, the rock group Hit The Ground Runnin’, Freddie Jackson, The Ebonys and the legendary R&B group. He currently works with The Dirty Dance Band, The Psychedelic Pimps, Earth Wonder Fire (Earth, Wind and Fire / Stevie Wonder tribute band) and a host of other groups. He is a member of The Original Groove Circus Band and divides his time between performing, film scoring and producing various styles of music along with creating other forms of multimedia through his company Spats Productions, Inc.
Sharon Kornet
Vocalist
Sharon comes from a very musical family and started entertaining crowds at an early age, singing with local artists in her teens. She recorded and appeared in videos and commercials that aired on MTV, has done studio work for many artists including The Sharks and recorded with Ritchie Sambora and Tico Torres of Bon Jovi. Went from the club scene to performing with various artists at hundreds of venues for weddings and private parties in the Philadelphia area, Atlantic City, New York, The Catskills, and Sicily, Italy. Range from rock, R & B, Jazz, Soul, Standards,
Ramona Hunter
Vocalist
Ramona Hunter, Philly native, has been singing and band leading in the tri-state area and beyond for more than 2 decades Her gospel infused, dynamic voice has graced stages all over the U.S. and abroad that have included the Kimmel Center and BB Kings in Midtown, New York City! Ramona has been singing her entire life from the time she was a child in the church gospel choir at the age of 5 and all through elementary school and college to when she began singing professionally in the early 90s. She was performing at her church when a visitor came up to her after services and asked if she would be interested in singing with the Peter Scott Reuben Orchestra which was a local wedding band. It’s been almost 20 years since that fateful day and Ramona is now a band leader and vocalist with one of the top entertainment companies on the east coast, CTO Orchestras.
If you ask Ramona, what her favorite kind of music is, she will quickly admit that she loves all kinds of music and always has. Everything from psychedelic 70's to classical to blues to standards to pop and top 40. However, she also says her first love is Gospel. “It’s what I grew up on and the emotion in that music is so powerful. As a result, everything I sing has a bit of that gospel influence.” To experience her is to be enveloped in a dynamic musical warmth. Snuggle up and enjoy.
Joe "Stretch" Vinson
Guitar & Vocal
Stretch reigns from Camden New Jersey and is an international recording artist and worked with Philly International "Gamble & Huff", Cameo Parkway, Philly World and many others. From a young age his love for the guitar led him to the sounds of Jeff Beck, Jimmy Hendrix, George Benson, Eric Clapton. Stretch is a versatile guitarist in various styles of music including Funk, R&B, Rock n Roll, Pop and Latin Jazz and has traveled the world playing in multiple countries such as France, Spain, England, Africa as well as backing-up international artists in Las Vegas, for a period of years.
As a touring musician Stretch found himself playing with world renowned artists including:
Eddie Money, Al Jarreau, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Billy Paul, South Soul Orchestra, Carl Carlton, Cintron, Major Harris, Pretty Poison, Dee Dee Sharp & The Ebonies and has since joined The Dirty Dance Band in 2018.
Stretch continues to work on his craft performing live & recording new material and his love for music continues to grow and flourish.
Craig "edge" edgerton
Trombone / Vocalist / percussionist
As a proud member of The Dirty Dance Band since August 2019, Trombonist / Vocalist / Percussionist: Craig "EDGE" Edgerton emerged from the PA/NJ regional tour scene. The always encouraging, entertaining personality has been recognized from multiple musical organizations, playing in 5 different states. Since 2012, he's played at festivals, theaters, top venues and parades in a support role or lead frontman. Edge has upped his game with soul, pop, and R&B playing covers, originals, and continues to perform on new releases, live shows, and collaborations with studio/recording work. He appears on a number of albums, and continues to study and mirror The Greats!
Dan O'Brien
Saxophone
A woodwind major at Lebanon Valley College, Dan spent several years after college playing saxophone and flute with local R&B band, Half Moon, and later with the classic rock band, Springfield, playing alongside bassist Bennie Sims of GrooveMasters fame. In 2012 Dan played several concert dates with a reconstituted Half Moon Band, leading to a long-term association with the Allen Reynolds Band as featured saxophonist and backup vocalist. In 2020, Dan joined Dirty Dance Band to pursue the next level in performing. Other notable musicians that Dan has played extensively with include drummer Chuck Bazemore (Patti LaBelle, Weather Report) and guitarist Wendell Sewell (Gerald Veasley, Rick Braun).
Citywoodz
Vocalist
Citywoodz is a native of Philadelphia PA, an artist, songwriter and live performer.
At an early age he started singing for his Mother "Rod Stewart" and other artists in the 90's and it was at that time the family realized this young man had talent.
His musical influences were singers such as Bobby Brown, Luther Vandross & Babyface.Citywoodz started to explore his youthful talents and immediately became obsessed with various styles of music including Hip Hop, Funk, Soul, Rock and R&B. At that time he began to perform and compete in talent contests and went on to win BET's 15 minutes of fame and the storyline began.
Citywoodz professional career as a vocalist took off and he became Philly's rising star and began to open & tour with international and regional artists which include Jay-Z, DMX, Kelly Rowland, Trey Songz & Chrisette Michele. He also recorded performed on tracks with Oschino, DA Mac & GrandMarq.
Currently he is the lead male vocalist with The Dirty Dance Band and continues to work on his debut album with SPATS Productions, Inc. of Philadelphia and hopes to have the record released very soon.