Altered Five Bio
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Founded in 2002 by five Southern Wisconsin music veterans, Altered Five has built a solid reputation for performing
an exciting brand of “rockin’ rhythm ’n’ blues.” The group performs funky, danceable versions of popular rock songs
from the 1970s to today.
“They bring something new to a familiar tune,” says Wisconsin music critic Jason Keil. “Think of Thomas Dolby’s ‘She
Blinded My with Science’ with the new-wave keyboards replaced by a cool, harmonically rich guitar riff or Lenny
Kravitiz’s ‘Are You Gonna Go My Way’ transformed into an elegant blues song.”
The group’s setlist also features hits originally recorded by Prince, Bruce Springsteen, U2, Aerosmith, the Rolling
Stones, Van Morrison, INXS, Led Zeppelin, Sting, David Bowie, along with soulful interpretations of songs by Paul
Butterfield, Buddy Guy, James Brown, Billy Preston, and others. Notable performances by the band include
appearances at Summerfest, Shank Hall, Miller Park, Dane Dances, Waukesha Blues Fest, Rivershpash, Land's End
Concert Series, John Hancock concert Series (Chicago), Famous Dave's (Minneapolis), Madison's 105.5 "Live in
Studio M," and Channel 4 (NBC) and Channel 6 (Fox) television morning shows.
Altered Five emerged from diverse musical backgrounds. Guitarist Jeff Schroedl and his brother, drummer Scott,
were members of the original rock band Tambora from 1988-1993. Jeff released a jazz-rock solo album on
Audioimage Records in 1994 and began performing with bassist Mark Solveson in various local jazz groups. From
1999-2001, Solveson and the Schroedl brothers joined former Ruby Star and Jukebox Heroes keyboardist Steve
Huebler in the blues-rock group Todd Greene & The Blue Machine. After the group disbanded, the foursome came up
with the idea to form a new band that would blend rock tunes with rhythm ’n’ blues grooves. They auditioned singers
and eventually found Jeff Taylor, who is also an accomplished pianist and Principal at West Allis Middle School.
Taylor’s powerful voice proved to be the missing link and the group Altered Five was officially formed.
In 2006 keyboardist Ray Tevich, best-known for his work with Rhythm Method and Light Up, replaced Huebler. Shortly
thereafter, in the midst of an increased performance schedule, the group began recording its first full-length album,
Bluesified!, which was released in May of 2008 nationwide by Cold Wind Records. The Minneapolis Star Tribune
stated, "Altered Five's smokin' and fun-filled release makes a strong case for turning the whole Hot 100 into
roadhouse fodder . . . a righteous blast, a reasonably fresh concept pulled off beautifully."
The band continues to perform 3-5 dates per month and has begun work on their second DC, which will include at
least a few A5 originals, say tuned!
an exciting brand of “rockin’ rhythm ’n’ blues.” The group performs funky, danceable versions of popular rock songs
from the 1970s to today.
“They bring something new to a familiar tune,” says Wisconsin music critic Jason Keil. “Think of Thomas Dolby’s ‘She
Blinded My with Science’ with the new-wave keyboards replaced by a cool, harmonically rich guitar riff or Lenny
Kravitiz’s ‘Are You Gonna Go My Way’ transformed into an elegant blues song.”
The group’s setlist also features hits originally recorded by Prince, Bruce Springsteen, U2, Aerosmith, the Rolling
Stones, Van Morrison, INXS, Led Zeppelin, Sting, David Bowie, along with soulful interpretations of songs by Paul
Butterfield, Buddy Guy, James Brown, Billy Preston, and others. Notable performances by the band include
appearances at Summerfest, Shank Hall, Miller Park, Dane Dances, Waukesha Blues Fest, Rivershpash, Land's End
Concert Series, John Hancock concert Series (Chicago), Famous Dave's (Minneapolis), Madison's 105.5 "Live in
Studio M," and Channel 4 (NBC) and Channel 6 (Fox) television morning shows.
Altered Five emerged from diverse musical backgrounds. Guitarist Jeff Schroedl and his brother, drummer Scott,
were members of the original rock band Tambora from 1988-1993. Jeff released a jazz-rock solo album on
Audioimage Records in 1994 and began performing with bassist Mark Solveson in various local jazz groups. From
1999-2001, Solveson and the Schroedl brothers joined former Ruby Star and Jukebox Heroes keyboardist Steve
Huebler in the blues-rock group Todd Greene & The Blue Machine. After the group disbanded, the foursome came up
with the idea to form a new band that would blend rock tunes with rhythm ’n’ blues grooves. They auditioned singers
and eventually found Jeff Taylor, who is also an accomplished pianist and Principal at West Allis Middle School.
Taylor’s powerful voice proved to be the missing link and the group Altered Five was officially formed.
In 2006 keyboardist Ray Tevich, best-known for his work with Rhythm Method and Light Up, replaced Huebler. Shortly
thereafter, in the midst of an increased performance schedule, the group began recording its first full-length album,
Bluesified!, which was released in May of 2008 nationwide by Cold Wind Records. The Minneapolis Star Tribune
stated, "Altered Five's smokin' and fun-filled release makes a strong case for turning the whole Hot 100 into
roadhouse fodder . . . a righteous blast, a reasonably fresh concept pulled off beautifully."
The band continues to perform 3-5 dates per month and has begun work on their second DC, which will include at
least a few A5 originals, say tuned!
Jeff Taylor | Lead Vocals
Lead vocalist and Milwaukee native Jeff Taylor has been singing blues and R&B for years in various area bands, including Moments Notice, Pearl Street, and
The Dave Miller Group He is also an accomplished pianist and trumpet player, and has been known to blow a mean blues harp on rare occasions. Jeff attended
the University of Minnesota and UW LaCrosse, where he was a popular DJ for the university radio station.
Lead vocalist and Milwaukee native Jeff Taylor has been singing blues and R&B for years in various area bands, including Moments Notice, Pearl Street, and
The Dave Miller Group He is also an accomplished pianist and trumpet player, and has been known to blow a mean blues harp on rare occasions. Jeff attended
the University of Minnesota and UW LaCrosse, where he was a popular DJ for the university radio station.
Jeff Schroedl | Guitar, Backing Vocals
Guitarist Jeff Schroedl has performed with blues, jazz, and rock groups in the Milwaukee area for more than 20 years. He was a member of the original rock
group Tambora and appears on the band's 1990 recording, Vale of Tears. In 1994, he released a solo album of jazz-rock instrumental music entitled Prevue on
Audioimage Records. Jeff also plays guitar on a blues album by Todd Greene & the Blue Machine, Burn Baby Burn and on a jazz trio album by Ben Hans,
Drums! Bass! Guitar! In addition to performing, Jeff is Vice President of Popular & Standard Publications for Hal Leonard Corporation. He is the author of several
instructional guitar books, including the Hal Leonard Jazz Guitar Method and FastTrack Guitar Method. He also served as Editor-in-Chief of Guitar One
magazine from 1998-2000, and is now Publisher/Editor of Guitar Edge magazine.
Guitarist Jeff Schroedl has performed with blues, jazz, and rock groups in the Milwaukee area for more than 20 years. He was a member of the original rock
group Tambora and appears on the band's 1990 recording, Vale of Tears. In 1994, he released a solo album of jazz-rock instrumental music entitled Prevue on
Audioimage Records. Jeff also plays guitar on a blues album by Todd Greene & the Blue Machine, Burn Baby Burn and on a jazz trio album by Ben Hans,
Drums! Bass! Guitar! In addition to performing, Jeff is Vice President of Popular & Standard Publications for Hal Leonard Corporation. He is the author of several
instructional guitar books, including the Hal Leonard Jazz Guitar Method and FastTrack Guitar Method. He also served as Editor-in-Chief of Guitar One
magazine from 1998-2000, and is now Publisher/Editor of Guitar Edge magazine.
Mark Solveson | Bass, Backing Vocals
Mark has been playing bass guitar for about 20 years and string bass for over 25 years. He has studied jazz at the University of Iowa, received jazz bass
instruction at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, and has continued as a free-lance jazz bassist in Milwaukee since 1990 where he continues to play with
some of the best jazz musicians in town. As a freelance bassist, he has played a variety of music including classical, 50s, 60s, blues, big band, fusion, and jazz.
Mark has performed on several studio recordings, including blues, jazz, and rock recordings for instructional books, various demo recordings, a live concert with
guitarist Mike Arnold, blues album Burn Baby Burn with the blues group Todd Greene and the Blue Machine, and most recently on the jazz album
Drums!Bass!Guitar! with the Ben Hans trio.
Mark has been playing bass guitar for about 20 years and string bass for over 25 years. He has studied jazz at the University of Iowa, received jazz bass
instruction at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, and has continued as a free-lance jazz bassist in Milwaukee since 1990 where he continues to play with
some of the best jazz musicians in town. As a freelance bassist, he has played a variety of music including classical, 50s, 60s, blues, big band, fusion, and jazz.
Mark has performed on several studio recordings, including blues, jazz, and rock recordings for instructional books, various demo recordings, a live concert with
guitarist Mike Arnold, blues album Burn Baby Burn with the blues group Todd Greene and the Blue Machine, and most recently on the jazz album
Drums!Bass!Guitar! with the Ben Hans trio.
Scott Schroedl | Drums
Drummer Scott Schroedl has been gigging consistently since age twelve in the southern Wisconsin area performing in Pop, Rock, Blues, and Country bands. In
addition to currently gigging with Altered Five, he has also been playing since 1994 with the popular Madison based cover band Heartbreaker. He was a founding
member (with his brother Jeff) of the original rock group Tambora and appears on the band’s 1990 recording, Vale of Tears. He also appears on Jeff Schroedl’s
solo album of jazz rock instrumental music entitled Prevue on Audioimage Records, a blues album by Todd Greene & The Blue Machine, Burn Baby Burn; two
Country CDs by Jessi Lynn entitled Remember Me, and Just Me and My guitar, as well as many other regional band releases.
Additionally, Scott is a full-time musician, performer, Dream Factory recording studio owner, freelance studio player, and popular private-lesson music instructor
based in Madison, Wisconsin. He is an internationally recognized published author of eight drum instructional books, and one DVD through Hal Leonard
Corporation. In addition, Scott is a professional drum transcriber for both Cherry Lane Music and Hal Leonard Corporation. He is also a prolific session drummer,
having recorded well over 275 of the audio CDs (over 3,700 songs) that supplement their instructional books. Scott has earned major endorsements with Aquarian
Drumheads, Axis Pedals, Drum Tech DTS drum tuning system, Noble & Cooley Drums, Paiste Cymbals, and Vic Firth Drumsticks. For more information,
please visit www.scottschroedl.com.
Drummer Scott Schroedl has been gigging consistently since age twelve in the southern Wisconsin area performing in Pop, Rock, Blues, and Country bands. In
addition to currently gigging with Altered Five, he has also been playing since 1994 with the popular Madison based cover band Heartbreaker. He was a founding
member (with his brother Jeff) of the original rock group Tambora and appears on the band’s 1990 recording, Vale of Tears. He also appears on Jeff Schroedl’s
solo album of jazz rock instrumental music entitled Prevue on Audioimage Records, a blues album by Todd Greene & The Blue Machine, Burn Baby Burn; two
Country CDs by Jessi Lynn entitled Remember Me, and Just Me and My guitar, as well as many other regional band releases.
Additionally, Scott is a full-time musician, performer, Dream Factory recording studio owner, freelance studio player, and popular private-lesson music instructor
based in Madison, Wisconsin. He is an internationally recognized published author of eight drum instructional books, and one DVD through Hal Leonard
Corporation. In addition, Scott is a professional drum transcriber for both Cherry Lane Music and Hal Leonard Corporation. He is also a prolific session drummer,
having recorded well over 275 of the audio CDs (over 3,700 songs) that supplement their instructional books. Scott has earned major endorsements with Aquarian
Drumheads, Axis Pedals, Drum Tech DTS drum tuning system, Noble & Cooley Drums, Paiste Cymbals, and Vic Firth Drumsticks. For more information,
please visit www.scottschroedl.com.
Raymond Tevich | Keyboards, Background Vocals
Ray Tevich is one of Milwaukee's busiest keyboardists. He has performed with many top area groups, including Rhythm Method, Light Up, Art Beyond Image,
and Decammeron. Ray was classically trained but soon started playing rock, jazz/rock, blues, and progressive rock. He has also been featured on many
recordings from indie label Heavy "T" Recordings.
Ray Tevich is one of Milwaukee's busiest keyboardists. He has performed with many top area groups, including Rhythm Method, Light Up, Art Beyond Image,
and Decammeron. Ray was classically trained but soon started playing rock, jazz/rock, blues, and progressive rock. He has also been featured on many
recordings from indie label Heavy "T" Recordings.
2007 | Photo by Luke Weber
2004 | Photo by Peter Amft
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