Neil Campisano, Drums
photo by Lee Holmes
While mostly self taught Neil has had a few perspective changing moments in his drumming career. From a private lesson with Gary Chaffee, to spending a day in the studio with Alex Acuna, to the countless hours spent at drum clinics and live shows where he can usually be found in the best seat in the place; as close to the drummer as possible!!
Since settling in Northern California in 2007 he has established himself as an in demand drummer playing everything thing from Blues to Jazz and Country to Classic Rock with a big ole’ helping of the Grateful Dead catalog. Whether he’s sitting in for a headlining spot with Achilles Wheel at Just Exactly Perfect Fest or opening up for Joe Louis Walker at the Sophia Theatre with Katie Knipp, he can easily adapt to the situation at hand. He’s had the pleasure of sharing the stage with members of Phil Lesh and Friends, co-billed with the likes of Moonalice and Joe Craven, and has played with over 100 different musicians. These days between fill-ins, one off gigs and the 10 main bands he plays with (Katie Knipp, The Todd Gardner Band, Old Mule, Saints of Circumstance, The Aaron Brown Band, The Nipper Brothers, Commerce TX, Balling That Jack, August Jazz Band and The Joe Nipper Blues Band) his calendar is pretty full, so if you’re looking for him there’s a good chance you’ll find him sitting behind his kit.
Tomaselli moved from Ecuador at age 20 to attend the Berklee College of Music, but not to study bass. Instead he graduated with a degree in Music Business and Management. From there he moved to Los Angeles, where he landed a high position with Virgin Records in its A&R department, which led him to work with Janet Jackson, the Rolling Stones, Lenny Kravitz, Ben Harper, and a slew of others before he got the itch to jump to the other side of the desk to pursue music once again. Several bands instantly recruited him before he got the call to join War, a bass chair he proudly held for 16 years. This eventually led to him stepping in for Rocco Prestia in Tower Of Power for a series of tours in 2013. From there, Tomaselli decided to create his own music. That’s when he helped form the rock trio Philm, featuring drummer Dave Lombardo (Slayer) and guitarist Gerry Nestler. Now sans Lombardo, Philm is preparing to release its third album, Time Burner. The release will coincide with the debut album, Original Human Music, from his other outfit, Ultraphonix, a hard-hitting rock supergroup that features Corey Glover (Living Colour), George Lynch (Dokken), and drummer Chris Moore. When he’s not occupied with those bands, Tomaselli is keeping busy writing original music and scores with his old mates from Dig Infinity and selling his newly signature-series basses from G&L Guitars.
Steve Utstein, Hammond Organ, Wurlitzer, Rhodes, Cello
Steve was born in New Zealand and grew up playing mostly classical music, earning a degree in composition. He became fluent, and then masterful, first on cello, and then on keyboards.
Steve moved to Chicago in 1996, touring and gigging with many blues artists including Junior Wells, Lonnie Brooks, and Bo Diddley.
Two years later, he moved to Hawaii and joined up as keyboardist of the Piranha Brothers.
After his stint with the PBs, Steve moved to LA and began a plethora of sessions and recording, touring and recording with members of the Rolling Stones and Guns and Roses bands.
Steve was an active member of Café R and B for 20 years, a band that once again took him around the world. He now lives outside San Francisco playing funk and blues - living the dream! Katie and Co. are pleased as punch to play with him.
Quinn Hedges, Lead Guitar and Haromony Vocals
Quinn Hedges is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Although he is a versatile musician, having dabbled in a mesh of genres including folk, rock, and jazz, he considers himself a blues player at heart. Quinn started his musical journey in Delaware, where he was born and raised in a very musical family.
Quinn’s first instrument was the trumpet, then the piano, and finally, he became hooked on the common twang of the guitar at age 15. He continued his musical career throughout high school, later moving to California to earn a degree in music. It was at this time that he became serious about songwriting and began to hone his talent. This hard work and determination led to the creation of his all-original, self-titled, debut album: “Quinn Hedges” in 2006, and in 2010, he released his sophomore effort, the acoustic-based album “Without You”.
With all this experience under his belt, including playing in several different bands, rigorous gigging as a solo musician, and having written so much original music, Quinn decided it was high time to start his own group. Thus, “The Quinn Hedges Band”, came to be in 2009. The band released “Step Outside” in 2012 and eventually split in 2013.
From 2013 through 2016, Quinn teamed up with his cousin, John B Hedges, and released his finest album to date, "Slightly South of Stormy Clouds" (Mixed by Grammy Award Winner Tim Sonnefeld & Mastered by the legendary Bob Ludwig).
In 2023, Quinn self-produced a Holiday album, “Night Divine” which blends his interpretations of secular and non-secular Christmas classics into his unique style.
In 2024, Quinn collaborated with John B Hedges and Mike Strickland to release “Summer in Dewey” which focuses on growing up and spending Summers in Dewey Beach, Delaware.
Aside from solo performances, Quinn currently plays in, “The Burnt Ends” and an acoustic duo with Michael Gregory, called “Hedges and Gregory”. Quinn previously played in several Sacramento-based bands, such as The Outcome and Fair Trade.
Quinn is also a 3x Semi-Finalist in the International Songwriting Competition: Without You (2013) - Forever More (2016) - Through Your Eyes (2025).
Since 2003, Quinn has been playing in restaurants, dive bars, wine bars, wineries, clubs, theaters, weddings, private events, opened for numerous national touring acts, and even performed the national anthem at a Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Lakers game.
A renowned artist who is known for the truth and wisdom behind his lyrics, Quinn creates soulful and relatable music, which touches a wide array of audiences.
Justin Au, Trumpet
Justin is an alumnus of the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society’s jazz education programs and one of the finest high-school jazz programs in the nation. Playing a variety of jazz styles, he has toured New York, Japan, Puerto Rico, China, and Brazil. He has also played at jazz festivals all over the nation. While living in San Luis Obispo, he served as co-director of the official youth band of the Basin Street Regulars Jazz Society in Pismo Beach, and has worked as a clinician with student musicians at the Teagarden Jazz Festival. As a passionate music educator, he has taught after-school jazz programs in San Juan and Sac City for 4 years, substitute taught in music for 2 years, and became a fully credentialed teacher in 2019. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Ensembles for the Sacramento Youth Band (since 2018), and instrumental music teacher for Vacaville Unified School District (since 2019).
Justin can be heard regularly with various groups as well as Katie Knipp such as The Crescent Katz, Peter Petty, Harley White Jr. Orchestra, Jessica Malone, The West End Stompers, Element Brass Band, Herdin Cats Big Band, and the Cunha Big Band.
Brandon Au (trombone/english baritone/tuba) teaches low brass and performs traditional jazz regularly in the Sacramento area. Currently involved in the Sacramento Jazz Education Foundation, he has produced educational online content for the Lesson Bank (Youtube) and has worked to integrate Traditional Jazz into school band programs through the Trad Jazz Project; past schools including Arden Middle School, Churchill Middle School, and Sutter Middle School. Before graduating with a music performance degree at CSU Hayward, Brandon toured Europe with the CSU Hayward jazz ensemble, and again with the Stanford Jazz Orchestra. He has worked as a clinician at the Teagarden Jazz Festival, Teagarden Jazz Camp and the Pacific Jazz Camp (UOP).
He has performed with Dave Eshelman’s Jazz Garden Big Band, Colossus West, Jacam Manricks Big Band, Byron Colborn Big Band, Anthony Coleman II’s Simplistic Big Band, Dellow Band, Tropicali Flames, Pacific Standard Jazz Orchestra, The Nibblers and many more. Brandon has also subbed with Steelin’ Dan, Fulton Street Jazz Band, Sister Swing, The Jonathan Stout Big Band, The Grand St. Stompers, Greg Ruby’s Rhythm Runners and Cell Block 7.
Today, he can be heard regularly with Katie Knipp, Harley White Jr. Jazz Orchestra, Element Brass Band, Peter Petty & His Terpsichoreans, The Auchestra, The Auctet, The Crescent Katz, West End Stompers, Don Neely’s Royal Society Jazz Orchestra, the Jessica Malone Band and The Cunha Big Band.
Raul Sandoval, Saxophone and Clarinet
Raul Sandoval is a versatile and very active saxophonist across Northern California’s blues, funk, R&B and Jazz scenes. A seasoned performer of 30 years, he holds down the baritone sax in Joy and Madness while bringing fiery tenor sax and melodic clarinet to Katie Knipp’s horn section—enhancing her music with bluesy phrasing and tight ensemble playing. With a deep respect for groove and feel, Raul’s playing strikes a balance between power and nuance, whether holding down low-end weight or weaving expressive solos. His experience shines in both live shows and studio work, always serving the song while leaving his mark.