Meet the Band

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Meet the Band *

vocalists

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frank madrigal

Frank is a 1976 graduate of Omaha South. While there, Frank met his wife, Peggy Yambor, who graduated from South the same year they were married, 1978. They have one daughter, Jourdan; a son-in-law, Pat Burke; and a grandson, Lowen James. Frank played trumpet at South in both the concert and jazz bands and was offered the opportunity to perform in Travis during his junior year. He opted out for personal reasons, a decision he has since regretted. During his senior year, he made his public singing debut in Sound Off, performing “Love Won’t Let Me Wait” by Major Harris, and formed the band Easy Street. Frank has performed in numerous cover bands, sings at weddings, and was involved with the Grace University Community Choir for five years. In 2003, he was asked to sing the National Anthem for George W. Bush at Air-Light Plastics, where his brother-in-law, John Otto (Class of ’72), was Vice President of Operations. Frank currently performs with the swing jazz bands The Dapper Kings and ArhythMix.

Male Lead Vocalist
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angela curran

Angela grew up surrounded by music. Her father played bass in bands that played all over Nebraska. As a toddler, she often tried to get up on stage to dance and sing along with the band (ABC by the Jackson 5 was a favorite). Angela started singing at a young age and was very active in chamber choirs, swing choirs, and theater in middle school and high school (Go Lincoln East Spartans!). She studied theater and biology at UNL and was cast in several productions while there. She then entered UNMC's nursing program and earned both her bachelor's and master's in advanced practice nursing. She currently works as a Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner. Her knowledge of medicine comes in handy for the older members of Travis. Angela is a proud mom to two sons (Ben and Alex). For local blues guitar aficionados, Angela is better known as "Ben's Mom." Angela enjoys being in a band with her husband, Dan, and loves it when her son, Ben, can join them.

Female Lead Vocalist

horn section

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Joel edwards

Joel received a BA in music education in 1977, and received a MS in Audiology in 1984, and a Doctoral Degree, Au.D. from ATSU in Phoenix, Arizona 2010. Joel is currently an audiologist for Boys Town National Research Hospital. Joel Edwards performs with various groups in the area that include the Solid Brass Quartet, Omaha Brassworks, Omaha Trumpet Ensemble, Lincoln Trumpet Ensemble, Omaha Big Band, Blue House, and the Rent to Own Horns, Resurrected Swing Big Band, and Gooch’s Las Vegas Jazz band that performs in Omaha regularly. Joel has also performed with Ray Charles, Temptations, Four Tops, The Mighty Sam McClain, Johnny Mathis, Omaha Symphony Pops Orchestra and has played trumpet on many Broadway shows coming through the Omaha Metro that include Grease, Cinderella, Annie, Sound of Music, Damn Yankees, Crazy For You, Dream Girls (Dianna Ross Story), Fiddler on the Roof, Spamalot, MJ, Some Like it Hot, and Funny Girl to mention a few.

Lead Trumpet
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steve Thornburg

Steve Thornburg delivers a unique package of soulful and funky music to the Travis Band. He takes inspiration from saxophone heroes like King Curtis, Maceo Parker, and Jr. Walker. Coming from a background in jazz, Steve has continuously led groups in the Omaha area since the 1980’s. Having held longstanding terms at such venues as Gallagher’s, The Savoy, Gorat’s, the Market Basket, and the Side Door, he is well-established in the local scene. Additionally, he has led groups that have performed regularly at public events such as the Summer Arts Festival, the Taste of Omaha, and Jazz on the Green. He counts himself fortunate to have played in Memphis with Charlie Wood (jazz organist, singer, composer), in Omaha and Hadley, MA with Karrin Allyson (5x Grammy nominee), and with Omaha-based singer Michael Lyon. During his school days, Steve admired the original Travis Band and feels honored to have been inducted into the Nebraska Music Hall of Fame as a member of the NEW Travis Band.

Alto Saxophone

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Tenor Saxophone / Vocalist

Glenn Prettyman

A “re-tread” to Travis, Glenn played with the band for 5+ years in the mid/late 70’s and early 80’s, and then re-joined the band in January of 2024. He was also a founding member of the band “Rockin’ Horse” and played with the Lincoln-based band “Windsong” during his undergrad days at UNL. In addition to his rock-band music ventures, Glenn has also enjoyed being cast for main-stage leading roles in “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “42 nd Street” at local community theaters and was a featured vocalist at multiple Omaha Press Club annual shows. Glenn considers himself the NEW Old Guy of the band!

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Baritone Saxophone

JJ mastny

JJ grew up listening to his mother and grandfather play music in dance halls and all over Eastern Nebraska. He started saxophone lessons at age 7 and continued through Fremont High School (FHS), studying under the late Brian Anderson. JJ earned two Louis Armstrong Jazz Musician awards at FHS. JJ continued to play tenor and baritone saxophone in the Jazz Ensemble, Hockey Band, and Wind Ensemble at UNO while studying music performance. He sat in with local dance bands, including the Duffy Belorad Band, Marlyn Grubbs, The Skyliners, and others, but developed a love for modern jazz and funk music, ranging from Gordon Goodwin and Buddy Rich to Maceo Parker and Tower of Power.

rhythm section

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emmanuel Michael vlassakis

Mike was the son of a drummer, Aristotle John Vlassakis, with whom he began instruction at age 5. Mike studied under the legendary Luigi Waites and the great Chris Stovall. Mike was an original member of Travis and played until the band dissolved in the early 80s. A core group of Travis musicians then formed Rockin Horse, which performed in Omaha’s feature clubs of that era. Subsequently, Mike performed with other bands such as the MachPhonics, the Controllers, Bamboo Magoo, Charlie in the Box, and other music projects, including ethnic music and instrumental ensembles. Mike was also involved with session and voice-over work for commercials. Mike hopes that reforming this group with some original members can honor the legacy and the memories of former members who have departed this life — Albert “Red” Travis, Robert Jergovic, Sylvester “Jake” Jakopovic, may they rest in peace.” Cheers!

Drummer / Vocalist : 1972 Original Member
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dan curran

Dan Curran started his music journey in the mid 70s playing heavy metal and funk music in a number of basement bands in the Upland Park area of South Omaha. The bands in that area played everything from Black Sabbath to Ohio Players to Led Zeppelin and to Parliament. While attending Omaha South, Dan played bass for the stage band directed by Red Travis. While at Omaha South, Red asked Dan to audition for Travis. At 18, he was the youngest member and was referred to as “Young Dan.” After Travis dissolved, four members formed the band Rockin’ Horse, which played music from bands such as Steely Dan, Rush, Styx, and Journey. Dan moved to Lincoln and formed the band DV8, and played 80s dance music such as INXS, The Fixx, The Cure, and Michael Jackson. In 2018, Dan spent time with Mike Vlassakis to assemble a band to play old blue-eyed soul music -- welcome to the new version of TRAVIS. 


Bassist : 1978
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Guitarist

dave steen

Dave Steen has had a phenomenal music career; he is the guitarist and vocalist for Columbia Records’ Hawks.  Wrote & sang “RIGHT AWAY”, #63 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.  Another song on the eponymous first album,  “It’s All Right, It’s OK” reached #32 on Billboard’s Top Tracks AOL chart. “I’ve Changed My Mind” as recorded by The Bama Band #70 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart. Over 143 releases as a songwriter by artists including Eric Burdon, Solomon Burke, Maria Muldaur, B.J. Thomas, Junior Wells, James Cotton, Son Seals, Coco Montoya, Larry McCray, John Primer, Michael Burks, Terry Evans, Big Daddy Kinsey, Sherman Robertson, Tonic Sol-Fa, Jo-El Sonnier, Shaun Murphy, and others. 2015 solo CD “Town Full Of Secrets” received a 3 ½ star rating from DOWNBEAT magazine, reaching #31 on the IBBA International Blues Broadcasters chart. Songs on two Grammy© - nominated albums, in two feature films, and performed on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” and “The Late Show with David Letterman”. Twenty appearances over five decades on Billboard album and singles charts, including #1 Billboard Blues Chart for Coco Montoya’s “Writing On The Wall” in 2024. Two-time inductee into the Iowa Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.  Also inducted into the Nebraska Performing Arts Hall of Fame 2022 and the Nebraska Music Hall of Fame 2024.

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Pianist

gery illgner

Gery began playing piano/organ and drums in Omaha while in grade school. Growing up in a musical family, he was surrounded by singing & harmonies, and at the age of 9 began piano lessons with the nuns in Catholic grade school. Drum lessons were added to the mix... playing rock'n'roll and at church continued throughout grade school, high school, college, and beyond. Gery played in numerous bands throughout school, and his first early gigs included neighborhood parties & carnivals, and playing for grade school parties (including his own grade school graduation party). Gery studied music while enrolled in the College of Music at the University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO); classical music, jazz bands, and also trained with Tony Gulizia. Enjoying all styles of music, it financed his college education, especially when the gigs were steady (Omaha agents Subby Anzaldo and Eddy Haddad kept his band "Now & Then" playing on a steady basis in the clubs in the Nebraska - Iowa region). By the time Gery received an offer to play on cruise ships in the Caribbean, he had changed his major from Music and had his Business Degree at UNO. A few years later, Gery retired from music and did not return to the stage for 15 years. When a surprise birthday party needed a band, friends from his old bands (Fat Dog Boogie Band and MacNasty) travelled to Kansas City from Omaha, Chicago, and New York to create a Blues Brothers-style band.