TONY TABOADA

Born on November 30th, 1951, in Havana, Cuba, Tony began taking piano lessons at age 5. "My dad wanted me to be a doctor who played piano at parties, as kind of a fun, social thing." After the family's move to the United States, Tony found that music became more than just a way to meet people. Music became an anchor, a shelter from the alienating feeling of the transmigration experience. At 15, he was playing five nights a week fron 1:00AM to 5:00AM at a local night club. "I learned a lot there. The 9-1 band was Edgar Winters, and we got to use their gear. That was my first exposure to the B-3, and to the wee-wee hours nightfly existance of a musician in general."

Tony's first love is songwriting and through the years has been the driving force behind several original projects. "During my 20's I worked in original bands. Then I got married and had my first kid, and the artistic integrity had to take a back seat to helping put food on the table. Since music is all I can do, I started working my way into the ranks of jobbing musicians. To work steadily, I've had to learn to play the songs everybody knows, but writing is still my heart. It is one of the real pleasures of my life. And I'll probably keep writing and recording as long as they still let me in the studio."

JON PERRY

Jonathan Wayne Perry was born on November 11, 1952 in Houston, Texas. While he was in the eighth grade he lost both of his parents. Shortly after this, Jon dropped out of school and moved to Little Rock, Arkansas where he moved in with a local band living in a comunal situation. During the next two years, Jon was practicing eight hours a day and playing with the band at night. When he returned to Houston two years later he instantly landed a gig with Dean Scott and the Cosmic Cowboys, Houston's hottest band at the time.

Throughout his 20's, Jon played the balancing act having to make a living on one hand and trying to stay creative on the other. He crossed paths with Tony on several occassions, and they did some playing and recording together. After years of the usual musician's routine of going through periods of regular employment followed by lean times, Jon and Tony started working together again with soul singer Tomi Lee Bradley. Their band was playing at Cody's, a penthouse club in Houston's Montrose area. When Commercial Art needed a guitar and keyboard player Tony and Jon were recruited. They have recorded several CD's and opened for national acts like Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers, and Willie Nelson.

ROBERT AGUILAR

Robert Aguilar was born in Houston, Texas to musical family. His grandfather was a guitarist, and his mother was a singer in a conjunto band. Both Robert and his younger brother Michael took up the drums early, and both are still at it proffessionally today.Robert moved to Los Angeles after High School where he got a job touring with Latin star Marcela. His travels took him throughout South America and the Carribean. Between tours Robert became a fisrt call player in LA both for studio work and live engagements.Eventually, he joined Craig & Co., a highly successful Disney act, and toured nationally and recorded several CD's with them.

When he decided that he did not want to raise his children in Los Angeles, he came back to Houston. His timing was perfect for Commercial Art, who happened to be looking for a drummer.

Robert has become a major contributor to the band, not only as a drummer and vocalist, but also as the person in charge of the physical logistics of special events. Robert makes sure the equipment is in working order and set up hours before the event, so that the band can come in and put on a smooth, seemingly effortless show.

KEVIN OLIVIER

When Kevin joined the band, he was in school for audio engineering, working as a dispatcher for a wrecker service and playing in a heavy rock band. He heard about the job opening from his bass teacher, and auditioned for the band. After an ambiguous trial period Kevin finally landed the gig. Being a bit of a metal purist, he had a tough time getting used to playing some of the standards from the 40's the band sometimes play. But in time he adapted to the challenge and has become a well rounded, solid bass player.

Kevin's degree in sound engineering has made him quite an asset to the band. As the band's sound-man, he plays a vital role in getting the Commercial Art Sound. He also sets the pace when it comes to partying after the gig.

JIM BRADY

Jim Brady, trumpet and drums, dropped out of the sky into the ranks of Commercial Art in September of 1999. One month before five year veteran Keith Malonson was going to leave the group, Jim showed up and asked to sit in. It pays to be reluctant to let a stranger jump on stage, but in Jim's case it it was love at first solo. He not only came already equipped with the knowlege of the horn parts to most of the repertoire, but also with a great sense of humor that fit the band like a glove. When he proved to be an ace drummer as well, the band decided not to let him get away.

Originally from New Jersey, Jim has quite an impressive resume. As a student at the University of Miami during his early 20's he toured with the BeeGees and K.C. and the Sunshine Band. He has toured internationally with superstars like Phil Collins, David Crosby (on drums), Bo Diddley, and was a longtime member of southside Johnny and the Ashbury Jukes.

Although Jim loved the life on the road, he decided to give it up during a phone call to his daughter. She was in Jersey, he was in Paris and she said, "Dad, you're missing me growing up!" Jim gave her and his wife a choice. If they could live with him making a lot less money, but being there, he would give up the road and come home. Without pausing to think, they told him to come home. A good friend offered Jim a good position in Houston. The family relocated and Jim had abandoned the thought of playing. 'Till he heard Commercial Art.

CLORIS GRIMES

Cloris Grimes, saxophonist, has become one of Houston's hottest musicians. Born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Cloris attended Florida A&M University where he was a mamber of the world famous "Marching 100". He has worked with some of the biggest names in entertainment such as Michael Jackson and the Jacksons, The O'jays, the Manhattans, The Dells, Millie Jackson and Betty Wright. Cloris' talent hastaken him around the world to places such as Africa, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Scotland amd every major city in the United States.

AYANNA

Ayanna is 24 and is already a legend in her mind. Give her a few years and she might just convince the rest of us. Bandleader Tony Taboada recalls meeting Ayanna for the first time. "I had called some singers out one night to came audition. One of them was named Ayanna. I saw this tall, graceful, exotic looking gal in a black dress and said to myself', "Why can't that be one of the vocalists?'' As I was walking back on stage to start our second set, the striking young lady walked up to me and said,'Hi, I'm Ayanna."

Although she had worked for years as a youth choir director, at the time of her audition she did not know the words to one popular song. But armed with bull's-eye pitch, soprano range,a sweet, unique tone, and a positive attitude, she got the call. In the year she has been in the band she has blossomed into a powerful performer and a favorite with Commercial Art fans.

Ayanna was born in Piscataway, New jersey where her father served his time in the Army Band and her mother sang and played piano with one of Newark's hottest bands.