Backtalk plays a wide range of Motown, Classic 50's & 60's Rock n' Roll,  
Rhythm and Blues, Jazz, and Swing!

 

Greg McQuade: Lead singer, songwriter and arranger, Greg holds a master's degree of music from Ithaca College. He has traveled extensively across the United States performing from Southern California to New York City's Greenwich Village. He has made numerous recordings which include tracks with Beach Boy's bassist Ed Carter and Cinderella's drummer Fred Coury. He has also performed with artist such as Rodney Dangerfield  and John Sebastian of the Lovin' Spoonful. Greg has performed professionally for over twenty five years both as a soloist and with a band. He enjoys a variety of music from the past and present, from jazz, rock or the classics. His energy and professionalism adds to the dynamic chemistry of Backtalk.

Bob Keefe: composer and guitar performer, holds a Ph.D. in composition and has over 50 works to his credit, including three works for orchestra, two rock musicals and a string quartet. Bob has been in residency at the MacDowell Colony, Yaddo, and the Millay Colony for the Arts. A former student of the jazz teacher Jack Petersen, Bob has been active in performing in jazz bands and establishing jazz artist series. He also maintains an active studio of about 40 students in the Ithaca area. He performs regularly with the Backtalk Band and with Jim Lawrence in jazz duo and trio settings.

Mark Joyce: Mark has played in the Ithaca music scene for over 30 years, and played with Jim from 1979-1984 with the band "The Choice", that won the 1984 BBC Great American Rock n' Roll Talent Search. He has also played jazz, rockabilly, bluegrass and many other styles.  He writes and records his own songs, and has a great voice!

Jim Lawrence has been playing for over 30 years in the Ithaca and upstate New York music scene, playing styles from jazz, folk, Motown, fusion, and pop to new wave, bluegrass and rock n' roll.  Jim also plays many jazz gigs with guitarist Bob Keefe, and for Tom Knight's Blue Moon swing band. In 1984 his band "The Choice" won the BBC Great American Rock n' Roll Talent Search.  From 1985 to 1991 Jim was the lead singer in "The Kinetics", and recorded at Electric Wilburland Studios. Jim has been in opening acts for Graham Parker, The Del Fuegos and The Gang of Four.