Kenneth Roy Berry has been playing drums since the age of 4, and piano keyboard since the age of 6. Later he took up singing and percussion as additional music focal points. Kenneth's keyboard mentors have been wizard Dick Hindman and Si Perkoff, and his drums/percussion guidance comes from Colin Bailey and Bob Belanski. Kenneth has over 500 copyrights for his original songs and 5 CD albums to his credit. All 5 albums can be listened to and purchased at www.wireonfire.com. Kenneth enjoys working with Jazz Roots on many musical styles and songs.
Chris Braun
Born April 17th, 1953. Chris Braun was raised in San Anselmo, CA. He started playing drums at age 10, and began working professionally at age 14. Chris attended Oberlin Conservatory for 1 year, then toured with the Black Earth Percussion Ensemble before moving to New York City to play Jazz in 1973. From his first days in New York City until he left 17 years later, he played and worked with musicians like Dave Liebman, Steve Grossman, George Coleman, Joe Lovano, Alex Foster, Jack McDuff, Jack Walrath, Chet Baker, Eddie Jefferson, Dave Stryker, Ryo Kawasaki, JohnScofield,Dennis Irwin, Barry Finnerty, Mike Wolf, Jim McNeeley, Richie Beirach, Armen Donelian , the legendary tap dance club The Copesetics, and many more. IN 1985 he started studying Tai Chi Chuan with William C.C.Chen. His successful career was cut short when he was hit in the head in an armed robbery with a shotgun. His injury caused him to leave New York City in 1989 for recovery reasons. For the last 22 years his recovery has defied the limited processes of Western medicine. Through his study of the martial art Tai Chi Chuan, Western style boxing, Drumming and music, and most note worthy and important his treatment and study with Dr. Pindy Wong P.h D. lic. Acc., O., M., D., and basic Discipline, Chris has completely changed his life to become healthy and free from all Western medicine practices. These many years of extreme discipline have allowed him to obtain a working knowledge of health and well being, as well as Martial Arts, but most important to move steadily toward his goal of Playing the Drums and music to the best of his ability. Chris has been working with Jazz Roots for over 9 years, and also plays Hammond Organ and Keyboards. He plays Gretsch Drums and Zildjian Cymbals.
Barry Finnerty
Barry Finnerty was born December 3rd, 1951 in San Francisco, CA. He studied classical piano from age 5, and got his first guitar at age 13.. Barry lived in Hong Kong from 1965 to 1966, and played his first professional jobs including for Herman's Hermits. Later he returned to San Francisco in 1966, and played in various bands while also attending Berkelee School Of Music in Boston in 1971. Barry moved to New York City in 1973. He played and recorded with Chico Hamiton, Airto and Flora Purim, Hubert Laws, Joe Farrell, Ray Barretto, the Brecker Brothers (Heavy Metal Bebop), the Crusaders (Street Life), Miles Davis (Man With The Horn), Billy Cobham, Blood, Sweat and Tears, Jon Hammond, Taj Mahal, Didier Lockwood, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, Teruo Nakamura, The Negatives and many more. He is also 1 of 5 photographers chosen to show work at the Washington Square Art Exhibition in Greenwich Village. He has six albums to his credit as well. Barry returned to the San Francisco Bay Area (Oakland, CA) in 1988. He continues to work professionally, tour and record worldwide. His recent projects include an album with Children On The Corner (a group of Miles Davis alumni with Michael Henderson, Sonny Fortune, Badal Roy, Ndugu Chancelor, Mike Wolf) touring Germany. Also including a live set with Trazz and Deep Down And Out.
