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MJB

Mosquitos Jam Band

The Mosquitos Jam Band is a Chicago based powerhouse jam band playing a blend of Blues, Alternative, Pop, Dance, Reggae, and Jazz grooves.  The Band has over 100 songs in their catalogue and are launching their Fall 2022 tour with over 15 dates around the Chicago area.

Contact Information

Mundelein, IL

Michael_Orfanos@yahoo.com

Meet The Band

Mosquitos Jam Band

Eli Orfanos

Guitar/Lead & Back Up Vocals

Eli (aka: “Bongo Mike’s” older 1st cousin) is the bands lead vocalist, lead guitarist. Most of his influences are rooted in Classic rock, and the Soul music of the late 60’s, and early 70’s. His voice was formed by emulating the vocal styles of all the great Motown singers. Guitar influences include: Carlos Santana, Duane Allman, BB King, Jimmy Page, and Pete Townshend. Eli is always on the look out for a great melody, either to sing or play on his guitar.

Jill Cornelius

Lead Vocals

Jill is the newest member of the group, and she brings a nice blend of lead vocals and backing harmonies to the mix of songs that we cover. Her experience in other bands throughout the Chicagoland area made the transition to The Mosquitos effortless. Jill is influenced by singers such as Fiona Apple, Joan Osbourne, and Natalie Merchant. In addition to her vocal stylings, she plays a variety of hand percussion to add to the mix of rhythm. She especially likes to play the "Goat Toe Rattle"!!!! .

Glenn McHenry

Bass Guitar/Backup vocals

Before Glenn joined the Mosquitos, the Bass position saw a mish mash of players: a little Ron, a little Eli, and a little Bob (pass the hot potato!.) When we talk about The Mosquitos after Glenn joined, we talk about how his playing has elevated the rhythm section to greater levels. Glenn brings years of expertise to the mix. His influences come from Blues Jazz, & Classic rock music. When he plays you hear Jack Bruce, John Entwhitsle, and if you listen closely he might even pull off a Jaco P. run from time to time.

Jeff Ambrose: Percussion

Percussion

Jeff – Djembe, mini congas, blocks, bells, and assorted hand percussion. Jeff is the second percussionist who fills in the rhythm with several different percussion instruments. His playing rounds out and compliments the rhythmic sound of the band. He is influenced by a variety of styles, but still gravitates towards the funky reggae beats of bands such as The Dead, The Allman Bros., Traffic, etc.

Mike Orfanos

Percussion

Mike - (aka: "Bongo Mike") Plays congas, bongos, timbales, shakers, assorted drums & percussion. The band's true "rock historian" is influenced by such musical acts as Santana, Rare Earth, The Grateful Dead, and much much more. He has a love for all that old 60's and 70's rock and roll, and is constantly searching for classic tunes and forgotten nuggets for new material that the band can interpret and percussify!!!!

Ray Kirschner

Keyboards/Back up Vocals

Behind every great jam band there is a great keyboard player. Ray brings over 25 years of musicianship to the mix. Ray’s love of R&B, Blues, Motown, and the classic rock of the 60’s and 70’s have provided some interesting soundscapes to the Mosquitos. His piano and organ sounds are the saucy part of the band. Plus he’s the only who can actually read music.

Ron Hoshizaki

Guitar/Back up Vocals

“The Hosh man” as we call him, brings an elegant yet rockin' style of playing to the game. Ron’s guitar influences are guys like, Pete Townshend, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page, Carlos Santana. However it was the thrash guitar styles of the 70’s 80 punk movements that spark his aggressive style. But don’t let that fool you, he can blow you way with mind blowing melodic improvational Guitar solos at a drop of a dime! The Mosquitos Secret weapon (check out some of his rhythm guitar work too…Wow!)

Jeff Fite

Drums

Jeff picked up his first set of sticks at a friends house when he was 7 years old. Early on, Jeff studied with Jake Jerger:, then he spent time at Berklee studying with Gary Chaffee and other faculty before returning to Chicago where he studied with Mark Walker. After receiving a percussion performance certification, Jeff played with many bands before replanting his roots around Chicago. Some of those bands include Numbers, Expose, The Rob Zetti Trio, Mosaic, Funk Revolution, Second Time Around, Last Exit South, and Vic Lombardi and the Chicago Seven. He has spent time playing a wide variety of genres including Jazz, Latin, Rock, Prog/rock and Funk. He has also spent 15 years playing and recording with the Willow Creek Community Church music ministry. Along with the Mosquitos, Jeff is currently playing with Chicago based band Whatismu, as well as Latin/ Jazz band Jazzilla. Jeff has been on staff at the Music Workshop in Mundelein since 2006 teaching drums and percussion.

Setlist

  • After Midnight - JJ Cale
    Aint no love in the heart of the city - Whitesnake
    Aint no Sunshine - Bill Withers
    Alabama Getaway - Grateful Dead
    And it Stoned Me - Van Morrison

    Beautiful Wreck - Shaun Mullins
    Bertha - Grateful Dead
    Carnival - Natalie Merchant
    Chain of Fools - The Commitments

    Cisco Kid - War
    Couldnt Get it Right - Climax Blues Band
    Criminal - Fiona Apple
    Cry Love - John Haitt
    Dark Star - Crosby Stills and Nash
    Daughter of the Night - Santana
    Dead Flowers - Rolling Stones
    Diamonds on the Inside - Ben Harper
    Do It Again - Steely Dan
    Doctor my Eyes - Jackson Browne
    Down by the Water - Decemberists
    Eminence Front - The Who

    Evil Ways - Santana
    Fade Away - The BoDeans
    Fell in Love With a Boy - Joss Stone
    Fly Like an Eagle - Steve Miller
    Franklins Tower - Grateful Dead
    Funky Nassau - Soul Stew
    Gimme Some Lovin - Spencer Davis Group
    Gold on the Ceiling - The Black Keys

    Grey Seal - Elton John
    Hang on to Your Love - Sade
    Harder They Come - Jimmy Cliff
    Heat Wave - Martha and the Vandels
    Hello Old Friend - Eric Clapton
    Hey Hey What Can I Do - Led Zeppelin
    Hold On - KT Tungstal
    Hope In A Hopeless World - Widespread Panic
    I Cant go for That - Hall and Oates
    I Just Want to Celebrate - Rare Earth

    I Shot the Sheriff - Bob Marley
    If I Wanted Someone - Dawes

    It Doesnt Matter - Manasas
    Ill Be Around - The Spinners




    Jefferson Jerihco Blues - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
    Jesus is Just Alright - The Doobie Brothers
    Jingo Lo Ba - Santana
    Knockin on Heavens Door- Bob Dylan
    The Ladder - Joan Osbourne
    Listen to the Music - The Doobie Bros.
    Lonely Boy - The Black Keys
    Long Time Gone - Crosby Stills and Nash
    Long Train Runnin - The Doobie Bros.
    Low Rider - War
    Love the one Your With - Steven Stills
    Me and My Uncle - Grateful Dead
    Me and Julio Down by the School Yard - Paul Simon
    Medicine - Grace Potter
    Mercy Mercy (The Ecology Song) - Marvin Gaye
    Midnight in Harlem -  Susan Tedeschi
    Mirage - Santana
    Money Grabber - Fitz and the Tantrums
    Move By Yourself - Donovan Frankenrieter
    Mr. Charlie - Grateful Dead 
    New Speedway Boogie - The Grateful Dead
    No Time - The Guess Who
    Oh Well - The Rockets / Fleetwood Mac
    One of These Nights - The Eagles
    Only Love Can Break Your Heart - Neil Young
    Rest of my days - Indigenous
    Rock & Roll Stew - Traffic
    Rock Steady - Aretha Franklin
    Rolling in the Deep - Adele
    Save Tonight - Eagle Eye cherry 

    Sleep to Dream - Fiona Apple
    Spanish Moon - Little Feat
    So Into You - Atlanta Rhythm Section
    Superstition - Stevie Wonder 
    The Chain - Fleetwood Mac
    The Ladder - Joan Osbourne
    Them Changes - Hendrix / Buddy Miles
    Thin Air - Widespread Panic
    Time to Confess - Gov't Mule
    Too Rolling Stoned - Robin Trower
    Treat Me Right - Grace Potter
    US Blues - The Grateful Dead
    Use Me - Bill Withers
    Used to Rule the World - Bonnie Raitt
    West LA Fadeaway - Grateful Dead
    Whipping Post - Gregg Allman
    Why can't we live together - Steve Winwood
    Why Does Love Have to be so Sad - Eric Clapton
    Yellow Moon - The Neville Bros.
    You can't always get what you want - Rolling Stones / Rusted Root