 JJ Farruggio (Guitar) -
Originally from the Philadelphia area, JJ studied jazz with Pat Mercuri, Dave Cullen,
and Philly sax legend Larry McKenna. Later, JJ formed an original
3 piece band called The Tearjerkers, which played for years in the Mid-Atlantic area. The Tearjerker sound was forever captured on their 22 song debut album. Has recorded many times over the years as a solo artist as well as with
other musicians as a guest musician. JJ is currently working to finish his collaberative effort "Farrfield" with his longtime friend
and singer Anna Hungerford Lynch, the base tracks for which were recorded at Digital Dog Studios.
JJ's creative arrangments and distinct guitar style help shape The Take's uniquely original sound and high stage energy.
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 Andrei Lopukhin (Bass) -
Andrei spent the majority of the nineties playing the area with Triple Shot, which later became Dreamline. He then spent time in NYC,
playing various venues with the pop group Glaze. After taking a break to focus on his family and day job, he returned to playing with
the funk band SFI before joining forces with JJ. In September of 2003, Andrei had the honor of attending the Bass/Nature Camp run by Bela Fleck and the Flecktones bassist
Victor Wooten. While there, aside from jamming with the likes of
Futureman and JD Blair, he studied with Steve Bailey, Adam Nitti,
Anthony Wellington,
Chuck Rainey, Anthony Jackson and, of course, Victor Wooten himself.
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 Miriam Rhyins (Vocals) - Miriam first made
her debut in the vocal community in the role of Noah's wife in her third grade production of "Noah's Ark". This triggered
a furious pursuit of vocal mastery, culminating in her classical training as a music major at Hamilton College. Over the
years, Miriam has sung with numerous choirs, accapella groups and most notably in the NY Based wedding band "The Music Connection".
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 Matt Augustine (Drums) - Matt started playing
drums at age 9 in a fife and drum corps in New Fairfield, CT. He began playing set at age 13 and has been continuously working
the kit since. A member of many bands over the years, his most significant tenure is with The Jonz, a dance rock band that plays
throughout Fairfield County with whom he has played for the last 20 years. After studying music at Western Connecticut State University,
he decided to start a family and now practices music as the ultimate counterpoint to the stresses and lunacy of the world. There’s
nothing he loves more than playing for his friends and watching people groove, jive, and dance to his drumming.
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 Randy Smith (Percussion) -
Randy is an experienced drum/percussion instructor and professional musician with a broad stylistic range and
vast performance experience with a variety of musical groups and legendary performing artists. Randy studied with the renound
Fred Hinger (percussionist of the Metropolitan Opera), Dr Fred Fennel of the Eastman Percussion Ensemble at Miami University and
continued his learning experiences at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. Randy was hired by the Westchester Premiere
Theater as House Percussionist and played for such notables as Diana Ross, Frank Sinatra, Barry White, Sammy Davis Jr., Robert
Goulet, Ben Vereen and Henry Mancini. He was House Drummer and Percussionist for Westchester Broadway Theater, The Jay Players,
The Yorktown Community Theater, Pleasantville Music Theater and The Chappaqua Theater where he played drums/percussion when they
produced a Kurt Vonigut musical. Randy lives in Stormville, New York where he teaches percussion (including Mallets, Marimba/Vibes,
Xylophone/Bells) and Rudimental Drumming.
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Derek Currier (saxophone) - Derek has been playing the saxophone
since he was 9 years old. He has worked with a variety of groups which include The
GrooveMerchants (3 piece jazz combo), Chronic Fatigue (jazz, rock, funk, blues,
covers), The Brand New London Blues Production, pit orchestras for “Funny Girl”
and “A Chorus Line”, The Messengers (Katonah, NY), Elevated Thoughts (dub), and
Naughty Jungle Of Love (rock /jam band). Derek is also currently performing and
touring with Lewd Buddha (All original
Jam Band). He has also performed with various opening acts for Cypress Hill,
Big Fuzz, Deep Banana Blackout, The Bomb Squad, Fungus Amungus, Rusted Root, Randy
Jackson (Zebra), John Scofield, Dub Is A Weapon, Project Object (Frank Zappa Tribute),
George Clinton and the P-Funk, and Lee “Scratch” Perry.
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