artist info

The Music of Chicago comes to life with Chicago Co-Founder Danny Seraphine and CTA featuring former Chicago bassist/lead singer Jeff Coffey!

Danny Seraphine is one of the top five living drummers in the world.” -Larry Thomas, former Chairman and CEO of Guitar Center and former CEO of Fender Musical Instruments.

Awards and Achievements

- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2020) for years with Chicago

- Top 100 drummers of all time - Rolling Stone

- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee (April 8, 2016) as a member of Chicago

- Drummer on most of Chicago's Hits - 23 fold, 18 platinum, and eight multi-platinum albums until 1990

- Lifetime Achievement Award, Cape Breton Drum Festival

- Lifetime Achievement Award, Montreal Drum Festival

- Recognized by ASCAP as a co-writer of Pitbull's "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)"

- May 9, 2015 the City of Chicago dedicated the 3500 block of North Normandy Avenue on Chicago's northwest side "Honorary Danny Seraphine Way"

Most great musicians are lucky if they get the opportunity to play in one spectacular band in a lifetime. And that’s what legendary drummer and founding member of Chicago Danny Seraphine thought when his tenure with that group suddenly ended in 1990. After those wonderful 23 years, he put aside his drums figuring he would never find that magic again.

But a benefit show brought him out of his seclusion in 2006 and awakened his passion for playing music again. Shortly thereafter, CTA – California Transit Authority – was born when Seraphine teamed up with guitarist Marc Bonilla who has produced, recorded and performed with such artists as Ronnie Montrose, Eddie Jobson, David Coverdale, Edgar Winter, Sammy Hagar, and Keith Emerson and composed and performed for such TV shows and films as “The Bourne Legacy,” “Iron Man 2,” “Spider-Man 2,” “ER” and “Justified.” Bonilla began to help Seraphine craft the perfect band.

The idea was to recruit world-class musicians, stellar vocalists, strong writers and arrangers to craft new and inspirational versions of Chicago tunes and compose originals in a unit recognized as a force to be reckoned with.

Bonilla brought keyboardist extraordinaire Ed Roth into the band. With Roth’s background, having played or recorded with diverse luminaries such as Annie Lennox, the Brothers Johnson, Keith Emerson, Chili Peppers' Chad Smith, Judas Priest’s Rob Halford and Deep Purple’s Glenn Hughes. He also enjoys his own solo career with two instrumental contemporary jazz releases and a third one on the way.

Travis Davis, the bassist for the group, also sings lead. His music can be heard on such network shows as “Las Vegas,” Monarch Cove” and “VH-1.” He has performed with such notables as Eric Martin, Alice Cooper, Tesla, Jordan Rudess of Dream Theater, Richard Page, Sammy Hagar, Robby Kreiger, Tommy Thayer, Eric Singer, Slash, Fee Waybill, Steve Lukather, Lee Sklar, Kevin Cronin, Thomas Lang and Keith Emerson.

From 2016 to 2018, Jeff Coffey resided as the lead tenor vocalist and bassist for the multi-platinum selling, Rock‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame group Chicago. He also toured as bassist for Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famer Don Felder (formerly of The Eagles). Much of Jeff's music has been featured on numerous TV shows on several major television networks such as NBC, MTV, CMTV, FOX, E! Network, HGTV, Travel Channel, A&E, Bravo and the CBS Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. “Through Your Eyes” was prominently featured on the prime time TV show “Men In Trees” staring Anne Heche.

​Jeff Kashiwa, a Seattle native, rose to prominence as a talented saxophonist in contemporary jazz. He made a name for himself during his early years with The Rippingtons, captivating audiences worldwide and contributing to the band's iconic recordings. In pursuit of his musical expression, Kashiwa embarked on a solo career, surprising many by leaving The Rippingtons after a decade. In 2004, he formed The Sax Pack, a saxophone trio, alongside Steve Cole and Kim Waters, delighting audiences with their Rat Pack-inspired performances. Despite his solo and group endeavors, Kashiwa also ventured into music education, teaching various music ensembles and online Music Technology courses at Shoreline Community College in Seattle. Recently, he released his 11th solo album, "Sunrise," featuring his band Coastal Access and guest performances by renowned artists such as Marc Antoine, Tom Schuman, and Phillipe Saisse. Currently in his 12th year as an instructor and Department Chair at Shoreline Community, Jeff Kashiwa continues to leave his mark on the world of jazz.

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