artist info

California Transit Authority (CTA) is the powerhouse brainchild of legendary drummer and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Danny Seraphine, co-founder of the iconic band Chicago. As the original backbone of Chicago’s rhythm section, Danny spent 23 years shaping the band’s signature sound—anchoring its rise to stardom and helping lead its celebrated comeback in the ’80s. After parting ways with Chicago in 1990, Danny returned to the spotlight in 2007 to answer a call from fans hungry for the explosive, horn-driven sound that once captivated Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix.

Seraphine formed CTA to revive the spirit of that era with a modern edge. Critics have hailed the result as “Chicago on steroids.”

CTA features an all-star lineup:

Marc Bonilla – Virtuoso guitarist whose dynamic style evokes the spirit of Terry Kath, blending fire, finesse, and fearless showmanship.

Ed Roth – World-class keyboardist with credits ranging from Annie Lennox, Chad Smith, and Keith Emerson to Glenn Hughes and Rob Halford. A seasoned solo artist, Roth brings depth and versatility to the CTA sound.

Travis Davis – Rock-solid bassist and lead vocalist, with a voice heard on network shows like Las Vegas and VH1, and stage collaborations with Slash, Alice Cooper, Steve Lukather, and Dream Theater’s Jordan Rudess.

Sara Niemietz – A vocal powerhouse and multi-instrumentalist, Sara’s career spans Broadway (Hollywood Arms), global tours with Postmodern Jukebox, and viral acclaim with over 40 million streams. Her soulful edge brings fresh energy to CTA’s live performances and recordings.

Together, CTA has released two critically acclaimed albums blending original songs with reimagined classics—a bold answer to the question: “What if Chicago never stopped making music like they did in the ’70s?”

With fiery musicianship, deep grooves, and the unmistakable power of a live horn section, CTA is not just a tribute to the past—it’s a band built for now.