Biography
Dave Mell has been playing music since 1972 in every type of band common to the Eastern Pa Area. After years of exposure to many styles of music, he has applied a wealth of musical influences to his own guitar and vocal approach to playing blues-based music.
This musician and his band entertain visually and aurally with a depth of passion and intensity common to only the most experienced performers.
In addition to performing locally and regionally. Dave has played often at BB Kings Club in NYC, and has recently toured mutiple cities in the Ukraine.
Writing songs in all styles, arranging music, recording music (both his own music and guest appearances on others recordings), and teaching guitar, are among Dave's interests ouside the band. -
Ellen Mell originally from Liverpool, NY has been inspired by music since the 5th grade. At a young age,she was involved in County, District and State choirs. During her adolescence she was involved not only in singing, but also acting in numerous high school plays and musicals. When she was eighteen years old she was asked to be part of a worldwide group called “Up With People”. At age nineteen she embarked on a modeling career, which ultimately lead her back to her heart’s passion…. singing. Inspired by such greats as Ann Wilson, Annie Lennox, and Janis Joplin, she delivers impassioned performances that leave audiences screaming for more. She commands the stage with her presence and vocal style that can range from the sweet subtlety of Patsy Cline to the raw power of Janis Joplin. The intensity of her vocal style has given her the reputation of being one of the most compelling female vocalists on the music scene. Her talents are not confined to the stage alone; she is equally adept in writing quality lyrics and melodies in collaboration with the band’s leader Dave Mell, for the band’s original material. With over 20 years experience she has performed with a variety of bands including the Dan Yody Band, Colonel Thatcher, Down Under, and now the Dave Mell Blues Band. Not one to give half- hearted performances, she is dynamic vocally and visually and audiences seek her out. Check out what everyone is talking about. You will not be disappointed.
Tom Montgomery - keyboardist
Tom started lessons at age 8, studied theory and composition in college, and over the years has played with a variety of bands and different styles of music including classic rock, Blues, country, bluegrass, and jazz. Tom was a member of the Country Freedom Band, performed with the Steve Hayes Howling Blues Band, and was the keyboard player for the local blues band ‘Woodshed’ for many years. He also is part of singer/songwriter Eileen Tipping’s band and has appeared on her CD, “Summer Kitchen”.
His major influences were The Beatles, Allman Brothers, Yes, and Billy Joel, along with jazz greats Jimmy Smith and Oscar Peterson
Charlie Paplosky - harmonica
Charlie is a highly respected talent on the harmonica with a sizzling stage presence and an impressive list of crowd-pleasing appearances at such venues as Berks Jazz Fest, Bethlehem Musikfest, Reading Riverfest, Acoustic Roadshow, Soberstock, Fleetwood Blues Festival, BCTV Telethon, and many, many more. His influences include James Cotton, Harmonica Shaw, and Billy Branch. Charlie is constantly studying the music of artists old and new to broaden both his musical and performing talents. On or off stage, Charlie Paplosky is a true gentleman who conveys his love of music, and of life.
JUDD BURKERT - DRUMS
Judd has played with numerous bands up and down the East Coast for many years; some include-the results, zoo boys, dick tracey, rickie and the rockets, bad daddy strut, the bad actors, zeus, suicide, passion play, fred bernardo and hurricane, it's huge, singer/song writer dor lata, and now with The Dave Mell Blues Band aka Dave Mell Band
Judd has been involved with a number of studio projects and has an excellent understanding of playing an "in a groove" feel, intermingled with tasteful and subtle influences.
Played in a boys Drum and Bugle Corps, at age 7. Began to teach himself guitar as a young teen. By 1963, Tom was playing bass guitar and singing in a band covering Beatles, Stones, Beach Boys as well as doing a few original compositions. 1967 played in “The Nickel Bag” covering Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, Mamas and Papas. In late 1968, joined “Black Forest Rhodes” In 1973, joined “The Hootchy Kootchy Dream Band” doing some covers and originals. In 1979, formed “What’s Left”,
doing mostly original compositions. 1981 thru 1983, played bass and sang with “Breakthru”, doing rock and disco. Played with “Joyride” in the mid-1980s
Played solo acoustically late 80s and later with“LoveWeasel” in the mid 1990s, thru 2010. Played with “The DirtyBlondes” in 2007-2009 as well as with “The Fat Willie Band”
Tom’s musical experiences includes having been on the same bill as The Grass Roots, The James Gang, Cactus, Edgar Winter’s White Trash, Wadsworth Mansion, Livingston Taylor, The Blues Project, Paul Butterfield, Sha-Na-Na, Ike and Tina Turner, The Pacific Gas and Electric Company, as well as having shared venues with Bruce Springsteen before Bruce got famous, and playing anti-war rallies with Melanie Safka and David Peel and The Lower East Side. While with “The Dream Band”, Tom opened for Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs, jammed with Pete Seegar at one of his famous Hudson River parties, played behind country singer Wayne Phillips, and worked with a pick-up band
behind such oldie acts as: The Drifters, The Coasters, The Shirelles, The Marvellettes, Freddie Cannon, The Belmonts, Dion, Eddie Mecca (from Happy Days), Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley. While with “The Dream Band” he also performed at a number of Dick Clark Oldie Extravaganzas. Tom attended Woodstock. “The Billboard Song Contest” has awarded Tom three “honorable mention” certificates. He has written over 200 original songs and is also a published poet.
Tom Arnold - Bass
Greg Moles - harmonica
Greg started playing harmonica at the ripe old age of 12 years. His first venue was the school lavatory which he loved for the “acoustics”. Since then, he has appeared on stages in Florida, Colorado, Louisiana, Georgia, New Jersey, New York, Arizona, and most recently, Pennsylvania. While he has a wide range of musical influences, he most enjoys playing the blues and rock. He currently appears with The Dave Mell Blues Band and sits in with a few other choice bands in the Lehigh Valley.
Born in Northeast Pennsylvania, Larry began his drumming career at the age of thirteen. Playing with numerous bands over the years, he quickly established a reputation as one of the areas "go to" drummers. Relocating to the Lehigh Valley, he toured with Ricky & the Rockets & the ever popular eighties band Breakthru, as well as others.
Moving onto Nashville & Florida, Larry continued his music career appearing and touring well over half the states in the U.S. as well as being a returning fan favorite on the island of Jamaica to this day.
Larry is known for his rock solid, fierce style of drumming. Some of the people he has shared the stage with include: The Mudflaps, Angie & the Strangers, Ricky & the Rockets, Breakthru, Jay & the Techniques, David Allan Coe, Texas, RC Finnegan Band,The Shirrels, Lynne Anderson, The Guess Who, and Elliot Randall, just to name a few. He currently provides the back beat for the Dave Mell Band..
Larry Haas - Drums
Past band mates.
Fran Trioli - Drums
Fran has been playing drums for forever! His passion for percussion began in grade school with bongos and various other hand percussion instruments, which he played until he was able to purchase his first set of drums from Montgomery Ward at the ripe young age of 16. Fran started to play in various rock bands from the Manayunk section of Philly and played the busy Sansom Street music scene in Center City. Fran has played many styles of music over the years including singer/songwriter to a 12-piece big band—and everything in between! He has had the honor of playing with so many great musicians over the years, including various members of groups such as Bill Haley’s Comets, Danny and Juniors, and The Dovel’s to name-drop a few. He now has the distinct honor to play with the Dave Mell Blues Band to continue the fun.
Foremost, my greatest passion is teaching and playing the guitar. I started playing acoustic guitar in 1964 (Sears & Roebuck catalog), at the age of 10. At that early age, I got “the bug” for the guitarafter seeing& listening to local bands, and watching American and“British Invasion” bands on TV. However, it was The Beatles that really sealed the deal for me! In 1966, my parents bought me my first electric guitar. Years later, I attended Berklee College of Music in Boston for Arranging & Composition and Music Education.Throughout the years, I have played in many bands, taught guitar,and held various instructional music classes in schooland private settings.I’m proud and honored to be playing with The Dave Mell Band.
Paul Scarola - Guitar
Lee has been playing drums for close to 60 years.
He has enjoyed playing in various local Berks County bands covering 50's-60's, country,
rock, Motown, and tribute band situations.
Currently happily playing with the Dave Mell Band (Blues/Variety Dance Band)
Lee Schaeffer - Drums
