. . . and Wind Ensemble – or “Rhythm Machine” for short. This is the band that launched my career – a long, long, LONG, time ago, in a galaxy far, far, FAR away (behind the “Orange Curtain”). While I won’t say the Rhythm Machine “evolved” into the Tom Kubis Big Band, they do share some “DNA.” Tom wrote many charts for the Rhythm Machine that are in his book today.

Left to right, top to bottom: Bob Cassens, Ron King, John Madrid, Pete Marchica, Don Dennis, Tom Baker, Jeff Apmadoc, Mike Gabriel, Bob Sanders, Lemoyne Taylor, Leo Potts, Mel Kunkle, Alan Remington, and Bob Skibo – and probably Johnny “Vatos” Hernandez hiding behind the cymbals behind Cassens.

The photo is ca. 1972; the YouTube tracks below appear to have been recorded on somebody’s Walkman in various live venues from 1975-78, so they’re not studio quality. (Also . . . beer may have been involved.)