Yank The Cover

SALVATORE DURANTE:  (Sal) Lead Guitar / Vocals/Founder:  Born and raised on the West Side of Buffalo, N.Y.  Salvatore  has been playing guitar and making music for over 45 years.  He played lead guitar for an award winning jazz ensemble and cut studio recordings for a Christian Church Worship Band.  For the last 20 years Salvatore has played lead guitar for his contemporary church worship team and various local Classic Rock and Blues Cover Bands.

SHELLEY DURANTE:  Lead Vocals/Percussion/Flute:  A local Western New Yorker who grew up in the Northtowns, Shelley is the female lead vocalist and enjoys singing and dancing with the crowd!  She started playing the flute and singing at age 9.  Shelley has always had a musical influence in her life and loves all musical styles, but classic rock has always been at the center of her heart.  She hopes people feel re-energized and alive while listening to the band.  

DON KWIATKOWSKI:  Rhythm Guitar/Vocals:   Born in Buffalo, raised in Cheektowaga and is now living in Lancaster.  Don started playing guitar in high school bands.  After graduation, he took some time off from playing due to work obligations.  After many years, a shift change allowed Don to return to music and he has been in several bands since; playing classic rock, blues and dance music.  Don likes many genres of music.  His biggest influences, however, have been The Beatles and other British invasion bands of the 60s and 70s.

Rick Fandl:  Bass Guitar/Vocals:  Over the years, Rick has been a bassist with both local groups and touring national acts. He has also been a drummer, keyboard player and guitarist.  He has written and recorded his own material, done studio work, and also produced other artist's projects.

RICK DAMINSKI (RIcky D):  Drums/Percussion:  Known as "Ricky D", Rick joined Yank The Cover recently and hit the ground running.  "Music is fun" and that is what he is all about.  Rick retired a few years back from his 37 year career.  With his three children grown and on their own and full support from his wife, Rick pursued his love for music and playing drums.  Rick started playing late in life but nothing blocked his path.  He made up for lost time and quickly played in the Western New York scene.

HOWARD ORLANDO:  (Howie) Keyboards/Vocals:   Howie O. has been performing professionally for almost 50 years in a wide variety of club bands, starting in the Syracuse area with groups like Satry, Midnight, and Flashpoint.  Returning to WNY in 1987, he has played in a wide variety of bands and genres, including classic dance rock, blues  soul and funk, modern blues, and variety dance.  Howie's favorite groups include The Allman Bros., Santana, Sly and the Family Stone, Chicago, Joe Cocker, any anything Motown!