Deep Purple Rising

Deep Purple Rising: A Symphonic Tribute to the Legacy of Deep Purple

From “Hush” and “Smoke on the Water” to Whitesnake’s “Here I Go Again”, Deep Purple and the bands formed from its former members have delivered music fans some of their most beloved hits and anthems. Legendary rock vocalist, and Western New York native, Joe Retta (Trans-Siberian Orchestra,The Sweet, Dio Disciples, Heaven & Earth) fronts a full band and symphony orchestra presenting your favourites from Deep Purple, Whitesnake and Rainbow in a way you’ve never heard them before.

The Musicians

Joe Retta

A native of Rochester, New York, Joe Retta developed a deep appreciation for music at an early age and in the 80’s, came to Los Angeles to explore his options in the entertainment business. He spent the late 80s knocking around Southern California, singing a vast spectrum of music that helped him become a versatile 4 octave vocalist who could sing virtually anything — from jazz to heavy metal.

His future as a front man was put on hold as he ended up as a single Father of two girls. His children older, he hit the road, touring with Gregg Rolie (Santana and Journey) and a number of top tribute acts. In 2008, he joined Sweet as their new lead singer, as well as “Dio Disciples” for various shows after Ronnie James Dio’s death. After this, Joe spent several years playing and recording with Heaven and Earth. In 2015 Joe joined the cast of the Trans Siberian Orchestra for their Christmas stadium tour.
For the past few years, Retta is doing mostly studio work, and co-writing with several artists around the planet, including the Gregg Golden Band. Retta as toured all over the world including the US, Canada, Europe, South America and India and is considered by many, to be one of the top vocalists working today….just ask him.

Paul Ill

Life-long bassist/songwriter PAUL ILL counts playing with the WILLIE DIXON FAMILY BAND at Mr. Dixon’s wake, tracking live in a London studio with TINA TURNER, playing and songwriting with CHRISTINA AGUILARA, PINK, ALICIA KEYS and performing with BOB WEIR as career peak experiences.
He is a graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music, who as a studio bassist has played on recordings that have sold over 20 million records. He has sold more than 4.5 million records as a songwriter.

His recording and touring credits include the afore-mentioned Tina Turner, Bob Weir, Annie Lennox, Linda Perry (whom he counts as a crucial influence and mentor), Courtney Love, Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys, Pink, Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) James Blunt, Michael Des Barres, Mick Taylor (Rolling Stones), Bill Ward (Black Sabbath), and Wayne Kramer (MC5) just to name a few.

Paul is a first call studio musician, songwriter, orchestrator and arranger for esteemed record producers such as Jack Douglas, Little Steven Van Zant, and Guy Chambers. He, along with Bobby Owsinski, is the co-author of “The Studio Musician’s Handbook,” published internationally by Hal Leonard Music Publishing.

Dan Potruch

Dan Potruch has been a working drummer in Los Angeles since 1986. He’s a graduate of the acclaimed Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California, as well as studying with some of music’s finest musicians and teachers including Greg Bissonette, Alex Acuna, and Richard Wilson.

In the mid 80s, Potruch worked with Jazz artists Tony Guerrero, Doug Webb, and Deron Johnson, of Miles Davis fame, as well as host of R&B and Blues artists including Guitar Shorty and Kevin Moore - A.K.A.- Keb Mo. Through the 90s, Dan toured and recorded with Mark Lindsay, original lead singer of Paul Revere and the Raiders
Dan is a noted session drummer,and producer Jack Douglas has said “Dan is one of my secret weapons in the studio.” Former Capitol Records President/Producer Andy Slater includes Potruch in his Neil Young tribute group called “Ragged Glory,” He’s also performed on various film soundtracks at Beacon Street Studios including The Bachelorette and Anchorman II, and Casa De Mi Padre. Dan also performed with Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry on The Tonight Show. Dan continues to stay very busy in and around Los Angeles with his Band “Uncle Duane’s Band”
Dan exclusively uses Paiste Cymbals and Innovative Percussion Sticks

E. Aaron Wilson

E. Aaron Wilson is a composer, producer, and songwriter based in Los Angeles. Growing up in San Diego, he taught himself to play using the eclectic Top 40 radio of the 1980s and the lively gospel music he heard on Sunday mornings. In his early teens, he developed a love for classical music, which eventually led to a Master’s in composition. His concert works have been performed internationally by members of the Czech Philharmonic, as well as Thomas Wilkins and the Florida Orchestra.

After moving to Los Angeles, he focused on writing for film, tv, and the stage. Aaron is a much sought after musical director for improv, sketch comedy and musicals. He has been on staff at Upright Citizens Brigade since 2014 and has performed with many notable comedians such as Jordan Peele, Brendan Hunt, Rachel Bloom, Thomas Middleditch and Laser Malena-Webber of the Doubleclicks, with whom he wrote the musical “Teaching a Robot To Love”. Recently, the recording of this musical entered at #5 on the Billboard Cast Album chart.

Steve Thachuk

Steven Thachuk is known throughout the world as a classical guitar virtuoso, and has performed as a soloist in concert, with orchestras, and on radio across North America and Europe. He was always a maverick in the classical world, often playing electric guitar, experimental music, and rock tunes in a classical style. In 2009, Steve partnered with Jeff Young (Megadeth) for acoustic shows in England, and since then has turned his attention more and more to his rock n roll roots.

After a stint with an acoustic fusion trio (with Julian Coryell, guitarist for Alannis Morissette & Leonard Cohen), Steve began working as an orchestrator for Steve Hackett (Genesis) and his Genesis Revisited for Band & Orchestra project. This collaboration produced a British tour and a Live album and DVD from Royal Festival Hall in London. Steve went on later to orchestrate a show for Dave Mason from Traffic, and has been producing band and orchestra tributes ever since.

Steve played with the band ALLIANCE in the Toronto hard rock scene of the late 80s, but then left to pursue his classical performing career. He currently plays in several bands in Los Angeles, works as a session player, and performs in experimental and ambient concerts.

Bradley Thachuk

Bradley Thachuk is the Music Director of the Niagara Symphony Orchestra in Canada, Conductor for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra’s BPO Rocks! series, Conductor and Arranger for Steve Hackett’s “Genesis Revisited” project, and a lecturer in Orchestral Literature at the world-renowned Glenn Gould School at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.

An in demand guest conductor, his recent and upcoming guest engagements include the English Symphony Orchestra, the Heart of England Philharmonic, the Wuppertal Symphony Orchestra, the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, the Chautauqua Institute’s Music School Symphony Orchestra, the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, the Reading Symphony Orchestra, the Windsor Symphony Orchestra, the Tuscon Symphony Orchestra, the Cincinnati Pops, the Richmond Symphony, and the Hartford Symphony Orchestra.

A versatile and diverse musician, Bradley has established himself globally as one of the handful of conductors who moves easily between the classical and rock worlds. He is a highly sought-after symphonic arranger, with the legitimacy and skills as a symphony conductor that allow him to see a project through from inception to performance. He is quite uniquely positioned in this capacity and has worked with artists in many genres. His work on Steve Hackett’s worldwide Blu-Ray/DVD/CD release “Genesis Revisited Band & Orchestra: Live at Royal Festival Hall”, and appearances in Europe with this project have been met with critical acclaim. Past projects include Dave Mason of Fleetwood Mac and Traffic, Tony-Award winning Heather Headley, Sarah Slean, Chantal Kreviazuk, The Beach Boys, and Air Supply.