This is Thanks!
Thanks! is a blend of dirty blues, smooth jazz, plain old rock and roll and theatrical wonder! Their songs are an eclectic mix of many influences that center upon the bands unique sound. Born in humble Saratoga Springs, NY the band builds upon the sound of their trio. Jazz-infused percussion from Hartford-trained drummer Ben Martin and melodic bass lines from bassist Andrew DeWolf put together a tight rhythm section. While Andrew Grella completes the sound with rhythm piano, lead saxophone and vocals. That unique combo is complemented by a three-piece horn section that primes this act for the big stage.
Thanks! released their debut album “You’re Welcome!” in July of 2022. The record boasts 14 original tracks from the band and really establishes their unique sound. Jackson Tollerton of Nippertown calls it a “jazzy jamboree” that is “lively and showcases varied and quality songwriting throughout.” He called them an “exciting group that mixes elements of blues, alternative, rock and jazz into a truly fun and special blend.” You can stream the LP on all streaming services or by visiting their website at www.thebandthanks.com
Thanks! aims to please and has a big sound that is ready for the big stage. They have played venues up and down the East Coast including several performances at Putnam Place and Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs. Rockwood Music Hall and Arlenes Grocery in New York City. The Band also appeared at the Lake George BBQ and Music Festival in Lake George, NY! But the band can also scale their performance down to just a trio and play smaller venues as well. Because of their eclectic mix of original music, Thanks! can match a vibe of any stage they take and is sure to leave the audience with a performance to remember.
To book Thanks! for your next event please e-mail [email protected] or contact the band using their website www.thebandthanks.com
THANKS!
ANDREW GRELLA
Andrew Grella is the multi-instrumentalist front man of Thanks! He started playing instruments when he was five years old and has been writing songs since he graduated college in 2016. Andrew is the heart and soul of this group, combining all of his talents to create an experience like no other.
Andrew played piano and saxophone throughout his schooling but took a brief break when he went to study journalism at Syracuse University from 2012-2016. Four years was too long to be away from what he loved, so he bought a saxophone after he graduated school and began the most meaningful part of his musical journey. Throughout his life, Andrew has played in many ensembles of several genres in America and abroad. He wants to continue to travel the world doing what he loves.
Andrew also pursues a career in television and has been part of many major sporting events for some of the main television networks. A creative in all senses, Andrew brings the band to life with his soulful vocals and his gut-wrenching saxophone. His biggest musical influences are Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Kid Cudi and Billy Joel.
ANDREW DEWOLF
Andrew DeWolf is a bass guitarist from the south shore of Massachusetts. He went to Schenectady County Community College for music production and has played in several bands local to the Saratoga Region. Taking influence from many musical styles, Andrew has developed a melodic and heavy bass style, often filling both the low and mid ranges of sound.
Andrew is also the co-host and co-creator of musical theater podcast, Musicals with Cheese, where he, and his partner Jesse McAnally, discuss musical theater shows and other musical related topics. The show has developed a following since its inception, averaging in the top 5 podcasts of its category in the apple charts.
BEN MARTIN
Ben Martin is a trained musician with over a decade of active experience in percussion and drumming. Ben is trained in various musical styles such as classical, jazz, and rock. Beginning his musical training at the age of 9 he was performing in school bands. By the time he was in high school he was performing semi-professionally in small jazz combos. Since then he has
performed in several groups and ensembles such as the Capital Region Wind Ensemble, Empryea, Groove Nation and various college wind ensembles, jazz ensembles, and orchestras. Ben received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education in 2019 from the College of Saint Rose and his Master’s in Jazz Studies from the Hartt School at the University of Hartford.
Ben is also an experienced music educator having taught private lessons for Guilderland Music Academy as well as experience teaching music in public schools. Ben is an excellent communicator, very good at taking complex ideas and understanding their base concepts and expressing them in simple but accurate ways.
Along with freelancing Ben is currently the drummer for the rock/pop group Thanks! In addition
to this, he spends a lot of his free time doing freelance composition of rock, pop, and jazz music.
HORN PLAYERS
The talented players that have played with the group include Nathaniel McKeever, Haley Duraski and Mac Eustis on trumpet. Alessandra Shellard, Scott Chatfield, Jerry Wilke and Zach DiMeglio on tenor sax and Elias Assimakopolous, Adam Myers and James Salaway on the trombone. Thanks! is fortunate to work with many talented musicians who continuously raise the bar through live performance to bring audiences to their feet and to the dance floor!