An eccentric bunch of Buffalo musicians, The Skiffle Minstrels have become dancers’ favorites throughout western and central New York. The band plays country-western and Cajun standards as well as upbeat originals with a swinging beat that gets ’em on the floor.
Paul Todaro - Bass, Vocals
Paul discovered skiffle inadvertantly and saved his life; he no longer takes it as seriously. He is a self-taught bassist and devoted follower of Hank Williams, Hank Penny, Hank Snow and all the other Hanks of country music. He is a founding member of the Skiffle Minstrels and believes music is for dancing, laughing, and falling in love.
Todd Benzin - Guitar
Todd is an actor, improviser, and musician who learned to play guitar just so he could be in this band. In an effort to stay in the band, he has learned to sing harmonies and keeps insisting he's "still learning" guitar. Be sure to request a song he sings to get on his good side.
Ron Kowalewski - Accordion
An educator, entertainer, and accordionist, Ron's passion for Zydeco and roots music infuses many Skiffle classics with a taste of the bayou. Keep an ear pealed for his original tune “Two Step Gorilla” on the set list.
Phil Knoerzer - Guitar, Harmonica
Phil is no stranger to Americana music - back in 1971, he was a founding member of The American Flyer Jug Band. A self-taught guitarist and harmonica player, he's also a founding member of the Skiffle Minstrels.
Maggie Zindle - Fiddle
Maggie has been fiddling around with the Skiffle Minstrels for four years. She started the violin when she was eight, quit when she was eighteen, and picked it up again—in the guise of a fiddle—in 2005. When she isn't whooping it up at a local honky-tonk, she is a hired gun soprano with the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, a member of Actor’s Equity, and married to Tom Zindle (a.k.a., The Fiddler’s Beau).
Gary Meixner - Lap Steel
G. Elwyn "Gary" Meixner began playing music in the 1970s and quickly emerged as a significant figure in the vibrant music scene in Oswego, New York, which arose on Water Street and the famous Lowlife Caffé. After a brief sojourn in New Orleans, Elwyn settled in Western New York. He has spent the past 20-plus years there singing and playing country blues on guitar, banjo and harmonica, and now–with Bob Dunn as his inspiration and Queen Lili'uokalani his muse–Elwyn has embarked on a passionate exploration of the Hawaiian steel guitar as a member of the Skiffle Minstrels.
Gus Russo - Percussion
Gus is a veteran drummer who spent fifteen years with Buffalo legends LeeRon Zydeco and the Hot Tamales. He has also played with the late keyboardists Stan Szelest and Joe "Groove" Madison, saxmen Jimmy Tudini and Bobby Militello, guitarists Doug Morgano and Bobby Falk, and with singers from Barbara St. Clair to Grechen Schultz. He can't believe the good fortune he's had in music and is happy to be the newest member of the Skiffle Minstrels.