Bill Yob - Band Leader, Drummer
Growing up in a musical family, Bill credits his father with getting him started with Polka music, playing drums at the age of four. His father was the leader and drummer of the "Swing Kings", a Polish band playing all types of music in the Lehigh Valley area for over 40 years. Through middle school and high school, Bill studied with two accomplished drummers from the Lehigh Valley; Earl G. Blackburn, Professor at Moravian College and Ronnie Reiterman. Before forming MountainXpress, Bill began subbing professionally with the Swing Kings at the age of 17. After high school, Bill played with The Polkateers for 13 years, also subbing with various bands including; Walt Groller, Jimmy Soldridge and The Happy Yanks, Skeeter and the Memory Makers, and The Classics. Bill went on to play with The Jolly Joe Timmer Orchestra and also subbing with many bands including: The Al Mexiner Trio, Emil Shanta Band, Plus Five Orchestra from NY, Schwarzenegger Connection from NY, Spitze, Die Spitzbuam NY, John Stevens DoubleShot, The Alex Meixner Band, and Kapella Fellas.
In 2012, Bill met Andrej Toplisek from Slovenia on-line and together they recorded a CD, "It's Time For Jazz" which went on to hit the charts in Slovenia. Bill has also worked on other recording projects and he plays many styles of music including Classic Rock, Oldies, Jazz, Country, Latin, and Ethnic.
Karl Fetzer - Accordian & Vocals
Wayne Tice - Sax, Clarinet & Vocals
Jorge Lopez - Trumpet & Vocals
Born and raised in NYC, playing piano at the age of ten, Jorge picked up the trumpet in High School. After H.S. he spent a few years playing in a variety of groups around the 5 boroughs. The Something Special Big Band, Orquesta Labor salsa band, concert bands, etc.
In 1987, he entered the Marine Corps performing four years with the Marine Drum & Bugle Corps throughout the U.S., as well as Canada and Australia. Back home in 1991, he continued performing with various ensembles throughout NYC. Jorge was a member of the DSB Band through their formative years. In addition, he continued to pursue a degree in music at Queens College, CUNY. Jorge re-entered military service in 2001, shortly before the events of 9-11, serving as principal trumpet, soloist and enlisted Band Leader with the 42 Division Band in Freeport, NY.
From then, until his retirement in 2018, Jorge continued to expand his performance opportunities with the New York Repertory Orchestra (NYRO), Greenwich Village Orchestra, NY Doctors’ Orchestra, Nassau Pops Orchestra, North Winds Symphonic Band, Hudson Valley Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Yonkers Military Band, Gashouse Gang Dixieland Band, Pilsner Brass Band, Foehrer Musik Freunde Brass Band, and The Austrian Boys Band, just to name a few.
Frank Herdt - Guitar & Vocals