The original lineup of Emerald City featured Gary Calvaneso on vocals and lead guitar, Jim Kam on vocals and drums, Tim Hacker, on keyboards and vocals, Don Nuttle on bass, Phil Sims on Trombone and keyboards, and Frank Casino on saxophone and keyboards.

Band Members

Gary Calvaneso – As a founding member and band leader, Gary Calvaneso sang lead vocals and played lead guitar. Gary was the lead voice of the bands most popular song “Over the Rainbow” and was nominated for best guitarist at the Backstage Awards. Gary provided the bands driving guitar licks and contributed much of the original songwriting material. He won several awards in the American Song Festival’s song writing contests and later became a songwriter for Sunrise records in Hollywood. Today Gary lives in southern California near Los Angeles. 

Gary Calvaneso

Jim Kam – Another founding member and band leader, Jim Kam sang lead vocals and provided the rock solid drums and percussion behind the band. Jim’s innovation contributed to the originality of the band, constantly experimenting with different percussion effects. His classic double base drums became an icon for followers of the group. As one of the main lead vocalists, Jim’s impressive voice was clean and pure as he was featured on some classic ballads such as “The Way of the world” and “Sailing’. Today Jim lives in a suburb of Seattle, Washington.

Jim Kam

Tim Hacker – As another founding member, no one was more dedicated and passionate about his music. Tim was a true innovator, experimenting with a variety of the latest in keyboard technology and effects. Tim was a master at reproducing the tones and sounds of any band he covered.  Many of the band’s followers would comment on Tim’s outstanding voice. The audience would be glued to watching Tim belt out ballads with an impressive vocal range.

Tim Hacker

Don Nuttle – Another founding member, Don was the “quiet giant”. With a towering 6 foot plus frame, Don was the backbone of Emerald City, always quiet, but always right on. His bass playing got the crowd on their feet and Don was the ultimate party maker. Don experimented with a synthesizer keyboard bass as well as bass guitar. His backup vocals contributed to the bands wall of sound with multiple part harmonies.

 

Don Nuttle

Emerald City

The Band

Phil Sims – With perfect pitch and University degrees in music, Phil Sims became the bands music arranger, Phil wrote all horn parts and provided incredible detail in the arrangements. According to other band members, “Phil was a musical genius. He could listen to a song once and give you every detail of every instrument. I have immense respect for his talent”. In addition to playing Trombone, Phil also doubled on keyboards, playing complex chord patterns behind the band. Sims left in 1979 to join the Tommy Dorsey orchestra. After several years with the big bands, he returned to his roots as a music teacher in Niagara Falls where he currently lives.

Phil Sims

Frank Casino – Frank completed the horn section, playing alto and soprano saxophone, flute as well as keyboards. A degreed musician, Frank often wrote parts for the band and contributed as a solid player with a passion for music. He often covered trumpet parts with a saxophone and pulled it off with an incredible sound. Today, Frank lives in the Buffalo, NY area

Frank Casino