Band Biographies
Tony Aquino - Lead Vocalist
Tony Aquino started his career in 1963 as a guitarist and lead singer in various groups in New York. He joined and performed in an A Capella group for 10 years with UGHA in the 90’s. Then in 2018, he became lead singer of the Mello-Kings for 1 1/2 years where he performed on many Marquee stages as well as performing in Italy’s Sha Boom festival in 2019. In 2020, he became 1st. Tenor with the Excellents. In 2022, he joined the Step by Step Tribute Band as their lead vocalist.
Joe Noto- 1st Tenor
Joe Noto started his venture in 1966 when he joined Michael and The Continentals. This then led him to a number of groups along the way. He finally landed with The Excellents (of Coney Island Baby fame) in 1999 which he experienced a successful run. He has recently joined the Step by Step Tribute Band as first tenor.
Lou Orrichio - 2nd Tenor
Lou Orrichio started playing guitar at the age of eight. He grew up in Brooklyn, NY. Growing up during the sixties and seventies, he was influenced by groups like the Beatles. Lou joined several bands while attending high school including a 50's & 60's band called the O.B.G.’s. They were the opening act for many oldies shows and performed at clubs throughout the tri-state area. They even did some recording and performances for the legendary, screaming Jay Hawkins. As a member of an oldies band, Lou was introduced to vocal harmony and loved the sound. Over the years he switched from a guitarist that sang, to a singer who played guitar. As his vocal abilities grew, he became a solo vocalist but never stopped singing harmony with several vocal groups. Lou was part of the cast of the Sinatra birthday bash at the Count Basie theatre. Currently, he entertains at dozens of adult communities in New Jersey and is honored to have become a member of the Step by Step Tribute Band.
Frank DiRobella - Baritone, Falsetto
Frank DiRobella has been around music from an early age listening to his father play piano and accordion. This influenced him to be an entertainer by age 5. Currently he is a Baritone/falsetto singer learning to play trumpet.He began his journey playing piano and accordion studying under Joe Sano, in Irvington, NJ. He continued until age 9 when his interest swayed to percussion. Still playing keyboards, he ventured into drums. While growing up in Newark, NJ, vocal harmony was huge and always present. He could be found hanging with cousins & friends singing under railroad bridges. At that point Frank was playing in “garage and school” bands around age 13. By age 18, His professional career consisted of performing with Uptown/Downtown Disco/Funk Band, Wedding Bands, and Street Corner Band.When asked to be a part of The Step by Step Tribute Band, he welcomed the opportunity to be part of an era of music honoring the Great Johnny Maestro. When not performing with the Tribute Band, he is the owner of Sounds Of The Street, NJ’s most popular doowop/oldies band and has opened for Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge, Kenny Vance, The Duprees, The Association and the Coaster to name a few, at Richard Nadar’s Doowop Concert at the Meadowlands, NJ. He has also performed at Joey Harrison’s Surf Club, Ortley Beach, NJ opening for The Happenings and Gary US Bonds. Frank has performed at the Strand Theater, Lakewood, NJ, Count Basie Theater, Redbank, as well as appeared on Don K Reeds DooWop Shop on CBS Radio 101.1. He has performed at many outdoor concerts, Restaurants, car shows, Active Adult Communities, Italian Festivals, and clubs. The group also auditioned for America’s Got Talent and performed on Dick Fox’s Malt Shop Memories Cruise for their 10th Anniversary celebration in 2019.
Ken Cama - Bass
Ken was born in Manhattan and moved to NJ at an early age, Ken started playing bass at the age of 14 ,he has over 60 years of performance history. He has performed all types of music from Doo-Wop to Classic Rock, playing in various bands all over NJ just to name a few - Hole in the wall, Jay Walker and the Pedestrians, The Shine Band, East Side Harmony, Direct Approach, Special Request, Brue Crew, and the Cameos, I look forward to a new chapter playing with Step by Step.
Bud Brewer - Keyboards, Background vocals
Buddy started playing piano at the early age of 4. As time went on, he went on to the accordion at age 11, and then over to the organ. Soon after graduating high school, Buddy formed his first band “The Silvertones” which had a long career on the club scene. Buddy has had the pleasure of being the opening act for such legendary groups as the Duprees, Jay Black and the Americans, The 5 Satins, Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge just to name a few. After taking a short break in the music business, Buddy teamed up with his long time friend Danny Faraone, who was the Drummer for the Silvertones. Buddy and Danny soon formed the group called Memphis. After 1 year as Memphis, they changed members, and went out as what’s known now as The Jersey Shades who are enjoying popularity in the club scene today.
Rene’ L. Cardona - Drums, Background Vocals
Rene’ L. Cardona was born on June 20, 1954 in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. At a very early age Rene’ was already a Jersey boy living in Hoboken. Rene’ was raised in a typical diversified (Italian/American) neighborhood and quickly learned the City’s sound of not only NJ but our neighbor NYC, where his passion for perfection of music spun off. Rene’s music career blossomed while still in grammar school joining his first band The Bats. Rene’ was Joey Dee & The Star Liters drummer for over 12 years. Throughout the years Rene’ backed up Jay Siegel of the Tokens, Mark Lindsay of Paul Revere and the Raiders, Barbara Lewis; “Hello Stranger”, The Soul Survivors; “Express to Your Heart”. Rene’s drumming career gave him the opportunity to share the stage with such headliners as Larry Chance & the Earls, Shirley Alston Reeves of the Shirelles, The Platters, Bowser, Tony Orlando & Dawn, and the late Ben E. King while they performed their number one hits which made them icons of their generation. Rene’ has traveled and performed throughout the Metropolitan area,US, Virgin Islands, and cruising the Caribbean on many cruise ships. Rene’s expertise not only with his percussion talent segwayed his vocals bringing popular songs while recording with Charlie Lopez into Latin R&B renditions; Rene’s rendition of Lionel Ritchie’s Ballerina Girl & How Can I Be sure by the The Rascals is millifluous. Currently you can see and hear Rene’ performing with the Johnny Maestro Tribute Band. He is a passionate Musical Perfectionist and as Tony Orlando quoted “ Rene’ is a Musical Drummer”.
Matt DiGiovanni - Guitar
Matt started playing music on the piano at age 5, then switched to guitar at age 10. He has studied guitar with many instructors and attended the New York School of Commercial Music. Matt has played in various types of bands :-Cover bands, Wedding Bands, Big Band Orchestras, Tribute Band, Oldies-Doo Wop groups, a Christian Rock group as well as playing at Sunday morning mass at his church. These groups gave Matt the opportunity to play at numerous venues such as night clubs, catering halls, theatres, restaurants, township parks, school assemblies, churches, recovery groups and outreach programs. Matt enjoys all types of music – Jazz, fusion, blues, rock, country, oldies, swing and pop. Matt had the opportunity to open up for Johnny Maestro and The Brooklyn Bridge on 2 occasions. Once in 1981 with The Mystics and then in 1992 with Vito and the Salutations. He is honored to be part of the Step by Step Tribute Band helping to keep Johnny's music and memories alive. When Matt is not performing, you can find him teaching guitar at the School of Rock in Brick, NJ.