ABOUT THE UpFront BAND

UpFront is a highly-polished band consisting of as many as 10-pieces that performs a variety of popular songs which are perfect for any event where people want to dance. While the band excels at providing sophisticated background or dinner music, where it is appropriate, the bulk of the repertoire has been carefully chosen to attact people of all ages to the dance floor.

The band is comprised of a rhythm section (Drums, Bass, Guitar, and Keyboards), a horn section (Trumpet, Tenor Saxophone, and Trombone), and three singers. The singers feature Jerome Powell, who for many years has been respected as one of the premier vocalists in the Washington area and is well-loved in the popular music circuit across the country. Bob Jenets is the band leader, front man, emcee, and male vocalists, also doubling on saxophones and harmonica. Dawn handles the female vocals with a clear, bright voice that has a pure and pleasing quality coupled with a refreshingly unaffected delivery.

The band prides itself on the consistency of its personnel, which enables UpFront to present tight, pre-rehearsed arrangements of songs, which resemble the original recording to the greatest possible extent. Two members of the band (guitarist and bassist) were members of Donald Byrd and the Blackbyrds and can be heard on the hit record "Walkin' in Rhythm."

Bob Jenets has been leading popular music groups since 1970, including Friends of the Family, Odyssey, and UpFront, giving him over 35 years of valuable experience. Through those years of leadership, he has gained a keen ability to sense the mood of the audience and choose the songs that will fill the dance floor. Bob coordinates the order of events and special details of the evening with the banquet manager of the facility so the client can rest assured that UpFront will handle everything necessary to provide a seamless evening of enjoyment.

This band offers high-quality music with an energetic stage presence that is always classy and professional but never dull and lifeless. When Bob Jenets and UpFront are on the stage, it is evident to everyone in the room that they are actually having fun, and their contagious enthusiasm is a large part of what makes the party so lively and enjoyable. Anyone who plans a special event with this proven musical group commanding the stage ensures its success, UpFront!