Portrait is a faithful and powerful presentation of the music of KANSAS. Focusing on the band’s most celebrated music, hits and deep cuts – Portrait employs correct instrumentation, superb musicianship, strong harmonies and an accurate presentation of the musical genius that Kansas brought to the world in the 70’s and 80’s.
Anthony Ingracia: Lead Vocals
Anthony is probably one of the most seasoned vocalists in the St. Louis music scene. Equally adept at classic rock, hard rock, progressive rock, blues and more, Anthony has a resume that includes many of the top music draws in the Midwest.
Upon auditioning for Portrait: The Music of Kansas – it was evident he not only had the chops but also the stage presence to cover the Steve Walsh and John Elefante vocals for this exciting lineup.
Portrait is excited and proud to have Anthony at the helm of this force.
He leads other powerful tribute acts including:
Stone in Love: A Tribute to Journey
Mean Street: A Tribute to Van Halen
Slide It In: A Tribute to Whitesnake
He also leads a highly popular drawing multi-cover band called A.L.I.
James Comparato: Lead Vocals and Guitar
James, a songwriter, seasoned live and session player is another staple in the St. Louis and Midwest music scene. Having played with some of the most in demand artists and groups in the tri-state area and international tours with USO/DOD, James has a command of various styles and is well versed in harmony vocals.
Among his credits are:
Danny Liston and Friends: Danny Liston is a founding member of Atlantic recording artist Mama’s Pride and has huge draw in the tri-state area. Of notable performances was a sold out performance at The Peabody Opera house in 2016.
The Pat Liston Band: Pat Liston is also a founding member of Atlantic recording artist Mama’s Pride and also has huge draw in the tri-state area.
The Brothers: A widely popular and touring Allman Brothers tribute band.
Pepperland: Long standing St. Louis staple Beatles tribute band. James helped bring the group to 5000+ seat arenas during his tenure.
Dollar Crown (Formerly American Dollar): Original Rock, Blues, Americana band in St. Louis with two recordings to its credit.
Almost Joshua: 90’s touring rock band under same management and production as Pale Divine/The Eyes.
Mike Baue: Guitar and Vocals
Mike Baue’s music career spans over three decades, and includes national tours, writing, and recording.
Currently a member of one of St Louis’s most popular private/corporate bands, Groovethang, as well as an original rock and blues band, Impala Deluxe.
Mike enjoys playing a large variety of music styles and genres and has graced other outfits including:
Wyle E, Just Mr., Ghost In The Machine (Police Tribute), and Sonic Tonic
Dave Batchelor: Drums and Percussion
Dave began playing drums and classical piano at age 5 and while growing up in California gained extensive experience studying and playing drums and percussion in a variety of musical genres. This gave him a solid foundation on which to build a career in music to include:
The Commandants Own United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps: While stationed in Washington D.C. in this premier musical unit, Dave spent 9 years touring the US and abroad performing for thousands of people including Presidents, heads of state, dignitaries and appearances on TV. His last year in the Marines was spent as a percussion instructor at the Armed Forces School of Music.
Scarborough: An all original recording and touring act out of Northern Virginia that put out several CD’s, opened for national acts such as Kansas, Billy Squire, Night Ranger, Kix, Winger, John Cafferty and toured the east coast and overseas.
Since moving to St Louis, Dave has played in the Air National Guard band, gave private instruction at Drum Headquarters and played in multiple cover bands including his current outfit, Hollywood 5.
Mike Gregory: Bass Guitar and Vocals
Mike began studying music at around 10 years old, playing the trombone in concert band, marching band, jazz band and orchestra. He also sang in choir and madrigal choir and continued to play in all of these ensembles through High Scholl and into college. Mike began studying the bass guitar at around 20 years old and realized quickly that this was the instrument that he was meant to master.
He has played in many St. Louis based bands including:
Hollywood Five, Almost Joshua, Compost Jim and the Brown Stranger, InStar, TripStar, The Drew Johnson Band, The Formula Kid, The Croutons, Elizabeth Einstein and JuneBug
He has also toured Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Central America with several different bands for the USO/DOD.
Harold Draper: Hammond Organ and Synth
A classically trained keyboardist, songwriter and session player Harold started playing at the age of 5 and moved on to theater organ when he was 10. By the age of 14 he was giving lessons on both piano and organ. His varied skills have taken him from recording at A&M Studio’s to playing the mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ at the Fox Theater. Foregoing a scholarship to Julliard to join the Navy, he later attended St. Louis Institute of Music for further classical training and SIU playing with the school’s jazz band.
Among his many credits are:
Danny Liston and Friends: Danny Liston is a founding member of Atlantic recording artist and St. Louis’s own Mama’s Pride touring with such great’s as Charlie Daniels, Greg Allman and many other’s.
The Brothers: A seven piece touring Allman Brother Band tribute.
Elmo’s Shadow/The Arbogast Band/Griffin: Popular cover band’s in the St. Louis area.
Phil Driscoll & Yurmama: A&M Studio’s recording artist.
Bob Kuban: St. Louis recording artist.
Damon Atkinson: Piano, Synth and Vocals
Damon is a classically trained pianist and a veteran of the St. Louis music scene. Well versed in several styles but specializes in progressive rock and pop.
Some of the work to his credit includes:
Just Mr.: A long running cover band of 20 years specializing in classic and progressive rock
Evolution: A premiere Journey tribute
Concoction: A highly popular dance band that plays all styles
Mark Hochberg: Violin
Mark Hochberg is a graduate of DePaul Conservatory. After returning to St. Louis he became a founding member and concertmaster of The New City Chamber Orchestra as well as serving as concertmaster of Union Avenue Opera for 7 seasons before turning his sights on things non-classical. He performs regularly in many small ensembles and is in constant demand by recording artists.
Other notable groups include:
Brothers Lazaroff , The Sleepy Rubies, Alexandra Kay Band, Salisbury, High Fashion Kings, Rainbyrds, Endora, Grass Fed Mule, Hillary Fitz Band
