DON VENTRIGLIA

Keyboards, Vocals and FX


  
  I'm a New Jersey boy, I've been playing Keyboards since I was twelve years old, as soon as I heard my first Jimi Hendrix song, I was hooked on rock.
 
Music is the universal language, with that in mind, I feel that our interpretation of the songs we do, allows us the freedom to relate that right back to the listener in real time. I believe that musical intuitiveness and 
improvisation are a vital entity when playing in live venues.
 
 When "Blue North" began, we were five musicians on a journey to see if there was any chemistry between us, we were nameless. As time went on
 Blue North became the chosen name of the band which we continue to use today. Although we have gone through some personnel changes, we are stronger than ever, embarking on a new path and new direction working
 closely with one another, we are now band mates.
 
 We all have different musical tastes and influences which makes us very
unique as well as versatile. We continually challenge ourselves from a musical stand point which makes for a very tasty selection of songs.
 
 My first love is classical music yes Mozart, Bach, Beethoven to mention a few. My musical influences include Trower, Yes, Genesis, Rush, Crimson, Floyd, ELP, Journey and the list goes on.
 
A composer of original music and we infiltrate originals into our cover song list so our audience can get a glimpse of another side of us, a very creative side. What I believe drives this band is spirituality dedication, the love of music, mutual respect for one another as musicians, friendship and thrill of performing and sharing it with others.
 
For without GOD none of this would be possible!

 

VERN WOLF

    BASS

Vern Wolf started playing guitar in bands while still in High School in Northern NJ. During this time his band, The Thorns, appeared on the classic Zacherle TV Show.  In the early years after High School, he helped form a group called Eternal Rush that toured the East Coast for many years playing all types of rock music. Highlights included opening for Rare Earth, the Blues Magoos, and Don McLean (Bye Bye American Pie). 

Then a long sabbatical followed during which he became enamored of the power and majesty of the bass and decided to continue where he left off, but traded the guitar for bass.  He studied bass with famed bassist Juan Rivera of Chile and then studied music theory, composition, and bass guitar with the renowned bassist and educator Marco Accattatis from Italy. 

In August, 2016, Vern was delighted to join the widely-acclaimed BLUE NORTH BAND based in Highland Lakes, NJ.   This powerful female and male fronted band performed a variety of classic and progressive rock tunes and gigged throughout Northern NJ and NY.   This band, now reforming, will soon be continuing its legacy.

Vern's musical inspiration comes from such bassists as Mel Schacher (Grand Funk), Tim Bogert (Vanilla Fudge), Jack Bruce (Cream), Tommy Shannon (SRV), and Jaco Pastorius.

 Vern is a life member of Scott’s International Bass Academy based in London.

 

KIM MJ BARRON

VOCALS

RICK MORAND
PERCUSSION

This West Orange native began taking drum lessons as early as 4th grade and made all-city by 6th.  He began studying under Newark jazz great Bob DeSalvo where he honed his rudimentary skills into placing 7th in junior high all-state competition.  

After moving to North Carolina in high school, Rick eventually joined the professional band Armageddon (Featuring Beach Music Legend Dink Perry); and opened for acts like The Classics IV, and The Embers.

Family responsibilities and a career in TV took Rick away from drumming until 10 years ago when he moved back to New Jersey and joined both the Glen Rock Pops Orchestra as a percussionist, and Blue North where he continues his love for classic rock.