Glenn Folwarski

Lead Vocals, Guitar, Keyboard, Writer

Glenn's musical roots are the very definition of art rock – a blend of rock and just about anything else. Raised on the sounds of his Mom's favorites, Wayon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson, he also grew up appreciating the more psychedelic sounds of Jefferson Airplane, Sprit and The Doors. Throw in equal amounts of admiration for the Grateful Dead and Hendrix as well as a soulful appreciation for R & B and the Detroit sound.

Glenn believes a song stands on its own, that it's not about the style but the collective combination of sound and feel. Make the connection and you've made the song.

Greatest Musical Experience

Backing up Neil Diamond at Navy Pier.

Favorite Lyrics

"I've seen the bottom and I've been on top. But mostly I've been in between and where do you go when you get to the end of your dream."

 

Ted Putbress

Lead Guitar, Classical Guitar, Keyboard, Vocals, Writer

Sometimes what you need is a bit of a break to get your creative juices flowing again. In Ted's case, it took a bit more than that. His first band, Blue Horizons, formed in 1967. Early on he had many different musical opportunities, including backing up Iron Butterfly in 1976. But life took a different turn. Music went on the back burner and family and finance took front and center. Then after years of success in the financial services field, a wife and 2 kids later, music is once again center stage.

Classically trained in guitar, Ted also plays bass guitar, mandolin and keyboards. While he appreciates all styles of music, his own style has been most influenced by Zepplin, YES, The Who, Andrea Sagovia and the legendary Roy Buchanan.

Greatest Musical Experience

While backing up Iron Butterfly was definitely a highlight, seeing Yes and The Eagles in the same concert ranks a close second.

Favorite Lyrics

"To angels great and small / Their dreams of greatness fall / Into the shrinking universe."

 

Guest Artists

Linda Palm

Keyboards, Piano, Vocals

According to her mother, Linda couldn't carry a tune in a bucket. Luckily she found that her keyboard could do the heavy lifting. Though classically trained since the age of 6, rock has played a significant role in her musical path. For Linda, Art Rock is a natural, and you understand why when she talks about her musical influences: the poetic tones of Claude Debussey and Robert Schumann and the melodic blends of Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Pat Metheny, Genesis, Pete Townsend, YES, Rush, Peter Gabriel and Styx.

To Linda, Thadeus Project means a chance to take her abilities to a higher level. Arranging her parts, practicing and feeling the electricity of playing in concert with her fellow bandmates give Linda an opportunity to really expand her musical experiences.

Greatest Musical Experience

Sitting in Vladimir Ashkenazy's buttprint. (Mr. Ashkenazy had practiced just prior to his concert at Wheaton College. Using a cushion for the bench, he left an impression that was still intact when Linda sat down for her practice session.)

Favorite Lyrics

"There's more than one answer to these questions pointing me in a crooked line / The less I seek my source for some definitive the closer I am to fine."

 

Kharis D. Washington

Bass Guitar, Vocals

Kharis grew up to the sounds of his mother's beautiful singing. His father played the guitar, but he wasn't truly inspired to learn himself until he was 13 and heard a Jimi Hendrix record. From then on he was driven. He actually cobbled together his first guitar. Finding an old Teisco in the garbage, he used a piece of wood to replace the missing bridge. Then for $25, he set himself up with a Kay bass. There was no stopping him after that.

Kharis' first band was The Quadrophonic Sound Corporation. Since then he has toured with bands all over the midwest and played for crowds as large as 25,000. He has appeared with Jerry Butler and The Spinners, and his personal musical style is highly influenced by rhythm and blues as well as jazz.

Greatest Musical Experience

Meeting and jamming with Big Twist

Favorite Lyrics

"The trouble with you is the trouble with me / Got 2 good eyes but you still can't see."

 

John Zver

Drums, Vocals

With his sonorous voice, John would make a fine singer but drums are his real passion. John's musical career started at 14 when, like so many, he formed a band that played local dances and practiced in his garage. Surprisingly, being kicked out of his own band 8 months later actually turned into a lucky twist of fate that would set the stage for much of his musical experiences. His next band included Ted Putbress who he met through Glenn Folwarski. Now this friendship has again led John back to playing with the same zeal and intensity that he felt "back in the good old days."

John credits YES with being his biggest musical influence but also credits pop culture with teaching him the rhythms of the universe. He looks to fellow Thadeus Project members for lots of guidance but he is the guy behind those drums setting the pace for the band.

Greatest Musical Experience

"Sitting at a YES concert is always the greatest musical experience."

Favorite Lyrics

"I get up. I get down."