Joe Uniatowski
Vocals & Guitar
Joe Uniatowski is 'Take Me Back' band lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist. Growing up in Southeast Cleveland, Joe's diversity in music includes Rock & Roll, R&B and family rooted ethnic music. Influenced by great musicians of the 'Cleveland Sound', Joe quickly became multi-instrumental playing guitar, keyboards, accordion and percussions, in addition to song writing and composing. Like most musicians and the need to provide for his family, Joe's main occupation is food services and restaurant management. Currently Joe is the head Chef for Sysco Foods. Joe's strong family values and respect radiate throughout 'Take Me Back' band and all who know him
Tim Daunch
Vocals & Bass Guitar
Tim started playing guitar at the age of 11 and his first “gig” was a church picnic with 3 friends and their guitars, all playing the Beatles’ “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away”. Having caught the bug, Tim went on to perform with a number of Cleveland-area bands, including three bands with late drummer and friend, Paul Palumbo. Tim switched to bass to fill a spot for The Kannibal Kings and remained on bass for Eli’s Coming and now Take Me Back. “I’ve been truly blessed to play with so many talented musicians over the years, and consider all of them my friends.”, says Tim.
John Zambory
Vocals & Lead Guitar
John Zambory is “Take Me Back’ band’s lead guitarist and provides backup vocals. John grew up in Chardon, Ohio where he started his first band with friends at the age of 15. He and his band mates were soon playing in bars well before they were old enough to drink. John’s early influences included Led Zeppelin, Rush, Bad Company, and many more bands of late 60’s/early 70s. Since those early days, John has been in and out of the music scene due to the demands of work and family. With his children now grown up, John has been back in the playing again, joining the band in 2014. “Its truly a pleasure playing with the talent and musical diversity we have in the band, it helps us build off each other”.Recently John started transitioning to retirement, putting aside his nearly 40 year career in chemical engineering, to focus on family and fun hobbies such as playing more guitar, beer making and electronics. John also builds guitar tube amplifiers including the one he plays in the band.
Dr. Walt Vieweg
Baritone Saxophone - Alto Saxophone - Soprano Saxophone - Flute - Flugelhorn - Harmonica & Percussions
Dr Walt Vieweg is a multi- instrumentalist in Take Me Back band. Walt started studying music at the early age of 6yrs old. Brought up in a musical household, Walt’s father was a very talented trumpeter who taught him music theory and how to read music. Walt went on to study flute at the Willoughby Fine Arts Association and taught trumpet at the Cleveland Education Center. Walt enjoys learning and playing many different instruments. He even played mandolin in a band which was a side opener for Toby Keith at Blossom Music Center. He is currently a saxophonist/flutist in the Diamond Project band. Dr. Walt holds a medical degree and is a physician at a hospital located in Cleveland. Walt feels honored to be a member of the Take Me Back band and to be able to work such talented musicians.
Alan Sponseller
Trombone
Believing every trombone player needs a cool nickname, “Sudzz” is Take Me Back’s trombonist and a recovering (i.e., retired) attorney who was inspired to take up the trombone at a very young age by his father’s uncanny resemblance to Glenn Miller. Alan has also played alongside Walt in The Diamond Project Band since its inception and performs regularly with community bands and theater groups. He claims to have a love-hate relationship with Chicago’s trombonist, Jimmy Pankow, whatever that means. When not playing the horn, Alan fills his retirement with hobbies like genealogy, astronomy, and fantasy baseball, walking his slightly psychotic half-breed dogs, doting on his wife of forty years, and encouraging his daughter not to be a lawyer.
Al Widmer
Vocals & Trumpet
Al's passion for music started at a very young age. Growing up in Wickliffe Ohio, there was always an opportunity to perform with remarkable musicians. In addition to Take Me Back band, Al also performs with Pieces Of Eight band, Brothers Blues band, North Coast Horns and many others.
Glenn Sonoda
Keyboards & Piano & Vocals
Glenn grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and attended Cleveland State University majoring in music. His musical talents provided opportunities to play with many great Cleveland musicians over the past 30-years in night clubs, lounges and primarily weddings. Glenn is a retired Music Therapist who worked with children and adults at the Cuyahoga County Board. Presently, Glenn provides children sing-a-long shows for preschoolers and kindergarten. Glenn has accompanied numerous bands as a backup keyboard player and still performs as a soloist. 'Take Me back' band is honored to have such an accomplished pianist and vocalist.
Mickey Pytel
Drums & Percussions
Mickey is excited to play in Take Me Back as their drummer. He started playing professionally at the age of 15 with his 2 brothers in an all occasion band in NE Ohio. He studied music at BGSU, played in various jazz groups there, where he met musicians and played on the road in a top 40 band. Since moving back to Cleveland, he has played in a number of bands the past 35 years, playing weddings, bars, and country clubs. He enjoys playing jazz, rock, and pop, and is influenced by the music of Tower of Power, Chicago, and Steely Dan. He enjoys his day gig for the past 25 years as a courier for FedEx Express, and is enjoying the musicianship and friendship he has experienced in Take Me Back.