Michelle DuChemin: Vocalist

Michelle is a native of North Florida.  She has played and performed in a wide variety of musical groups playing piano, flute/piccolo, percussion and singing.  Her versatile voice lends itself to musical theater, traditional solo and choral style performances and, of course, the funky and soulful sound of the Retro Kats. A Music Education graduate from the University of North Florida she took her  knowledge to the classroom teaching elementary music for a short time.  She currently teaches general music and is the choral director at a local junior high school. When not signing with the Retro Kats and shaping the voices of teenagers she enjoys spending time with her wonderful husband and two beautiful daughters.

Geoff DuChemin: Guitarist, Vocalist

Geoff grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio where he developed a passion for music.  As a teenager he discovered the Blues, Soul, and R&B while learning to play guitar.  He has lent his bluesy guitar work and powerful vocals to several bands in Jacksonville including Beale St. Taxi, Uncle Louie, and  the Delta Dave Blues band.  In addition to being an accomplished guitarist, Geoff shares lead vocal responsibilities in the Retro Kats.  Geoff has an amazing ability to harmonize vocals with Michelle resulting in a powerful musical combination rarely heard in live music today.  He is currently teaching at the University of Florida while working on a Ph.D. in Archaeology.

Rick Rivas: Bass Guitarist

Originally from Key Largo, Rick began playing in rock bands as a young man. Soon he discovered jazz and blues and is quoted as saying he wanted to be the "blackest sounding white bass player anybody ever heard."   In the 1970's he lent his solid groove to the band Bits and Pieces which played many of the same music as the Retro Kats--only back then it wasn't retro. Other bands he has played with include the Whiskey River Band, Crystal Image, and the Heaters with Derek Hess (of Rossington-Collins fame). Rick's versatility and funky bass grooves are  essential elements of the Retro Kats' sound.

Steve Beaton: Trumpet, Horn Arranger

Steve, from Dallas, Texas, grew up playing in all types of school bands.  While pursuing an engineering degree at the University of Alabama , Steve played in the Million Dollar Band and actively participated in the big band jazz program where he gained appreciation for musical improvisation.  After relocating to Jacksonville in the early 90s, Steve was inspired by blues and old-school R&B music and decided to form a band with other like-minded musicians.  Since that time he has been a founding member of Biscuit Johnson, Area 51 and now the Retro Kats.  Steve's funky horn arrangements add an extra element of sizzle to the smooth Retro Kats sound.

Jeremy Siegel: Saxophone

Originally from Miami, FL, Jeremy relocated to Jacksonville to persue a music degree and has been performing here and abroad for the past 8 years. He has performed all syles of music, performed with many jazz greats and played everywhere from Chicago to the Netherlands. Steve and Jeremy's tight and funky horn lines are a big part of the RetroKats sound. Influences from Charlie Parker to James Brown have inspired his funky-jazz style. Jeremy is, by far, the sexiest member of the band!    In fact, the only reason we hired him was because of his stunning good looks.  Sorry ladies, he's married.

Derek Hess: Drummer

Derek began playing with the Retrokats as a regular drummer in 2009.  Derek has been playing music around Jacksonville since the early 70's and is best known as a member of the Rossington-Collins band.   Although legendary as a rock drummer, Derek has always been heavily influenced by the soulful and funky R&B music of the 1970's.  Those close to him know that he may be the world's biggest Stevie Wonder fan (look for Derek's Stevie Wonder t-shirt at many Retrokat shows).  Reuniting with bassist Rick Rivas, with whom he jammed many times in the 80's, Derek is right at home as a Retrokat.