Keyboards, Vocals, Production
About Greg
Greg is a largely self-taught keyboardist and synthesist, who continued his studies at Berklee College of Music, William Paterson, and Montclair State University. Greg worked for many years as a recording engineer, collaborating with hundreds of acts and garnering a Billboard #1 Dance track, Everybody Be Somebody, among his many accomplishments.
He has also served as keyboardist and vocalist with dozens of NY/NJ bands on stage and in studio. He and his wife Connie are veteran band leaders having managed their own party rock band for over a decade. He has danced across many a bar top and swung from a rafter or two. Greg enjoys being able to apply his wide array of technical skills and musical abilities in Heroes for Ghosts. Outside of the band, education and environmental sustainability are passions as well.
On Pink Floyd
It’s hard to find the words to express just how significant Pink Floyd is to me. My first exposure was to The Wall in middle school. I recall it being the first album in which I really lost myself for months on end. I later dove into their catalog with Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here (the first and second albums I ever bought on CD). The accessible melodies were quick to learn, and the lyrics resonated unlike anything else I’d heard. Richard Wright’s masterful creations and arrangements fueled my interest in synthesis and songwriting. I spent countless hours inside those records, as a young keyboardist experimenting with Moog, Korg and ARP synthesizers.
Pink Floyd was truly my inspiration to pursue keyboarding. That pursuit has brought me such joy, from my wife (who I met in a band), to our family, and my professional career. Heroes for Ghosts is the first tribute act I’ve played with, and it seems only fitting that it be the music of Pink Floyd.
Favorite Lyric
“Long you live and high you fly, smiles you’ll give and tears you’ll cry, and all you touch and all you see, it’s all your life will ever be.”
For totally different reasons, a close second is: “Wave upon wave of demented avengers march cheerfully out of obscurity into the dream.”
Drums, Vocals
About Miguel
Always a fan of many music styles, including film scores, Miguel started out on the trumpet before moving onto the drums and some bass guitar in high school. Known to have perfect pitch, he loves getting into vocals while drumming. He counts Phil Collins and Levon Helm as his influences. Miguel is also a sound engineer, mixing sound for local bands. For Heroes for Ghosts, he applies his technical and artistic expertise to craft the complex mix for the audience.
Miguel is also the drummer/vocalist for the Grateful Dead cover band “Watchung Mountain Riders” and has sat in on the drums with countless bands over the years.
On Pink Floyd
Wish You Were Here was the first album I fell in love with, which had me moving back throughout the earlier albums. I still feel that Atom Heart Mother is an underrated album.
Favorite Lyric
“Too much, I won’t touch you but then I might.”
Vocals, Acoustic and Electric Guitars
About Andrew
Andrew is a singer, songwriter and guitarist, who also plays bass, piano and various other instruments. Besides being a member of Heroes for Ghosts, he is a lead singer for RADIO 506, an eclectic cover band, in which he plays guitar and a Wurlitzer electric piano. He particularly enjoys harmonizing with his wife Teresa Perez Ceccon in both bands. Andrew has played in many bands and projects over the years, most recently with Triplefret and Bottle of Bread, a Bob Dylan tribute band.
Making up full songs in his head even before learning to strum a tennis racket, Andrew Ceccon always dreamed of performing his own music to crowds. Andrew has penned over 100 songs across many genres, with a quirky passion for blending his rock, folk, jazz and country influences. From the 1990s through the 2010s, he fronted Very Very, a trio that released three albums – all available on Spotify – and played New York City original music club circuit. Very Very still performs occasionally, and Andrew composes new tunes under that moniker. He has been scripting and scoring a musical.
On Pink Floyd
“As a teenager, the earworms of The Wall ate into my brain, seared into the soundtrack of my youth. Recreating Floyd’s timeless masterpieces with Heroes for Ghosts is like time travel for me… and I don’t want to come back.”
Favorite Lyric
“Hey you, will you help me to carry the stone?”
Vocals, Bass, Fog Machine
About Matt
Matt is a bass player who also dabbles in guitar, drums and piano. His mother was a music teacher, so piano lessons were on the weekly schedule in the 1970’s. He started as a drummer in his high school marching band and jazz band, where he fine-tuned his craft and learned how to vibe with other musicians. He soon formed his first rock band in 1982 where he held down the beat while helping his band lose many regional Battle of the Bands competitions.
He has since taught himself guitar (because no one pays attention to the drummer), then discovered bass guitar, where he found his calling. He has played with many bands throughout the years and often fills in for gigs on short notice. Matt’s acute ear for melody and harmony allow him to learn songs on the fly, while subtly layering in a third part harmony vocal.
Matt is a “Gear Head” with an eclectic collection of high-end guitar tube amps and stomp boxes. He builds extravagant pedal boards as a hobby, including the boards for his two bandmates in Heroes for Ghosts. Matt’s main bass rig includes an Ashdown bass amp, a Fender V string bass guitar and a Line 6 Bass Pod for quick effect changes on stage.
On Pink Floyd
Matt discovered the power of Pink Floyd in 1980, where he and his fellow 8th grade classmates recreated the chanting children of the song Another Brick in The Wall during gatherings in the boy’s locker room and cafeteria. “We don’t need no education” and “Hey, teacher, leave us kids alone!” The defiance in the minds of youths, struggling to find their voice as they entered their teen years, were thunderous and cathartic.
Favorite Lyric
“Mother, do you think they’ll try to break my balls?”
Lead Guitar
About Dave
Dave (aka “DJ”) has played guitar since he was 11 years old and has consistently performed in bands since age 15. His style has formed from a wide variety of influences including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jerry Garcia, Alex Lifeson, Trey Anastasio and, of course, David Gilmour. He has shared the stage with notable musicians including Mary Wilson of The Supremes, Dave Dreiwitz of Ween, Jimmy Vivino of The Fab Faux, and others. Dave has written and recorded albums with The Howlin’ Thurstons and The Hey Honeys.
On Pink Floyd
Dave became obsessed with Pink Floyd at 10 years old with the release of The Wall. He was captivated by everything from the vivid imagery of the songs’ lyrics to the melodies to the sound effects. From there he dove into the catalogue and fell in love with Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here and Animals. In time Dave discovered Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd as well. The melodic guitar solos of David Gilmour made the biggest impression on Dave. Unlike most flashy guitar solos of the 1980’s, you could sing along with Gilmour’s memorable solos. He first saw them perform live during the Momentary Lapse of Reason tour and has seen Roger Waters’ solo performances as well.
Favorite Lyric
“Some hand in hand, and some gathered together in bands. The bleeding hearts and artists make their stand.”
Vocals
About Connie
Adding another powerful layer to the “Shining Diamonds” back-up vocal team, Connie started her musical career singing into perfume bottle “microphones” as a tween. She has always loved to sing and went on to collaborate with vocal coaches in NJ and NYC and a music minor in college. Her main instrument is her voice, but she also dabbles in keyboard, guitar and songwriting.
She has performed her original music at legendary NYC clubs such as Bitter End, Downtime and Acme Underground. She has also been the lead singer in super fun cover bands such as NFT and Voodoo Merchants, playing all the great NJ clubs. These endeavors resulted in lifelong friends, and in meeting her amazing and talented husband, Greg, with whom she is lucky to share a stage.
Her musical influences are varied but she leans toward female singer-songwriters. One of which is Alanis Morrissette, perhaps because she had an uncanny resemblance to her while also coincidently performing her songs with the cover band – lots of funny stories about that! She enjoys performing all styles of music, from rock/pop to country and blues, but her newest project with Heroes for Ghosts is perhaps one of her most challenging yet. “I’m so used to singing lead and find these backup vocals to be surprisingly more technical, but I’m loving every minute of the music, the growth, and working with this talented group of the musicians.”
On Pink Floyd
I was always a fan of Pink Floyd. I remember when The Wall came out my friends and I had to rush to buy the album and see the movie. But I never realized the full power of their music until I joined this tribute band. From the first note, at the first rehearsal (some of us just meeting for the first time), you could feel the power and the energy in the room. You can feel it at the shows too! The audience has that same palpable energy! I would still be a fan of Pink Floyd today but now I’m an even bigger fan because I realize firsthand the timeless power in their music.
Favorite Lyric
“Wish You Were Here”
For all of those who are no longer with us, I dedicate this line every time…
Vocals
About Teresa
Teresa brings her powerful, distinct voice to Heroes for Ghosts as one of the band’s “Shining Diamonds.” She is also currently a lead singer and percussionist in cover band RADIO 506. Over the years, Teresa has been involved in musical projects, singing in a variety of shows and bands, most recently, Triplefret, The Plaine Truth and the Unfinished Garage Band.
Teresa’s early life exposure to eclectic musical genres (rock, disco, Latin and jazz) set her on a lifetime artistic journey. In her more than 30-year career as a dancer, choreographer and educator, Teresa teaches modern jazz dance to students around the world in English and Spanish (check out Lines of Energy).
On Pink Floyd
The music of Pink Floyd has woven its way through my life, beginning when I was just a young girl. Growing up, I’d listen to FM classic rock stations, and my friends and I would belt out “All in all you’re just another Brick in the Wall” on our stoop, feeling rebellious and alive. Pink Floyd’s sound has been a transformative presence reaching back to my earliest memories. I was only 12 when I experienced Laser Floyd at the Hayden Planetarium in New York City, a cosmic adventure that left a lasting impact. In my first apartment, lighting incense and cranking up Dark Side of the Moon on the CD player became a ritual. Pink Floyd’s songs have been a lifelong companion, shaping my journey with their depth and artistry. I feel incredibly fortunate to reconnect with Pink Floyd’s music as a member of Heroes for Ghosts. It brings a profound sense of satisfaction and fulfillment, and the experience now feels transcendent. Tapping back into their music at this stage of my life allows me to relive the emotions and memories they stirred in me from the very beginning, but with even deeper meaning.
Favorite Lyric
“Breathe, Breathe in the air, don’t be afraid to care.” Favorite lyric to sing: “Ooooo, I need a dirty woman. Ooooo, I need a dirty girl.”
Saxophone
About Howard
Howard started playing clarinet at 7 years old and moved over to the saxophone shortly thereafter. He has been at it ever since. He plays in a number of bands of varying styles and has had the opportunity to play alongside a number of his musical heroes. He grew up dreaming of a lifetime of touring the world playing in bands, but has since changed his goal to be the musician who has played with the greatest number of bands at the famous Tierney’s Tavern (in his hometown of Montclair, NJ). Although saxophone is his main and favorite instrument, he dabbles in many others. His daughter once commented that he has more instruments than shirts… which is true.
On Pink Floyd
Howard’s first exposure to Pink Floyd was at age 13 when he watched The Wall with some of the older kids in the neighborhood. Eventually the nightmares went away and a few year later he jumped back into Pink Floyd, wearing out his Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall albums. He is thrilled to have the opportunity with Heroes for Ghosts to recreate the classic Dick Parry saxophone solos that he grew up listening to over and over again. He is still trying to achieve the perfect alignment of Dark Side of the Moon and Wizard of Oz.
Favorite Lyric
“I can’t explain, you would not understand. This is not how I am. I have become comfortably numb.”