JAN SALVADORINI, soprano || While attending Buffalo Grove High School, Jan was introduced to the stage. She starred in the school’s musicals and with the award-winning Expressions Show Choir. She was hooked. After obtaining a Bachelor Degree in music education at University of Illinois she spent five years singing with Division, a vocal trio performing nightly in Chicagoland clubs. While in college, Jan performed with professional equity actors in reparatory theater at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. She is married with three adult boys. Jan is the infection control and clinic coordinator for the College of Lake County’s dental hygiene program, having worked in dentistry for over 25 years. As a high school senior, Jan sang the National Anthem, solo, on national TV at home plate at Wrigley Field on June 5th, 1981, Cubs versus Dodgers. (Cubs lost.) In February, 2014, Peggy Conniff announced her retirement after 20 years with Jazz Spectrum. It took eight months of painful auditions to find Peggy’s replacement, which happened after Stacy casually mentioned our frustrations to a friend, who suggested we contact her friend, Jan. It was a no-brainer. Jan was, and still is, very excited to be performing again in the musical world after taking a 30-year hiatus to raise her family.
STACY EIFERT, alto || Not only does Stacy sing, but she is also a talented percussionist. Only 16 years old, she auditioned for and won a spot on University of Illinois’ Marching Illini’s snare drum line as an incoming freshman. She was the first female in the history of the Marching Illini to play snare drum for all four years. Although a business major, she played percussion in U of I’s Symphonic Band, a position normally held by a music major. Stacy has been married to John, Jazz Spectrum’s drummer, for over 25 years. They met while marching next to each together in Illini’s snare line. They have two children, both talented musicians. After a few years in sales, she embraced her role as Mom while going back to school to earn a Master’s Degree in Education. When both kids were in school, she pursued her second career, teaching fourth grade at Fremont Intermediate School. She is a volunteer for Mare In Heaven, an organization that offers therapy through minature horses to those needing comfort and special needs.
DAN MAHER, tenor || Dan began singing in community groups at age 10. He was “discovered” while performing in a local chorus, Jerry Traxler’s Choral Dynamics. Bob was playing bass and took note of Dan’ s clear high range, so critical in creating the wide rich sound associated with Jazz Spectrum. Bob asked Dan to join this new vocal group he was forming. He said he’d “give it a try.” That was in 1994. Dan’s wife calls herself “the singing widow,” since it seems that he is always rehearsing. He is a recent retiree after spending 43 years as an electrical engineer at Underwriters Laboratories. Dan and his wife live in Grayslake, Illinois. They have a daughter, who teaches Physical Education, and a son who spent nine years in the Navy, serving in Kuwait, Guantanamo Bay and Bahrain. In 2005, their youngest son, a US Marine, was killed in action in Iraq. We still share their grief. Dan has an unusual method of reading music called the “arrow” system. Ask him about it when you see him.
STEVE SMITH, bass || Steve Smith helps bring energy, entertainment, and fun to many of Jazz Spectrum’s original arrangements of classic jazz hits. He is the newest member of Jazz Spectrum’s Vocal Quartet, taking over Tim Laud’s bass chair in 2016. His range of styles help to broaden Jazz Spectrum’s deep musical repertoire by adding vocalese solos and classic Joe Williams-style blues. He has his own IP company and currently works with a major auto company. He is married with two adult children. Ever since he was seven and sang in the children’s choir with Gerry Traxler’s Choral Dynamics, he has had a love for music. As a teen, he was a featured soloist in school musicals and choirs. As an adult, he opened for the likes of Henny Youngman. Steve loves performing with Jazz Spectrum and looks forward to what the future holds for this group.
