The Gentle Giant Quintet

The Gentle Giant Quintet was created by it's vocalist, Ramin Khamsei, in 1997. It's comprised of up and coming as well as established Chicago musicians. The majority of it's members attended Roosevelt University's music school and have played together on and off for several years. Although the bands staple is the songbooks of crooners Frank Sinatra and Harry Connick Jr., they do a wide variety of classic standards, bossa nova as well as the occasional converted rock tunes. Comprised of guitar, bass, drums and saxaphone players, the band has a unique blend of the relaxed feel of West Coast jazz and a dark fury of Bebop. Ramin Khamsei, while standing 6'10" and 400 pounds, sings with a gentleness and subtlety not expected from someone of his size. Hence the name of the band. Jason Steele the guitarist who brings a contemporary sound and style of play to this group, is also responsible for the co-creation and adaptation of the musical arrangements. Tim Haldman brings a blend of Stan Getz and Sonny Rollins to the group through his playing. Patrick Mulcahy, Matt Golombisky, Joel Masters and Matt Ulery have been rotating to provide an anchor of beautiful musicianship with the bass. Joel Styzens, Vance Okraszewski, John Smillie and Ryan Bennett have been the driving forces behind the drums. While the world is full of crooners and other types of singers, The Gentle Giant Quintet has a taste of the old stylings that most people know and love with the unique feel of something new that is not heard very often in music these days...... sincerity to the music.