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Angela Paulini, Female Lead Vocals, Percussion — Classically-trained with a Vocal
Performance degree from Bowling Green State University, Angela has been singing from the
moment she was able to talk!  Over the years, Angela has been involved in several projects
ranging from musical theater & opera to pop/rock, including being a guest vocalist with the band
Sister Esther in northeastern Pennsylvania prior to joining MASTERPIECE in 2018.
In addition to singing her heart out, Angela plays a mean tambourine (and shakers), and
performs the duties of Booking Agent/Band Manager.
Some of Angela’s favorite MASTERPIECE songs to perform include “Respect”, “Black Velvet”,
“Mustang Sally” and “Uptown Funk”.

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Nate Weiland,  Lead Vocals, Percussion — Our newest member, Nate Weiland, is a true
“triple threat” with his formidable singing, acting, and dancing skills. Nate has been acting
professionally for over ten years not only in the Cleveland area, but throughout the Midwest. He
is represented by both the Docherty and Heyman Talent agencies and specializes in voiceovers,
commercial print, and industrial, commercial, and feature films.
Nate brings strong, versatile vocals, high energy and undeniable showmanship to
MASTERPIECE.

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Jim Dzurilla, Lead Guitar and Co-Founder — Jim has been well-exposed to the Northeast
Ohio music scene over the years. He started his music career playing in downtown Cleveland
with Impetus, a horn group, playing the college clubs in the early 1970’s. Jim has since been in
the acoustic rock Senior Class Band, and Boogie Nites, a Motown and Disco group.

Jim has performed at many popular venues throughout the area including the MGM Casino
(formerly Hard Rock Rocksino) and on Fox 8 in the morning. He has also been involved in
music ministry at various churches.
Jim continues his long music career as the Lead Guitar player with – and co-founder of –
MASTERPIECE.
Jim has been happily married to Pat (Lisowski) for over 50 years.

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Roger Kochan, Drums & Vocals — MASTERPIECE’s resident beatmaster, Roger has played
professionally in many bands over the years including Pineapple Wine, Three Eyed Jack,
Mystic Taxi and Canyon Wind. In addition to keeping us in time with his steady drumming
skills, Roger also sings backup vocals, adding his velvety voice to our sound.

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Tom Thiry, (Dr. Funk) Keyboards, Horn & Vocals — Tom , brings a wealth of experience to  Masterpiece having played in bands all around Northeast Ohio for over three decades.  Tom’s versatility has added extra depth and dimension to our band, as you can hear him on the trombone, keyboards, on backing vocals — and even lead vocals on a few special songs!

Jeff Harper, Trumpet/ Flugelhorn – Jeff started playing trumpet at ten years of age. Once he
stopped being fascinated with his spit valves and learning which end of the horn to play out of,
he made real progress!
Jeff has played professionally since he was a student at THE Ohio State University at a time
when there were still Blockbuster video stores on many street corners. He led his own popular
big band, In Full Swing, in the Central Ohio area for 18 years. 

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Gary Zielski, Bass — Like many of our bandmates, Gary is no stranger to the northeastern Ohio music scene, having performed professionally for many years!  Gary’s stylings on the bass has given us an extra funky sound!

In Memorium

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Bennie Jackson, Male Lead Vocals and Co-Founder
On July 7, 2024, MASTERPIECE lost its beloved   Co-Founder and Male Lead
Vocalist, the legendary and irreplaceable Bennie Jackson after a brave battle with lung cancer
and other related health issues.
Bennie was THE true heart and soul of MASTERPIECE!
Heavily influenced by artists such as James Brown, Wilson Pickett, and Levi Stubbs – just to
name a few – lead vocalist Bennie Jackson had been performing since the age of 6. After
getting his start in his church’s Junior Choir and elementary school Glee Club as a child, Bennie
founded his first group: a five-man vocal group known as The Enchanted Aces, who traveled
with the WJMO Radio Mobile Show for four years.
At 17, Bennie joined the US Armed Forces and continued to perform during his nine-year
commitment – including all over Europe, where he had the honor of performing with Wilson
Pickett at the famed Oktoberfest in Stuttgart, Germany.
Upon returning home to Cleveland in 1975, Bennie formed and fronted for local groups such as
Hot Ice, Remember When, The Jackson Brothers, and Masterpiece, a Motown and dance
band that lasted thirteen years. In 2018, with Lead Guitar Player Jim Dzruilla, Bennie re-
launched the current iteration of MASTERPIECE and proudly remained its frontman until his
untimely death in 2024. It was Bennie’s wish that the band continue on.
Bennie was a person who never met a stranger. As much as he enjoyed performing, 
He was one of a kind, and will truly, truly be missed.

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