Sue Orfield Band
The award winning Sue Orfield Band writes and plays songs that resonate with blues, funk, rock, and country-soul. Since 2006 they’ve crafted a unique, saxophone driven sound, and have received critical acclaim both locally and nationally.
The Sue Orfield Band has released three CDs in that last 9 years, “Now Let Us Sing (2007)”, BONK! (2009), and “Fight The Good Fight (2013)”.
The music fans of the Chippewa Valley have consistently voted for The Sue Orfield Band in Volume One’s “Best of the Chippewa Valley” Reader Poll, in the Rock, Blues and Jazz Categories, and for the last three years (2017, 2018, 2019) they were voted the #1 Blues Band in the Chippewa Valley.
The Sue Orfield Band is: Sue Orfield (tenor saxophone), Mike Schlenker (guitar + vocals), Randy Sinz (bass + vocals), and Dave Schrader (drums + vocals). Whenever possible, The Sue Orfield Band adds the fabulous SOB Horn Section: Jeff Reitz (tenor + alto saxes, flute), Jayson Collins (baritone sax), Tom Carlson (trombone) and Pat Hull (trumpet).
Sue Orfield plays the tenor saxophone with the whimsy of Sonny Rollins, the passion of Kurt Cobain, the soul of Bill Withers, and the joy of Ella Fitzgerald. Along with a compelling mastery of her instrument, Sue brings to the stage a powerful presence and joy of all things musical.
Sue has played with many musical greats over the years, including Bo Diddley, Bobby McFerrin, The Indigo Girls, Ann Wilson (Heart), Dizzy Gillespie, Ivan Neville, Jo Dee Messina, among others. She tours internationally with several groups, including The Tiptons Sax Quartet (Seattle/NYC), and Ellen Whyte (Portland, OR).
Sue was voted "Best Horn" by the Washington Blues Society for the years 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004.
In 2014 and 2015, Sue has rated her very own category in Volume One’s “Best Of The Chippewa Valley” Reader Poll : The Best Sue Orfield!
Sue makes her home in the Chippewa Valley of Wisconsin, and plays locally with bands from all over Wisconsin and Minnesota, including The Chippewa Valley Jazz Orchestra, AcoustiHoo, Catya's Trio, The Butanes, Deep Water Reunion, The Jazz Women All Stars, and many more.
For more information about Sue and her doings, please visit www.sueorfield.com.
Randy Sinz first started playing bass at the age of 12 in his father’s band, Jerry Sinz and his Dairyland Ranchhands. After touring the United States in the 70’s, Randy settled in Western Wisconsin singing and playing bass with a number of popular groups including The Cadillac Cowboys, Tequila Sage and Southern Serenade. Today in addition to singing and playing bass with The Sue Orfield Band, he also performs with The Eclectic Barn Boys, The Whyte Orfield Band, Catya's Trio, Code Blue, Two Rivers, AcoustiHoo, Deep Water Reunion, Rada Dada, and Ranger Rudy & the Swingin' Wingtips.
Mike Schlenker is a mainstay in the Chippewa Valley Music Scene. He’s been playing music locally, and touring for 30 years, and is most noted for playing with bands such as Another Carnival (who was signed by SBK Records, and on regular rotation on MTV), Axis (who won Wisconsin Music Awards “best rock band” twice) and the Jimmy Solberg Band. Mike was also nominated several times for “Best Rock Guitar Player” in the Wisconsin Music Awards. Mike has shared the stage with many notable musicians over the years, including Luther Allison, Jo Dee Messina, Howard Luedke, Peter Phippen. With Peter Phippen, Mike wrote many of the songs on the CD “Book Of Dreams”, which is distributed internationally by Canyon Records. He currently lives in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, playing music and running his music store, The Speed of Sound.
Drummer Dave Schrader has performed in many local bands around the Chippewa Valley since the age of 15. He toured with several different bands from 1973 to 1977, gaining experience in different genres. During the 1980’s he was a proud member of “Southern Serenade”, a popular country-rock group who thrilled audiences with their vocal and musical talents. In 1991, he provided the drum tracks for the rock band “Rhythm Kings” second CD. In addition to playing with The Sue Orfield Band, he is also currently a member of Mojo Lemon, Drivin’ Miss Dixie, Rada Dada and The Other Brothers. Dave’s has a smooth, versatile approach to drumming and also adds flavor and style to the band with his spot-on vocals.
