Left Turn At Albuquerque - Chicago, Illinois

Left Turn At Albuquerque is a Folk Rock/Acoustic band, with touches of Americana, Bluegrass, Country, Jazz, and 60s and 70s Rock. LTAA is made up of incredibly talented musicians.

Sarah Scanlon on lead and backing vocals, piano, hammered dulcimer and oboe. Sarah's bio will be available soon.

Jeff Churchwell on 6 and 12-string guitars, lead and backing vocals, and the very occasional banjo. Jeff has played solo, in an early duo called "Westerly," and in a 4-piece folk/rock band called "Melanie's Waiting." More recently, Jeff founded the folk/rock band "Hawk From A Handsaw," (later renamed "the Hawk In October"). Jeff is the band's primary songwriter and lead singer, and counts himself lucky to be playing with such talented musicians. Both solo and within his bands, Jeff has played such Chicago-area venues as Elbo Room, Uncommon Ground, Two Way Street Coffee House, Fitzgerald's, Red Line Tap, Heartland Café, Pint, Fantasy Lounge, The Abbey Pub, Subterranean, The Bird's Nest, The Chicago Cultural Center, The Fox Valley Folk Festival, Downers Grove Heritage Festival, The Orphanage, Betty's Blue Star Lounge and Phyllis's Musical Inn. Jeff's influences include Dan Fogelberg, John Denver, James Taylor, Kenny Loggins, Earl Klugh, Bela Fleck, Joni Mitchell, Shawn Colvin, Annie Lennox, Bruce Hornsby, Neil Finn, Peter Gabriel, and Sting. Jeff is originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he played no music at all for eighteen years. Coming to Chicago at the turn of the Millennium got him jump-started in a big way.

Kat Fitzgerald on drums and percussion. Kat brings the same passion to percussion that she brings to life. Playing the Cajon, Djembe, Bongos or Kat's Kit that includes her "baby", she is most in her element providing the heartbeat of the band. Kat is often invited to play with musicians around Chicago and is highly in demand as a skilled percussionist. Besides playing in LTAA, Kat also works at Uptown Lounge (1136 W. Lawrence), where she is the hostess of Monday night open mic nights, works the sound, and supports emerging musical talent with added focus on women getting their start in performing. "Four Women Showcase" is the Wednesday night showcase at Mary's Attic (5400 N. Clark) Kat began in 2008 to join female musicians by allowing them to perform together for a month at a time.

By day, Kat's job as a Computer Security Specialist allows her to support her shoe collection. She may be the only drummer in Chicago to always play in 4" heels. The love of percussion came at an early age as her mother would often entertain her by allowing her to bang on pots and pans. Among Kat's many influences are Tower of Power and jazz musicians. Love of music is evident in all that she does in her life and supporting the local music scene. Kat is also a sought after photographer and enjoys photographing musicians and events many times donating her services. Check out Mystic Images Photography to see her many amazing photographs. Left Turn at Albuquerque is lucky to snare her talents as they embark on this musical adventure, trying to find their way while being chased by Elmer Fudd.

Christopher (Chris) Hopper on lead guitars. Chris started his musical career with guitar lessons in 1971. He received his Bachelor of Music in music composition and classical guitar performance in 1985, his MFA in creative writing from Bowling Green State University in 1993, and added bass guitar to his bag of tricks in 1996. He has performed in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Illinois, Ohio, Delaware, Germany, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, New York City, Austin and Chicago. He has played everything from alternative rock to zydeco. He has recorded as a soloist, and with Canvasback (Guitar), Second Chance Blues (Bass), Wendy Adams & The Drama Kings (Bass), Daniel Work (Guitar and Bass), and Boxcar Billy’s Roadside Tavern Band (Guitar). He has appeared on television with the Baldwin Wallace College Guitar Ensemble, Canvasback, and Second Chance Blues; on live radio with Wendy Adams & The Drama Kings; and via live web-cast, with The Andy Hersey Band. Chris’ influences are quite diverse and include: The Beatles, Robben Ford, Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Pat Metheny, B.B. King, Jeff Golub, Dominic Miller, Andy Summers, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny A, Sting, David Grisman, Joe Cravens, Bela Fleck, Victor Wooten, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Bruce Hornsby, and three of his guitar teachers: Nick Bucci in Delaware, the late Tony Favazzo, and Dr. Loris O. Chobanian in Cleveland.

Joe Nemec on bass and backing vocals. Joe's bio will be available soon.