Bios

Leslie Darwin O’Brien - Our Singer 

Leslie is an actress/singer/entertainer who has performed everywhere from The Havana Jazz Festival to Off-Broadway. 

She was featured in the LA Improvisational Comedy Troupe, The Village Idiots. 

Leslie recently recorded the soundtrack for the movie “Renfield” at Skywalker Studios.

She is also the author of With Love From Here in My Kitchen: Reflections from the Pandemic to Remind You That You Are Not Alone. 

She has recently performed in Rossmoor as the characters Goldie Gates & Mrs. Claus.

Leslie loves working with children and teens. She is the founder of GirlPower, a program devoted to building self-esteem and fostering a sense of community for 6th-12th grade girls. 

She received her B.A. in Communication from Stanford.

After Stanford, Leslie wrote for Time Magazine and PBS. 

Leslie has dedicated her love & devotion to Kids of all ages, 

She is also the head of the board at the “Terry's Kids” non profit, as well as Administrator for the “Music Unites Foundation”.

Terry Miller - Bassist / Producer & Rossmoor Resident

Terry has recorded & performed with The Zac Brown Band, Amy Grant, Barbara Hendricks, Bob Weir and Mickey Hart, Brenda Lee, Charlie Mclain, Dan Hicks, Dave Grusin, Debbie Harry, The Doobie Brothers, Emmy Lou Harris, Jimmy Buffett, Huey Lewis, Kenny Rankin, Mary MacGregor, Michael Johnson, Michael McDonald, Paul Anka, Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca, Stan Getz, Stan Kenton, Steve Allan, Steve Miller, The Harry James Orchestra, Vince Gil, etc.

Terry was an Instructor at University of Minn., University of Colorado at Boulder, Monterey Peninsula College.

He is also been an active member in the Music Ministry at LOPC (Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church) for the past 25 years.

Terry is also the founder and director of 2 non profits, 

“Terry’s Kids” ,,, https://www.tkids.org/home

“Music Unites Foundation” ,,, https://www.musicunitesfoundation.org/home

Walter Barr  - Trumpet & Rossmoor Resident

Walter holds degrees in Music, Music Performance and Music Education including post-doctoral work at the Eastman School of Music. he is a Emeritus Professor at the Metropolitan State University of Denver.

His conducting credentials include work with the Jefferson Symphony, The Ultraphonic Jazz Orchestra, The Denver Jazz Orchestra, Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis, Terence Blanchard, Clare Fischer, Bobby Shew and Patrick Williams. He has performed with Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald, Marvin Gaye, Henry Mancini, Lou Rawls, Dave Brubeck, Mel Torme, Gladys Knight, The Colorado Symphony, The Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, Ray Charles, Sammy Davis Jr. plus many others.

Mark Rossi  - Pianist & Rossmoor Resident

A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Mark Rossi is a successful California transplant. He has a deep connection with jazz music and has played in clubs with small groups and big bands throughout his life. Mark compliments a love of improvisation with compositional pursuits that range from R&B to experimental jazz forms. His song B.H.F.J climbed the indie pop jazz charts. More recently Mark has released solo piano and trio albums which can be found on your favorite streaming service.

Along with music, Mark also spent decades working in the tech industry developing software. He worked at Oracle Corp. and PeopleSoft developing one of the first enterprise portal products, designing and managing the creation of public sector business software and has multiple software patents.

Mr Rossi is also one of the head consultants and tech designer at the non profits “Terry's Kids” and the “Music Unites Foundation”

Peter Graves - Saxophonist

Peter is a Bay Area saxophonist with lifelong roots in casuals, club dates, and studio work on both coasts. Since moving west, he has performed widely throughout the region, recognized for his versatility, consistency, and steady professionalism. His work includes regular appearances with local ensembles and occasional sideman performances with national top-echelon musicians.

Eric Thompson - Drummer

Longtime Bay Area Drummer and  Teacher.

Eric has performed with Marian McPartland, Richie Cole, Bob Hope, Tex Beneke, The Coasters, The Ink Spots, Howie Mandel, Frankie Laine, the San Francisco Symphony among many others. His Broadway Shows include Miss Saigon, Les Miserables, Show Boat, Man of LaMancha, Sound of Music, Grease.

Eric has recently retired from teaching Middle School Band and Orchestra in Contra Costa.

Marc Baum - Guitar, Bass, Sax, Vocals

San Francisco musician Marc Baum plays Guitar, Bass, Sax, and he Sings!

Marc has performed with Eddie Money, Sylvester, Blue Oyster Cult, Steve Miller, The Four Tops, The Fabulous Bud E Luv Show, etc.

He can literally play anything, all styles, you name it!

Mr. Baum joins "Just Friends" on ALL Dance Events.