The Opposition Party is a ten-piece Chicago musical collective, centered around performance of polyrhythmic music, particularly the cross-pollination of African music, Jamaican reggae and dub, and American funk and jazz. Heavy grooves and high-energy rhythms come alive in a catalog that features music from artists like Mulatu Astatke, Fela Kuti, Tony Allen, Thomas Mapfumo, Jackie Mittoo, and originals that stir up all these influences and bake them into something new.

The Opposition Party:

John Knecht – Percussion
John Knecht is a professional percussionist who has traveled to over 30 countries to study the art of drumming, with an emphasis on drum set and West African percussion. He has had the privilege of performing with Baba Maal, Yo Yo Ma, the Chicago Sinfonietta and Foday Musa Suso. Knecht leads outreach programs throughout Chicago on behalf of the House of Blues, the Chicago Symphony and Urban Gateways.

Danny Howard – Percussion
Born in Buffalo, raised in Chicagoland, studied Cuba and Brazil. While living in the UK he was the Band leader of Son Salsa, The Latin Experince, Johhny & the Checkers, and the Howard Quartet.

Bryan “Rez” Resendiz – Drums
A natural feel drummer with a penchant for polyrhythm, Rez has toured all over the globe and can lay down complex afrobeat rhythms as well as simple, soulful grooves.

Michael Weimann – Bass
For years, Mike has added his smooth, round sound to funk and African projects throughout Chicago.

Jason Kaulas – Guitar
Strictly rhythm. You don’t see many guitarists with these chops layin down just the scratch, the skank, and the rub a dub. Watch out, he might take a solo one of these days, and you wouldn’t want to miss it.

Joshua Siegal – Keyboards
Serving up the bubble on the organ, synth, and electric piano. Josh also creates sound for theater and produces multimedia in his spare time.

Jake Worley-Hood – Trumpet
Whether conducting a sound-painting group or blowing trumpet for us, Jake possesses a great feel for groove and improvisation.

Joshua “Shap” Shapiro – Tenor Sax
The soulful virtuoso. Shap is in demand all over town, and we’re glad to have his formidable horn sweetenin our sound.

Andy Peplinski – Trombone
A multitalented bass player who digs on funk, we get him on his first love, the slide trombone.

Joshua Therriault – Baritone Sax
Holding down the low sound in our section, Josh adds the edge of bebop baritone to our groove. He knows how to keep it together in more ways than one – when he’s not playing horns, he’s busy repairing them.