JOHN LAURENTI — That guy with the mellow baritone voice you hear and see in front of the band is John Laurenti. His sound of the 40s, 50s and 60s was added to the band in 1999 after being introduced by Gateway City Big Band bass player Mike Bruce.

John was reared in Collinsville, Illinois and moved to St. Louis in 1974. He is a Vietnam veteran and has been employed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for over 21 years. He and his wife, Doe (Dolores) share four children and six grandchildren.

Singing with the Gateway City Big Band is not John's only gig. He has been a guitarist since his late teens and currently plays guitar and sings with a small group at Amighetti's On The Hill on Saturdays from Noon til 3:00 pm. Also, John and Doe sing together and entertain at restaurant lounges, private parties and nursing homes.

From May to October, John pursues his other love, playing softball. The team he plays with is in a senior league, playing in six to eight tournaments per year in the South and Midwest. In fact, they won two World Series rings in 2003.

John says he's "really enjoying being with the best big band in town and has a lot of respect for the band members and the musicianship it takes to play the great big band arrangements.

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