The Band
Denise Lease
Vocals
Denise Lease's unique high-energy vocal acrobatics provide Indigo with a one-of-a-kind sound, and an authentic blues quality. Starting in childhood singing Gospel music and musical theater, Denise moved on to singing live with both cover and originals bands in her 20's. In 2003 she joined Chicago blues band Uptown Blues Society, and her love affair with the blues began. Her main influences are Etta James, Koko Taylor, Aretha Franklin, Bonnie Raitt, and Susan Tedeschi. Denise lives in Naperville with her husband Gus, her twins (when they are home from college), and her dog, Daisy.
Billy Dupre
Bass, Vocals
Billy has been playing music since he was 9 years old. Originally trained as a drummer by Jazz great Mud Sarro, he played in several bands in the New York area in the ‘60’s. Billy switched to bass guitar to play the Blues before joining the ‘50’s tribute band Depoe & The Elmonts.
After taking 25 years off to raise his family and build a successful career as a senior technology executive, Billy formed INDIGO in 1998 in the south suburbs of Chicago.
Fast forward 20 years with a new lineup and he is still following his passion playing the Blues.
Andrew Szymanski
Drums, Vocals
Andrew started music in grade school by taking lessons on a Lowery organ that his family bought at the local mall. Eventually that sparked his interest in music to taking lessons on guitar, bass guitar, banjo and saxophone. Andrew majored in Oboe at Concordia University in River Forest, and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Music Education. He is the band director for several grade schools in the Chicago suburbs.
Andrew “fell” into the drums along the way in high school and college and has been performing for the last 30+years with several local groups- The Noah Gabriel Band, the Nick Bell Band, Zydeco Voodoo and various blues/rock/jazz ensembles. He has toured throughout the Midwest and also appeared an many studio recordings. His biggest influences have been Joe Morello with the Dave Brubeck Quartet, Billy Cobham, Vinnie Colaiuta and Phil Collins.
Bors Baniqued
Guitar, Vocals
During the 1970’s in the Philippines, Bors was heavily influenced by the music hear heard around the neighborhood, his uncles and older siblings playing the rock of the time. He would stare at album covers of The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Eric Clapton – and by the 90’s, he had discovered the blues – buying Stevie Ray Vaughn’s “In Step” album by accident, and being blown away.
He started playing in bands in the Philippines, and continued once he moved to the United States. As well as playing with Indigo Blues Band, Bors also frequently contributes in the recording studio, most recently with a band called Karnal’s Circle.
Bors’ biggest influences in music were his uncles and elder siblings, and the works of Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimmy Page. He thanks his brother Edgar, his cousins, his wife and kids for their support and love.