Welcome To The Family.

A concert with Al/Capone is a remarkable experience for any true jazz fan. The band takes its audience on an amazing musical ride that captivates everyone young and old. The show is uplifting and intense, while simultaneously smooth and carefree, drawing the listeners in until they’re filled with the music and feel a part of the family .

At the heart of the group are its members. Al/Capone’s founding musicians, Jeep Capone (drums, percussion, keyboards, vocals) and Allen Young (trumpet, flugelhorn, valve trombone, EVI, keyboards, vocals). Through the years, Al/Capone has featured some of the hottest musicians the Midwest has to offer. That group includes Jason Craft (keyboards), Peter Vircks (saxophone and flute), Vincent Rose (guitar), Ron Friedman (trumpet and flugelhorn), Ted Godbout (piano, trombone), and Mark Colby (saxophone).

Other notably gifted musicians will join the band on stage and in the studio, including vocalist Alex Ligertwood (Santana, Billy Cobham, Average White Band), bassist Darryl Wright (Billy Preston, Mavis Staples, Paul Voudouris), Ace Mack (Richard Marx, Doc Severinsen, Dave Mason), Graydon Peterson , Bob Filler, keyboardist Chris Lomheim (Rex Richardson, Peter Erskine), Mark Hoyt (Mark Lanegan, The Minus 5), and on talk box TINT.

Combining their talents for performing and their experiences playing with some of the most gifted and renowned artists in the world (Lena Horne, Johnny Graham, Basia, Rich Gajate, Trish Turner, Matt “Doctor” Fink, and Coke Escovedo), lifelong friends and business partners, “Jeep” Capone and Al Young formed their musical partnership in 1972, which later evolved into Al/Capone in 2009.

Following the success of “Mr. Smooth,” Jeep and Al collaborated once again in 2011, composing and initiating recording of music for their second CD, “Moving Right Along.” Tragically, the day after completing the title track, Al Young unexpectedly passed away. Though Jeep knew that Al would expect the music to go on, he found it difficult to move forward.

For Jeep, facing and dealing with this deeply personal loss was almost too much. As such, he chose to take some time away from Al/Capone, saying, “Music is such an emotional experience, I just can’t work on the project right now; I have to get my head together before I tackle this.”

Now, months later, though the pain is still raw and the healing continues, Jeep recognizes that the time has finally come to release the CD “Moving Right Along.”

“The world needs to hear this music, and Al’s fans deserve to enjoy the magic of such a gifted artist,” says Jeep. “It’s been really difficult, but Al would expect me to put it out there, this one is dedicated to Al and our wives, Kathie Young and Kathryn Capone.”

Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Valve Trombone, Electronic Valve Instrument, Keyboards, Vocals

“Al Young was the most honest, sincere, kind, loving, brilliant and witty person you’d ever hope to meet. He was an incredible songwriter and wonderful musician. He was also a humble man who wasn’t that impressed with himself. He never realized how loved he was.”

“Jeep” Capone

A native of Chicago, Illinois, Allen began performing in Chicago area clubs while a student at Northwestern University.

Jeep Capone recalls, “I was in a band called Morning After in those days, along with Chris Natale. Al roomed with Chris, and Al and I became friends. When Chris retired from the band, Al stepped in and took his place. That’s when our partnership of 39 years began.”

After graduating with a degree in music education, Al worked with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Lena Horne Show, and with various artists at the Playboy Club in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The long and productive association with drummer Jeep Capone also flourished, and together they recorded a great deal of original music and traveled extensively, settling in Las Vegas in 1991.

“His gift for melody was very special,” states Jeep. “You have to remember, he went to Northwestern on a music scholarship and studied with the legendary Vincent Chichowicz (regarded as one of North America’s foremost experts in brass pedagogy), and George Bean (celebrated cornet artist and one of America’s premiere jazz musicians).

Through the years, Al performed as well as composed music for films, television commercials, jazz ensembles, and Top 40/R&B/dance bands. In 2003, the St. Croix Casino and Hotel in Turtle Lake Wisconsin contracted with Al, Jeep and Michael Paul to act as principals in the house band at the casino event center.

In addition, to his tremendous talent, Al was known for his quick wit. Says Jeep, “We played the Aladdin Casino in Vegas two weeks a month for a couple of years. The casino manager thought that Al was the funniest guy in Vegas.”

Al’s sudden and untimely passing in 2011 leaves an empty space in the hearts of those who both loved and admired him. Yet Al’s spirit lives on in the notable body of his work, the respect and admiration of the music industry, the legions of his fans, as well as his friends and family whose lives were made richer by his presence.

“He had charisma, class, and style” says Jeep. “There was no one that ever met him that didn’t love him."