LES BAYER: Banjo, baritone vocals.
One of the group's founders, Les has been playing banjo and singing baritone for the group since its beginnings in the 1960's. His wit and dry humor has made him a popular group front man.Les has also been the the radio voice for the popular Hofstra University Bluegrass radio show "Fingerpickin' Good". When not playing Bluegrass, Les is a vice president of sales for a major distributing company.
ART DEKHAYSER: Guitar, lead and tenor vocals.
The second founding member of the group, Art is responsible for the band's name "The Yankee Rebels". Originally a banjo player for his previous group, "The Lost County Choir", he took up the guitar so that he could become the featured vocalist for the Rebels and sings lead and tenor for the two, three and four part harmony vocals. When not playing Bluegrass, Art is the Compensation Analyst for the State of New Jersey Civil Service Commission as well as a nationally recognized Affirmative Action Plan Consultant.
DAVE BRESSLER: Mandolin, lead vocals.
Third of the original founders of the group, Dave has been a top mandolin player for over 40 years. He has written countless numbers of songs and instrumentals including most of the original material in the Rebels' repertoire. His lead singing is found mostly in the duets, trios and quartets, but he occasionally steps out singing lead on the whole song, usually on one of his own compositions. When not playing Bluegrass Dave is an attending Physician and assistant professor at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine.
Dave is currently not playing with the Rebels due to health concerns.
ALLEN COHEN: Upright Bass
Allen joined the Rebels in 2006 and was instumental in its re-forming after a long hiatus. He has been playing Upright Bass for over 40 years and is well known in Bluegrass circles throughout the eastern seabord. Prior to joining the Rebels Allen was a founding member of "The Tri-County Ramblers", a popular Staten Island based band. Allen also organized the Bluegrass Festival at Historic Richmond Town which ran for 11 years. When not playing Bluegrass, Allen is a Pharmacist.
MARK FARRELL: Fiddle, all vocal parts.
A more recent addition to the band, Mark provides the masterful fiddle playing for the band. With many years of experience playing Bluegrass, old-time and country fiddle, as well as appearing with the James Reams Barnstormers Bluegrass Band, Mark provides new musical perspective as he develops more contemporary styles and arrangements into his repertoire. Mark also provides many of the baritone harmonies for the band, although he can provide any vocal part when the need arises. When not playing Bluegrass, Mark is a paralegal for a prestigious downtown, NYC law firm.
With Dave Bressler not available, Mark has moved to mandolin.
BILL CHRISTOPHERSEN: Fiddle, all vocal parts.
With Dave Bressler not able to continue, The Rebels are pleased to announce the addition of Bill Christophersen to the band. Bill has played in many NY area bands including the Fly-By-Night String Band and the Lazy Aces. His fiddle playing has been described as "rich and rugged" by reviewers and his ability to play many styles of music add to the versatility of the Yankee Rebels. Bill has won ribbons at numerous fiddle competitions. Bill also has a deep love for classic country music and has played in country bands giving him still another layer of depth in selecting and performing material. When not playing Bluegrass Bill is a literary editor. Welcome, Bill.