Dan Duffy croons at Indian Island Winery

The sun was setting and clouds were rolling in as the five members of the Dan Duffy Orchestra unloaded their vehicles and carried their instruments into the Indian Island Winery on Friday, Oct. 23. There was a chilly wind blowing in off the fields as the doors closed behind them and their setup began.

 

At the same time the winery was setting up for the dinner crowd. There was a woman getting the second bar ready as customers made their way to their tables, drinks in hand. A few members of the orchestra were chatting with a person or two whom they saw on their way in and recognized. In the middle of it all was Dan.

 

Dan Edward Duffy, the one whose name is on the poster set in the front of the stage, has been in the music business since the 60s. Years ago he heard the music of the Blue Vipers of Brooklyn when he was on a trip in Key West. After listening to them for a while he approached them and complimented their style, “You guys are great, if you don’t mind, I’m taking that back to Minnesota with me.” His original band called the “Jesters” had a hit that made it all the way to number 40 on the top 100 charts. Nearby, Frank Cesario, who plays tenor and saxophone added, “City Mouse was birthed from that group as well.” From Cab Callaway, to Linda Ronstadt, to Route 66, these guys play a little bit of everything.

 

Tom Bierer, who plays the trumpet is a retired music director, “I taught brass and trumpet at Martin Luther college. I taught at Loyola for 17 years, New Ulm Cathedral for nine and Holy Trinity for two.” He also does private instruction.

 

Paul Horrisberger used to be a guardian ad litem for the courts, “But I was not a social worker, I worked in child related social work.” He also was an administrator for the People Fair, a music festival back in the 80s.

 

Marti Ryan, who plays violin, has been with the Mankato Symphony for 50 years. The Mankato Symphony has existed for 76. She has taught violin at numerous schools including Jefferson, Roosevelt and West. She also taught elementary music but has also since retired.

 

Laura Christine, the young one who sings for the group, spends her days working in the mental health profession, but she’s sung in a number of groups. She and her husband Colin Scharf have played in the groups “Given Names," “Goodnight Goldust” and of course the “Dan Duffy Orchestra.”

 

Marti Ryan, who also plays in a Patsy Cline Tribute band, wanted everyone to know her group will be playing at the Grand Event Center in Northfield on Nov. 14.