Ernst & Young LLP Wins First Place in FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands
American PI named "Best Corporate Band" with top honors for best guitar, drums and vocals in charity competition
NEW YORK, Oct. 4 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- By day, they are consultants who work with companies to improve business performance. But on Saturday night, it was a different kind of performance that brought the house down and earned them the title of "best corporate band" in America. Ernst & Young LLP announced today that American PI, a rock and roll band featuring 11 of its Advisory Performance Improvement professionals, won first place in the 11th Annual FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands. The band was among eight finalists contending for the title at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland on October 1. Three members of the group were named "best of" in their respective categories: Hank Woo for best guitar; Kevin Grassi for best drums; and Cyntressa Dickey won the Steve Eck Memorial best vocalist award. The event is held each year to salute the best amateur, company-sponsored bands, and is presented by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), FORTUNE magazine and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Proceeds from the performance benefit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's music education programs.
"Ernst & Young is thrilled and extremely proud of American PI for this achievement," said Bob Patton, Vice Chair of Ernst & Young LLP's Advisory Services. "Our clients already know that this team rocks, now the world does, too! The camaraderie and teamwork -- not to mention talent -- that the band exemplifies is a true reflection of the spirit of collaboration and inclusiveness our consulting practice brings to our clients."
More than 25 corporate bands entered this year's competition. Eighteen bands were chosen to participate in three semifinal regional competitions, with eight finalists advancing to compete in the event's culmination and performing live at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
American PI was initially formed to provide entertainment at an internal meeting. The enthusiastic response from the 1800 peers and leaders who attended that meeting in February encouraged the band to enter the FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands. Since the band members are located in different Ernst & Young LLP offices across the country, rehearsals presented a challenge that was overcome by taking a consultants' adept approach to planning and executing and applying analytic skills as they would with a client assignment. The band gathered by conference call to share ideas, select songs, create new arrangements and coordinate logistics, and worked hard to prepare for each stage of the competition.
"The opportunity to play at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was a dream come true for us, and winning the competition seemed unattainable for a band that just formed nine months ago," said Thomas Cucuzza, band leader, vocalist and keyboard player. "What makes this experience so important to all of us is that the firm allows us to pursue our passion for music and provided the flexibility and support to make this a reality."
About American PI
American PI's sound is best described as a unique blend of American rock music influences ranging from Southern rock to Motown. The award-winning set list included covers of I Heard It Through the Grapevine, Southbound, People Get Ready and Superstition. Click here to view video of the band. The talented 12-member band is comprised of 11 Ernst & Young employees and one spouse:
Tom Cucuzza, Cleveland, OH, keyboards and vocals, played classical piano in his youth and transitioned to rock and blues. He sang with the Rackham Symphony Choir of Detroit.
Susan Cucuzza, Cleveland, OH, backup vocals, has decades of ensemble and choral involvement, including the Choral Arts Society of Cleveland, Rackham Symphony Choir and the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus.
Bill Colbert, McLean, VA, guitarist, has played since the age of 13 and enjoys building and redesigning guitars and amplifiers.
Cyntressa Dickey, Atlanta, GA, vocals, always sang at churches and family reunions. As a student at Clark Atlanta University, she sang in the Inspirational Voices of Faith Gospel Choir.
Pilar Dostal, Denver, CO, vocals, has trained in voice, piano and classical guitar. She trained classically through high school, turning later to popular music and rock.
Kevin Grassi, Iselin, NJ, drums, began playing drums at the age of five under the tutelage of his father. Kevin has spent the past several years in a jam cover band.
Justin Greis, Chicago, IL, percussion, learned drums on his mother's pots and pans at age seven. In his 23 years as a drummer, he has played in numerous marching, symphonic, jazz, Latin and rock bands.
Bob Leto, San Diego, CA, bass, performed as a member of a seven-piece jazz band at the University of South Florida. He played with a Florida cover band and currently plays at Emmanuel Faith Community Church.
Mike Piotrowski, Chicago, IL, guitar and vocals, occupies American PI's lead guitar chair and returns to the stage after a twenty year hiatus from live performance.
Carolyn Powers, Atlanta, GA, vocals, began playing piano and handbells at an early age. She participates in her church vocal and handbell choirs.
Hank Woo, Los Angeles, CA, guitar, grew up in a classical music family and first learned the piano from his mother. He later settled on the guitar and performs in various musical genres and venues.
Marty Wilson, Iselin, NJ, keyboards, started early with strings and brass performing in jazz ensembles. Later he moved to piano and organ, playing jazz and funk.
About Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 141,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential.
For more information, please visit www.ey.com. Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients.
This news release has been issued by Ernst & Young LLP, a US client-serving member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited.
SOURCE Ernst & Young LLP
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