Patrick Minner: Bio

Patrick Minner - Lead Vocals

Patrick Minner was born in Houston, Texas. Shortly thereafter his family moved to Portland, Oregon where he was reared with his four siblings (two brothers and two sisters). The family attended church faithfully every Sunday where Patrick began his musical tutelage at age five. It wasn’t long before family, neighbors, and church members realized that singing was his natural gift. Throughout his school years Patrick was the choice pick for school plays, musical assemblies and special church events.

Since age ten Patrick has performed for political dignitaries and heads of state, including Dr. Dorothy Height, The legendary Tuskegee Airmen and Yolanda King (Daughter of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.) earning him several prestigious awards including a Gold and a Bronze ACT-SO medal, Omega Psi Phi City Citizens Award. He was also frequently requested (starting at age 14) to sing the National Anthem for his home town basketball team The Trail Blazers.

“Patrick Minner offers an electrifying show of Jazz, Blues, R&B and Motown favorites; accompanied by a seasoned band. Patrick Minner is a class act and a ‘can’t miss’ crowd pleaser!”
~Los Angeles Times

After he graduated Patrick left home to pursue a singing career by way of the United States Navy. He performed throughout his Naval career domestically and abroad. After an honorable discharge he settled in San Diego, California. Soon his singing won him principal roles in such stage productions as “Harlem Harlem!”, “Foul Play”, “Lady Sings The Blues” "The Wiz”, "Children of Eden” and his acclaimed one man show “Lonely Teardrops-The Jackie Wilson Story”. At the opening of the Malcolm-X Library in San Diego, CA. Patrick received praise from Betty Shabazz (wife of slain Civil rights leader Malcolm-X) for his rendition of “A Change is Gonna’ Come”.

Patrick continued his theatrical career, and also took bookings in nightclubs and cabarets, as a solo act and with a group he formed named Vision.
Patrick Minner has worked with recording group Rodger and Zapp and has performed at the Hollywood Bowl with recording Diva Patti Labelle. He was a featured performer at the world famous Apollo Theater in Harlem (Nationally televised in 2003); and has shared the stage with such greats as Linda Hopkins, The Fifth Dimension, Marla Gibbs and Loretta Devine. He was sought after to perform at the retirement party of Kent Kresa, CEO of Northrop Grumman (global leader in aerospace production)

The 2007 "Phoenix Tour" marked his first European tour, playing to packed houses and overwhelming adulation. In Paris Patrick gave five curtain calls before he was able to live the stage.

Having lived in his sisters garage, spending more than a few nights in his car, and having been a wounded casualty in a senseless drive by shooting. Patrick has come to trust in the power of God and knows rather for fame or fortune; poverty or infirmity his purpose in life is to sing!

Patrick Minner is currently working on an album slated for release in the spring of next year.

Keep an eye out for it!

Janice Scroggins - Grammy Nominated Pianist/ Musical Director

Janice Scroggins… (Grammy Nominated Pianist/ Musical Director) Has been a professional pianist for over 40 years; starting at age 12 at her church in Idabel Oklahoma. Janice is a world class pianist and has recorded and performed with some of the top names in show business such as Oscar Brown JR., Delbert McClintin, Javon Jackson, George Mitchell, Darrell Grant, Early King and Pink Martini to name only a few. She has worked as first pianist on such stage productions as The Wiz, Ain’t Misbehaven, Having Our Say, Fame, and the award winning musical production Dream Girls. Janice has performed around the world and is highly sought after. The Minner Trio is proud to have such an addition. In her spare time she writes poetry and songs.

Skip Bowman - Bass

Skip Bowman… (Bass) Born in Chicago Skip taught himself to play Bass fiddle, soprano saxophone, guitar, drums, trumpet, bass synthesizer, tuba, trombone, vibes, marimba, flugelhorn, and baritone horn. Skip has toured Europe twice and has worked with Ray Brown, Red Mitchell, Diane Shuur, The Mazeltov Orchestra, Obo Addy an Kukrudu/Okropong, Herb Ellis, Richi Cole, Braziliance, Herb Ellis, Teddy Edwards. Skip has also in the past lead his own Jazz band “Skip Elliott Bowman and Friends”. In his spare time Skip is a published travel writer and Photographer.

Byron Mercurius - Drummer

Byron Mercurius… (Drummer) Born in Guyana, South America, Byron Mercurius has been playing music for over 30 years. He began by playing the trumpet, guitar, piano and finally progressed to his current instrument, the trap drum set. He has played with numerous musical groups like Sam & Dave, Cool & The Gang, Rising Lion and has toured the US & Canada on many occasions with Reggae, Rock, R & B, Blues and Jazz bands . As a studio musician he has laid tracks for Salt & Pepper, Billy Ocean, Keith Diamond, Joylon Skinner, among others. He has extensive experience teaching music as a private instructor as well as a conductor of larger youth bands.