Both a singer and a percussionist, Ken Porter brings a fine, clear voice and powerful percussion along with a light touch to the band. Folk, jazz, rock, marching bands, symphonic bands and spaces in between. Ken has opened for Dave Loggins, performed numerous times with Pete Seeger and is a former member of the Walkabout Clearwater Chorus. He’s joined Tom Chapin, Kim and Reggie Harris, and Josh White Jr. on stage to name a few. Besides The Millis Berfield Band he appears locally with Mike Delaney and was a founding member of the now ‘sleeping’ New England Weather. He was an integral part of Carolyn Waters band “Backwaters” and has played with the Boston College IT Rocks band as well as the jazz group “Sharp 11th.” He can be heard on more than a dozen albums including Carolyn Waters On The Verge, Mike Delaney’s Evening News and 1-800-Confess, Dan Hart's well received The Life of Dan, David Rovic's We Just Want The World, Walkin' by Kathy Danielson, Whispers In the Wind by Tom Maynard, and Julia Kelly’s These Two Hands.
Bo Veaner has been playing guitar and singing along for many years and playing in bands since the mid 60's. He has been writing and performing "originals" for almost as long. He spent nearly ten years performing with Carolyn Waters, and co-writing a number of songs on her CD's. Veaner was the lead guitarist and back up vocalist for Gerry Wasserman and The Great Experiment. He also performed live in the No Bad Kid Band and on two CDs with Charlie Appelstein (M.S.W.) including the award winning One-Line Raps for Gals and Chaps and Parent Rhapsody. He has performed on stage with Brooks Williams, The Kennedys, Kate Campbell and Lorraine and Bennett Hammond, to name a few. Knowing that good things would rub-off he's been 'back stage' at a number of Bob Dylan Concerts! Veaner's roots are in folk, blues and popular music from the 60's and early 70's. The Millis Berfield Band offers an opportunity to perform some of these songs, ranging from personal ballads, children songs and even a few dance tunes.
John Zaia, a classically trained musician, started violin at an early age. His exposure to that world included the New England Conservatory of Music Extension Division, chamber music at Apple Hill, and the Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra. During high school and undergraduate years his focus switched from violin to bass guitar and he played for a number of years in some very successful Boston based wedding bands. He began working with Carolyn Waters and the Backwaters Band in 2012 and they were lucky to have him. John can play in virtually any style and The Millis Berfield Band gives him ample opportunity to switch up, often within a single song. He’s definitely a musician’s bass player. He also provides a lot of fine-tuning, especially for the group's vocal harmonies. In the past year John has begun to add violin parts to some songs and wow, that's a terrific addition to the musical palatte the band has to offer.