Original group was formed by members of the Versatiles including Benny DeFelice (piano, Hammond B-3), Gregory G (Gaydos) (sax), Reds Feehley (sax ex-All Stars), Jack Buckley (trombone), Dominic Russo (bass), and Jake Needleman (drums). Needleman was later replaced with drummer Joe Ponzillo.
The Hi-Five played at many Baltimore clubs over the years including many extended house-band stints. In the ‘50s they appeared at Travelers, Surf Club, Imbesi’s Barge, Fischer’s, Minnick’s, Jazz Room, Bitner’s, Rhapsody. Throughout the 1960s they played at local venues including Bitner’s, Surf Club, Jazz Room, Harbor Room, Carousel, Escapade, Sherry’s Inn, Latin Casino, Wishing Well, Northpoint Gardens…
Pianist Lou Voir re-formed the Versatiles in the 1960s. Voir, Feehley, and Needleman joined the Punchinellos. DeFelice joined the Velvetones in 1964… Later members of the Hi-Five included Frank Cantalupo (valve trombone ex-Jerry Trotta Band, Rae Girard Band, Mark IV)…
