After the split from the Echoes, Vann soon assembled a new band that became known as Tommy Vann & the Professionals.
Members included Dale Coleman (guitar), Denny Weston (bass ex-Londonaires, Counts, Crystals, Charades), Al Ruzicka (keyboards ex-Bad Boys), Danny Sapanero (drums ex-Crystals, Charades), and Al Rossi (sax ex-Counts, Crystals). The new group appeared at the Latin Casino, the Chanticleer, Club Venus, The Zoo. Many times appearing alongside Vann’s former group now called And the Echoes.
In 1966, with a contract from Capitol Records, the band traveled to New York and cut the single “Soul Sister Annie” b/w “For Goodness Sake.” They reportedly wanted to record the composition “One Man Band” but their producer did not think it was a good choice and chose instead to release “Soul Sister Annie.” Unfortunately for the Baltimore group a West Coast group called Three Dog Night took the song “One Man Band” to the top of the charts.
The band continued playing the local club scene while also doing some considerable traveling up and down the East Coast.
In 1971 Vann went on to join the Admirals, and then later joined Teddy Bell’s group before retiring to his home in upstate New York – only to return to the Baltimore club scene in the 1990s.
Without Vann the group continued to play a few more gigs as And the Professionals – a clever takeoff of the previous Tommy Vann-less And the Echoes.
Coleman went on to the band Expressway, Ruzicka went on to the bands Joy, and Main Event, while also playing in Frankie Valli’s band.
The Professionals reunited in 1976 with Vann at the lead once again. Also featuring guitarist Harold ‘Heime’ Whitwer – guitar (formerly of Jeremiah, Pandemonium, Koffee Beans). They played a couple of stints at the Wishing Well, and the Ground Floor before Vann decided to retire.
Weston later played in Dion’s Streetheart Band. In the ’00s Ruzicka and Rossi could be seen with the Bell System at Rascals in Towson. Whitwer played bass for Ross Dickerson & the Fast Brothers bluegrass band.
Single releases:
1968 Capitol 2168 Soul Sister Annie / For Goodness Sake
1969 Congress 6001 Does Your Mama Know About Me / I’m So Alone
