About Us

From left to right: Patrick Cross (guitar), Darion Alexander (bass), Vamsi Tadepalli (saxophone), Ray McCall (trumpet), Nyk Baglio (drums) - Photo By Curtis Brown Photography

Lead vocals: Joseph Bell, Taalib York - Photo By Moreland Photography and Nu-Level Photography

In glitzy jackets, glittering gloves and 80s regalia, Who's Bad, The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute Band, is an infectious party production that takes audiences on a musical expedition spanning three decades of Michael Jackson's chart-cresting music. From ABC to You Rock My World no song is forgotten in this electrifying revival of Pop Music's Royal Highness. Founded in 2004 by Vamsi Tadepalli and spearheaded by some of North Carolina's optimum musicians, Who's Bad has crafted an intricate performance complete with synchronized dance routines, blaring horn section and down-deep rhythms--each delivered with a precision that could only be superseded by the King himself. Since their first standing-room only concert, audiences have crowned them must-see entertainment singing along as if the moves, the music, and the memories belong to us all.

 

 

 

Darion Alexander is a native of Youngstown, OH, presently residing in Durham, NC. He has been playing bass professionally for 14 years, currently touring with Who’s Bad, the Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute Band. When he’s not touring, he performs and records with the Urban Sophisticates and Cool Kid Collective. He also works with Glenn Jones, Billy Beck (of the Ohio Players), Michael Hampton “Kid Funkadelic”, Nile Rodgers, Yahzarah “Purple St. James”, Ivan Powell, Ivan Hampden, and Lisa Taylor. Darion is a proud endorser of Gallien Krueger amplifiers. He also uses bass guitars from Music Boutique in South Jersey, owned by Christopher Banks. “Music is my life… what a gift!

 

 

 

Joseph Bell, a.k.a. "JoBel" is originally from Hartford, Connecticut, and currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a natural performer. To hear and see him sing is to realize you are bearing witness to a legend in the making.
This singer/dancer/songwriter/actor is simply one of the best! HE SOUNDS LIKE THE KING OF POP! He can hit ALL THE HIGH NOTES night after night! Travis Payne, lead choreographer of Michael Jackson's "THIS IS IT" tour, and choreographer, Frank Gatson (dancer in the original "Smooth Criminal" video and today's top choreographer for superstar Beyonce Knowles) both worked with Joseph to enhance his performance.

 

Joseph Bell's very first contract was with "Walt Disney World" in Florida for Top Of The World Entertainment singing and dancing in front of orchestras and bands. He now collectively has over 25 years of experience on stages around the world.

 

Joseph has also appeared in the TV movie "The Jacksons. An American Dream", he was on Ed McMahon's Star Search, appeared on the silver screen in "What's Love Got To Do With It" and sang on live TV for Baby Face and songstress Toni Braxton.

 

 

 

Nyk Baglio was born and raised in New York. He began his love for music playing piano at age 5, and quickly picked up the drums shortly thereafter. While in NY, he studied with some of the best private instructors Long Island had to offer. During his high school years, he was selected annually for the All State, and All Region Jazz bands. Nyk was then rewarded a Full music Performance Scholarship to study drums at the infamous University Of Miami. While at school, Nyk began his professional career, playing with all the heavy weights in town, and was awarded four Downbeat magazine awards. After graduating with his Bachelors in Music Performance, he moved to NY to follow his dreams with alt/Rock band Morissonpoe. The band signed a deal with legendary guitarist/producer Nile Rodgers, and Sumthing Else music works. The band had videos on MTV, and Xbox360's Perfect Dark Zero. He then moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, where he currently resides.

 

While in town Nyk is first call for Broadway shows, studio sessions, and plays in 5 touring bands as well. Nyk is currently on tour playing sold-out show after sold-out show with the World’s number one MJ tribute band, Who's Bad. He proudly endorses Tama Drums, Silver Fox Sticks, Saluda Cymbals, and Remo Heads. You can check him out at these websites:

 

myspace.com/Nyk1

youtube.com/Nykdrums

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patrick Cross, Born June 28th, 1985 to Mike and Cindy Cross, Patrick was introduced to music at an early age. Even before he popped out into this world he was bopping around to his Father’s eclectic style of folk, bluegrass, rock and country while lying in his mother’s tummy as she controlled the soundboard at his Father’s concerts. Later, after young Patrick was shown an early beta-release version of the Dire Straits’ “Money for Nothing” and Prince’s “Raspberry Beret” music videos his parents were forced to hide the tape to protect their own sanity as the little boy wanted nothing more than to watch them again and again. As the years went by Patrick’s musical talents began to manifest in the form of musical theater as he portrayed the roles of Fagin in Oliver!, Danny Zuko in Grease, Tony in West Side Story and Jean-Valjean in Les Miserables throughout the course of high-school. It was also during this time, (mainly due to Grease and Marty McFly's shredding solo in Back to the Future), that Patrick decided to pick up the electric guitar.

 

Since then it’s all been a blur – attending college at UNC-Chapel Hill, working at the local Chapel Hill music store, The Music Loft, where he learned the art of performing minor repairs to guitars and amps as well as further fleshing out his musical knowledge of both the instrument itself and the equipment used in conjunction with it, teaching for several years at the local music institution, Carrboro Music Studios, interning at local great, Jerry Brown's Rubber Room recording studio and, finally, ending up with the Who’s Bad? crew. Patrick has loved every step of his journey and feels truly lucky to have the chance to perform with so many great musicians and top-notch performers every night. He wants to make sure that each show is always truly one to remember and as long as he still has the ability to bring the best show he can to the people who came to see it, you can be certain that it will be.

 

 

 

Ray McCall has been playing music since the age of 12, initially dabbling in playing the string bass. It wasn’t until Ray made the transition to trumpet that Ray felt he had found his musical niche. This was exemplified in Ray’s early musical achievements, such as sitting first chair in All-County Band and being a member of the All-District band. Ray also began expanding and building his musical talents by joining his school chorus and show choir. These varying experiences with music at such a young age would be just the beginning of how much a role music would ultimately play in his life.

 

While attending Triton High School in Erwin, North Carolina, Ray’s musical abilities and interest in music grew with his introduction to marching and jazz band. He continued to receive awards and accolades, and, in 1996, he attended North Carolina's Governor School summer program for music where he studied with some of North Carolina's best musicians and directors.

Ray continued his involvement in marching and jazz band when he attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While at UNC, Ray received much guidance from Jim Ketch and David McChesney, who helped Ray improve his quality and style of playing. Ray accredits his years as a "Marching Tar Heel" with building his musical skills, but, more importantly, with allowing his personality and charisma to shine.

 

Ray has been playing and gigging professionally for 6 years, playing mostly solo events in his earlier years and then working most extensively with "Who's Bad." Ray brings an energy to the stage that is impossible to fight and will surely get you on your feet, dancing to the King of Pop's legendary music. “Who’s Bad” brings you a high-energy and powerful show that rivaled by few, and Ray has made it his goal that it stays that way!

 

 

 

Taalib York Singer, dancer, and well-known songwriter, started singing and dancing at the young age of 7, mimicking his lifetime idol Michael Jackson. He began developing his voice, singing in Arabic and English, also mastering the art of dance. By the time Taalib graduated high school he began working in the music industry, writing and recording his own music and singing hooks for hip hop artists and backgrounds for various musician. In addition to singing, Taalib also choreographs dance routines professionally, leading award winning dance teams. But when it comes down to it, actions speak louder than words. You'll watch Taalib perform, seeing the influence Michael Jackson has had and you’ll agree: the similarities between the two are simply amazing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vamsi Tadepalli, Whether paying tribute to the King of Pop in front of thousands of fans, performing small group jazz for discriminating listeners, writing and arranging, or teaching, Vamsi Tadepalli invests all of his musical pursuits with a confluence of creativity, professionalism and versatility.

 

Born and raised in North Carolina to Indian parents, Tadepalli is the first American-born member of his family. His parents, scientists by trade, placed a high value on the arts and on music in particular. Accordingly, he was exposed to Indian Classical Music and Dance from his earliest years. At the age of 8 he began formal musical study on the keyboard at the Yamaha Music School in Durham, NC. Although it wouldn’t be until high school that Tadepalli would study sitar, his early exposure to Indian Classical Music had a broader impact: its emphasis on improvisation undoubtedly contributed to Tadepalli's affinity for jazz, America's improvised classical music.

 

After taking up the saxophone at the age of 12 and several years of private instruction, Tadepalli entered Charles E. Jordan High School in Durham. Jordan boasted an exceptional jazz combo program rivaling those of many colleges, and Tadepalli began listening to and emulating recordings of such masters as Charlie Parker, Sonny Stitt, Sonny Rollins, and John Coltrane. He also started performing professionally in the Raleigh-Durham area.

 

Tadepalli continued his study of jazz at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, receiving both academic and music scholarships and majoring in Jazz Performance. He also studied with outstanding altoist Justin Robinson and sought out the expertise of legendary bebop guru and exponent Barry Harris, participating in Harris’ workshop at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. He has shared the stage with Harris, Slide Hampton, Eric Alexander, Joe Farnsworth, Antonio Hart, Vincent Herring, and Jamey Aebersold, and has appeared at the North Sea Jazz Festival and Smoke Jazz Club in NYC.

 

Concurrent with Tadepalli’s commitment to jazz was an interest in marching band, both as an instrumentalist and as a writer/arranger. He taught himself to play the mellophone in order to participate in Drum Corps International, marching in Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps and The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, and received the Distinguished Service Award from the latter in 2002. He has written for the UNC Marching Tarheels, the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, and writes and arranges the wind book for many competitive corps style high school marching bands, including West Johnston High School (a 4 time Bands of America Semifinalist).

 

Tadepalli has also taught extensively, serving as the marching, brass and woodwind instructor at Jordan and West Johnston High Schools, the jazz director at West Johnston High School, the Assistant Band Director at Rogers Herr Middle School, and as a longtime private saxophone instructor.

 

In 2003, Tadepalli founded Who’s Bad, a group dedicated exclusively to performing the music of pop icon Michael Jackson. As manager, arranger, saxophonist, keyboardist and choreographer of the group for the last 6 years, Tadepalli has had the opportunity to employ his full range of skills, performing saxophone and dance routines at 150+ shows across the country per year. The group has performed for crowds numbering into the thousands and has opened for Boyz II Men and The Four Tops.

 

S O N G L I S T

ABC, Another Part of Me, Bad, Beat It, Ben, Billie Jean, Black or White, Blame it on the Boogie, Butterflies, Can You Feel It, Dancing Machine, Dirty Diana, Don't Stop Til You Get Enough, Earth Song, The Girl is Mine, Human Nature, Heartbreak Hotel, I Can't Help It, I'll Be There, I Want You Back, Jam, The Lady in My Life, The Love you Save, Man in the Mirror, Never Can Say Goodbye, Off the Wall, PYT, Remember the Time, Rock With You, Shake Your Body Down, She's Out of My Life, Smooth Criminal, Thriller, Wanna Be Startin' Something, The Way You Make Me Feel, Working Day and Night, You Are Not Alone, You Rock My World

Band Members:

• Darion Alexander - bass/vocals
• Nyk Baglio - drums
• Joseph Bell - lead vocals
• Taalib York - lead vocals
• Patrick Cross - guitar/vocals
• Ray McCall - trumpet/vocals
• Vamsi Tadepalli - founder/manager/saxophone/keys/vocals/synth programming

Production:

• Ryan Vineyard - Producer
• Ted Pierce - FOH Engineer
• Justin Worthing - Sound Technician
• Scott Worthing - Production Manager
• Diego Sanchez - Synth Programming