The band members
Paul Javorina
Paul has been playing guitar and making music for over 50 years, and has been in many bands in this region throughout the years. Having grown up on the “Iron Range” in the 60’s & 70’s, he was heavily influenced by the great classic rock and blues artists of that era. Paul is one of the original founding members of the Lake City Smokin’ Section, as well as one of the co-managers for the group. He is always ready to help creatively promote events with this versatile, professional bunch of musicians.
Jeff Cherne
Born and raised in Ely and presently residing in Duluth, Jeff is living “the good life” after teaching high school and middle school bands in several northern cities for more years than he cares to say. Father to four daughters and a son, Jeff has had a rather busy life. His classical music career includes appearances on saxophone with the DSSO, clarinet with the LSCO, and fifteen years of cooperation in the Lake Superior Saxophone Quartet (LSSQ). On the other side of the spectrum, following his graduation from UMD, Jeff has played extensively with several jazz/big band groups. These include but aren’t limited to Sentimental Journey Big Band, Dr. Hitt & Grandma’s Big Band, and Ice Capades. For a time, Jeff even ran his own big band. Small combos have also come and gone as opportunities have presented themselves.
Outside of playing his saxophones with Lake City Smokin’ Section (LSSS), Jeff enjoys downhill skiing in Minnesota and out West (with relatively few injuries). During the summers Jeff spends time at his Ely cabin and playing some really bad golf with his musical friends including Chet (LSSS trumpet).
Chet Johnson
Chet retired from public education in 2020. His first 4 years were at the Cherry School and the last 36 in the Hibbing Schools. As a freelance musician Chet has performed with the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, Guy Lombardo Orchestra, Four Tops, Steve Lippia, Bobby Vinson, Sentimental Journey, and the Temptations.
Greg Ojakangas
Dr. Gregory Ojakangas is a Caltech-trained astrophysicist and inventor who has played jazz trombone since the 7th grade. He is super thrilled to own a James Morrison superbone which has both full valves and a full slide. Playing in the Lake City Smokin' Section is one of the most fun things he has ever done. "What an exciting band in which to be a part! It REALLY SMOKES!", he says.
Karen Draeger
Karen is the lead vocalist and flautist for the Lake City Smokin' Section. She also plays rhythm guitar while performing with her other band, Milkbone.
Karen has enjoyed music her entire life beginning in 6th grade with guitar lessons and joining the school band as a clarinetist. She was a clarinet player with the Duluth-Superior Youth Symphony and after high school enlisted in the US Army, performing in the Army band at various functions including marching in parades, welcoming troops home from reforger on the air strip, and playing tenor sax for service member parties with the Army's jazz band.
Jane Aleckson
Jane Aleckson currently is the bass/vocalist for the Lake City Smokin Section. As well she is leader of The Jane Gang—a local Twin Ports quartet; while in the Twin Cities area, the Jane Gang was a 10-piece horn band for 10 years. Another exceptional horn band including Jane as bassist is the prestigious Women Who Cook!. WWC! performed in the Soviet Union in 1988 as part of a peace tour and documentary which aired on Public Television, venues included O’Shaunessy Auditorium, the Guthrie, the State Theatre, the Orpheum, Northrup, Ordway, and opening for the Target Center. Most recently, Jane spent 5 years with Big Top Chatauquas’ "Blue Canvas Orchestra.” In past she was part of Prudence Johnsons’ “The Good Life” (recording The Songs of Greg Brown), “Jim and Jane” original music recordings, Gene Pitney, Tony Sandler and many others, Jane can be heard on commercial ads as singer/bassist and many original artists' CDs.
Todd James
Todd cut his drumming teeth playing in high school and college jazz bands. His high school jazz band was voted one of the top 10 best in the country by the National Association of Jazz Educators in 1978. In '79 Todd wrote Duluth Central High School’s “Street Beat”, used at sporting events until the school’s closing in 2011. Todd has played the Head of the Lakes, Eau Claire, and Grand Marais Jazz festivals, the Bayfront Blues Festival, and Duluth Dylan Fest. Todd has played with international recording artists The Fireballs, The Cleftones, Dale Hawkins, The Platters, The Coasters, The Marvelettes, Mitch Ryder, Joey Molland of Badfinger, and Jimmy Gilmer. Todd has also played locally with many groups, including Blue Phase, Nightshift, The Pulse, The Torpedoes, Sh-Boom, Blues Debris, The Electric Spurs, The Busters, The Corleones, The Northshore Big Band, Jericho Road, Big Hill Quartet, Slim Dogs, The Randy Lee Ensemble, The ShackShakers, Woofer, The One Rule, The Tom Cawcutt Trio and the Jane Gang. He has recorded with Blues Debris, The Busters, Step 3, Jericho Road, Jay Wesfal, The Fireballs, and The ShackShakers. From 1989-2019 Todd educated drummers at his Street Beat Drum Academy. Currently, Todd plays in Shelter From the Storm, The Switch, The Darwin/Duke Band, Lake City Smokin’ Section and The Rising Sound at First Lutheran Church.
Scott Junkert - keyboard
- Bio Pending -