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.
Inga Weis
Inga is a vocalist who keeps busy with multiple groups. She loves to sing a variety of genres. Locally you can find her gigging with her groups Inga Entheos (original music), Lioness (mother/daughter duo), and Lake City Smokin‘ Section. She also front mans an original funk band based out of Cedar Rapids, IA - Soul Sherpa.
As a songwriter Inga plays guitar and piano and with her smaller groups a miniature drum set. Raised by traveling musicians her participation in professional music has no definitive start and certainly no end. In college she was a contemporay dance major, so you’ll get grooving with her during shows and hopefully hit the dance floor together someday!
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.
Ian Hopp
Since graduating from Denfeld High School in 2021, Ian Hopp has been involved in numerous projects around the Twin Ports. Traveling around the northland, Ian has played everywhere from festival stages to backwoods bars.
In addition to backing up 8 groups, Ian also works as a hired gun, having performed with Forgotten Highway, Jacob Mahon, Al Oikari, Zakk Grandahl, Paul Metsa, and Sam Chandler, among others.
Ben Pichler
Ben Pichler is a keyboardist, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist who’s style ranges from jazz, rock, funk, and pop to folk and roots. He has studied under Ryan Frane and Diana Shapiro in jazz and classical piano, respectively. Ben can be found in the Twin Ports playing with various groups, such as the Becktet, Ben Pichler Trio, Inga Entheos, Big Time Jazz Orchestra, and more.