The Jukebox

Margel Overton

Keyboard, vocals

Margel Overton (keyboard, vocals) is a Haitian-born musician, educator, and performer whose creative roots trace back to childhood singing with his twin sister and playing classical piano. His musical journey evolved through jazz education, church choirs, and a deep connection to family and culture. Now based in Philadelphia, he balances teaching and performing—working in schools like Boys’ Latin and KIPP while offering workshops and private lessons and performing.

In the Jukebox, Margel will be the hands of Freddie Mercury and Jim Steinman along with filling in as the great orchestras of Broadway!

Kanako Neale

Drums

Kanako Neale (drummer, personnel manager) is a composer, drummer, and percussionist. She started playing piano at age 3, flute at age 9, and drums at age 15. She moved to NY from Japan when she was 16 to pursue a career in music. Kanako has been performing professionally since 2001, and has played and toured with different local bands from NY and Philadelphia of various styles (Rock, R&B/Soul, Jazz, Blues). After graduating from the University of the Arts in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in drum performance, she started playing in orchestra pits in various musical theatres in PA/DE/NJ/NY.

Kanako started writing songs in 2002, released 1 album, 2 EPs, and many singles of her own songs. She wrote music for an Australian short film in 2020 and has been writing music for films, animations, and podcasts since.

Kanako has been nominated numerous times for her compositions for film, recently being awarded 2nd place in the trailer music scoring competition at the Horror Hotel Film Festival (2025) along with “Best Sound Design” at the Baltimore 48 hour Film Project (2024).

Mike Carthan

Bass

Trenton's own Michael Carthan (bass), a bounty of bass player goodness, is in demand for his versatility in genres including gospel, rock, jazz, R&B, blues, country, reggae and pop. He performs regularly with local bands, including The Amazin Grace and the GLB, The Renaissance Band, TSOUL Band, The Dean Schneider Trio and The Jenkins Brothers, and also serves as a church musician at his home church Union Baptist of Trenton. 

He has shared the stage with and opened for gospel legends including Shirley Caesar, Richard Smallwood, The Delfonics and Legendary Whispers. His resume also includes major Tri-State, regional and national venues, and performances with Kathy Sledge (Sister Sledge), Shirley Jones (The Jones Girls), Harold Melvin's Blue Notes, and Kool & the Gang members. 

He has been relentlessly busy since he first picked up his bass in the early 1980s. Because in addition to the importance he places on his music (he believes music has the power to impact lives in a strong, positive way), he is dedicated to the advancement of youth and community development. A supporter of Visions & Pathways (previously Somerset Home), an organization that serves abused and homeless youth, he believes that the power of music is a pivotal tool in the education of children (Plato said, "Music is a more potent instrument than any other for education"). He believes in a curriculum for children that includes music along with other academics. 

Michael is a dedicated, dynamic performer and someone who is committed to working in and fostering relationships within the community. He is someone who will leave a legacy through his music and his commitment to future generations.

Jon Hess

Guitar

Jon Hess (guitar) is a Philadelphia-Area musician who has been performing on stages since the age of nine. Jon has had the opportunity to play iconic venues such as The Fillmore, The Count Basie Theater, The Bryce Jordan Center at Penn State, The Wells Fargo Center as a choir member for The Eagles, as well as a myriad of festivals along the East Coast. Jon has also been a music educator since the age of 18, serving as the Music Director at the Cherry Hill School of Rock and running the LEAP Academy Middle School Music Program.