Velvet 86

About

Velvet 86 is a Chicago-based collective of artists from different crafts, blending our skills and talents into playing music we love and creating a great time for everyone in the room. A visual artist, a career musician and teacher, a Michelin-starred chef, and an education professional - each bringing a unique perspective and a shared passion for music.

Not tied to a single genre, we play music the way people listen to it: all over the map. From rock, punk, and classics to alternative and more, you’ll enjoy the variety.

We look forward to seeing you out there. V86

Becky Maslowski

Vocals/Harmonica

Becky Maslowski found her passion for vocal performance in her early 20s but began her musical journey playing percussion as a child and has been an avid music lover for her entire life. As a formally trained visual artist, she has been steeped in the Chicago Southland's local arts scene since the late 90s. It was here that she crossed paths and formed kinships with a myriad of performers and instrumentalists, and it was in coffee houses, bars, and basements where she realized she had a voice to share. Her experience includes two years of tutelage at the Chicago Studio of Professional Singing, collaborations with a variety of local talent, as well as performing as lead vocalist for the Tom and Becky Acoustic Duo for over 15 years.

Tom Maslowski

Guitar

Tom has been playing and teaching music for decades. Starting with electric bass at age fifteen, teaching music later opened the door to learning and teaching guitar, ukulele, and drums. You can find him sitting in, both live and in the studio, with Chicagoland musicians spanning genres from bluegrass to metal. Tom currently performs and records with John Condron and The Old Gang Orchestra, Colonel Chloroform, End Transmission, and De Integro. As of March 2026, he has released a four-book instructional series for guitar, electric bass, and ukulele.

Curtis Duffy

Bass

Beyond the kitchen, Duffy has cultivated a deep passion for music, particularly rock and roll. In recent years, he has taken up the bass guitar, drawing inspiration from players like Geezer Butler and Les Claypool. He is now a member of the band Velvet 86, formed with his bass instructor, Tom Maslowski, on guitar. Duffy often draws parallels between music and cooking, citing the same discipline, repetition, and creative expression required to excel in both.

Throughout his career, Duffy has also connected with many of his musical influences. Artists such as Glenn Danzig, Marilyn Manson, and Trent Reznor have visited his restaurants, further bridging his worlds of music and cuisine.

Armando Cisneros

Drums

With extensive experience in both original and cover bands, AC's projects span metal, rock, pop, and blues. He’s contributed as a songwriter, collaborator, and sound engineer and has performed on some of Chicago’s biggest stages alongside local and national acts. Currently, he's collaborating on new original music with other creators while also drumming for multiple local artists. Most recently, he released a new single with the original hard rock project, The Skelleton Kings, at the end of 2025.