Mr. Hyde is a public and private school educator for more than thirty years now. His students have performed at many venues under his tutelage- The Center of Prague and the Pasadena Rose Parade to name a few. His own performances have led him throughout Europe and Austrailia. A regular member of the Greenwich Symphony and the Norwalk Symphony, he also serves on the Board of Directors for the Westport Community Band and plays the euphonium. Mr. Hyde has accompanied such notable musicians as YoYo Ma, Pete Seeger and Dave Brubeck and performed at such legendary venues as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center.
Stanley Karasick Trumpet
Mr. Karasick also brings with him over thirty years of experience in music education, teaching both privately and in public schools in New York City, Long Island and Westchester. He first studied the trumpet with his father, Simon and then later with such notables as John Ware, Bob McCoy and Jimmy Maxwell. Mr. Karasick received both a B.A. and M.A. in Music and Music Education from Queens College and City College of New York respectively. His performance experience extends from playing with the 26th and 319th Army Bands to the Steven Scott Orchestra as well as in various municipal, show and dance bands. Mr. Karasick's background even includes performing at Radio City Music Hall.
Curt Streuli Trumpet
Curt's Mom was a music teacher and one rule she enforced was that all of the Streuli children would pick and study a musical instrument of their choice. There was a bit of confusion on young Curt's part when he told Mom he wanted to play that long ebony colored instrument that he mistakenly called a trumpet. After Mom rented a Trumpet, he told her that it wasn't the axe he wanted to play but needless to say, since the horn was already paid for, Curt was introduced to "Mister Trumpet". There was not alot of enthusiasm on this young man's part when he studied with Ralph DiCamillo until he discovered what Jazz was in middle school. Curt's parents were fond of the classical school but this young musician had made his mind up that jazz was his passion. He was greatly influenced by the playing of Joey Inciardi, Tony DeYulio and Gary Wofsey and was supported by Paul Rotante, Frank Devito, Sal Princiotti, Joyce DiCamillo and Val Bird. The horn had to be put to the side while Curt worked through College on his way to becoming an architect with his own firm. Playing opportunities were far and few for nearly thirty years until his daughter began her study of the saxophone and eventually playing in the Norwalk High School Jazz Ensemble. Curt was hooked again, picked up his axe and hasn't stopped practicing and playing since. Although Curt never took lessons as an adult or attended any established music school, he has become a natural at trumpet playing and has gained the respect of the Alumni Swing Band as well as musicians throughout Fairfield County, Connecticut. Curt has the ablility to play with any trumpet section, in any band in the Connecticut and New York area.
Frank Lacerenza Drums
Frank became inspired musically by his father who had a great love of music and played the tuba with various local bands and symphonies. At the young age of eleven, he began his study of percussion with the late Dick Daly. It was this commitment to music that helped Frank finance a college education and led him to perform with numerous small combos, concert bands and pit orchestras in southwestern Connecticut for over thirty years. In his other life, Frank serves as a principal of the St. Mary School in Milford, CT. It is his music he uses to unwind and relax. His wife, Arlene, is a vocalist who performs with The Alumni Swing Band on several occasions.
Charlie Morris Alto and Tenor Saxophone
Charlie's musical resume contains extensive musical experience in a variety of settings. His first interest was the violin which he began playing at the age of just six. He began performing with the Stratford High School Dance & Concert Band. He then joined the Navy Dance Band in 1945 and gained further musical skill. Charlie played with the Joey Zelle Casa Ritz Orchestra for over fourteen years at numerous venues. His big band background includes performing with the Paul King Big Band for many years.
John Pearson Trumpet
After thirty-five years teaching music in the Bridgeport Public Schools, twenty nine of which he served as Director and Music Department Coordinator at Bassick High School, Mr. Pearson recently retired. He now focuses on improving his own music skills and expanding his performance opportunities. He was introduced to the trumpet in fourth grade and continued to study the trumpet through graduate school, studying with Mr. James Maxwell of the Tonight Show Band in New York City. Mr. Pearson's performance experience is extraordinary. He has been a member of such musical groups as The Downtown Cabaret Theatre of the Bridgeport Orchestra, The Penfield Pavilion Concert Band, The Connecticut Symphonic Band, The Jazz- Haven Big Band, The Organizers, The Revelation Jazz Ensemble, The John Pearson Quartet and other groups too numerous to mention. Mr. Pearson has also been fortunate enough to perform with such notables as trumpeter Clark Terry, saxophonists Jimmy Heath and Marion Meadows and pianist Billy Taylor. His prolific musical experience is complimented with both a B.S. and M.S. in Music Education.
Doug Ramsey Trombone
Doug's original musical inspiration and first teacher was his father, Bob Ramsey, an accomplished trumpeter. He spent many years performing with a wide variety of groups from the U.S. Army Band to The Connecticut Symphonic Band. Doug played with The Romeo Crea Band in the mid-60's as well as several other bands throughout Fairfield County. He played extensively with The Austrian Boys Polka Band for over fifteen years. Doug has always found music to be his best means of self-expression.
David P. Schmidt Guitar
Music was ever present in Dave's early upbringing, especially with his Mom's renditions of 1940's swing tunes on the piano. He spent his formative years listening to rock n' roll, but discovered jazz in college, playing with The Illinois State University Jazz Band. He continue to play after college and eventually resolved to improve his skills and performance experience. Dave provides backing for Connecticut-area jazz vocalist Janet Zamparo and as a faculty member at Fairfield University, he enjoys sitting in with various student bands. He also performs with The Alternate Routes, who now perform nationally. His chief guitar influences include Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery, Jimi Hendrix and Freddie Green. Dave hopes to continue exploring various styles in jazz and blues, especially on his new seven string guitar.
Dick Wharton Trombone
Dick is our "Jersey Boy" born into a musical family in a small town on the Shore at Keyport. He started with the trumpet but quickly switched to the trombone studying with a family friend who played with the Band of America and circus bands at Madison Square Garden and in NYC. In High School Dick played in both the marching band and jazz swing band and made a sit in appearance with the Walter Staeger Orchestra. In the fifties while in High School our young trombonist fervently listened to such "Bone" playing greats like Tyre Glen, Bobby Brookmeyer, Kai Winding, J.J. Johnson and Urbie Green while adapting new techniques and developing his style. In college Dick played backup to various singing groups and performed in joint concerts with the Fort Monmouth Swing Band. After a military career in the United States Marine Corps and marriage with children, the Major's trombone playing took a thirty year hiatus. Now that Dick is back at playing again, he listens to a new generation of great trombone players including: Bill Watrous, Jiggs Whigham, Andy Martin, Bob Mcchesney,Carl Fontana and Frank Rosolino. You can't keep a good musician down and Dick is keeping his Chops in Check.
Charles A. Williams Keyboards & Vocals, Alto, Clarinet, Tenor, Flute, Soprano
Music has been a life long passion and endeavor for Charles. His earliest influences include the Dave Brubeck Quartette, Ray Charles, and Maynard Furgeson. Charlie's Dad, Charlie senior played the violin with a passion and was instumental with his Mom Mary in nurturing a love for dancing and music performance. It has been nearly sixty years since " Snooky " learned his first tap step while plucking his violin, strumming his guitar,and blowing air through all those wind instruments. Chas also studied the piano with Mr. Joseph MacFarland, his musical mentor and choir master for over thirty five years. Some of the groups that Snooky is proud of being apart of are the Doodlin Quartette, Snooky Williams Quartette, Romeo Crea and his orchestra, Ross Warner Quintette, Jazz Giants and American Festival Concert Band, Alumni Swing Band and many others, too many to mention. Charlie describes himself as a self educated musician that loves to play Swing and Jazz while enjoying the arranging of all types of music. Charlie has also collaborated with his son in law, the fast fingered, guitar playing Marty Schwartz of
San Marcos, California and guitarjamz.com. He has to thank Dave Brubeck for knocking on the practice room door at Sopzcak Music many years ago and offering those words of encouragement. Charlie was about twelve years old and playing "Blue Rondo Ala Turk" in his best Paul Desmond style, when Mr. Brubeck's face appeared and gave him the thrill of a lifetime!
