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- MEET THE CJO PERSONNEL -
REED I
Mr. Mark Pinto
Mark has toured with a number of name big bands throughout his illustrious career including The Buddy Rich Orchestra, Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Artie Shaw and Gordon Goodwin's Big "PHAT" Band. He has performed and backed such luminaries as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett as well as Stevie Wonder.
From: Boston, MA
REED II
Mr. Charles Jennison
REED IV
Dr. Nathan Jorgensen
REED III
Mr. Arnie Krakowsky
Arnie has been featured with a "who's who" of jazz artists while touring and performing on a world scale in countries like Russia and Italy. Recently, the Wall Street Journal's reviewer, Nat Hentoff, commented that "Arnie's room-filling presence would have delighted Coleman Hawkins...."
Providence, RI
Charlie has worked with many jazz icons, some of which include vocalists like Rosemary Clooney and Joe Williams. He has also backed many guest artists and stars like Buddy DeFranco and Joan Rivers.
From: Lee, NH
Nate is Director of Jazz Studies at the University of New Hampshire where, in addition to his teaching and directing responsibilities, he coordinates the Traditional Jazz Series and the annual Clark Terry UNH Jazz Festival. Dr. Jorgensen has had the opportunity to share the stage with notable performers such as Bobby Shew, Bobby Watson, Gary Foster, Terell Stafford, Bob Sheppard, Peter Erskine, and many others. He enjoys an active performance schedule that includes appearances throughout New England and the Midwest.
Olathe, KS
REED V
Mr. Scott Mullett
Scott enjoys a full music schedule, currently teaching at Keene State College and the Vermont Jazz Center. He has toured and performed with Artie Shaw, Sheila Jordan, Lionel Hampton, Cab Calloway, Donna Summer, Norah Jones, Woody Herman, Cameron Brown, Lou Rawls, Rosemary Clooney, Joe Williams, Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett, among others. He has also held Musical Director positions for Carnival and Royal Caribbean cruise lines.
From: Keene, NH
Trumpet I
Mr. Jay Daly
For over 35 years, Jay's soaring lead trumpet has been a mainstay across venues everywhere. He has toured with bands such as The Harry James Orchestra and Artie Shaw. His talents have been tapped by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, Natalie Cole, Aretha Franklin, Linda Rondstadt, the Moody Blues, and others too numerous to mention.
From: Beverly, MA
Trumpet II
Mr. Andy Gravish
New York City jazz trumpet artist Andy Gravish has performed with The Buddy Rich Orchestra, Paquito D’Rivera’s Big Band, The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and The Toshiko Akiyoshi Orchestra featuring Lew Tabackin. Andy has toured world-wide and has performed at all of the major jazz festivals. Artists he has performed with include Tony Bennett, Sarah Vaughn, Frank Sinatra, Cab Calloway and Mel Torme’, among many others.
From: Brooklyn, NY
Trumpet III
Mr. Joe Casano
Joe has had many years of professional experience having performed with Aretha Franklin, Lou Rawls, Frank Sinatra Jr. , The Temptations, The Four Tops and Johnny Mathis to name a few. He has been a member of the Artie Shaw Orchestra, The Harry James Orchestra and has toured and recorded with Stan Kenton and His Orchestra, having been recorded on the LP Album "Stan Kenton - Live In Europe". Joe was also involved with the ensemble classes for the Stan Kenton band clinics while touring with Kenton. Additionally, he has graced the stage at Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, Ronnie Scott's (London) and the Royal Festival Hall (London). Fun fact: Joe is also a Black Belt in Karate.
From: Mansfield, MA
Trumpet IV
Mr. Pat Stout
Pat has performed in numerous recording sessions and performance halls across the United States. During his career he has been featured and toured with many artists including Gary Burton at Carnegie Hall (NYC), Stanley Clarke, The Lionel Hampton Orchestra, Frank Sinatra and Lena Horne.
From: Philadelphia, PA
Trombone I
Mr. Jeff Galindo
Jeff's impressive music career spans across many years and venues, performing and touring globally with some of the best jazz musicians in the world including Chick Corea, Clark Terry, Artie Shaw, The Ray Charles Orchestra, a European tour with the late Phil Woods and most recently served as the Music Director for a national tour of Grammy winning bassist-vocalist, Esperanza Spalding.
From: San Francisco, CA
Trombone II
Dr. Chris Oberholtzer
Chris is the Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Southern Maine. Aside from his years in collegiate jazz education, he has performed and toured with bands such as The Smithsonian Masterworks Orchestra, The Artie Shaw Orchestra, The Dorsey Brothers Orchestra and has worked with such featured stars as Aaron Neville, Roberta Flack, The Tempatations, New York Voices and Tony Bennett.
From: Portland, ME
Trombone III
Mr. Artie Montanaro
Artie has performed in several tours with The Buddy Rich Orchestra and The Artie Shaw Orchestra. He has toured internationally to various European countries and Japan, working with icons such as Tony Bennett, Josh Groban, Paul Anka, Diana Ross, Natalie Cole and Harry Connick Jr.
From: Providence, RI
Bass Trombone
Mr. Tim Kelly
Tim has performed and toured nationally with both The Artie Shaw Orchestra and the Woody Herman Orchestra. He has backed several iconic stars over his career including Aretha Franklin, Rosemary Clooney, Natalie Cole, Tony Bennett and Johnny Mathis. Tim has also performed in pit orchestras for several off-Broadway productions.
From: Worcester, MA
Piano & Arranger
Mr. Jerry Ascione
A 31 year US Navy veteran, Jerry was the bandleader of the premiere US Navy Jazz band, the Navy Commodores for many years as well as the featured pianist and arranger for the US Navy Concert Band in Washington D.C. He has performed with Milt Hinton, Snooky Young, Marvin Stamm, Eddie Daniels, Grover Washington Jr. and many others. He handles not only the piano chair with the CJO, but contributes arrangements for the book as well. Jerry's arrangements have been performed by the US Marine Band in Washington, D.C. (The President's Own), as well as the other D.C. service bands, and professional bands and jazz orchestras around the country. Most recently, Jerry was commissioned to write music and arrangements for the 2016 Oscar Ceremonies.
From: Arnold, MD
Guitar
Mr. Paul Bourgelais
Paul's versatile style spans all genres and has landed him in many venues with diverse music groups and various iconic artists. As a jazz guitarist, his "Freddie Green" approach completes the swinging sound of the CJO. Over the span of his career, he has performed with The Philip Hamilton Ensemble, Milt Hinton, Delfeayo Marsalis, Big Joe Burrell and Diana Reeves, among others.
From: Concord, NH
Bass
Mr. John Hunter
John enjoys an abounding music career, having just recently retired from the University of New Hampshire after being the Upright Bass instructor for 35 years. He has performed with many jazz icons over the years and some of his collaborations have included those with Toshiko Akiyoshi, Dizzy Gillespie, Slide Hampton, Louie Bellson, Art Farmer, Toni Tenille, Mike Metheny and Clark Terry.
From: Lee, NH
Drums
Mr. James Lattini
James' career has spanned across all facets; having recorded, performed and toured with numerous bands and jazz artists including The Artie Shaw Orchestra, Randy Brecker, Joe Piscopo, and Bobby Shew. His career also carries into the theatre realm, having played in various pit orchestras including that from the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes.
From: Methuen, MA
Vibes & Auxillary Percussion
Mr. Gary Spellissey
Gary has extensive professional percussion teaching and performing experience. His professional music career has included appearances with icons such as Louie Bellson, Ray Brown, Vic Damone, Dionne Warwick, Lou Rawls, Pearl Bailey, Patti Page, Billy Eckstine, Peggy Lee, The Mills Brothers, Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme, Sammy Davis Jr. and many many more.
From: Chelmsford, MA
Vocalist
Mr. CJ Poole
CJ, exhibiting vast talent at a very early age, was destined to become a performing musician. As a child, he had been exposed to Jazz, Big Band and the Great American Songbook through his father and Music Director, Clayton "Skip" Poole. As an accomplished bassist, he started his early music career performing with jazz trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis, the late NYC pianist Derek Smith as well as guitar legend Bucky Pizzarelli. Encouraged by Pizzarelli, he turned his attention to his singing voice where he enjoys performing the Great American Songbook with a bow to the interpretations of Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole and Mel Torme’. His recent vocal performance working with famed comedian Pete Barbutti and NYC jazz clarinetist Ken Peplowski was met with rave reviews.
From: Concord, NH
Vocalist
Ms. Laura Daigle
Ms. Daigle
From: Salem, NH
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