|
| |
What started as a small three-piece group rehearsing in a living room has
grown into a solid seven-man combo. Here's a little bit about the people
that make the JazzHappensBand so great.
Members listing:
|
|
Trumpet, Band Leader |
 |
Jeff has been playing the trumpet in and around the Cortland area for
over 35 years. He attended Ithaca College as a music education major for
one year before deciding to make music an avocation. He has performed in
various brass groups, civic bands, big bands, theater and pit
orchestras, and combos but his love for Dixieland music finally inspired
him to start his own group currently known as the JazzHappensBand.
|
|
|
Clarinet |
 |
After a short career as a public school music teacher, Nick went to
work in the vacation entertainment industry as a musical director,
leading multi-purpose ensembles providing musical support for Las
Vegas-style production shows, formal dancing, and variety show
entertainers. He has performed with John Pizzarelli, Nell Carter, Diane
Schurr, Nancy Wilson, Ann Hampton Callaway, and many other artists.
In 1997, Nick returned to Ithaca to “settle down”, and took over
directorship of the Ageless Jazz Band, an 18-piece traditional swing
band, a position he still holds today. He has overseen production of 2
recordings with the AJB, several Caribbean tours, and a commissioned
work (Catch Phrase by Steve Brown)
Nick also maintains an active clarinet and saxophone studio, as well as
free-lances under the Something Of Note brand.
|
|
|
Trombone
|
|
Mike Poole is a trombonist from Cortland, NY. He received his
Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the Crane School of Music at
SUNY Potsdam, and is currently working on a Master’s Degree in Music
Theory at the University of Buffalo. In addition to playing with the
JazzHappensBand, Mike performs in several other classical ensembles,
including the Crown City Brass and the Cortland Old Timers Band, and
also organizes instrumental music at St. Mary’s Church in Cortland
|
|
|
Tuba
|
 |
Jim is a Physics teacher at Cortland High School and has been a
science teacher since graduating from Cortland State in 1980. Although
Jim wanted to go to school to be a music teacher he decided to save that
for a hobby and studied Science Education. Even with his focus on
science, Jim has kept pretty close to his love of music. He has sung in
several music groups throughout the years including a barbershop
quartet, annual community performances of The Messiah, Cortland
State's Choral Union and a long time quartet called the "Muffins".
Jim's primary instrument is the guitar. He has played and performed on
the guitar since first picking it up in high school. The last time
Jim played tuba before playing in JazzHappensBand was 30 years ago in
high school, but he has polished up his tuba and now supplies the low
notes for the band.
|
|
|
Drums |
 |
David Alexander
saw the JazzHappensBand perform
on Fat Tuesday and immediately auditioned to be our drummer. David
studied snare drum in high school with Gene Attleson, and more recently
has studied drum set at Tom Kline’s School for Modern Drumming. He is a
McGraw Central School Alum and has played drums for McGraw as well as
the Cincinnatus Civic Band, All-County Select, Area All-State, New York
State Honor Band, and the SUNY College at Morrisville Jazz Ensemble.
David, (who is also a graduate of Cornell and Syracuse Universities and
otherwise occupied as a lawyer) and his wife, Carol, a school teacher,
have four children. Their youngest son, Evan, also studies drum set
with Tom Kline and plays drums for Homer Central School concert and jazz
bands.
|
|
|
Banjo |
|
Robbert van Renesse has been playing rhythm guitar for the Ageless Jazz
Band since December 1997, with whom he recorded two CDs. He has
performed in many high school musical productions and in a SUNY Cortland
production of "Little Shop of Horrors." He wrote a Mel Bay book on what
is essentially music theory for the ukulele called "Understanding
Ukulele Chords." Van Renesse also enjoys playing swing music on banjo
and tenor guitar.
|
|
|
Keyboard |
 |
Stephen Wilson received his Bachelor of Arts in vocal performance and
his Master of Arts in conducting from the University of California,
Santa Barbara. He earned his Doctor of Arts in conducting from Ball
State University in Muncie, Indiana.
He has been professor of music at SUNY Cortland since 1985, teaching
choral music, music theory, conducting, and accompanying many students
and faculty colleagues. He conducts the College Singers and the Choral
Union. His choral arrangements have been performed in various locations
on the eastern seaboard and in the Midwest. Dr. Wilson has served as
pianist/music director for many musical theater productions. He has only
recently become addicted to Dixieland music.
|
|
Members