The Carnegie Hall
Band:
Johnny Russo
is a graduate of the U. of R's Eastman School of Music. He was
trombonist with the Eastman Wind Ensemble and Eastman Philharmonia
Orchestra, where he had the privilege of performing the "Firebird
Suite" under the baton of the composer, Igor Stravinsky.
After a brief career in symphonic music Johnny was drawn to the
freedom of jazz improvisation and eventually abandoned the symphonic
world for Traditional Jazz. Strongly influenced by Classic Jazz
legends Louis Armstrong, Jack Teagarden and Bix Beiderbecke,
Johnny has been a highly respected member of the Central New
York music scene since founding the East Hill Classic Jazz Group
in the early 1980s.
Guitarist Doug
Robinson has toured, performed and done session work
for many years throughout Europe, Canada and the US with a variety
of leading blues,
swing and contemporary folk artists and has been an active member
of the East Hill Classic Jazz Group since its inception. He also
operates Watershed Arts,
a recording, publishing, promotion and web-retail business headquartered
in Ithaca NY.
Banjo virtuoso Drew
Frech graduated from the Eastman School of Music where he
played violin with the Eastman Philharmonia Orchestra while working
his way through college entertaining on the banjo. Active in
several regional symphonies as a violinist, Frech's greatest
efforts are with classic jazz and the preservation of the classic
banjo literature through research, clinics and festival appearances.
He is the current US Open National Banjo Champion.
Harlem native Bernie Upson
has played professionally since the late 1950's. His activities
included Apollo appearances with diverse artists such as
Marvin
Gaye and Richie Havens and tours across Africa and Europe with
Illinois Jacquet and the Mamma Lue Parks Dancers. He was a
part of the
Central NY music scene for over 20 years. He passed away in August of 2014.
Native Ithacan Brian Earle
holds a BA from Oberlin and a MM degree from Ithaca College.
One of the leading clarinet/sax players in CNY, Brian is in constant
demand for performances and recording sessions with a plethora
of bands. During his long association with Peggy Haine's 'Lowdown
Alligator Jazz Band' he performed alongside legendary trumpeters
Billy Butterfield and Doc Cheetham. Brian is also a highly regarded
teacher.
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