Trumpet/Flugelhorn & Assistant Conductor
Started in 1997
Musical Background: Playing trumpet for over 16 years and jazz the past 11. He has also been playing piano for 6 years and percussion for 5 years. His teachers have included Joseph Pera, Leah Schuman, Paul Gaspar, Bruce Trojan, Tom Ellison, Tim Sullivan, Kristin Shiner-McGuire, and Ross Miller.
Favorite Musicians: Lee Morgan, Wynton Marsalis, Clifford Brown, Harry James, Sting, Paul Simon, Miles Davis, John Coltrane
Favorite Music: Jazz (duh)
Wishes he could play like: Clifford Brown and Lee Morgan
Family: Devoted girlfriend Beth
Vocation: High school/middle school band director, Honeoye Central Schools, Honeoye, NY
School: Greece Arcadia High School, Nazareth College (B.M.)
Hobbies/Interests: Music, baseball
Why the Greece Jazz Band?: Brian found out about the Greece Jazz Band from a flyer and an announcement in his high school jazz ensemble. He joined because he loves to play jazz and the band provided him another opportunity. He comes back every week because of the challenging pieces and the group camaraderie. Everyone has a chance to offer input into the group and everyone cares about the quality of music being put forth.
Interesting Facts/Stories: In 2000, Brian was one of 15 college students selected nationwide to be a member of the Future Music Teachers of America Jazz Ensemble (Arturo Sandoval, Director) and was an alternate in the Concert Band. He was recently the receipient of the very first Ray Shiner Jazz Scholarship at Nazareth, and is also a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, the National Music Honor Society. Brian also plays with Nik and The Nice Guys and the Penfield Rotary Big Band. Brian remembers the "pickle incident", making his conducting debut on "Spain", the first Greece Jazz band concert at Nazareth College, and almost leaving Phil Sims handing out to dry in his solo.