Piano/Keyboards
Started in 2001
Musical Background: Self-taught on guitar and piano. Played keyboard in a number of local 5-piece top-40 bands over the years. Also played in a duo and as a soloist. Recently has been taking jazz piano and alto saxophone lessons.
Favorite Musicians: Ralph Sharon, Bill Evans
Favorite Music: Jazz
Wishes he could play like: Vince Guaraldi, Joe Santora and Roger Eckers
Song that best describes him: "It Don't Mean a Thing if it Ain't Got That Swing" (the Ann Hampton Calloway version in the musical "Swing" that he saw on Broadway a few years ago). Like music and dancing, life is meant to swing! Otherwise, life is boring.
Family: Still single (but looking!)
School: University of Dayton, BS in Computer Science; Rochester Institute of Technology, MS in Software Development
Vocation: Sr. Software Engineer for Oracle Corporation
Hobbies/Interests: Ballroom dancing, rollerblading, downhill skiing
Why the Greece Jazz Band? Jerry attended a number of concerts during the summer months, after first seeing the band in 2000. Steve Keenan called him in 2001 to substitute for his daughter, Michelle. Jerry joined as Michelle's replacement, as he was looking for a new musical challenge. He enjoys the challenge of reading through music that he hasn't seen before, and likes learning to work musically with a large band.
Interesting Facts/Stories: When it comes to reading music, he used the "think system" (from the Music Man).