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Dennis DiBlasio, Guest Artist
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Jazz saxophonist, music educator, and storyteller Denis DiBlasio is a natural improviser. He was about 10 years old when his music teacher wrote down a blues scale in F.
“He said, ‘Just make up stuff and use these notes,'” DiBlasio says. “I must have played that thing for two years. I just beat that thing to death.” After spending so much time on the F scale, “I was upset when I found out there were 11 others. I thought I was ready for the road,” he jokes.
Humor and self-deprecation are big parts of the DiBlasio persona. He can poke fun at himself, knowing his reputation as one of the leading jazz saxophonists of his era is secure. DiBlasio spent many years playing with legendary bandleader Maynard Ferguson and is currently the executive director of the Maynard Ferguson Institute of Jazz Studies at Rowan University at Glassboro, New Jersey, where he also leads the jazz studies and composition program. In addition to teaching and playing the baritone sax, DiBlasio is a flautist, arranger and composer.
Music appealed to DiBlasio for a simple reason, one that might seem radical in today’s overscheduled world. “I just think it was something that was fun, like other things were fun,” he says. “I don’t want to say practice wasn’t a chore, but there were times when I practiced a lot, and there were times I didn’t. DiBlasio is quick to note that fun isn’t the same thing as a free-for-all. “I knew early on that the better you became, the more fun it was,” he says.
Learning to play an instrument takes discipline, and being a professional means many days consumed by hours of practice. But DiBlasio emphasizes that the point of all that work was always enjoyment.
“Fun is a great motivator,” he says. “[But] fun doesn’t mean you’re goofing around. You’re working hard. You’re working really hard. Coltrane practiced 11 hours a day. He didn’t do it because he hated it. He did it because he was driven. He loved it. Call it love, call it fun, call it whatever.”
After getting his master’s in studio writing and production at the University of Miami, DiBlasio earned a spot in Ferguson’s high-profile band. Even though he was a full-time touring musician for only about five years, DiBlasio continued to play on and off with Ferguson for decades.
DiBlasio describes Ferguson as a “musical big brother.” The bandleader’s career started in the 1940s and continued up to his death in 2006. DiBlasio credits his time in Ferguson’s band with launching the rest of his career. “Everything kind of blew up after that, doing clinics and concerts and teaching,” he says.
For DiBlasio, teaching is a partnership with each student. In the same way that he changes the way he performs based on who he’s playing with and the audience, he changes the way he teaches based on what his students know and care about and their life experiences. “You have to tune in to them,” he says. Like playing jazz, teaching involves listening and reacting. “You’re a psychiatrist one day, a coach the next day, the next one you’re their friend, the next one you’re their dad,” DiBlasio says. “If your radar is up and picking up their signals, you find yourself changing a lot. That’s what’s exhausting. Not that they don’t deserve it. They’re good kids; they’re great kids. I love it.”
“He said, ‘Just make up stuff and use these notes,'” DiBlasio says. “I must have played that thing for two years. I just beat that thing to death.” After spending so much time on the F scale, “I was upset when I found out there were 11 others. I thought I was ready for the road,” he jokes.
Humor and self-deprecation are big parts of the DiBlasio persona. He can poke fun at himself, knowing his reputation as one of the leading jazz saxophonists of his era is secure. DiBlasio spent many years playing with legendary bandleader Maynard Ferguson and is currently the executive director of the Maynard Ferguson Institute of Jazz Studies at Rowan University at Glassboro, New Jersey, where he also leads the jazz studies and composition program. In addition to teaching and playing the baritone sax, DiBlasio is a flautist, arranger and composer.
Music appealed to DiBlasio for a simple reason, one that might seem radical in today’s overscheduled world. “I just think it was something that was fun, like other things were fun,” he says. “I don’t want to say practice wasn’t a chore, but there were times when I practiced a lot, and there were times I didn’t. DiBlasio is quick to note that fun isn’t the same thing as a free-for-all. “I knew early on that the better you became, the more fun it was,” he says.
Learning to play an instrument takes discipline, and being a professional means many days consumed by hours of practice. But DiBlasio emphasizes that the point of all that work was always enjoyment.
“Fun is a great motivator,” he says. “[But] fun doesn’t mean you’re goofing around. You’re working hard. You’re working really hard. Coltrane practiced 11 hours a day. He didn’t do it because he hated it. He did it because he was driven. He loved it. Call it love, call it fun, call it whatever.”
After getting his master’s in studio writing and production at the University of Miami, DiBlasio earned a spot in Ferguson’s high-profile band. Even though he was a full-time touring musician for only about five years, DiBlasio continued to play on and off with Ferguson for decades.
DiBlasio describes Ferguson as a “musical big brother.” The bandleader’s career started in the 1940s and continued up to his death in 2006. DiBlasio credits his time in Ferguson’s band with launching the rest of his career. “Everything kind of blew up after that, doing clinics and concerts and teaching,” he says.
For DiBlasio, teaching is a partnership with each student. In the same way that he changes the way he performs based on who he’s playing with and the audience, he changes the way he teaches based on what his students know and care about and their life experiences. “You have to tune in to them,” he says. Like playing jazz, teaching involves listening and reacting. “You’re a psychiatrist one day, a coach the next day, the next one you’re their friend, the next one you’re their dad,” DiBlasio says. “If your radar is up and picking up their signals, you find yourself changing a lot. That’s what’s exhausting. Not that they don’t deserve it. They’re good kids; they’re great kids. I love it.”
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Ray Vega, Nonet Director
(Ray Vega's) creating a very, very valuable bridge from the classroom to the bandstand........That's the magic that Ray brings. He transcends academia and makes it real.
--www.toddcoolman.com
A native of the South Bronx, Ray is a veteran of the bands of Tito Puente, Ray Barretto, Mongo Santamaria, and Mario Bauza to name a few. Ray has performed and/or recorded with Joe Henderson, Lionel Hampton, Mel Torme, Paquito D’Rivera, Arturo Sandoval, The Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Poncho Sanchez, Steve Turre, Israel Lopez "Cachao", The Chico O’Farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra, Jazz at Lincoln Center Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, Paul Simon, Michel Camilo, The Mingus Big Band, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Bebo Valdez, and Celia Cruz, among numerous others.
A multi-talented trumpeter, percussionist, composer, and arranger, he presents Jazz from a refreshingly original and contemporary perspective. He has two recordings on the Concord Picante label, his self-titled debut "Ray Vega", and "Boperation", along with his 1st release on the Palmetto label "Pa'lante"& have been well received by critics, audiences and musicians alike. Vega's 2nd Palmetto CD "Squeeze, Squeeze" has also received critical acclaim including Four Stars in Down Beat Magazine.
Vega grew up immersed in the heart of two vibrant New York City music scenes: Jazz and Salsa. In addition to learning about these two musical styles with some of the great legends, he attended The Long Island University Brooklyn Center and is a graduate of the legendary High School of Music and Art. It was during his time with Barretto that Vega was called upon to join the Tito Puente Latin Jazz Orchestra as lead trumpeter. Vega recorded with Puente's Orchestra many times over including the Grammy winning "Mambo Birdland", "Dancemania '99" and "Obra Maestra".
Ray is currently Senior Lecturer, Jazz History and Trumpet at the University of Vermont and maintains an active performing schedule.
A multi-talented trumpeter, percussionist, composer, and arranger, he presents Jazz from a refreshingly original and contemporary perspective. He has two recordings on the Concord Picante label, his self-titled debut "Ray Vega", and "Boperation", along with his 1st release on the Palmetto label "Pa'lante"& have been well received by critics, audiences and musicians alike. Vega's 2nd Palmetto CD "Squeeze, Squeeze" has also received critical acclaim including Four Stars in Down Beat Magazine.
Vega grew up immersed in the heart of two vibrant New York City music scenes: Jazz and Salsa. In addition to learning about these two musical styles with some of the great legends, he attended The Long Island University Brooklyn Center and is a graduate of the legendary High School of Music and Art. It was during his time with Barretto that Vega was called upon to join the Tito Puente Latin Jazz Orchestra as lead trumpeter. Vega recorded with Puente's Orchestra many times over including the Grammy winning "Mambo Birdland", "Dancemania '99" and "Obra Maestra".
Ray is currently Senior Lecturer, Jazz History and Trumpet at the University of Vermont and maintains an active performing schedule.
Charlie Sarling, Big Band Director
Charlie taught for 38 years in the Brentwood School District where he directed the Freshmen Center Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, the High School Two O’clock and One O’clock Jazz Ensembles respectively and was also musical director for the High School Pit Orchestra. From January of 2017-2018 he held the position of Symphonic Band Director and Jazz Ensemble Director at Suffolk Community College before retiring after the 2018 Spring Semester. He continues teaching trumpet lessons as an adjunct professor at the College.
Since 2012, he has been the SCMEA Jazz Co-coordinator for SCMEA Day Of Jazz, All County Jazz Auditions, and the All County Jazz Concert. After retiring from this position in 2019, his One More Once Jazz Ensemble still conducts Big Band clinics for High School Jazz Ensembles at the annual “Day of Jazz.”
Charlie has had the honor of ‘Guest Conducting” Concert Bands and Jazz Ensembles for NMEA, HMEA, and SCMEA since 1997 and has also served as the NYSSMA All-State Jazz Ensemble Chairperson and has also conducted the All-State Jazz Ensemble at various events.
In his summers off from his teaching responsibilities, Charlie spent the last 20 years as a clinician and Big Band Conductor in both Vermont and Rhode Island at “Jazz Camp for Grown-ups.”
Aside from his teaching career, Charlie’s performance career included a concert at the Berklee Performance Center with the greats, Arturo Sandoval and Maynard Ferguson. He spent 3 years with the Frankie V Jazz Ensemble at Riles Jazz Club in Boston during which time he had the honor of playing in the Alumni Band for Maynard Ferguson’s 75th birthday. During his residence he performed with such featured artists as Alan Wise, Carl Fisher, Stan Mark, Slide Hampton, and Arturo Sandoval.
Since 2012, he has been the SCMEA Jazz Co-coordinator for SCMEA Day Of Jazz, All County Jazz Auditions, and the All County Jazz Concert. After retiring from this position in 2019, his One More Once Jazz Ensemble still conducts Big Band clinics for High School Jazz Ensembles at the annual “Day of Jazz.”
Charlie has had the honor of ‘Guest Conducting” Concert Bands and Jazz Ensembles for NMEA, HMEA, and SCMEA since 1997 and has also served as the NYSSMA All-State Jazz Ensemble Chairperson and has also conducted the All-State Jazz Ensemble at various events.
In his summers off from his teaching responsibilities, Charlie spent the last 20 years as a clinician and Big Band Conductor in both Vermont and Rhode Island at “Jazz Camp for Grown-ups.”
Aside from his teaching career, Charlie’s performance career included a concert at the Berklee Performance Center with the greats, Arturo Sandoval and Maynard Ferguson. He spent 3 years with the Frankie V Jazz Ensemble at Riles Jazz Club in Boston during which time he had the honor of playing in the Alumni Band for Maynard Ferguson’s 75th birthday. During his residence he performed with such featured artists as Alan Wise, Carl Fisher, Stan Mark, Slide Hampton, and Arturo Sandoval.
Glendon Ingalls, Nonet Director
Born in Johnson, Vermont, Glendon is a former public school music educator who worked in the Windsor NW , Barre and Rutland school systems and finds himself busier than ever since retiring from public school teaching. He has been invited to serve as a guest conductor /clinician/instructor at a wide variety of music festivals and music camps in the Northeast and is a two time past president of the Vermont Association for Jazz Education. He is a multi instrumentalist and maintains an active performance schedule directing and playing with several groups on trumpet, double bass, electric bass and sousaphone in a wide variety of musical genres. His Glendon Ingalls Red Clover Jazz Trio has held a weekly jazz gig at the Red Clover Inn and Restaurant in Mendon Vermont since 2015.
His current teaching appointments include private instruction on trumpet and basses at Castleton University, Middlebury College, and on trumpet at Middlebury Community Music Center. During his performance career he has been privileged to perform with many acclaimed jazz, classical, and popular music artists including the Onion River Jazz Band, Jenni Johnson, The Vermont Jazz Ensemble, Joey Leone’s Chop Shop, The Vermont Philharmonic, The Vermont Symphony Orchestra’ “Fanfare” Brass Trio, The Red Clover Jazz Trio, Fontella Bass, Jimmy Beaumont and The Skyliners, Jerry Bergonzi, Jon Faddis, Lester Bowie, Joshua Bruneau, Vinnie Cutro, Greg Abate, Steve Davis, The Temptations, Nick Brignola, and Chris Vadala as well as many others. He has also performed internationally with Jenni Johnson in the Jazz Over Volga River Festival in Yaroslavl Russia.
His current teaching appointments include private instruction on trumpet and basses at Castleton University, Middlebury College, and on trumpet at Middlebury Community Music Center. During his performance career he has been privileged to perform with many acclaimed jazz, classical, and popular music artists including the Onion River Jazz Band, Jenni Johnson, The Vermont Jazz Ensemble, Joey Leone’s Chop Shop, The Vermont Philharmonic, The Vermont Symphony Orchestra’ “Fanfare” Brass Trio, The Red Clover Jazz Trio, Fontella Bass, Jimmy Beaumont and The Skyliners, Jerry Bergonzi, Jon Faddis, Lester Bowie, Joshua Bruneau, Vinnie Cutro, Greg Abate, Steve Davis, The Temptations, Nick Brignola, and Chris Vadala as well as many others. He has also performed internationally with Jenni Johnson in the Jazz Over Volga River Festival in Yaroslavl Russia.
Rich Davidian, Camp Administrator, Big Band Director
Rich has played woodwind instruments in all genres of music and shared the stage with many talented Vermont musicians as well as an array of national talent ranging from Big Joe Burrell and Ray Vega, to The Temptations, Eddie Palmieri, and The Who. Rich has performed with numerous Vermont bands including Dr. Burma, Pine Street Jazz, the Keynotes, the Swingin' VT Big Band, and others.
He is a charter member and music director of VT's premier big band, the Vermont Jazz Ensemble [since 1976] producing and directing both of its CD projects as well as hundreds of events and concerts. In 2010, Rich retired from a 40 year career teaching instrumental music, but still works at a variety of summer music camps. He was also instrumental in the creation of the Vermont Association for Jazz Education and has received special recognition from the Vermont Music Educators Association.
Rich also runs an audio recording business, Stolen Moments Audio, and does live sound reinforcement & recording for musical & community groups.
He lives in East Montpelier with his wife Shawn and has 2 grown sons (also musicians).
He is a charter member and music director of VT's premier big band, the Vermont Jazz Ensemble [since 1976] producing and directing both of its CD projects as well as hundreds of events and concerts. In 2010, Rich retired from a 40 year career teaching instrumental music, but still works at a variety of summer music camps. He was also instrumental in the creation of the Vermont Association for Jazz Education and has received special recognition from the Vermont Music Educators Association.
Rich also runs an audio recording business, Stolen Moments Audio, and does live sound reinforcement & recording for musical & community groups.
He lives in East Montpelier with his wife Shawn and has 2 grown sons (also musicians).
Tom Cleary, Staff Musician
Tom Cleary studied jazz improvisation with Yusef Lateef and Archie Shepp, and classical piano performance with Sylvia Parker and Elizabeth Metcalfe. He has had extended collaborations playing piano and keyboards with artists including Mike Gordon, James Harvey, Ray Vega, Patricia Julien, and Jamie Masefield. His collaboration with his wife, vocalist and composer Amber deLaurentis, in the jazz quartet Birdcode can be heard on the 2019 album You Are Here. He has accompanied artists including Clark Terry, Lester Bowie, Fontella Bass, Ernie Watts, Chris Vadala, Pete Yellin, Judi Silvano, Joe Lovano, and Joan Rivers. As a composer, his work has been commissioned and recorded by groups including Social Band, Vermont Contemporary Music Ensemble and the Saint Michael's College Fine Arts Department. He teaches in the jazz studies program of the University of Vermont Music Department, the Flynn Arts jazz program and his home studio.
Bill Reynolds, Staff Musician
Bill Reynolds is an extremely versatile and highly sought-after jazz and studio drummer. He is an alumnus of the Berklee School of Music and the Navy School of Music where he served on the staff as percussion teacher and drummer with the renowned Faculty Lab Band.
He has performed and/or recorded with such varied artists as Jerry Bergonzi, Gene Bertoncini, Keith Ingham's Manhatten Swingtet, Ernie Watts, Rufus Ried, Dick Oatts, Vince Giordano, Mark Soskin, Harold Danko, Scott Robinson, The New Black Eagle Jazz Band, Billy Novick, The Washington Ballet, The New Direction Jazz Ensemble, The Back Bay Ramblers and many others.
Performances include The Gateway Jazz Festival, The Sacramento Jazz Festival, The Smithsonian Concert Series, The Wirral International Jazz Festival, The Hot Steam Jazz Festival, The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Newport Jazz Festival, Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, and many more.
As a studio artist, a sampling of his soundtrack and jingle credits include the following movie and television productions: Seabiscuit, The Honeydripper, Eight Men Out, This Old House, The 2006 Academy Awards, Sex In the City, Ally McBeal, and The American Experience to name a few.
Bill has enjoyed 20 plus years of teaching jazz drum set and directing small ensembles at The University of Connecticut and is currently busy as a freelance performer, clinician, and private teacher in the Boston area.
He has performed and/or recorded with such varied artists as Jerry Bergonzi, Gene Bertoncini, Keith Ingham's Manhatten Swingtet, Ernie Watts, Rufus Ried, Dick Oatts, Vince Giordano, Mark Soskin, Harold Danko, Scott Robinson, The New Black Eagle Jazz Band, Billy Novick, The Washington Ballet, The New Direction Jazz Ensemble, The Back Bay Ramblers and many others.
Performances include The Gateway Jazz Festival, The Sacramento Jazz Festival, The Smithsonian Concert Series, The Wirral International Jazz Festival, The Hot Steam Jazz Festival, The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Newport Jazz Festival, Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, and many more.
As a studio artist, a sampling of his soundtrack and jingle credits include the following movie and television productions: Seabiscuit, The Honeydripper, Eight Men Out, This Old House, The 2006 Academy Awards, Sex In the City, Ally McBeal, and The American Experience to name a few.
Bill has enjoyed 20 plus years of teaching jazz drum set and directing small ensembles at The University of Connecticut and is currently busy as a freelance performer, clinician, and private teacher in the Boston area.
Bear Irwin, Staff Musician
Bear Irwin began teaching instrumental music in public schools in 1970 in Enosburgh Falls, VT, and before retiring in 2015, also taught in public schools in Montgomery, Bakersfield, Middlebury, Rutland Town, and Mill River UHS. Bear also taught Senior High Methods and Brass Methods on the Adjunct Faculty of Johnson State College and Castleton State College, and presently teaches trombone at Middlebury College.
Mr. Irwin served on the Vermont Music Educators Association Executive Board as District Divisions Coordinator and as President. Bear served as Vice President and President of the International Association of Jazz Educators Vermont Unit. Between 2000 and 2004, Bear was the Manager of the Vermont All State Music Festival Jazz Ensemble.
Bear was a Director of the Lakes Region Youth Orchestra Concert Band from 2000 to 2014. Mr. Irwin organized, manages and plays Lead Trombone for the Vermont Jazz Ensemble (since 1976), and he also performs with Satin ‘n’ Steel, Stolen Moments, Moments Notice, The DoughBoys, and other ensembles throughout Vermont. He also does guest conducting and workshops and clinics several times per year.
Mr. Irwin was presented the Outstanding Vermont Teacher Award by the University of Vermont three times over twenty-two years. Bear was named Vermont Educator of the Year by the Vermont VFW Auxiliary in 2000, and in May of 2009, Mr. Irwin was inducted into the Vermont Principals Association Hall of Fame. In 2017, Bear Irwin received the Special Recognition Award presented by the Green Mountain District V Music Festival and the Vermont Music Educators Association.
Mr. Irwin served on the Vermont Music Educators Association Executive Board as District Divisions Coordinator and as President. Bear served as Vice President and President of the International Association of Jazz Educators Vermont Unit. Between 2000 and 2004, Bear was the Manager of the Vermont All State Music Festival Jazz Ensemble.
Bear was a Director of the Lakes Region Youth Orchestra Concert Band from 2000 to 2014. Mr. Irwin organized, manages and plays Lead Trombone for the Vermont Jazz Ensemble (since 1976), and he also performs with Satin ‘n’ Steel, Stolen Moments, Moments Notice, The DoughBoys, and other ensembles throughout Vermont. He also does guest conducting and workshops and clinics several times per year.
Mr. Irwin was presented the Outstanding Vermont Teacher Award by the University of Vermont three times over twenty-two years. Bear was named Vermont Educator of the Year by the Vermont VFW Auxiliary in 2000, and in May of 2009, Mr. Irwin was inducted into the Vermont Principals Association Hall of Fame. In 2017, Bear Irwin received the Special Recognition Award presented by the Green Mountain District V Music Festival and the Vermont Music Educators Association.
Tony Barrows, Sound Technician, Media Manager
A Vermont native, Tony has devoted countless hours to local musical and theatrical productions, both as a technician and performer. Focusing on high-quality productions, he sought seamless sound reinforcement integration working for Montpelier High School, meeting the needs of a variety of performances.
He plays clarinet and saxophone with local groups like the Vermont Symphonic Winds, Green Mountain Mahler Festival, and Vermont Jazz Ensemble. Tony directed Montpelier's Capitol City Band for its 2019 season.
When he’s not musically engaged, he's studying complex systems and data science at the University of Vermont, and enjoys mountain biking, hiking, and skiing.
He plays clarinet and saxophone with local groups like the Vermont Symphonic Winds, Green Mountain Mahler Festival, and Vermont Jazz Ensemble. Tony directed Montpelier's Capitol City Band for its 2019 season.
When he’s not musically engaged, he's studying complex systems and data science at the University of Vermont, and enjoys mountain biking, hiking, and skiing.
Jared Johnson (Magnum PA), Sound Technician
