WSP Band Roster | Swing Bands

Bombay Jim &     The Swinging Sapphires Cool Beans Dick Johnson Big Band Didi Stuart & Friends Left Coast Jazz Quartet On Time Trio Ron Stone and The Milestones Tom LaMark Orchestra True To Form White Heat Orchestra Winiker Orchestra

Bombay Jim And The Swinging Sapphires

Bombay Jim and The Swinging Sapphires is made up of nine of Boston's top musicians. Four of the members are Berklee Professors. Jim Porcella is a jazz recording artist and has five C.D.'s to his credit. The players have performed for jazz festivals, recordings, and backed artists such as Tony Bennett, Rosie Clooney, Mel Torme and Frank Sinatra.

BIOGRAPHIES

Jim Porcella Leader & Vocalist
Forming the swing band, Bombay Jim & The Swinging Sapphires, charts a new course for Jim who, up until now, has been performing pretty much as what Sinatra used to refer to as a "Saloon Singer". Jim has performed in jazz and cabaret rooms in Boston, New York City, St. Thomas Island, London, San Francisco and Vancouver, and was the featured vocalist at the Ritz-Carlton Roof in Boston for six years.

RECORDINGS:

Sneak Preview Brownstone Recordings BRCD921
Jim's first CD, released in 1992, features the renowned drummer, the late Alan Dawson (Jim was a student of Alan's at Berklee College of Music, Boston).

You've Got That Look Signature Recordings
Jim's 1993 release, is an exciting, live recording with the Jeff Holmes Big Band, and includes the musical arrangements of Jeff Holmes and guest artist Dick Johnson.

Life is So Peculiar Seaside Recordings
As a collaboration between songwriter Carroll Coates and Jim, this 1996 CD was co-produced and released in the summer of 1995. This CD features five selections with words and music by Coates, three of which made their debut on this recording, which also features guest artist, Richie Cole.

Antonio & Jon Seaside Recordings
A tribute to the music and lyrics of Antonio Carlos Jobim and Jon Hendricks.

If I Could Dance Like Fred Astaire Songkeeper Recordings
An impromptu gig led to this release of twelve tasteful selections of great standards. The title tune was written by Ron Zack, who is also on piano, with Bob Savine--drums and Chris Rathbun--bass.

Jeff Galindo Trombone
Born in San Francisco, California, Jeff Galindo began trombone at age 7. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts on scholarship after high school and studied jazz improvisation with Hal Crook, Jerry Bergonzi and George Garzone. He also studied trombone with Hal Crook and Phil Wilson. Upon graduation, Jeff received two grants by the National Endowment of the Arts to continue study with Jerry Bergonzi, Hal Crook and George Garzone and began free-lancing in the Boston area. His experience includes a tour of Europe with Phil Woods, tours with the Artie Shaw Orchestra, and a tour of Japan with Makoto Ozone. Jeff has performed with such notables as Clark Terry, Joe Lovano, Phil Woods, Slide Hampton and Buddy DeFranco. He has also performed with Gunther Schuller, Ray Charles, Jerry Bergonzi, and George Garzone. In Boston, Jeff performs regularly with the Greg Hopkins Big Band, the Kenny Hadley Big Band, The Galindo/Phaneuf Sextet, with which he has released a new CD "Locking Horns" in 1998. He is one of the top free-lancing trombonists in the Boston area. Jeff also has an extensive teaching background. He is currently an Assistant Professor at Berklee College of Music, teaching both trombone and jazz improvisation. He also has an extensive private teaching schedule. Jeff is in high demand as a guest artist and clinician, having done so in many high-schools and universities in the Massachusetts area and also abroad, including the Brandon Jazz Festival in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada.

Selected Discography

• Bob Moses-Time Stood Still-1993-Gramavision Records
• Kenny Hadley-Come Sunday-1993-KEDABR Records
• Kenny Hadley-A Beautiful Friendship-1994-KEDABR Records
• Mighty Sam McClain-Sledge Hammer Soul...-1996-Audioquest Records
• Galindo/Phaneuf Sextet-Locking Horns-1998-TTwin TTower Records

Mark Carlsen Bass
Originally from Minneapolis, MN, Mark moved to Boston in 1977 to attend Berklee College of Music. In 1981 he joined the Tommy Dorsey Band led by Buddy Morrow. He toured with Dorsey until 1984, then returned to Boston to become one of Boston's most sought after bassists. He has backed singers such as Cab Callaway, Vic Damone and Jimmy Witherspoon. He can be heard, as of late, with Herb Pomeroy, Ray Santisi and Dick Johnson.

Jon Wheatley Guitar
Jon studied at Berklee from 1974 to 1977. He has performed with: Benny Waters, Scott Hamilton, Dave McKenna, Alan Dawson, Donna Byrne/Marshall Wood, Gunther Schuller, "Sweets" Edison, and Bob Wilbur. His recordings include: Ruby Braff--Live at Regattabar; Dave Whitney, Creative Horn OP; Turk's Works (Mike Turk); Billy Novick--"Remembering You"; Billy Novick & Herb Pomeroy--"This Is Always"; Arnie Krakowsky & George Masso--"Where The Tenor Meets the Bone"; and Jim Porcella--"Antonio & Jon". He has also contributed his talents to the theatre, working with Rita Moreno, Toni Tenille, Carol Channing, Chita Rivera and in West Side Story. He was part of the Boston Globe Jazz Festival in 1984, 1990 and 1993. He lent his teaching skills to U Mass Lowell from 1987 to 1998, and has been teaching at Berklee since 1998.

Richard L. Lowell First Trumpet and Arranger for the Band
Associate Professor of Jazz Composition, Berklee College of Music, Author of Big Band Arranging and Score Analysis, Berklee Publications, Compositions and Arrangements for Buddy Rich, Stan Kenton Alumni Band, Chicago Metro Jazz Orchestra Compositions and arrangements for the following CD's; Dave Stahl Big Band-- Anaconda, Live At Knights, Miranda, Standard Issue; Ken Hadley Big Band--Come Sunday, Just Friends; Dick Johnson--My Kind Of Broadway; Wayne Naus Big Band--Big Band Express. Performances with: Sammy Davis, Tony Bennett, Jack Jones, Cab Calloway and Mel Torme.

Tom La Mark Piano/Keyboards, Arranger for the band
Pianist and arranger Tom La Mark is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music with a degree in arranging and composition. His credits include performances with Dizzy Gillespie, Johnny Hartman, The Buddy Rich Band, as well as show business performers, Anthony Newley, Carol Lawrence, The Smothers Brothers and many more. Tom served as music director on seven consecutive world cruises with Holland America and Royal Viking Cruise Lines.

Arnie Krakowsky Tenor Sax & Clarinet
Arnie has played with such greats as: Mel Torme, Tony Bennett, Kenny Drew, Lionel Hampton, Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Red Rodney, Artie Shaw Orchestra and Herb Pomeroy. His recordings include: "Where The Tenor Meets The Bone", featuring George Masso (1996); "The Feeling's Mutual" (1986).

Gary Johnson Drums
Gary attended Berklee College of Music from 1972 to 1974. Formal training consisted of extensive studies with Instructor Bill Flanagan, Fred Buda of the Boston Pops and Jazz Artist Alan Dawson. Gary has been working professionally for the past twenty-eight years. For four years, he traveled extensively with the Artie Shaw Orchestra under the direction of Dick Johnson. During that time, he accompanied such artists as: Buddy DeFranco, Rosemarie Clooney, Frankie Laine, Helen Forest and Connie Haines. Other appearances with Scott Hamilton, Dave McKenna, Ken Peplowski, Dizzy Gillespie, Ruby Braff and the Nelson Riddle Orchestra. Gary is currently freelancing in the New England Area.

Jeff Stout Trumpet
Jeff, a featured soloist with the great Buddy Rich Band of the early 70's, is an Associate Professor of Brass and Jazz History at the Berklee College of Music and one of Boston's premier jazz trumpeters. His credits include recordings and performances with Maxine Sullivan, Gary Burton, Alan Dawson, Mel Torme, Natalie Cole and Rosemary Clooney, to name a few. He is known internationally and performs at many jazz festivals including the Umbria Jazz Festival in Italy and the Heineken Jazz Festival in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Cool Beans

A selection of musicians from the highly regarded band BEANTOWN. COOL BEANS offers a selection of jazz, swing & pop tunes performed by Boston's top performers.

 Dick Johnson Big Band

Didi Stuart & Friends

Left Coast Jazz Quartet

On Time Trio

Outstanding jazz/pop trio led by pianist/vocalist Bob Baughman.

Ron Stone and The Milestones

Ron Stone and Milestones Entertainment has been "Swingin' through New England" for over 30 years. Saxman Ron Stone has been a bandleader since his Honorable Discharge from the US Army Band in 1970. Fronting many groups thru the years, Ron has always been true to Swing and Big Band music.Known to his friends and associates as the "KING OF SWING". But, Swing isn't the only thing Ron and his bands are adept at. Jazz, Pop and Rock are equally comfortable to Ron and the boys. Ron has associated himself with the areas finest players/vocalists. So if you seek a professional band for Swing, Jazz, or  Rock call or e-mail us.. You'll be glad you did ! ! !

The Tom LaMark Orchestra

The Tom LaMark Orchestra is an experienced ensemble of very talented professional musicians and vocalists. An incredibly versatile group dedicated to the success of your party. They tailor their music to fit every special occasion.

They also represent a wide range of musical groups including: string orchestras, dixieland bands, ethnic and other specialty groups.

Company owner and orchestra leader Tom LaMark has made music his career from the age of 13. He holds a degree from the world renowned Berklee College of Music. He has a remarkably varied base of experience to draw upon. Well-versed in many different styles of music, he has played with jazz stars: Dizzy Gillespie, Johnny Hartman and Buddy Rich. He has accompanied some of the greats of show business including: Aretha Franklin, The Smothers Brothers, Robert Merrill and many more. Tom served as music director on 7 consecutive world cruises on both the Holland America and Royal Viking cruise lines and has entertained thousands of delighted clients at their weddings, parties and corporate events.

Their client list includes: The Museum of Fine Arts, The Boston Ballet, The Boston Symphony, Harvard Business School, Boston College, Northeastern University and thousands of individuals who have hired us for their special occasions.

The Tom LaMark Orchestra regularly performs at: The Ritz Carlton, The Four Seasons Hotel, The Seaport Hotel, The Boston Harbor Hotel, The Copley Plaza, Le Meridien and many of the finest private homes from Bar Harbor to Newport. They have provided corporate entertainment at: The Lodge at Pebble Beach (California), The Broadmoor (Colorado Springs) The Greenbrier (West Virginia) Kiawah Island(South Carolina) and on and on!

True to Form

White Heat Swing

The White Heat Orchestra, with bandleader Craig Ball (on clarinet, right) is a high-energy band featuring a trio or up to 15 pieces playing the swing and jazz of the 1930's and 1940's for dancers of all ages. The White Heat Swing Orchestra, also known as the "Roxy Band", was the house band for almost five years at the upscale Roxy nightclub, playing music for both the swing dancers and the nightclub crowd every hour three nights a week. Fast or slow, they hit every note without missing a beat.

The White Heat Swing Orchestra has many credits, including:

• Boston's Best Dance Band - Boston Magazine
• Recorded the sound track to the movie Dick Tracy on the Warner Brothers label.
• Performed in concert with Cab Calloway, Tony Bennett, Lou Rawls, and Joel Grey

If you are looking for a band for your party or function, the White Heat Swing Orchestra offers a demo tape for your review and they have a documentary video tape showing the television shows and special productions at which the band has performed. Craig Ball is music consultant and band leader offering swing and dixieland music worldwide at flexible rates. The band arrangement can come with one to fourteen pieces. The band(s) are available for dances, weddings, benefits, and corporate functions.

The Craig Ball Orchestras:

• The White Heat Orchestra - 10-15 piece swing orchestra for major events requiring maximum sound
• The Back Bay Rhythm Makers - a 4-8 piece swing ensemble playing music for smaller events.
• The Charles River Stompers - a banjo-based traditional jazz ensembe for other special events.

Winiker Orchestras