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Musician Profiles
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Erik James: Vocals
Erik James' "swingness" is on abundant display every time he steps on stage. While giving tribute
to the gold era of big band standards; while paying homage to an era of songwriting and performing;
every time Erik James performs he announces, in no uncertain terms, the arrival of a major new
talent with a flair for infusing the familiar and beloved music with a fresh, original and utterly unique
sensibility entirely his own.
When he is compared to performers like Sinatra, Darin, and Dino his response was once,
"I try to bring a youthful energy to everything I do. Tough and tender at the same time and like
nothing else you've ever heard. That's the same thing my idols did 50+ years ago so I'm doing the
same thing but also trying my own thing... a more updated version if you will."
"E.J." as he is affectionately called lives in Cincinnati and performs mostly in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region.
Erik feels very fortunate to perform with so many great musicians in the Johnny Mack Super Big Band,
and he also performs with the Pavillion Music Company Big Band based out of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky
(www.pmcbigband.com) and his own Jazz Trio.
For more pictures, recordings, and live videos please visit his website at www.myspace.com/ejcrooner |
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Rick Evans: Vocals |
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Bill Burns: Baritone Sax
- Bill Burns is an active music performer and educator in the Dayton/Cincinnati Area.
He has had the privilege of sharing the stage with master jazz musicians Phil Woods, John
Fedchock, Diane Schuur, Billy Hart, Brad Goode, Hal Melia, and Ron McCrobie, among others.
He has also worked as a freelance musician for Norwegian and Holland America Cruise
lines, and has been referred to by the Dayton Daily News as "the biggest, baddest, baritone
saxophonist to play here in a long time".
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Thomas W. Billing: Trombone
- Thomas has performed with such bands as Glenn Miller, Kim Kelly Orchestra,
Joe Aceto Orchestra, Frank Neville Orchestra, Holiday on Ice Orchestra, Microcosm,
J. Bradley Orchestra, West Ohio Gas Big Band, Bob Gray Orchestra, Dream Jazz Band,
Ian Polster Orchestra, Shrine Circus Orchestra, Super Circus Orchestra,
Lima Symphony Orchestra and the Springfield Symphony Orchestra.
- He has performed backup for Urbie Green, Four Freshmen, Tommy Tune, Bernadette Peters,
Joel Grey, Wyne Newton, The Temptations, Shirley Jones, Jack Jones, The Mills Brothers and Red Skelton.
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Rick Johnston: Alto Saxophone
- Rick has been with the Super Big Band since 1994. During his time with the band he has added
several musical arrangements to the band's library. In the late sixties and early seventies Rick
attended the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and has worked with many notable are big bands.
After ending a ten year touring engagement with the Dayton based "Colleagues", a four man show
group that worked Las Vegas, Reno, Lake Tahoe, Suttmiller's Supper Club in Dayton, and many hotel
and resort areas throughout the US and Canada, Rick was lead alto saxophone with the Cincinnati
based big band of Bill Walters which worked a three night per week engagement at the present Blue
Ash hotel in northern Cincinnati during the 1980's.
- Since leaving the Colleagues in 1979, Rick has worked with the orchestras of Jimmy Dorsey, Billy May,
Nelson Riddle, and has done back up work for Gladys Knight and the Pips, Johnny Mathis,
Andy Williams, and Rosemary Clooney.
- Rick presently is General Manager of WKFI and WSWO radio in Wilmington, Ohio. His wife, Judith,
is a high school chemistry and physics teacher. Rick and Judy have two children. Son Tyler is an
Industrial Engineer for Cooper Industries in Chicago and daughter Betony is a flute performance
major at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois.
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Ian Polster: Trombone and Arranger
- Teaches introduction to music, fundamentals of music, music composition, music education,
20th-century American music, elementary music theory, studio trombone, and jazz styles at
Wittenberg University, located in Springfield, Ohio.
- He is author of or contributor to more than 20 books and monographs on composition, theory,
developing music skills, and micro-computer software.
- He has presented papers at professional meetings on electronic music, new approaches to
teaching first-year music theory, and theory preparation of teachers.
- Polster has produced more than 25 commissioned compositions and has published numerous
musical arrangements for major publishers.
- His arrangements have been recorded, broadcast, and performed by bands and orchestras
throughout the world. He has been a guest conductor in numerous high schools, in colleges,
and with symphony orchestras and has presented many clinics and workshops on performing,
composing, and arranging.
- The principal trombonist with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, he was a former member
of the Stan Kenton Orchestra and its clinic staff and the orchestras of Nelson Riddle and
Henry Mancini. Polster earned B.S., B.Mus., and M.Mus. degrees at The Ohio State University.
He joined the Wittenberg University faculty in 1970.
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Jeff Spurlock: Tenor Saxaphone |
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Denver D. Seifried: Bass Trombone
- B.S. in Music Education-Bowling Green State Univ. (1964) Trombone and tuba with David Glasmire
- M.M. from University of North Texas (1967) Trombone performance with Leon F. Brown Additional
study during several summers with Betty S. Glover (C.C.M.)
- Public school instrumental music teacher-Urbana City Schools (2 years)
- Mad River-Green Local Schools (28 years) Retired in July, 1995
- Member of various Johnny Mack Orchestras since 1970 (started at bike shop)
- Member of Springfield Symphony Orchestra since 1965
- Member of Springfield Symphony Brass Quartet and Quintet (school concerts)
- Charter member of Dayton Jazz Orchestra
- Member of Ian Polster Orchestra
- Member of L&M Big Band (Cincy)
- Member of Barry Campbell Big Band (Wilmington)
- Member of Bill Walters Big Band
- Performed with: Jack Jones, Four Freshmen, New Four Freshmen, Rosemary Clooney,
Mel Torme, Maureen McGovern, Henry Mancini, Tony Tune, Touring company of Damn Yankees
with Jerry Lewis, Al Hirt, Roger Williams, Florence Henderson, Vicki Carr, The Fifth Dimension,
Les Elgart, and Shirley Jones.
- Presently teaching privately at several local music stores.
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Ron Meyer: Keyboards
- Graduated from Stivers High School and the University of Dayton with a B.S. in Music Education.
Taught public school music for 6 years before entering the insurance business as agent
and vice president of his own agency.
- Leader of his own big band, octet, and combo, and has played with most of the Dayton
area big bands and combo groups.
- Played backup to such performers as Chris Vadalla, Bobby Shew, Deborah Brown, June Valli,
Gloria Loring, John Fedchock, Bob Mintzer, Clark Terry, Four Freshmen, Sunny Wilkinson,
Roy Clark, Diahaan Carroll, Lou Rawls, and the McGuire Sisters.
- Meyer has worked with the Johnny Mack Super Big Band and New Brass since their beginnings,
in addition he also performs regularly with area bands including Hal Harris Orchestras,
Pam Noah's Swing Band in Cincinnati, and the Sinclair Community College Jazz Ensemble.
- Ron is married to wife Rosemarie and they have 5 children, Jeff, Teresa, Lisa, Scott, and Greg.
All musicians and graduates of the University of Dayton. Son Jeff is the only active musician,
performing regularly on saxophones in and around the SantaCruz/Monterey California area.
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John Harner: Lead Trumpet
- John is a free lance trumpet player, educator, clinician, and conductor that performs at clinics
and concerts throughout the United States. He is a former 1st-Trumpet player of the
Stan Kenton Orchestra and has recorded 3 CD's with them including:
"Kenton Plays Chicago, "Fire, Fury, and Fun," and "Kenton '76," where he is the featured soloist
on Send In The Clowns. He also was the 1st Trumpet player at the Dunes, the Sands,
and the Sahara Hotels, from 1977 until 1984 and the split-lead player at Caesars Palace in 1983.
He has recorded 2 CD's with the Jim Widner Big Band, as their 1st trumpet.
This group does 2 summer Jazz clinics in Missouri and Texas where the focus is teaching students
ages13-to-adult how to play jazz in a Big Band. This group tours the Midwest each spring and
appeared at The International Association of Jazz Educator's convention in 1997.
- Mr. Harner is currently a music educator in the Xenia Community Schools; where he conducts
two Concert Bands, Marching Band, Pep Band, and Jazz Band. The Marching Band and
Jazz Band have both toured Disney World as part of Disney's Magic Music Days.
The Xenia Jazz Band has received Superior ratings for the last five years in OMEA Jazz Contests.
Mr. Harner plays the Calicchio Trumpet!
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Tim Pence: All Saxophones, Flute, and Clarinet
- Graduated Miamisburg, Ohio High School 1986.
- Tim has worked with many talented musicians and orchestras including:
Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, The Artie Shaw Orchestra, The Glenn Miller Orchestra,
the New York Pop Orchestra, Vic Damone, The Pied Pipers, The Four Freshman, The Ink Spots,
Bob Anderson, Barry Manilow, and Kathie Lee Gifford.
- Locally he has played with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, Dayton Jazz Orchestra,
Johnny Mack Super Big Band, and the Tom Daugherty Orchestra.
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Jim Leslie: Drums
- Jim Leslie graduated from Central Michigan University, where he was a student of Bob
Hohner and a member of the Robert Hohner Percussion Ensemble. Jim has also studied
with Jim Chapin, Chuck Silverman, and John Riley. Since moving to Dayton, Ohio in
1995, Jim is one of the most active teachers in the Music Department at the University of
Dayton, where he teaches applied percussion lessons, percussion pedagogy, percussion
ensemble, and coaches the Pride of Dayton drumline. As an artist for the Muse Machine,
Daytonís arts organization, Jim leads a jazz quartet that goes into area schools giving
performances and workshops.
- A passion for performing keeps Jim busy several nights a week. He is a member of the
Classic Jazz Stompers, featuring jazz of the ë20ís and ë30ís, the Johnny Mack Super Big
Band, the Fifth Avenue Band, the Ed Moss Society Jazz Orchestra, and the Jazz Central
house band. Jim also leads his own trio. As a freelance drummer, Jim has performed
with the Dayton Jazz Orchestra and the Blue Wisp Big Band, as well as many national
and regional artists, such as Frank Tiberi, Terell Stafford, Conrad Herwig, Jim Snidero,
and Phil DeGreg. Jim Leslie is an artist/clinician for Ludwig Drums and Sabian
Cymbals, and is the current president of the Ohio chapter of the Percussive Arts Society.
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John Mooter: Trombone
- John Mooter is a graduate of the College-Conservatory of Music. He received his
Masters Degree from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago.
He led his own band, "Blue Tater" for over 25 years before joining the
Queen City Big Band and Jerry Conrad's "Rhythm and Brass" He also has
performed with the "Blue Whisp Big Band" and other groups. He is a public school music teacher.
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Bill Dixon: Trumpet
- One of the region's most diverse musical artists, Bill Dixon is equally at home in classical, rock or
jazz performance groups on a variety of instruments. A graduate of Chicago's prestigious
VanderCook College of Music, he has taught band and music in
the West Carrollton City Schools since 1982. As a private brass instructor, Mr. Dixon
teaches lessons to students in the Mason, Miamisburg, Northmont and West Carrollton
Band Programs. Bill performs on trumpet, trombone, drums and percussion in many
professional groups and as a guest artist/clinician for high school and colleges.
Performance credits include: Jamey Aebersold, Ala Carte Band, Carl Allen, David Baker,
the Jimmy Baker Blues Experience, Billy Barty, Dave Boyer, Don Braden, Foster Brooks,
CBS Records - Chicago, Chicago Jazz Super Band, the Cincinnati Reds, the Cleveland Browns,
the Columbus Jazz Arts, Floyd Cramer, Bob Curnow, the Dayton Contemporary Dance
Company Orchestra, the Dayton Jazz Orchestra, Dayton Philharmonic Band, Dayton
Philharmonic Orchestra, Johnny Desmond, Denis DiBlasio, Disney's World on Ice,
Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, John Fedchock, Mitzi Gaynor, John Goldsby, Urbie Green, Slide Hampton,
the Harmonicats, Conrad Herwig, Bill Holman, Les Hooper, Ice Capades International,
Jana Jackson, "Mama" Jazz (WMUB Radio), Jack Jones, Jazz Central Big Band, Paula Kelly
and the Modernaires, Kings Island, Gerald Levert, Cecil McBee, Kelly McClennon, Kit McClure,
Rob McCroby, Audra McDonald, Pam Mallory, Ken Medema, Rick Margitza, the Glenn Miller Orchestra,
New World Brass, Nielson & Young, Pam Noah, the Platters, Lenny Price, Martha
Reeves, the Jeff Ruby Orchestra, Maria Schneider, Dom Spera, Terrel Stanford, the
Temptations, Toni Tennielle, Norris Tourney, Voice Columbus, the Paul Wagner
Orchestra, Walter White and Steve Wiest. Currently, Mr. Dixon performs with: Castle Brass,
Bill Dixon Trio, Fairhaven Church Orchestra, Jake & Elwood's Blues Revue, Kim Kelly Orchestra,
the Johnny Mack Super Big Band, the O'Jays and Kerry Smith Band. Bill is an Artist/Representative
with Warburton Music Products and performs on Yamaha instruments exclusively.
Mr. Dixon's other interests include enjoying time with his children (four daughters: Leah - 17,
Stephanie - 16, Kaitlin - 10 and Bailey - 5; and one son: Andrew - 7) They enjoy bike riding,
reading, classic cartoon, music, sports and visiting Chicago. Bill's hobbies include rooting
for the Reds and Browns, playing golf, and enjoying good food. (Italian, Chinese
and his Mother's cooking!)
My Equipment and Endorsements
- Yamaha 6310-Z Bb Trumpet
- Yamaha 9830 Custom Piccolo Trumpet
- Yamaha 731 Flugelhorn
- Yamaha 695 Trombone
- Warburton Custom Brass Mouthpieces (custom made by
Ken Titmus and Terry Warburton of Warburton Music Products)
- Yamaha Hip Gig Pack Drum Set
- Zildjan cymbals and sticks
- Audio Technica Wireless Amplification System
- Yamaha Silent Brass
- LP Hand Percussion
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Ron Purvis: Trumpet
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Sam Ashworth: Trombone
- My Dad was a high school band director at Eaton High School. I got a horn in the fifth grade
and haven't quit playing yet. In college at Miami, I played with a five piece group called Music Men (1959-1963).
- After college I got a job at Armco in Middletown in 1964. Went into the Army in 1966.
Attended the Naval School of Music in Little Creek, Virginia for six months after basic training,
and was then assigned to the 75th Army Band from Jan 1967 to April 1969. Conducted the
stage band while there and also organized a 5 piece combo to do off-base gigs.
- Went back to work for Armco in April 1969. Started playing with the Middletown Symphonic Band
(now Southwestern Ohio Symphonic Band) under Bill Steihl in September 1969. Still playing
in that group, but now with my son, Andy in the trombone section also.
- In early 1970's I played in various groups on an as need basis - Bill Walters Big Band,
Ron Purvis Big Band, Purvis' 5-Piece group. In 1973 I started playing in John Trotta's Sounds Unlimited
(6-piece pop group) and played for 5 years.
- In 1975, at the request of Armco PR Department, I organized a 30 piece band patterned after
the famous Armco Band of the 1920s and 30s to play mostly marches for Armco's 75th Anniversary.
I got my Dad out of retirement to conduct the band. It was such a hit that Armco bought us all blazers
and kept the band together for the USA Bicentennial year. In 1976 we played 11 concerts in and around Middletown.
- In 1981 I started in a group called Encore - 7 piece pop band that was together for 7 years.
Currently playing in Super Big Band and Finale, a jazz sextet.
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Steve Chenoweth: Bass
- High school grad of Fairmont West in Kettering 1973. Was 1st chair string bass in orchestra for all 4 years.
After attending 1 year at Miami University in Oxford, I joined a local show group (The Ebb Tides) fronted by
vocalist Debbie Keeton. After a short time at Dominic's restaurant, we went on the road for 2 years.
This was highlighted by a 2 month stint at the Playboy Club in Phoenix, Az.
I've played with several local bands over my 31 year musical career. Also 11 of those years were with
Sinclair Community Jazz Ensemble.
By profession, I'm a letter carrier with the United States Postal Service since 1984.
Iv'e been with the Johnny Mack Super Big Band for the last 12 years.
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Matt Adams: Tenor Saxaphone, flute, clarinet
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Manfred Stamguts: Trumpet and Flugelhorn
- Manfred Stamguts has been associated with bands led by Johnny Mack for over twenty years.
He has a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Music Education from Ohio University, and worked
as an instrumental music teacher in the public schools for seventeen years before becoming a school administrator.
- He is currently employed by the Greene County Career Center as Assistant Director. In addition to performing
with the Johnny Mack Super Big Band, Manfred works regularly with a number of other big bands in the
Dayton/Cincinnati area.
- He is fortunate to have worked as a side musician for various internationally known artists, including
Rosemary Clooney, Wayne Newton, Les Elgart, Ringling Bros. Circus, Phyllis Diller, Joel Grey,
Bernadette Peters, Doc Severinsen, Maureen McGovern, Mel Torme, The Temptations,
The Four Freshmen, Al Hirt, and Jack Jones , to name a few.
- Manfred enjoys playing a variety of styles, and is equally comfortable playing in small ensembles,
chamber music, church cantatas, orchestra, concert band and wind ensemble, as well as, of course, jazz groups.
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