Season
2008-09
SIDE STREET STRUTTERS
Biography
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Season
2008-09 |
MEET THE SIDE STREET STRUTTERS
Robert Verdi
Rob received his Music Education Degree in 1984 from Arizona State University in Tempe. While in Arizona, Mr. Verdi was a featured soloist with the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra, performed in several chamber ensembles, and enjoyed the challenge of teaching junior high school music. Shortly after his participation in the Disney World All-American Band, Mr. Verdi relocated to southern California to accept his current position with the Entertainment Division at Disneyland. He enjoys collecting rare antique saxophones, directing school clinic and assembly programs, as well as performing and recording with various ensembles in the Los Angeles area. As your Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Verdi will be choosing this evening’s musical selections.
Vince Verdi
Vince holds an undergraduate degree in Education and Masters Degree in Business Management from Arizona State University. Originally from Ossining, N.Y., Verdi began studying clarinet at age 10 with encouragement from his father, a schoolteacher and self-taught drummer. Although always involved with music, Verdi's undergraduate degree is in cabinetmaking, a hobby that he continues to enjoy. He has held the position of business manager and tour director for the Side Street Strutters since 1983.
Greg Varlotta
Studying trumpet under his father’s direction in Lockport, Illinois, beginning at the age of 5, Greg received his music degree in Trumpet Performance from Arizona State University in 1985. He has performed with numerous symphony orchestras, brass quintets, jazz ensembles, and is the recipient of the prestigious Arion Trumpet Award. In addition to his accomplishments on trumpet and trombone, this multi-talented performer also enjoys singing, tap dancing, playing banjo, piano, guitar, tuba, and slide trumpet. Mr. Varlotta has a strong interest in music technology and enjoys working with computers, programming synthesizers, composing and arranging music.
Paul Johnson
Paul began his musical training in Michigan at the Interlochen Arts Academy and continued his education at Arizona State University in jazz performance. Mr. Johnson’s early professional career included tours with The Four Freshmen, The Ink Spots, The Four Lads, The Pied Pipers, and The Letter Men. He has performed with Sammy Davis, Jr., Milton Berle, Rosemary Clooney, George Burns, and Ella Fitzgerald. Paul also spent time touring with Woody Herman and the Thundering Herd and played Carnegie Hall with the great Joe Williams. Mr. Johnson is currently on faculty at Saddleback College and leads his own quintet in the Los Angeles area.
John Noreyko
Also beginning his musical studies at the Interlochen Arts Academy with additional training at the University of Illinois, Mr. Noreyko continued his education at Arizona State University in 1982 under the direction of internationally recognized tuba instructor, Daniel Perantoni. With a strong interest in classical tuba, Mr. Noreyko enjoys performing with a variety of musical ensembles, including symphony orchestras, brass quintets and other chamber groups. He has received several honors, including being recipient of the American Bandmasters Association Award for Outstanding Musicianship, and the Outstanding Soloist award presented at the Breda International Jazz Competition, Holland.
Roger Bissell
Trombonist and arranger, Roger earned B.S. and M.A. degrees in music from Iowa State University and the University of Iowa. From1971 to1985, he “free-lanced” in Nashville, TN, playing on numerous local and national television broadcasts, commercial "jingles,” records, as well as in a variety of local jazz and dance bands. He also played three seasons at Opryland. In 1985, he joined the Disneyland Band in Anaheim, CA, and continues his free-lance work in Southern California. Among his arranging clients are Marty Robbins, Glenn Campbell, and the Oak Ridge Boys. Some of his many recording credits include albums with Bobby Goldsboro, Michael Johnson, Tom Jones, Crystal Gayle, B. J. Thomas, and Boots Randolph. Information about his recently released jazz duo album, The Art of the Duo.
Mark Massey
Jazz pianist-composer, Mark Massey, was born in Lynwood, CA, where he showed early talent on piano. He studied music composition and later graduated from California State University, Long Beach, with Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music. While attending CA. State, Long Beach, Mr. Massey was recipient of the Carmen Dragon Fellowship for composition. He has performed throughout the U.S., Europe, Russia, the Far East and India, as well as with David Benoit, Freddie Hubbard, Louie Bellson, Tony Williams, and Poncho Sanchez. His debut album, Acoustic Piano International, features nine original compositions inspired by his musical travels around the planet. Following in the lineage of jazz piano giants, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Oscar Peterson and Chick Corea, Mark adds his own distinctive stamp, both as a composer and improviser.
Curtis Brengle
Mr. Brengle studied piano and music in the Seattle, WA. Area, where he graduated from the Cornish Institute of Allied Arts, receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree. He had performed with Tom Scott, The Pointer Sisters, Sheena Easton, Ray Charles, Englbert Humperdinck and many others. Curtis has been involved in the television industry, playing for productions such as Curb Your Enthusiasm, Las Vegas, and Providence, to name a few.