Chief Warrant Officer Matthew Morse, Director; Staff Sergeant Mike Reifenberg, lead alto; Staff Sergeant Derrick James, alto II; Staff Sergeant David Loy Song, tenor I; Sergeant First Class Jay Malone*, tenor II; Master Sergeant Gary McCourry**, baritone saxophone; Staff Sergeant Dan Pierce, lead trombone; Staff Sergeant Eric Ordway, trombone II; Master Sergeant Ron Fleischman, trombone III*; Master Sergeant Teddy Arnold, bass trombone; Staff Sergeant John Castleman, lead trumpet; Staff Sergeant Vito Speranza, trumpet II; Sergeant First Class Rich Johnson, trumpet III*; Staff Sergeant Josh Economy, trumpet IV; Staff Sergeant Mark Tonelli, guitar; Sergeant First Class Scott Arcangel, piano*; Staff Sergeant Brandon Nelson, bass; Staff Sergeant Scott Drewes, drums; Master Sergeant Dave Hershey, sound engineer;
* Section Leader, ** Group Leader
Influences
For over three decades the United States Military Academy Band’s Jazz Knights have brought musical excellence to their audiences by presenting the best in big band favorites, popular music, and original compositions and arrangements for jazz ensemble. Members of the group are graduates of some of America's most prestigious music schools such as the University Of North Texas, Eastman School of Music, Indiana University, Berklee School of Music, and the Manhattan School of Music. They are recruited and selected through a competitive audition process specifically for service in the United States Military Academy Band at West Point. Past and present members of the band have played with such icons as Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson, Ahmad Jamal, Chaka Kahn, Prince, Billy Cobham, and the Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller Orchestras.
The Jazz Knights’ highlights over the years include playing with Benny Goodman at Lincoln Center in 1982, performing with the Duke Ellington Orchestra for the 200th Anniversary of the New York State Legislature, and twice appearing at the Hatch Shell for Boston's Independence Day celebration. The Jazz Knights have also performed for festivals and music educators' conventions, including the International Association for Jazz Education conventions, the Western International Band Clinic, the University of Northern Colorado Jazz Festival, the International Society of Bassists' convention and the New York State Band Director’s Association Conference in 2008. Notable guests who have performed with the Jazz Knights include David Liebman, Rufus Reid, John Clayton, Eddie Daniels, Steve Turre, James Carter, Randy Brecker, Michael Abene, Steve Weist, Jon Faddis, Jim Snidero, Gary Smulyan, Scott Wendholt, and Benny Golson.
At West Point, the Jazz Knights provide music for numerous functions throughout the year. In combination with the Concert Band and field music unit, the Hellcats, they help fulfill official musical requirements of the Military Academy and the Army, including military and patriotic ceremonies both at West Point and throughout the country. The Jazz Knights also perform for the summer concert series at the Trophy Point Amphitheatre and for the winter concert series at Eisenhower Hall. Their performances recreate the sounds of the greatest jazz ensembles and the innovative styles of today through their original compositions and arrangements.
Hey David, I've got 4 houses, a girlfriend and a dog here in Baltimore so I don't think I'm going to be going anywhere anytime soon. lol. Thanks for thinking of me though!
Thank you for adding us to your friend list. Help us build a large network of military musicians. There are former band personnel who are working in a variety of music related professions. Tell your military musician friends about us.
I'm happy and honored to inform you that our new album "MASISAMBA" is almost ready to be released via internet! (there is some artwork left to do). Thank you very much for your interest in what we do. Our MySpace player plays more than 150 times over night ! ! ! ! ! ! It inspires my colleagues ! ! ! ! ! There is not much real Big Band music in today's world. To be frank, it takes a lot of effort to keep musicians together. So your interest helps me to cope with this!
cordially, Armen Martirosian, artistic director, Armenian Jazz Band
P.S.I created a new group JAZZ ORCHESTRAS !!!!!!!!!
