Stan Kenton All Star Big Band Musician Bios (Abbreviated versions)

Jeff Rupert, saxophone Yamaha performing artist Jeff Rupert has been a featured soloist on dozens of recordings with big-name artists such as Mel Tormé, who said Rupert is “dynamite,” Diane Schuur, Harry Allen and Maynard Ferguson. He performed on Benny Carter's Grammy award-winning ‘Harlem Renaissance.”

George Weremchuk, saxophone Saxophonist George Weremchuk has performed and recorded with the New World Symphony under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas and is featured on the New World Symphony's recording “New World Jazz.” He performs regularly with orchestras throughout Florida, including the London Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Marin Alsop, during their residency in Daytona Beach.

Lew Del Gatto, saxophone Former Saturday Night Live Band saxophonist Lew Del Gatto has been a dynamic figure on the New York music scene for over thirty years. He’s worked with a veritable who’s-who of music, including Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Liza Minelli, Buddy Rich, Tony Bennett, Quincy Jones, Henry Mancini, Herbie Hancock, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton and many more.

Ryan Devlin, saxophone Ryan Devlin has been a professional musician at Walt Disney World for 20 years and has been the leader of the Magic Kingdom Quartet. Devlin recently performed with the London Symphony Orchestra and has been featured as a soloist with the Orlando Concert Band.

Mike Brignola, saxophone One of the world's great baritone sax and bass clarinet players, Mike Brignola is a founding member of the famed Miami Saxophone Quartet. He played with jazz legend Woody Herman for the last seven years of Herman's career as a big band leader and continues as the road manager and personnel director of the Woody Herman Orchestra.

Jack Wengrosky, trumpet Jack Wengrosky is the former 1st trumpet, soloist and clinician with the US Army’s premier big band, the Jazz Ambassadors. Wengrosky has also performed as lead trumpet for Barry Manilow, Gloria Estefan, Jon Secada, Diane Schuur, Doc Severinsen, Dee Dee Bridgewater, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and many others. He now performs selected pops concerts with the Naples Philharmonic and Sarasota Orchestra.

Ryan Chapman, trumpet Ryan Chapman’s recording and TV credits include work with Ed Calle, Jeremy Fox, George Benson, Steve Miller and others. He was part of the PBS special “Jazz and the Philharmonic.” He has also worked with Chick Corea, Paul Anka, Bobby McFerrin, Jon Secada, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Nestor Torres amongst many others.

David Pruyn, trumpet A familiar and beloved figure on the regional jazz scene, David Pruyn is a versatile musician (trumpet, drums, vocals, bandleader), who honed his craft, or crafts, performing in big bands with such major names as Doc Severinson, Buddy Morrow, Al Jarreau, Rosemary Clooney, Harry Connick Jr, and Mel Torme.

James Suggs, trumpet One of the Bay Area’s favorite trumpet players, James Suggs began playing the trumpet at age 9 and by age 16 was performing professionally and touring with the Continental Singers He has shared the stage with Kenny Burrell, Dick Hyman, Chuck Mangione, Maria Schneider, Frankie Avalon and more. In 2015, Suggs was awarded the Best of the Bay's Critic's Choice for "Best Jazz Transplant.”

Kevin Celebi, trumpet Detroit native Kevin Celebi studied with Detroit jazz legend Marcus Belgrave and played with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Civic Jazz Orchestra. Since moving to Sarasota, he has become a fixture on the area’s jazz scene, performing with the Naples Jazz Orchestra (with Doc Severinsen and Byron Stripling), Sarasota Jazz Project, Ken Loomer Big Band, and his own quartet.

Herb Bruce, trombone Currently the principal trombonist of the Venice Symphony Orchestra, Herb Bruce is known as “Mr. Versatile” of the trombone. Bruce is a former member of the Woody Herman Band and the U.S. Army Band. He’s toured with Boots Randolph and the Nashville Brass and has performed with many show orchestras including Bob Hope, Jimmy Dorsey, Liza Minelli, the Four Freshman, the Temptations, Amy Grant, Al Hirt, Burt Bacharach, Bernadette Peters and Les Brown.

Dante Luciani, trombone The former lead and solo trombonist with the Woody Herman and Maynard Ferguson Orchestras, Luciani has performed with such major artists as Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Ben Vereen, Burt Bacharach, Natalie Cole and Anthony Newley. He is the jazz trombone professor and conductor of the Concert Jazz Band at the University of Miami.

Jeremiah St. John, trombone Trombonist and UCF graduate student Jeremiah St. John has already made a name for himself on the central and southwest Florida jazz scene, performing regularly with Dan Miller and Jason Marsalis.

Adren Hance, trombone Trombonist Adren Hance has been on the performance stage for almost 40 years, appearing with Bob Hope, Luciano Pavarotti, the Beach Boys and “The Book of Mormon.” Hance also had a hand in the creation of the University of Florida’s famous “Gator Chomp.” He now lives in Naples where can frequently be seen performing with the Naples Jazz Orchestra, TheatreZone and the Steampunk Stompers.

Chris Lundquist, trombone Well known to area jazz enthusiasts, trombonist Chris Lundquist has been a musician and cast member at Walt Disney World and performs regularly with ensembles up and down the Suncoast, particularly with the Dan McMillion Jazz Orchestra.

Richard Drexler, piano Multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and producer Richard Drexler has toured with, among others, the Jeff Berlin Trio, the Woody Herman Orchestra and trombonist John Allred. Singers he’s worked with include Mel Torme, Tony Bennett, Vic Damone, Al Jarreau, and Connie Francis. A favorite of jazz critics, his playing has garnered acclaim from Jazz Times, Down Beat, Jazz Improv, and dozens of other online publications.

Don Mopsick, bass Bassist Don Mopsick’s career began near Boston in 1972 when he performed with none other than Rosemary Clooney. Since then, he has performed across the US and abroad. While in Texas, he recorded hundreds of hours on the Riverwalk Jazz public radio series performing with the likes of Benny Carter, Vince Giordano, Bucky and John Pizzarelli, Shelly Berg and many others. Since moving to Florida, he’s worked with, among others, Ken Peplowski, Ira Sullivan, Aaron Weinstein, Lew Del Gatto, Dan Miller, Giacomo Gates, Bucky Pizzarelli, Dick Hyman and Harry Allen.

Rick Costa, percussion Massachusetts native Rick Costa has been a staple on the New England music scene for over 25 years. A former student of legendary drummer Bob Gullotti, Costa has performed as a timpanist and percussionist at theater shows throughout the northeast as well as with the Fall River Symphony. Since relocating to Venice, Florida, Costa has also become a fixture on the southern gulf coast’s extensive jazz scene and maintains a demanding performance schedule in both Florida and Massachusetts.