EnerJazz Big Band

Founded in 2008, EnerJazz is an 18-member big band dedicated and committed to performing authentic arrangements by the original artists. Our repertoire includes tunes made famous during the big band era as well as newer charts by contemporary artists. Our extensive library contains charts written specifically for jazz legends such as Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Buddy Rich, Benny Goodman, Stan Kenton, Count Basie, and many more! It also includes hits from artists such as Brian Setzer, Doc Severinsen, Maynard Ferguson and Natalie Cole.

PERSONNEL:

Pete Giancola, lead alto saxophone (Rutland, VT). 25 year veteran player in clubs from Pittsfield, MA to Potsdam, NY; Satin & Steel; On the Rocks; Marble City Swing Band.

Scott Lobdell, alto saxophone (Castleton, VT). Retired elementary teacher; retired military officer; instructor, Community College of Vermont; Moonlighters Big Band; Marble City Swing Band.

Harry Drum, lead tenor saxophone and business manager (East Poultney, VT). Veteran New Jersey combo player; Castleton State College Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble; Green Mountain College Jazz Band; Green Mountain Community Band, Poultney-Granville Town Band; substitute for Moonlighters Big Band, Green Brothers Band and Los Hernando's Verde (Latin Jazz Band).

Mike Lenox, tenor saxophone (Fair Haven, VT). Veteran educator; Director of Bands, Rutland Intermediate School and Rutland Middle School; adjunct faculty, Castleton State College; music director, Orwell Community Band; private music instructor.

Hank Vaughan, baritone saxophone, vocals (Castleton, VT). Assistant Director of Bands, Director of the Spartan Marching Band, Castleton State College; music director, Rutland City Band; national guest clinician; adjudicator in five states.

Bill Brislin, lead trombone, vocals (Essex Junction, VT). Veteran player in dance bands for over 50 years; Swingin’ Vermont Big Band; Moonlighters Big Band; Green Mountain Swing Band; East Bay Jazz Ensemble; Onion River Jazz Band; Dr. Jazz and the Dixie Hot Shots; Dixie Six.

Paul Sutherland, trombone (Proctor, VT). Downtown Brass Company; Castleton State College Wind Ensemble; former member, Rutland City Band and the Marble City Swing Band; freelance pit musician.

Todd Jonz, trombone (Danby, VT). Castleton State College Wind Ensemble; Castleton State College Jazz Ensemble; Green Mountain College Concert Band; Green Mountain College Jazz Ensemble; Poultney-Granville Town Band; Talegatorz Old TIme Jazz Band; various ad hoc trombone and mixed brass ensembles.

Glenn Giles, bass trombone, personnel manager (Rutland, VT). Veteran educator; Music Department Chair and Director of Bands (Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band), Castleton State College; Wind Ensemble Director, Lakes Region Youth Orchestra; former director, Rutland City Band, Marble City Swing Band and Proctor Community Chorus; former Fine Arts Supervisor, Rutland Public Schools (named one of twelve Model Music Programs in the United States by MENC in 2006); private music instructor.

Dave McKenzie, lead trumpet (Hampton, NY). Veteran player of five decades; former member, James Brown house band, various New Orleans bands, Cincinnati Symphony, Marble City Swing Band, Moonlighters Big Band; backed Martha Reeves, The Coasters, The Spinners and many others; Satin & Steel; Castleton State College Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble; Green Mountain College Band; Poultney-Granville Town Band; freelance musician; private music instructor.

Pat Roberts, trumpet (Pittsford, VT). Graduate, University of North Texas School of Music; veteran educator; high school music director at Otter Valley Union High School; Satin & Steel; Brandon Town Band; freelance musician active in various jazz groups throughout Vermont.

Kenny Cifone, trumpet, vocals (Brandon, VT). Veteran educator; music educator, The Dorset School; freelance musician; private music instructor.

Mike Durkee, trumpet (Rutland, VT). Marble City Swing Band; Castleton State College Jazz Band; Rutland City Band; freelance pit musician.

Martha Welch, vocals (Chittenden, VT). Veteran educator; Marble City Swing Band; Bourbon Street Brass; former and founding member, Satin & Steel; freelance jazz and Dixieland musician.

Kent Baker, pianist and music director (Poultney, VT). Graduate, Crane School of Music, veteran educator; adjunct faculty, Castleton State College; music director, Poultney-Granville Town Band; organist/choir director, St. Raphael’s Roman Catholic Church (Poultney) and Poultney United Methodist Church; adjudicator in four states; freelance accompanist and sideman; private music instructor; former musical director, Marble City Swing Band.

Don Goodman, guitar (Benson, VT). Director, Green Mountain College Jazz Ensemble; adjunct faculty, Castleton State College; Swinghouse Trio; backed The Spinners, The Crystals and The Shirelles, among others; Marble City Swing Band; freelance combo musician; private music instructor.

Ellen Suthe