Side Street Strutters Jazz Band

 

Your relaxed attitude and natural good humor, in addition to dedication and commitment to high quality combine to make everthing enjoyable from the first phone call to the final curtain.

-Linda Jane Austin.
Scottsdale Center for the Arts.
 

 

MEET THE SIDE STREET STRUTTERS

Full Front

ROBERT VERDI:

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. 
 

VINCE VERDI:

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 school teacher and self taught drummer.    Although always involved with music, Verdi's undergraduate degree is in cabinetmaking, a hobby which he continues to enjoy.    He has held the position of business manager and tour director for the Side Street Strutters since 1983.
 

GREG VARLOTTA:

Began studying trumpet under his fathers direction in Lockport, Illinois at the age of 5 and 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. Mr. Varlotta accompanied "E Street Band" guitarist Nils Lofgren for a tour of the U.K. in 2006 and also joined the Brian Setzer Orchestra for the '06 &'07 Christmas tours. His most recent accomplishment is the creation of a new system of notation for tap dancing called "FootNotes™", which he published in April of 2009. "FootNotes™" can be found at http://www.tapdancenotation.com
 

PAUL JOHNSON:

Began his musical training in Michigan at the Interlochen Arts Academy and continued his education at Arizona State University in jazz performance.  While in Arizona, Mr. Johnson was an active professional drummer, backing up such artists as Milton Berle,  Red Skelton,  and Sammy Davis Jr. before leaving the Phoenix area to tour with Woody Herman's Thundering Herd.  While on tour, Mr. Johnson also had the opportunity of performing with guest artists including Joe Williams, John Hendricks, and Clark Terry. 
  

 

ROGER BISSELL:

Trombonist and arranger, earned B.S. and M.A. degrees in music from Iowa State University and the University of Iowa. From1971 to 1985 he “free-lanced” as a musician in Nashville, Tennessee, playing on numerous local and national television broadcasts, commercial "jingles," and phonograph 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, California, 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," can be found at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rbissell.

 
 

CURTIS BRENGLE:

Curtis studied piano and music in the Seattle Wa. area, culminating in his graduation from the Cornish institute of the Allied Arts. (B.A. Cum Laude). He has performed professionally since the age of 18, and has since shared the stage with Tom Scott, the Pointer Sisters, Sheena Easton, Ray Charles, Englebert Humperdinck, and many others. Curtis has also played on various television broadcasts such as "Curb your Enthusiasm", "Las Vegas", "Providence", and the "Sag-Aftra Awards".  Mr. Brengle now resides in the Los Angeles area as a freelance musician, touring, teaching and performing.

 

BRUCE LETT:

Bruce was born in Evansville, Indiana and received his musical training from North Texas State University. While at North Texas, he participated in a variety of ensembles including the elite One O’ Clock Jazz Band.  Mr. Lett relocated to Dallas and soon began doing professional recording sessions and jingle work for big companies such as Ivory Soap, Coke, Pepsi, and Sports Illustrated.  He has toured with many famous artists such as Gerry Mulligan, Terry Gibbs, Phil Woods, and Nancy Wilson and has performed with Bette Midler, Suzanne Summers, Norm Crosby, and a host of other celebrities.  He now resides in Los Angeles and continues to be very active in television commercials, recording sessions, and performing with a variety of professional musical ensembles.


 
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