The Side Street Strutters Jazz Band: History

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

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. 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:

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.

JOHN NOREYKO:

Also began his musical studies at the Interlochen Arts Academy with additional training at the University of Illinois. Mr. Noreyko continued his musical studies 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 the recipient of the American Bandmasters Association Award for Outstanding Musicianship, and the Outstanding Soloist award presented at the Breda International Jazz Competition, Holland. Mr. Noreyko enjoys the challenge of playing jazz tuba and is the Strutter's featured vocalist.

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.

MARK MASSEY:

Jazz pianist-composer Mark Massey was born and raised in Lynwood, California, where he showed early talent on Piano. Early in his career he studied music composition under Dr. Philip Weston 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, and performed 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.