Joel Greenblatt - trombone
Joel is a professional trombonist from New York City who has studied and taught jazz for over 40 years. His accolades include: performances in Carnegie Hall as First Chair in the All-City band, Musical Director for the French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts, Founder and Director of the NYPD Musical Outreach Unit, performances on Celebrity and Carnival cruise lines, and trombonist for the Max Romeo Band, which has toured the United States and Canada.Since moving to Florida in 2005, Joel has been teaching privately, and has formed two working jazz groups, the Jazz Cats and the Space Coast Big Band. Additionally, he served as the Presiding Director for the Space Coast Jazz Society, was a board member for the American Jazz Pianist Competition, and is presently the host of “Exploring Jazz” on WFIT 89.5 public radio in Melbourne, Florida.
Michael Mirand - vocals
A jazz vocalist and Frank Sinatra Impersonator, Michael has been performing throughout the United States as well as British Columbia, Canada, and all points in between. He is most well-known for his "Sounds of Sinatra" solo show and performing as a front man with many big bands. Michael is equally comfortable performing in an intimate jazz setting with small combos. "He is the real deal!" He is an accomplished career actor and has performed in many plays and movies, directing and playwriting. Additionally, Michael is an established recording artist who produced several of his own CD's showcasing his original compositions and classic jazz standards.
Anthony Agatiello - trumpet
Better known as “Spider-Man” because of his unique ability to play effortlessly in the upper register, Anthony is a welcome addition to the Space Coast music scene. He is originally from Rhode Island where he has performed with several bands including playing lead trumpet in the All-State Jazz Band. Since moving to Florida he has continued to add to his impressive resume. He attended Florida Institute of Technology where he majored in computer science and minored in musical theory and performance. While attending he played lead trumpet with the Florida Tech Jazz Ensemble cementing his reputation as a high note specialist. Upon graduating, Anthony has performed with many groups including the Space Coast Big-Band and the Jazz Cats where he continues to expand his musical endeavors.
Bob DiTota - bass
Originally from New York City, Bob is a professional bassist playing both the electric and acoustic upright bass. Bob plays many forms of music but particularly enjoys playing jazz and popular music. The Marty Tocci Trio(NY based), Sounds Extradionaire(NY based) and The Melbourne Municipal Band and Swingtime Light(Melbourne, Fl) are just a few of the groups that Bob has been associated with over the years. Presently, Bob is the bass player for the Space Coast Big Band, a 17 piece jazz band and The Jazz Cats in Brevard County Florida. For the last 20 years Bob has been the bass player for a Contemporary Christian music group in Palm Bay, Fl. He is also a first call "pit musician" for the Henegar Center For The Arts in downtown Melbourne and has filled the bass chair for the musicals "The Color Purple", "Damn Yankees", and "Cry Baby - The Musical"..to name a few.
Bryan Gardenour - drums
Originally from Melbourne, FL Bryan is a professional drummer with over 25 years of performing experience. He has studied with Chester Thompson (Genesis, Weather Report), Jeff Sipe (Aquarium Rescue Unit) and Shawn Pelton (SNL House Band). Notable experience includes nationally touring Top 40 bands, Disney World, Universal Studios, Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise ships and performing on the steps of the Capitol in Washington D.C. Bryan lived in NYC for 8 years and played with numerous jazz artists and also performed at venues such as Birdland, The Rainbow Room and Smalls. He was a member of the Eric Stuart Band and toured the U.S. as the opening act for Peter Frampton. In Nashville he was active in the music scene and played at venues such as The Ryman Auditorium and B.B. Kings. After moving to the San Francisco Bay Area he performed with local jazz artists before moving back to Melbourne in 2013. Since returning, he has become busy once again performing jazz and is currently a member of the Jazz Cats and the Space Coast Big Band.
Krystal Clarke
Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Krystal attended Stanford University where she sang with Talisman, a world class a cappella group that performed world, roots, and R&B music. She was also a member of the Stanford Chamber Chorale, the university's premier ensemble, during which time she had the honor of singing the Stanford Hymn in a solo performance for President Clinton and family. Since then, she has developed her own unique vocal style that draws heavily upon jazz and R&B. Krystal continues to add to her eclectic repertoire, delighting audiences with her silky smooth vocals, soulful interpretations, and her ability to sing everything from Jobim to Coldplay.
Jennifer Glass - vocals
Jennifer Glass, a Brevard singer previously known for her commercially successful single "Dreamin,'" is back after a long break from the music business. She's one of the featured vocalists for Jazz Cats, an ensemble group that covers a range of jazz classics and modern jazz tunes. Performing Wednesday nights at Stemz in Melbourne, the Jazz Cats frequently feature Jennifer as a guest vocalist. She has many pop and dance music fans throughout the country due to several national performances and a strong Internet presence. She was signed to a record label out of New Orleans in 2008 and a number one hit that led the charts on the radio. Jennifer has quite a following and is a welcome addition to the Space Coast jazz scene.
Phil Coe - guitar
A Chicago born native, Phil Coe has been playing guitar professionally since 1971. He graduated from De Paul University with a B.A in Music Theory and Composition. Phil has performed with numerous funk, rock, and jazz groups throughout his career. His professional highlights include performances with recording artists Clark Terry, Bill Watorus, Eddie Daniels, Frankie Avalon, Marlena Shaw, and Ed Shaughnessy just to name a few. Since moving to Melbourne, Phil teaches guitar, bass, and music theory privately and in public workshops. Phil is an active member in several pit orchestras that has performed in the King Center, the Henegar Center, and the Cocoa Village Playhouse.
Maddy Winer - vocals
Maddy has headlined concerts at Lincoln Center in New York City. the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, the Saint Louis Symphony, Saint Lawrence Centre For The Arts in Toronto and countless venues in between. Maddy’s opening act performances include Dave Brubeck, Lou Rawls, David Sanborn, Joe Sample & The Crusaders, George Shearing, Al Jarreau, Ellis Marsalis, John Pizzarelli, Diane Schuur and a host of others who introduced her to a loyal following of music lovers from all genres.
Lorri Hafer - vocals
Lorri started her career at the age of five on the Guy Mitchell record "If You Ever Go Away.” Since then Lorri has built quite an extensive resume including touring as the featured vocalist with the Glen Miller orchestra and Les Brown’s Band of Renown. Lorri has performed for the Hernando Jazz Society, the Jazz Club of Sarasota, and the Space Coast Jazz Society as well as at jazz festivals throughout Florida, such as the First Annual Taste of Jazz at Weeki Wachee, the Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Festival with Lorri as special guest with John Lamb and the Original All-Stars, and the 28th Annual Sarasota Jazz Festival. She has also been a headliner at numerous events world-wide including: "Music of Your Life: Jazz at Sea,” "Music of Your Life: Big Bands at Sea," “Music of Your Life: On Stage,” “Music of Your Life: Jazz on the Beach in Jamaica,” “Music of Your Life in Tuscany,” and "Great Music at Sea" cruises.
Ryan Waszmer - guitar
Born in New York, guitarist and composer Ryan Waszmer has performed in a wide variety of settings from jazz bands and jazz combos to classical guitar ensembles and full choirs. Ryan has also had several of his compositions performed and recorded throughout his career. He has been accepted and received scholarships from schools such as Berklee College of Music, The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, William Paterson University, and University of Central Florida. Ryan is currently attending University of Central Florida where he is part of several jazz combos and is the lead guitarist for Jeff Rupert's Flying Horse Big Band. He recently received a scholarship from the 2015 Central Florida Jazz Society Scholarship Competition. He also won the first place prize in the 2015 Bob Washington Scholarship Competition hosted by The Villages. Ryan is currently completing his degree and performing at local venues in the Central Florida area.
Paul Beach - sax
Paul Beach is one of the Jazz Cats most popular contemporary solo acts. It features him on saxophone, guitar and vocals. He studied music at the Thomas Jefferson School for the Performing Arts in Portland, Oregon and played professionally all throughout his attendance. Paul has performed in various bands both on and off the road for the past two decades to round out his musician skills. He has performed with well-known bands such as RULER, STILETTO, and SWITCH who was the winner of the Brevard's Favorite Cover Band Award in 2008.
Eric Wright - trumpet
Eric is a lifelong devotee of Jazz and Classical trumpet playing and cites Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, Maurice Andre, and Adolph Herseth among his primary influences. He attended college at UCLA (B.A., Music, 1979) and later earned a Master’s Degree in music from Rutgers University (M.M., Performance, 1992). He has studied with William Fielder, an Rasey, Mario Guarneri, and Roy Poper as well as several other notable trumpet teachers. He has performed and recorded with artists as diverse as Ricardo Lemvo, Teddy Edwards, Chris Calloway, Bobby Caldwell, Johnny Polanco, and Johnny Pacheco in a variety of musical settings-from international music festivals to concert halls and nightclubs.
