Wayne Branco – Trombone, Band Leader

Wayne has led several area bands over the past 30 years, including the Branco / Stamas Big Band and Eclipse. As a trombonist, Wayne has performed with internationally renowned jazz artists Arturo Sandoval, Bill Watrous, Jon Faddis, Bob Mintzer and Slide Hampton. Performance credits as an on-call sideman with vocalists and bands include Frankie Valli, Johnny Mathis, Rita Moreno, Al Martino, Jerry Vale, Robert Goule, The Drifters, The Shirrells, Harry James Orchestra, Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, and Guy Lombardo's Royal Canadians.

His work with Boston area bands includes Artie Barsamian's Boston Big Band and Swingtet, Ovations, Silver Bullet Swing Orchestra, Ryle's Jazz Orchestra, Everett Longstreth Orchestra, White Heat Swing Orchestra and Amanda Carr. He performs on two recordings with the Boston Big Band that were well-received by critics and audiences: “After Dark” and “Everything Happens to Me.”

Wayne has played at the most popular performance venues throughout New England and at several jazz festivals, including the JVC Jazz Festivals in Newport, Saratoga and Carnegie Hall in NYC, where he performed with trumpeter Arturo Sandoval's Hot House Big Band.

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David Johnson – Trumpet, Arranger

A graduate of the Hartt School of Music, Dave served as a professor in the Harmony department at Berklee College of Music for over 3 decades. He has performed with Pepper Adams, Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis, Joan Rivers, Stevie Wonder, and has been on international tours with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra and the Benny Goodman Tribute Orchestra. Dave has hosted clinics and performances in Japan, Europe, Canada, and South America, and has published articles on jazz harmony in Jazz Player magazine. David has written many original compositions and arrangements for the band which give us a uniquely original sound.

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Brian Lewis – Trumpet, Arranger

Brian attained a Bachelor of Music from SUNY and a Master of Music from the University of Miami. He's served as a Professor in the Ear Training department at Berklee College of Music for almost three  decades. His jazz ensemble compositions and arrangements have been performed and recorded worldwide by many college and high school ensembles. His music transcriptions have been published by Keyboard magazine.

As a trumpeter, Brian's performance credits vary widely across musical styles, and include the Mel Lewis Orchestra, David Clayton Thomas (Blood, Sweat and Tears,) Donna Summer, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Phil Woods, Don Menza, the O'Jays, the Spinners, the Four Tops, the Temptations, and Paul Anka, among many others. Brian has written many original arrangements for the band, adding Afro-Cuban, Latin and Jazz/Rock sounds to our repertoire.

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Louis Stamas – Alto Saxophone, Flute

Lou has toured with the Artie Shaw Orchestra, and was co-leader of the Branco / Stamas Big Band. He
has backed many national acts, including Harry James Orchestra with Fred Radke, Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, and Guy Lombardo's Royal Canadians. Lou is a graduate of the University of Lowell and Berklee College of Music, and was formerly band director at North Middlesex Regional High School, where he taught instrumental music and led an award-winning jazz ensemble.

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Arthur Bakopolus – Tenor Saxophone, Flute

Art is a veteran performer on the Boston music scene. He has toured with the Artie Shaw Orchestra, the Benny Goodman Tribute Band, the Tommy Dorsey Band and the Guy Lombardo Band. He has played with Johnny Mathis, The Coasters, The Marvelettes, Bobby Rydell, Fabian and Liza
Minelli.

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Jim Repa – Baritone Saxophone, Flute

Jim plays alto and soprano saxophone, flute, and alto flute, lives in the Boston area and is an alumnus of the Berklee College of Music where he studied jazz composition with Herb Pomeroy and Greg Hopkins. Jim has recorded and performed with the Mark Snyder Quartet, the Steve Langone Group, singers Lynne Jackson and Mike Palter, and a host of small and large ensembles. Jim is a prolific composer and has written nine of the twelve tunes on his CD, "Destinations." He has contributed several arrangements of his original tunes to the Itchy Feet book.

 

As a leader and sideman, he has performed at numerous venues around New England and the Midwest, as well as Paris, France, Cape Town, South Africa, and Ojai, California. As a saxophonist, Jim draws his influences from Paul Desmond, Cannonball Adderley, and John Coltrane.

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Dennis Cecere – Piano / Keyboards

An alumnus and Professor of Ensembles at the Berklee College of Music for 4 decades, Dennis maintains a full schedule of teaching, performing and producing. He is an independent producer in the pop and rock recording market, having arranged and performed with the Framingham Symphony and the Southwest Symphony in New Mexico, and performed for the birthday celebration of the Queen of Thailand. He has performed on piano with the Silver Bullet Swing Orchestra, Boston Big Band, Full House, Big Dig, Hip Pocket Orchestra, Timelight, Shangralas, Platters, Drifters, Coasters, Marvelettes, Johnny Preston, and Lou Christie. He was musical director, sound engineer, and arranger for the Big Dig, and has composed radio jingles for local and national clients, including Chevrolet and Toyota.

Stephan Arsenault – Acoustic and Electric Bass

Stephan is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, and resides in Ashby. His musical interests and experience span from Jazz to Classical, to Bluegrass. He's a popular bassist in Greater Boston, and has played with many other area ensembles, including the Artie Barsamian Big Band and Swingtet, Winiker Swing Orchestra, Symphony Pro Musica, Central Mass Jazz Orchestra, Leominster Colonial Band, Ashby Band and the Ramblin Floyds. Stephan is currently the Music Director for Ashby First Parish Church.

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Mark Branco – Drums

A native and resident of Chelmsford, Mark earned his degree in Music at Westfield State College. He went on to attain his Masters and EdD in Educational Leadership and Administration. He's performed with many bands and for many musical theater performances throughout New England, including the Branco / Stamas Big Band, Itchy Feet, Leite Concert Winds and led his own groups for a number of years. He taught music and band in Chelmsford for several years, and is now Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Tyngsboro, MA.

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Steve Marvin - Vocals

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Steve is a seasoned vocalist who has performed across the country and receives outstanding reviews wherever he performs. These reviews speak for themselves: "The Style & Soul of Sinatra ...", "Steve takes his art & expands on it, taking it to a new level ...", "Steve Marvin has been acclaimed by audiences and critics alike as one of the best interpreters of the songs of Sinatra."​ ​​​​​​​​​​​"Admiration - Not imitation Fills Sinatra Show", "A top singer with real panache!" -The World Jazz Network

 

 

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