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LEO PONTES - alto sax, clarinet, flute

Leo is co-founder and Musical Director of NOSTALGIC REUNION and our primary music arranger.  He has been performing since his teens in many different types of jazz groups, combos and big bands.   Leo spent time in U.S. Army bands in Fairbanks, AK and Ft. Eustis, VA.  Leo also plays with the Kodak Concert Band, and finds time to play golf at least 4 times per week!  He played with Chuck Mangione early on, and played, arranged and recorded with Gap Mangione.  Leo is a graduate of St. John Fisher College, studied at the Eastman School of Music, and retired from Eastman Kodak in Rochester.  He writes original music and arranges for big bands in addition to creating charts for NOSTALGIC REUNION.  Leo is a "Snowbird", and is currently a member of the Boynton Beach, FL Concert Band, and gigs with various jazz groups on Florida's east coast during the winter months.  Golf, music and movies are his favorite hobbies, but not always in that order.

LARRY DIRIENZO - tenor and baritone saxes, clarinet

Larry is leader, Business Manager and one of the founding fathers of NOSTALGIC REUNION.  He served two years with the 326th U.S. Army Band at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. during the Korean Conflict.  Larry has played with many combos and big bands in the Midwest and in the Rochester area, fronted a big band some years back, and like Leo, is an alumnus of Joe Nolan's Orchestra.   He is also a member of the Kodak Concert Band.   Larry has a B.S.M.E. from the Rochester Institute of Technology, and is a retiree of Garlock, Inc., Palmyra, NY, where he was Manager, International Marketing & Development.  Larry greatly enjoys golf and downhill skiing with his five grandkids.

Paul Fricano - alto, soprano, and baritone saxes

Paul has been on the local music scene for 20 plus years in many diverse musical groups, including the classic rock band "R-Gang".  In addition to Nostalgic Reunion, Paul currently plays sax and sings with "Swingshift" and appears on occasion with "Orchestra La Fama Sin Gafas" a local Latin dance band which performed at the 2004 Rochester Int'l Jazz Festival.  Paul is a graduate of Cornell University and U of R's Simon School of Business.  His day gig is Human Resources Director for a local manufacturer.  Paul and his wife enjoy motorcycling and shuttling their two children to their numerous sporting and music events.

JIM FERRIS - baritone, alto and soprano saxes

Jim is originally from Niagara Falls and has been in the Rochester area for almost 20 years.  He holds a BA in Trumpet Performance and a Master's in Conducting from Fredonia State University.  Jim is Music Department Chairman at Aquinas Institute of Rochester,where he directs four bands.  He has performed with several area bands throughout the years.  Jim spends his spare time writing and arranging music for local big bands and contributes many charts for NOSTALGIC REUNION.

GEORGE GREVEN - bass

George moved to Rochester to attend college and never left.  He graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology, but has spent most of his time in the music field.  George has performed with various original rock groups and party bands in Rochester, has released one full-length original CD and two compilation CDs, has worked as a booking agent and music journalist, and has organized numerous multi-band shows.  He is a sought after musician for area community theatre groups and schools, as well as for recording studio sessions.  He is a long-time member of the Kodak Concert Band (he got Larry and Leo to join), and is currently forming a rock trio and a jazz quartet.    He played on the soundtrack for the local movie musical Love Rules, and has acted in a few local films.   George's newest musical interest in Orchestral Directing for local theatre groups.   His business, AMAC, promotes independent music to national college radio and press.  George is the youngest member of NOSTALGIC REUNION (obviously).

TOM COMETA - keyboards

Tom is a native Rochesterian and started playing with local bands and combos at the age of 15. He performed with many small groups over the years, and was one of the original members of Vic Plati's New Portrait.   Tom is a graduate of St. John Fisher College and recently retired after 37 years with Xerox Corporation, where he was an Area Manager in Capital Projects.  He also plays with the Rochester Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra.  Tom is an important contributor to the overall sound of NOSTALGIC REUNION.

VINNY SARRATORI - drums

Vinny is a native of Seneca Falls, NY and is a busy journeyman drummer for several groups in the Greater Rochester Area and Finger Lakes Region, in addition to NOSTALGIC REUNION.  He is a graduate of Onondaga Community College, and has a BA in Music from Mansfield (PA) University.   Vinny lives and works in Rochester. His favorite hobbies are music, basketball, fishing and reading.

TONY FERRA - vocalist, professional MC and DJ

Tony has been pleasing audiences around Rochester for many years with his vocal styles. He sings the songs of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and numerous male singers of the 40s through today. Tony is an experienced MC and NOSTALGIC REUNION is delighted to have him with us.  Tony appeared with The Gateswingers for many years, and sings with the Rochester Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra on occasion. He also does vocal work in a duo called Remembrance.   Tony operates Ferra's Furniture Service, Inc. as his "day gig".

TIM BERRY

saxophone

JOHN BECK

drums

BRAD BATZ

saxophone, flute

 MARK ZECCHINO

drums

CHUCK MOREY

drums

TIM SULLIVAN

bass