Trumpet - Piccolo Trumpet - Fluegelhorn - Cornet

john@bluesmovers.com

Okay, why "Leather Lungs"? My brother Pete tells me I should use the nickname because a lot of people who play blues music have them, and this is a name which a newspaper gave me a couple of years ago. I studied physics in college and work days as a contract software engineer. I took private trumpet lessons in my high school years from a wonderful man named Nelson Balsamo, and play trumpet as often as I can. I love performing for people and love to see them enjoy and be uplifted by good music. Over the past few years I have worked as a musician in the New England region. Here are some of the highlights of that experience.

Chris McDermott's Radio Ghosts
• Chris McDermott, Recorded "Empty Pockets" and "Get That Smile" as the horn section alone. Tracked MF Horn large-bore trumpet on the bottom, pedals included, and NYC Bach Cornet on top. That was Chris' idea, and it sounded real nice. Chris is a fantastic singer/songwriter/guitarist... it was an extreme pleasure to work with him, and sit in on his record release party at the Bull Run Restaurant November 10th. [2006]

  

  Me with Jim, Black Rose, August 3, 2006

• Jim Belushi, Had the fantastic opportunity to back Jim at a private industry party celebrating the syndication of "According to Jim" on WLVI, Channel 56, "Boston's New CW". We were seen on the WB56 10pm news "bumper" clip that night! That was fun. [2006]

• Nick Curran, Recorded "Honey Bee" and "The Stalker" in a horn section with Carl Querfurth, Doug James, and "Sax" Gordon Beadle on his Blind Pig Records release "Player". [2004]

• Roomful of Blues, Bob Enos has always been the trumpeter with the legendary 'Roomful'. This past spring he needed to have surgery on his hip which required he take a break. Not something this man is used to doing! Well, I was the fortunate one, probably due to my recent contacts with ex-members of this band, to get the call to substitute for him. I played 4 gigs with them over a week and a half. This was a dream come true for me. I have the sneaking suspicion that I was the second and only 'other' trumpet player (after "Bubba" joined them) in 'Roomful' in its long 30+ year history! Wow. [March, 2004]

• Duke Robillard, Recorded on a T. Bone Walker tribute project he is doing. I also had the pleasure of playing a few gigs with him and the guys at the old "Knickerbocker" in Westerley, RI [2003, 2004]

• Sugar Ray Norcia, Great singer with the famous Roomful of Blues band for many years. I greatly enjoyed playing with him, Carl Querfurth, Mudcat Ward, Monster Mike at the "Midsummer Night's Swing" Dance at Lincoln Center, New York City one July night in '03. I've done a few gigs more recently with him, as well. Love this man's vocals! [2003-present]

• Roger Ceresi & The Rockin' All Starz, Swing, jump blues group with many former Roomful of Blues members. Joey Sullivan (drums), Kenny "Doc" Grace (bass), Rob Nelson (guitar), Mark Taber (piano/organ), Carl Querfurth (trombone), Doug James (sax), and myself on trumpet. We play at B.B. King's in Foxwoods Casino occasionally and other gigs. Released our new CD "Reelin' and Rockin'" this past year. See us at a gig, or see Carl's website at bluesbone.com or Roger's website at rogerceresi.com for details. Price $10. [2003-present]

• Loaded Dice w/Danny Vitale, Swing, jump blues group with many former Roomful of Blues members. Joey Sullivan (drums), Kenny "Doc" Grace (bass), Rob Nelson (guitar), Mark Taber (piano/organ), Carl Querfurth (trombone), Doug James (sax), and myself on trumpet. We play a regular swing dance at The Call in Providence, RI approximately once per month and other gigs. [2002-present]

  

  K.D. Bell

• K.D. Bell, R&B, Funk and Blues music. "King Drummer" Bell has been a member of some great bands in his illustrious career, including James Brown, Wilson Pickett and Sam & Dave. A great and classy performer who always dresses the part and knows how to work the crowd! Update: K.D. passed away suddenly this past September 8, 2004. A great loss to everyone who knew him. We will never forget this man, a fantastic talent and consummate gentleman. [2000-2004]

  

  The Movers' logo.

• The Movers, R&B Show band, playing swing, jump blues, and early rock 'n' roll music (8 piece band). Winners of the 1995 Harper's Ferry Battle of the Blues Bands and the 1995 12th Annual International Blues Talent Competition in Memphis, TN. Currently recording and working with 3-man horn section consisting of Robert Lyons on Tenor Sax and Bob Buntin on Trombone. Recorded the release, "On The Move" w/ Danny Vitale and "Your Move" w/ Barrence Whitfield. (1995-1999)

  

  Ibrahima Camara on his "Sama Yie" CD cover.

• Ibrahima Camara, Senegalese Talking Drum Master, African Pop Music (10 piece band). Recorded on his release, "Sama Yie", which won the Boston Music Award, International category in 1993. Ibrahima's music is just amazing, and danceable? Wow! (1992-1995)

  

  The Concord Band, Concord, MA (1995)

• Concord Band, Concord, MA. Community band concerts and solo work. (1988-1999)

  

  Luther "Guitar, Jr." Johnson on his "Country Sugar Papa" CD cover.

• Luther "Guitar, Jr." Johnson Great chicago-style blues. Luther tours Internationally, and is very well known in blues circles. I played regional gigs with him in recent years. "Sax" Gordon Beadle, Eric "Two Scoops" Moore, and "Buster" Wiley introduced me to him. Recorded with him on his release, "Country Sugar Papa", on Bullseye Records. (1992-1995)

  

  Hot Tamale Brass Band at The Big Easy Bash, Escohaeg, RI (June 24, 1995)

• Hot Tamale Brass Band, Mickey Bones, Marching brass band modeled after the great street bands of the city of New Orleans. Mickey Bones, Scott Shetler, and Gordon Beadle started this band in 1991. I was at the first rehearsal, too. Mickey is a well known and hard working drummer who runs a whole stable of great bands under the moniker, Sounds of New Orleans Productions. He was an original member of the "Boogaloo Swamis", at one time, so I hear. (1991-present)

  

  Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown and I backstage at the 1996 Handy Awards right after he won one for himself! (May 2, 1996)

• Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Louisiana Blues/Cajun Music, Guitar/Violin/Viola. A long running star and absolutely fantastic musician who's songs are musically interesting and entertaining. Tours internationally. I had the privilege of playing some regional gigs with him. (1992)

• Eric "Two Scoops" Moore, Blues Singer, Piano Player Recorded with him on his 1996 release, "Big Buffet". He released it at the House of Blues at his wedding on Valentine's Day this year. Eric is a great baritone blues singer and piano man who reminds me of Big Joe Turner, and has a impressive stage presence. He now resides with his lovely bride Amy in Seattle, Washington.

• Chris "Stovall" Brown, Boston-area Blues Guitarist. Chris is a wonderful guitar player and band leader. He can be seen around the New England area, frequently working with his beau Madeleine Hall an equally wonderful blues singer. I attended his long-running jam session at Harper's Ferry. (1990-1995)

• Jay Place, Blues. Jay plays harmonica and leads his own band. He is also a well known and accomplished local music photographer, on this page as a matter of fact. Recorded a demo tape with him, thanks to Gordon Beadle. (1994)

• Matt Woodburn and the Kat 'N' the Hat Band, Blues. Matt is an incredible guitarist, somewhat reminiscent of Stevie Ray Vaughan. Recorded a demo tape with them, thanks to Gordon Beadle. (1994)

• Scott Shetler, Saxophone, other reeds. Scott is a dear friend and a wonderful player and composer. Recorded the Anderson-Little '95 Commercial, Big-band style jingle for advertising campaign. (1995)

  

  Gordon Beadle and I on Beale Street in Memphis, TN, May 3, 1996 (photo by Mike Davis)

• "Sax" Gordon Beadle, Saxophone, other reeds. An tremendously well-versed and prolific player, Gordon has worked with loads of really important people in the international music scene and is a constant source of inspiration and challenge for me. I just wish I could get together with him more often, however is always travelling.

• Charlie Hunt & Search Party, has a great Ska band with whom, thanks to Bob Buntin, I was able to play a couple of horn tracks on a CD they are putting out. The songs were a pop Ska tune called "Bound for Glory" and a cool hip-hop tune "Caledonia" (nothing like the Louis Jordan number). (1997)

• Phil Wilson, Trombone. Last but definitely not least, I have had the priviledge of taking an occasional private lesson with Phil. He is a world-renowned teacher, composer, and musician who has been teaching at Berklee College of Music for over three decades now! He played with Woody Herman in the early sixties, and it goes on from there. I can't say enough about Phil, and I admire him as one of the most significant influences of my life. In every way, A truly great man.

  

  W.C. Handy Park, Memphis, TN, October 8, 1995 (photo by Danny Vitale)