TRUMPET BIOS
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 Ken Sepe - Lead Trumpet
Mr. Sepe has performed with Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, Lionel Hampton's, and Larry Elgart's Big Bands. His credits also include playing lead trumpet with such artists as Sammy Davis Jr., Paul Anka, Mel Torme, Shirley Bassey, Julio Iglesias, Diana Ross, The Temptations and The Spinners. 
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  John Brierly - Lead Trumpet

John Brierly has spent his life emulating Ken Sepe. He has performed with the big bands of Lionel Hampton, Lew Anderson & Larry Elgart. During the 70's he toured with the National Touring Company of " Jesus Christ Superstar", Lou Rawles, The Spinners, Fifth Dimension, Andrea True, Tavares and Little Richard. Broadway experience includes the orchestras for both productions of "Dreamgirls", "Starlight Express", "Will Rogers Follies", "City of Angels", "Big", "How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying", and "Once Upon A Mattress". 
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 CHRISTOPHER LESSER - TRUMPET
Chris joined the United States Marine Corps. In 1987, he performed in the Quantico Marine Band.  It was there that he performed for former President Ronald Regan and former President George H. Bush.  Later, he performed for the Marine Band in San Diego, CA.  In 1995, he attended Five Towns College, and obtained a B. A. in Music Education.  He has been performing in various performing groups such as Fran Diamond and the Hits, Naked Truth, and Only in America.  He is currently performing with the James Street Players Orchestra, Rick Virga and all the King’s men, Soundchaser, and New York’s Most Dangerous Big Band.   

 Michael W. Farkas - TRUMPET.
     Being 17, Mike started playing trumpet at the age of 7. Right from the start, he knew that this instrument would be the love of his life. His dad, being a trumpet player, gave him the inspiration and started him with his studies.
     He is presently a senior at Mepham High School and planning on attending Five Towns Music College in the fall. He's performed in all levels of NYSSMA achieving outstanding scores. He recently performed in All County Jazz Division Four playing lead trumpet under the direction of Mark Vinci, a renowned recording artist who is a saxophonist. He additionally performs in the Mepham High School pit band, Jazz band and Wind Ensemble under the direction of Mr. Brian Neiderman. He performs weekly in the Renegade Jazz Program playing lead trumpet under the direction of Mr. Roy Fortunato at his school of music located in Lynbrook, Long Island. Furthermore, he was in the pit band playing lead trumpet for the off Broadway show "A Chorus Line" at the Merrick Stage theater located in Merrick Long Island. He plays Christmas Eve services at The St. James Episcopal Church in a four piece ensemble located in Hempstead Long Island. In addition, he is a substitute trumpet player in the renowned Nassau/Suffolk Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Mr. Bill Katz. 
        Presently he studies with Mr. Brian Neiderman at Mepham High School and privately with Mr. Damien Pacheco who is a graduate of Suny Purchase under a full scholarship and now is presently attending The Manhattan School of Music under a full scholarship.
       Michael says "I am thankful for the opportunity to have a chair in the NYMDBB under the direction of Mr. Ed deCorsia." Being the dependable asset that he is becoming, Michael will be welcome with New York's Most Dangerous Big Band for a long time!
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 Anthony Santanastaso - TRUMPET
Anthony Santanastaso received a degree in music education from Hofstra University and is currently studying for a master’s degree in music with a specialization in wind conducting. Anthony is a member of the Garden City High School Music Department and is primarily responsible for developing and directing the high school jazz program. Anthony’s experiences with the jazz art form began with his participation in various New York All-State and All-County ensembles and other extracurricular performance groups. A member of the Nassau-Suffolk Performing Arts Jazz Ensemble, Anthony had the pleasure of working with Mr. William Katz, who has been the Coordinator of Instrumental Jazz Education for the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) for the past fourteen years, and Mr. Ken Sepe. Throughout his many performance opportunities, Anthony has played at B.B. King’s Blues Café in New York City, and worked with several well-known jazz musicians such as John Fedchock, Glenn Drewes, Dave Lalama, Ralph Lalama, Carl Fischer, Bob Mintzer, Joe Magnarelli, Jim Snidero, and Myron Walden. When he is not practicing or teaching, Anthony enjoys flying airplanes and hopes to one day become a Certified Flight Instructor, Instrument Instructor, and Multi-Engine Instructor.
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      Mark Morgan - Trumpet    

     As a trumpet player, Mark Morgan is active in both the jazz and classical styles. A native of the Nashville Tennessee area, Mark has performed regularly in music venues across middle Tennessee. Mr. Morgan received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Tennessee Technological University where he studied with Charles Decker and Chris McCormick as well as Nashville based trumpet player and recording artist Steve Patrick. Upon receiving his degree, Mark worked for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruise Lines performing all over the United States, Mexico, and Europe backing up artists such as "The Drifters," Lenny Welch, Los Angeles based violinist and recording artist Doug Cameron, and motion picture recording pianist Pearl Kaufman. Mr. Morgan was a Blue Note scholarship recipient to the Skidmore Jazz Institute and a finalist in the National Trumpet Competition Jazz Solo Division. Currently, Mark is pursuing a Master's in Jazz Performance degree from SUNY College at Purchase where he studies with jazz trumpet legend Jon Faddis as well as Ray Vega and Scott Wendholt. (www.smarkmorgan.com)

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