Mr. James Lamendola (left/above) -
My Mentor and master musician.
When I was fourteen, Mr. Lamendola took me under his wing during Jr. High School and eventually he became the motivating force in my musical career teaching me voice, choir, music theory, music dictation, solfege and most importantly trombone. Seen here in my home after a lesson in 1998, he continued to give me lessons even as an adult. He has been a true Mentor to me and I've missed him every day since his passing in 1999. In his younger days Mr. Lamendola had performed with the Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and Buddy Rich Big Bands before becoming a career music educator who positively influenced tens of thousands of young musicians.

Edward deCorsia -
Trombone and Director of
New York's Most Dangerous Big Band.
Ed began playing trombone at the age of ten and received his first music scholarship at eleven to attend USDAN Performing Arts Center. At 16 he was given another scholarship to perform with the Suffolk All Stars Jazz Ensemble that was formed to play at Man and His World (Expo) in Montreal, led by Barry Titone of Lionel Hampton's Band. Ed then received another scholarship when graduating High School from the Sons of Italy which he used to purchase his first Symphonic Tenor (Bach) Trombone. During his high school years he performed with the Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, and Concert Band along with performing a half dozen musicals staged by North Babylon High School, Babylon Village High School and The James Street Players in Babylon. He was also chosen to perform in the All County and All State Wind Ensembles. While at North Babylon High School, he studied trombone with James Lamendola of the Buddy Rich, Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey Big Bands. He additionally took Music Theory, Solfege, Music Dictation and Choir with Mr. Lamendola who is admittedly his Mentor.
Ed attended Conservatory of Music at SUNY Purchase where he performed with the Orchestra, the Opera Orchestra, the Brass Ensemble, Chamber Ensembles, and a Brass Quintet. He has performed in the Westchester Conservatory Orchestra when they performed works at the Alice Tully Hall of Lincoln Center. He has been a sideman in several local Big Bands until he began performing in his own Jazz Ensemble, NYMDBB. Ed has regularly been performing with the Dowling College Orchestra and the Pit Orchestra of James Street Players. He also sponsors a Brass Quartet to perform holiday music in United Methodist Church each year as well as Ceremonial Brass Quartet music at weddings. Ed is currently studying trombone with Professor Michael Powell of Julliard.
Recently he was the guest soloist for his long time friend and music educator, Christopher Luttinger's Wind Ensemble performing a haunting piece titled ELEGY. Most recently he promoted a 2 day visit to Afton School System where he and three members of New York's Most Dangerous Big Band gave master classes, private lessons, and participated in the rehearsals and Spring concert, all sponsored by
BOCES.
     Currently, he is performing in the pit of Les Mis in production at Creative Ministries, and has just been given a chair in the West Islip Symphony under Murry and Claire Kahn.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank a great deal of people who have helped make this ensemble what it is today. Thanks to Mike Caton who helped get us started and on the right track from the beginning. Thanks to Pastor Lange, Doris Richter, Dottie Morris, Rose Alfini, Nancy and Tom DiCicco, Carolyn and Mr. Millard and all the wonderful people at the United Methodist Church of Babylon who have supported our efforts in every way. Thank You Judy Roman, who has proven to be one of the most talented and multi-faceted friends, and who takes tons of weight off my shoulders every day, everyone should have friends such as yourself! Thanks to Nick Fevola who does much to make our rehearsals and performances go smoothly and is always ready to lend a hand. Thank You Ray Zelenka who always manages to bring a little humor and a smile to my face when I get too serious. Thanks to Maestro Ken Sepe for sharing your talent, your advice, and for always hitting the high notes. Thanks to my stage manager, best friend, and love of my life Ellen and the Brothers Rodriguez Roadies for taking such great care of the equipment and me! Thanks to my Mentor Mr. James Lamendola for giving four years to a kid with a trombone and no direction. Finally, thanks Mom (above) for sitting through those private lessons you paid for when I was a kid even though you liked the saxophone better, I miss you every day. Please keep nudging me through the hard times. And to all of the guys and gals who keep showing up every week for the sake of the ART, Thanks for helping make my dreams come true. ed