Sidemen Biographies
Russ Kassoff - www.RussKassoff.com
Pianist/Music Director
Russ Kassoff is an accomplished jazz pianist, conductor, composer, orchestrator, and arranger, whose varied talents are much valued and on display in the music world.
Russ toured as pianist to Frank Sinatra by request from '80-'91, including The Ultimate Event tour ('88-'89) televised nationally on PBS featuring Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dean Martin, and Liza Minnelli. Russ also served as Liza's pianist/accompanist from '82-'01 and as Minnelli's music director and conductor for the acclaimed Minnelli on Minnelli national tour ('00). In '98 Russ was also pianist/conductor on Broadway for Charles Aznavour in concert.
Pianist/Music Director
Russ Kassoff is an accomplished jazz pianist, conductor, composer, orchestrator, and arranger, whose varied talents are much valued and on display in the music world.
Russ toured as pianist to Frank Sinatra by request from '80-'91, including The Ultimate Event tour ('88-'89) televised nationally on PBS featuring Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dean Martin, and Liza Minnelli. Russ also served as Liza's pianist/accompanist from '82-'01 and as Minnelli's music director and conductor for the acclaimed Minnelli on Minnelli national tour ('00). In '98 Russ was also pianist/conductor on Broadway for Charles Aznavour in concert.
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Jay Leonhardt - www.jayleonhart.com/
Bass
Jay Leonhardt has long been recognized as a very accomplished bass player and has been named Outstanding Bass Player in the Recording Industry three times. He has performed with Judy Garland, Duke Ellington, Peggy Lee, Mel Torme, Buddy Rich, Luciano Pavarotti and many more.
Over the years Jay Leonhardt has been writing and singing songs about his life as a bass player. He has performed worldwide to very receptive audiences.
Bass
Jay Leonhardt has long been recognized as a very accomplished bass player and has been named Outstanding Bass Player in the Recording Industry three times. He has performed with Judy Garland, Duke Ellington, Peggy Lee, Mel Torme, Buddy Rich, Luciano Pavarotti and many more.
Over the years Jay Leonhardt has been writing and singing songs about his life as a bass player. He has performed worldwide to very receptive audiences.
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John Ray
Bass
John Ray is a modern master of acoustic and electric bass and jazz styles and improvisation. Performances with Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Haynes, Buddy Rich, Harry Connick Jr., Branford Marsalis, Michael Brecker, Woody Herman, Joe Lovano, Barry Harris, Jaki Byard, Lenny White, Warne Marsh. Currently adjunct professor of jazz bass studies at C.W. Post College. A graduate of NYC’s H.S. of Performing Arts, Mr. Ray received his BMA in Bass Performance from Manhattan School of Music.
Bass
John Ray is a modern master of acoustic and electric bass and jazz styles and improvisation. Performances with Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Haynes, Buddy Rich, Harry Connick Jr., Branford Marsalis, Michael Brecker, Woody Herman, Joe Lovano, Barry Harris, Jaki Byard, Lenny White, Warne Marsh. Currently adjunct professor of jazz bass studies at C.W. Post College. A graduate of NYC’s H.S. of Performing Arts, Mr. Ray received his BMA in Bass Performance from Manhattan School of Music.
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Jim Mola - www.thecollective.edu/faculty/jim-mola
Drums
Jim Mola has been performing professionally for 40 years. As a drummer he has performed or recorded with jazz artists such as Phil Woods, Hank Jones, Dr. Billy Taylor, and Stanley Turrentine, as well as a diverse group of pop icons, Broadway and show business personalities including Tony Bennett, Weird Al Yankovic, Angelique Kidjo, Jane Olivor, Henny Youngman, Al Hirt, Pat Cooper, Mario Cantone, and many others. He has also worked extensively in New York City’s recording studios doing television, film, and jingle dates including HBO's Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, A&E’s “Rat Pack” biography, Turner Classic Movie’s Lana Turner biography, Burger King, and others.
Drums
Jim Mola has been performing professionally for 40 years. As a drummer he has performed or recorded with jazz artists such as Phil Woods, Hank Jones, Dr. Billy Taylor, and Stanley Turrentine, as well as a diverse group of pop icons, Broadway and show business personalities including Tony Bennett, Weird Al Yankovic, Angelique Kidjo, Jane Olivor, Henny Youngman, Al Hirt, Pat Cooper, Mario Cantone, and many others. He has also worked extensively in New York City’s recording studios doing television, film, and jingle dates including HBO's Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, A&E’s “Rat Pack” biography, Turner Classic Movie’s Lana Turner biography, Burger King, and others.
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Guitar
Known as one of the pre-eminent jazz guitarists’ active today. Gene Bertoncini’s fluid technique and lyricism have won him international praise and accolades as the “Segovia of jazz.” An eloquent and versatile improviser, Mr. Bertoncini has been heard with an extraordinary range of jazz greats, including performances and recordings with Benny Goodman, Buddy Rich, Wayne Shorter, Hubert Laws, Paul Desmond among others, as well as such distinguished singers as Tony Bennett, Lena Horne, Nancy Wilson, Vic Damone and Eydie Gormet. Mr. Bertoncini’s acclaim is hardly confined to this country. His CD, “Someone to Light Up My Life” which features his own arrangements of the compositions of the great bossa nova composer Antonio Carlos Jobim, won international raves. Brazilian critic’s and listener’s polls also named him the best acoustic jazz guitarist.
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Tony Kadleck - www.tonykadleck.com
Trumpet
Throughout his career, Tony Kadleck has been praised as a highly effective sideman, who has lent his hand to numerous musical activities. He is currently one of the most sought-after trumpet players in the New York area.
While attending the New England Conservatory in Boston, Kadleck studied both classical and jazz music, a task that would later benefit him, as he went on to perform and record with the Boston Pops Orchestra. In 1986, Tony was asked to join the trumpet section of the Buddy Rich Band, and later that year, decided to move to New York.
After graduating from the Manhattan School of Music in 1989, Kadleck did some touring with Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, and Blood, Sweat & Tears. Eventually, the NY studios kept Tony too busy to leave town, and he found himself recording with a number of artists, including Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson, Elton John, and Celine Dion.
Kadleck also spends time playing a wide variety of live concerts, having performed with Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald. He has played on countless CDs including Tony Bennet/Lady GaGa “Cheek to Cheek” and Tony Bennett Duets.
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Joe Magnarelli - www.JoeMagnarelli.com
Trumpet
Syracuse native Joe Magnarelli moved to New York City in 1986 and soon became a regular participant in the New York and international jazz scene. From 1987, he toured and recorded with Lionel Hampton.
Mags, as he is known, is currently an adjunct professor of music at the Juilliard School of Music and Rutgers University. He also conducts clinics and master classes around the world, sharing his musical experience and his knowledge. Joe has worked and toured with many top artists including, Aretha Franklin, Rosemary Clooney, Joe Williams, Michael Feinstein, and the Lincoln Center Orchestra, The Vanguard Orchestra, Jon Hendricks, The Carnegie Hall Orchestra, John Pizzarelli and Jane Monheit.
Trumpet
Syracuse native Joe Magnarelli moved to New York City in 1986 and soon became a regular participant in the New York and international jazz scene. From 1987, he toured and recorded with Lionel Hampton.
Mags, as he is known, is currently an adjunct professor of music at the Juilliard School of Music and Rutgers University. He also conducts clinics and master classes around the world, sharing his musical experience and his knowledge. Joe has worked and toured with many top artists including, Aretha Franklin, Rosemary Clooney, Joe Williams, Michael Feinstein, and the Lincoln Center Orchestra, The Vanguard Orchestra, Jon Hendricks, The Carnegie Hall Orchestra, John Pizzarelli and Jane Monheit.
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John Mosca - www.smallslive.com/artists/168-john-mosca
Trombone
John Mosca (trombone), a native New Yorker and The Juilliard School graduate, has performed with Pierre Boulez and the Metropolitan Opera, as well as Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, Joe Williams, and Stan Getz. In 1975 he joined the Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra which won a GRAMMY® the following year for the Live in Munich album. Mosca served the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra as co-leader from 1990 till 2018, the band garnering 5 Grammy nominations and one win in 2013. Mosca has been actively involved in jazz education for over 35 years, having served on the faculty of numerous university jazz programs including Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Connecticut. He presently teaches at SUNY Purchase and William Patterson University.
Trombone
John Mosca (trombone), a native New Yorker and The Juilliard School graduate, has performed with Pierre Boulez and the Metropolitan Opera, as well as Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, Joe Williams, and Stan Getz. In 1975 he joined the Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra which won a GRAMMY® the following year for the Live in Munich album. Mosca served the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra as co-leader from 1990 till 2018, the band garnering 5 Grammy nominations and one win in 2013. Mosca has been actively involved in jazz education for over 35 years, having served on the faculty of numerous university jazz programs including Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Connecticut. He presently teaches at SUNY Purchase and William Patterson University.
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Alto Sax
Whether you heard him playing Lead alto during his 18-year tenure with The Count Basie Orchestra or playing tenor saxophone with Paquito D’Rivera or baritone saxophone with Abdullah Ibrahim or clarinet solos with The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Marshall keeps the swing and dance that he learned in his hometown of Pittsburgh, at the heartbeat of his playing. A seasoned reedman, having played over 30 years in the New York City area, he is known for his ability to play all of the saxophones and woodwinds, with a unique approach to each one. In addition, Marshall was honored to play in the Lionel Hampton Orchestra for 10 years along with Wynton Marsalis, Illinois Jacquet, and Cyrus Chestnut at the Royal Jazz funeral for the maestro, capped off by a tearful speech of Mr. Hampton’s lifelong friend, President George H. Bush.
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Ralph Lalama - www.ralphlalama.com
Tenor Saxophone
A solid fixture of the New York jazz scene and respected world-wide, Ralph Lalama embodies the best of the jazz sound ideal – great time, great swing, expressed through great melodic ideas. Everything Lalama says and plays comes out of his deep connection and appreciation for “the Beat.” Over his impressive career starting with Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, the Mel Lewis Orchestra (now the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra) and the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, Ralph Lalama has honed his craft. A three-time Grammy winner through his work in the Joe Lovano Nonet and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Lalama has nine CDs out as a leader and is on more than sixty recordings as a sideman. He has played behind many iconic vocalists including Mel Torme, Nancy Wilson, and Carmen McCray.
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Baritone Saxophone
Winner of the 2017 Jazz Times Expanded Critics Poll for Baritone Saxophone!
Baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan was born in Bethpage, New York. The gifted multi-instrumentalist started his music career by first learning alto saxophone during his teenage years on Long Island. Today he is critically acclaimed across-the-board and recognized as the major voice on the baritone saxophone. His playing is marked by an aggressive rhythmic sense, an intelligent and creative harmonic approach — and perhaps most importantly – a strong and incisive wit. During his career Smulyan has shared the stage and the recording studio with a stunning potpourri of luminaries including trumpeters Freddie Hubbard and Dizzy Gillespie, saxophonist Stan Getz, pianist Chick Corea, timbales king Tito Puente, and R&B/Blues and soul icons Ray Charles, B.B. King, Diana Ross, and others.
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Barbara Hardt - Sidemen Productions
Executive Producer
Barbara attributes her love and knowledge of Jazz to her father. Growing up, the sound of Jazz was always in the background when her father was home. When she was about ten years old, she remembers receiving her first LP from him, George Shearing’s Blue Chiffon. When she was in her teens and early twenties, he continued to encourage her love of Jazz. He would play some of his newly purchased records and shared the parts he loved the best and this enabled Barbara to fine-tune her listening skills. So, it’s not surprising that Barbara has always gravitated to Jazz Clubs, Jazz Festivals, even Jazz cruises where she has made many friends in the Jazz world. Over the years she has been fortunate enough to have spent time with many Jazz greats including Mel Torme, Joe Williams, David Allen, and even George Shearing. She has also enjoyed wonderful friendships with Sidemen, hence her idea for creating the Sidemen Show, “Here’s To The Band”.
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