Jazz Rats Big Band
Jazz Rats Big Band
The Jazz Rats Big Band was formed in 1995 by faculty members Jamie Roth and Tim Walters in
order to have a professional group to read their compositions and arrangements. School
concerts were given in the spring of 1996 and 1997, and during the summer of 1997 the
group started to perform regularly in South Florida jazz clubs. To date, the list of
venues the group has visited includes the Jazz Showcase, Pulse 2000, The Backroom,
PG Doogies, O'Haras and Erny's. The group continues to play several concerts at FAU each
year as well, including the most recent backing up jazz great Dick Hyman in November of
2004.
The Jazz Rats play a wide variety of music, with compositions and arrangements of present
and former band members being primary. Local writers include Richie Perri, Glen
Rovinelli, Adrien Re, Dave Gibble, Tony Lavender, Jeff Samuels, and Xavier Lynch in
addition to the aforementioned Roth and Walters. Also featured are classic arrangements
in the big band idiom, from Duke Ellington and Jimmy Lunceford to Thad Jones and Tom
Kubis.
- Saxes
- Neal Bonsanti, Jamie Roth, Richie Conn, Randy Emrick, Mike Brignola
- Trumpets
- Jason Carder, Dave Gibble, Tim Walters, Paul Ayick
- Trombones
- Jim Long, Gerry Chamberlain, Dave Dickey, Joe Tiso
- Piano
- Dave Hammer
- Bass
- Rob Rimmington
- Drums
- Tony Lavender
- Guitar
- Mike Kaplan
- Vibraphone
- Gary Mayone
If you would like to be on the Jazz Rats mailing list or are interested in more
information about the group, please contact:
Tim Walters
Department of Music
Florida Atlantic University
777 Glades Road
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Phone: (561) 297-3824
Email: walters@fau.edu