MUSICIAN BIOS

Drew Bardagjy

Trumpet / Board Treasurer

Drew Bardagjy's commitment to Big Band music is demonstrated by currently serving on the NBB Board as Treasurer.

He was raised in the suburbs of Washington, DC. He started playing trumpet in 3rd grade. Growing up in Northern Virginia, he was fortunate as a youth to have heard Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Cat Anderson, Ella Fitzgerald, Joe Williams, Maynard Ferguson and many more! He received a musical performance degree in jazz trumpet, followed by a four and a half year stint in a nationally touring show band.

He then took off about 35 years, shifting his focus to raising a family and as owner and president of a successful small business, retiring to Naples in 2014.

His current obsession is playing music of all kinds, but mostly Jazz which is the only one that counts.

Gene Bartley

Trombone

Gene is an outstanding trombonist and music educator who retired from a 35 year career teaching kids through music in Westfield, Mass. During his tenure, Gene's ensembles were recognized for their excellence, including performances MMEA All State Conferences and winning gold medals at International Association of Jazz Educator Festivals.

In addition to his own ensembles, Gene was selected to lead several MMEA district jazz and concert festivals.

He is the founder of the Greater Westfield Community Band for adults and served as its music director for 20 years.

Gene maintains an active trombone performance career in Naples. He has appeared in back-up bands for national artists such as The Four Tops, Temptations, Bob Hope, Bobby Vinton, Liberace, Al Martino and many others.

He plays in several Big Bands in Mass. and Conn. and performs extensively with small combos.

Anthony (Tony) Calabrese

Tenor Sax & Clarinet

Tony was born and raised in New Jersey and was the first chair clarinetist in his high school concert band. After college at St Peter's, Jersey City, he left home for Philadelphia to earn his MD followed by post graduate training as a gastroenterologist. After serving in the Air Force at Andrews AFB in Washington, he began private practice in Annapolis MD and retired after a 46 year career as a physician.

He initially got back into music singing with a chorale group that performed at Carnegie Hall and for Pope Paul II in Rome. He then pursued what had always been his dream - to play with a big band. Initially playing with a community college group, he then joined the Bayside Big Band in Maryland where he plays tenor sax and clarinet.

Dividing his time between MD and Marco Island, he's played Clarinet, Tenor and Alto sax with "legit" concert bands, "pit bands", other big swing bands, small jazz and Dixieland groups.

I've always loved the Big Band sound and the cohesive energy of the musical arrangements. NBB offers the opportunity to play some of the best of that genera of music while supporting musical opportunities for the financially challenged musically gifted youngsters in our area.

Jim Castaldi

Trumpet / Director

Jim first picked up the trumpet as a 10-year-old boy in Rhode Island. After high school, he earned a bachelor's degree in music education from Berklee College of Music in Boston and a master's of music in music education from Boston University's College of Fine Arts.

He returned to his hometown as band director at his alma mater, Woonsocket High School, where his teaching career flourished for 35 years. His bands and students received awards and accolades at major music festivals along the east coast. Jim is exceedingly proud to have many former students following music careers as educators, clinicians and professional performers.

As a professional musician, Jim performed with big bands throughout New England and played for productions including the Ice Capades and Disney on Parade. Jim retired to Naples in 2005 and has also performed on trumpet and flugelhorn with the Naples Concert Band, Gulf Coast Big Band and Paradise Brass Quintet.

Jim continues to demonstrate a passion for musical excellence in his conducting style as leader of the Naples Big Band.

I wish the Big Band era could make a comeback so the current generation could see and hear the great acoustic sounds that they missed.

Kevin Chreston

Trumpet

Kevin has been playing trumpet for over 40 years. Originally from Detroit MI, he is currently a resident of Fort Myers.

He's studied with Dan Miller, Marcus Belgrave, Bill Knevitt and Roger Ingram. Besides playing with the Naples Big Band, he has performed with the Gulf Coast Big Band and several bands in Michigan at the Detroit Jazz festival and Michigan Jazz festival.

I enjoy playing with a talented group of musicians with experience from all around the country and supporting the group's ambition to support young musicians.

Cary Davids

Trumpet

Cary Davids was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and was brought up mostly in Medicine Hat, Alberta. His father had been a jazz trumpet player in the Royal Canadian Air Force during WWII, and Cary learned to play the trumpet beginning at age 12.

He attended the local high school in Medicine Hat and went on to the University of Alberta in Edmonton, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Honors Physics and a Masters degree in Nuclear Physics.

His next move was to the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California where he earned a Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics. During his physics career at Caltech, Michigan State University, University of Texas at Austin, and Argonne National Laboratory near Chicago, he was able to pursue his avocation as a trumpet player in various jazz bands.

Now retired and becoming a recent part-time resident of Naples, it was natural to connect with fellow musicians in Naples and to join the Naples Big Band and the Southwest Florida Big Band.

I was brought up at a time when big band music was popular on the radio and in movies. The big band genre offers a huge variety of sounds, timbres, and harmonies that really appeal to me. As a jazz soloist, being accompanied by a swinging big band is especially thrilling and inspiring.

Lou DeBonzo

Baritone, Alto & Tenor Saxophone

Lou DeBonzo began his musical journey starting with clarinet and played Baritone Saxophone throughout high school. He graduated college with a degree in Music Education. In addition to classical training on Tenor and Alto Saxophone, Lou played Baritone saxophone in the college's jazz ensemble. Performing in Community Concert Bands, Big Bands, and Polka bands are just a few of Lou's musical life experiences.

Lou and his beautiful wife Jan hail from upstate New York. Now residents of Florida, they return to New York each summer to visit with children, grandchildren, family, and friends.

I've performed and listened to Big Band music for sixty years - enjoying the arrangements of Art Dedrick, Sammy Nestico, the bands of Maynard Ferguson, Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich, and Nelson Riddle's arrangements for Sinatra. Naples Big Band 'fits' my musical emotional level!

Marsh DeMott

Tenor Saxophone

Marshall (Marsh) DeMott, Tenor Saxophone. Marsh has lived in Naples since 2003 when he moved here from Maine where he retired from directing public school Bands for 30 years.

He has had a rewarding career playing saxophone for Willie Maiden's UMA Big Band and many summer shows, including Milton Berle, Carol Channing, Tom Jones, Glen Campbell and Della Reese and many years with the Al Corey Band. Locally, Marsh has played with many R and B, and blues bands including with "Doc" Booth, Rick Howard, Live Wire, Ryan Darling, Joe Threlkeld, Dieter's Blues Band, Foreman 5, Blu-Tones and Skyjammer and most recently with John Keevil and The Friends Of Jazz Quintet.

My good friend, Dan Petrosini, is in the section, so playing in the band with him will be fun. And of course, it will be a pleasure to play all the great music in the NBB book.

Jonathan Dalton

Bass

Jonathan is a native New Englander who ended up teaching high school instrumental and choral music in Southern New Jersey by way of the Interlochen Arts Academy and Peabody Conservatory of Music.

In addition to a 40-year public school career, Jonathan was organist/music director for several Methodist churches. He also maintained an active schedule in Philadelphia and Atlantic City performing with the Bridgeton Symphony, Dave Stahl Big Band, the Al Raymond Big Band, the Walter Jay Orchestra, the City Rhythm Orchestra and the Tidal Wave Band.

Jonathan retired to Fort Myers six years ago with his wife Jane, who is a trumpet player and continues to maintain a busy performance schedule.

He has performed as a bass player in Big Bands, jazz combos, rock and country bands, and community theater musicals.

The sound and energy that a "cookin" Big Band can produce is incredible.

Edward J. DePalma

Woodwinds

Ed DePalma began studying clarinet at age eight and went on to graduate from the Philadelphia Musical Academy, where he studied with renowned saxophonist Vince Trombetta.

His extensive performing career includes touring with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band as a member of the Miami Horns, as well as the Glenn Miller, Jimmy Dorsey, Warren Covington, and Myron Floren orchestras. He has also performed with the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra, Philly Pops, and numerous Broadway productions.

Ed's credits include performances with legendary entertainers such as Tony Bennett, Mel Tormé, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gormé, Jerry Lewis, the Temptations, the Four Tops, Gladys Knight and the Pips, and Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. He also performed with the Miss America Pageant orchestra under Glenn Osser.

A versatile multi-woodwind specialist, Ed spent 14 years as Artist-in-Residence at Arcadia University and served as Principal Clarinetist with La Banda Musicale di Siena in Italy. He retired in 2016 after a 33-year career as a music educator and administrator.

Currently Principal Clarinetist with the Providence Chamber Orchestra in Pennsylvania, Ed now enjoys life in Naples, where he pursues his other passion—golf. He's delighted to perform with the Naples Big Band.

Let's Keep Swingin'!

Oren Hollasch

Trombone & Piano

Oren is a trombonist and pianist in the Naples Big Band. From his on-call gigs playing trombone for touring shows and concerts with various distinguished performers such as the Bermuda Philharmonic and the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, to playing dinner jazz piano at fine dining restaurants, to playing organ for NHL Buffalo Sabres games, Oren has a broad and diverse professional music experience. He is a retired Buffalo (NY) Public School general music teacher now living in Estero who enjoys biking, swimming, walking, and Texas Hold 'Em. He is pianist and organ sub for the Zion Lutheran Church on Winkler in Ft. Myers.

In 2000, Oren created Orengue, his own 8-piece Latin Merengue Band. Their 2003 album 'Sabre Dance Merengue' including "I Pledge Song" (a new U.S. Pledge of Allegiance song) is now available on iTunes, Spotify, CDbaby, and other streaming services.

Pat Lewis

Bass Trombone

Pat is a full time Naples resident after being born in Provo Utah and living most of his life in the Columbus Ohio area. He was a Grove City middle school band director for 35 years. While in high school, he moved from his first instrument, the trombone, to concentrate on the bass trombone.

Pat has extensive professional experience in Ohio ranging from the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, Columbus Symphony, Brass Band of Columbus, playing for touring off Broadway shows and entertainers. In Florida, he's continued with free lance work and has played with the Naples Jazz Orchestra, Stardust Memories Big Band, Naples Concert Band and Brass Music Elements in Fort Myers.

Big Band is my favorite kind of music and the Naples Big band is a great way to do this.

Deanna Maio

Vocals

Deanna Maio is a versatile vocalist, producer, director, and voice teacher with over 40 years of performance experience across the U.S. With a 3-octave range, she brings the Great American Songbook, swing, pop, lounge, and jazz to life in dynamic performances.

Inspired by her idol Gene Kelly, Deanna built a multifaceted career in music and theater, founding Portland Musical Theater Company, producing 7 world-premier musicals, and earning the Best of Portland Music and Performing Arts School award for 16 consecutive years.

Beyond the stage, Deanna runs Confident Voice Studio, an online music school, and Vivid Leadership Solutions helping businesses to build and lead high-performing teams. In her free time, she enjoys vintage fashion and makeup, and board games.

David Metzler

Trumpet

Born and raised in Chicago and the northern suburbs, David started his trumpet career at the age of 10 with his teacher and uncle, Forest Nicola, one of Down Beat's Mid-West foremost trumpet teachers and mouthpiece makers.

At that time David had the opportunity to meet Rafael Mendez and Harry James when they performed at the Chicago theater and his uncle would make small adjustments to their mouthpieces.

He attended the University of Illinois earning a bachelor's degree in Music Education and a Master's degree from Millikin University. David had a 35 year career as Department Head of Music in a large school district in Mount Prospect, Illinois.

As a professional musician David was the leader of a 6 piece band in high school and continued into college with a 17 piece show band, backing stars of the 60's in central Illinois. After graduation David started his teaching career, along with playing in a Chicago wedding band until retirement and moving to Marco Island where he joined the Southwest Florida Big Band and then the Naples Show Band.

I am very pleased and proud to again be part of this great organization under the direction of Mr. Jim Castaldi.

Dan Petrosini

Tenor Saxophone / Board Member

Dan is a best selling mystery and suspense author who was born in New York City. He's a year-round resident of Naples and plays the tenor saxophone. A life-long music lover, he was a latecomer when it came to playing, starting as an adult.

Though growing up with a diverse mix of music; rock, R&B and Motown, Dan is passionate about jazz, big band music and the American Song Book.

Dan knows the Naples Big Band is a special ensemble and serves as a NBB board member.

The Naples Big Band is filled with fantastic players and is under the musical leadership of Jim Castaldi, I consider it a pleasure and honor to be a member of the band.

Todd Snyder

Drums

I have been playing drums and percussion for over 53 years - enjoying playing and listening to all types of music, but especially jazz and contemporary Christian and everything Toto!

Playing and studying towards a Music Performance degree in Percussion (received in 1983), I was fortunate to study with Alan Dawson (Berklee) and chosen as one of three drummers nationally to work at Walt Disney World - performing 6 shows a day for 4 months. Best job EVER!

After graduating, Todd and his musically talented wife, Teri, moved with their newborn son to So Cal to pursue a studio musician career path. While the music was the passion, the family was the priority, and without hesitation the clan moved back to hometown Wenatchee, Washington to enter in the family business as third generation guidance. Continuing to play as often as wanted, Wenatchee proved to be the perfect place to raise three kids, enjoy a loving wife & be close to parents.

With golf a lifelong 2nd passion, Naples moved to the top of the list as retirement approached - and came to fruition Jan 2024. Todd and Teri (French Horn) play together in Naples Concert Band and Naples Community Orchestra. Todd enjoys being the timekeeper of both Naples Big Band and Gulf Coast Big Band.

Dennis Viers

Trombone

Dennis grew up in North East Ohio starting his instrumental career when he was 10 years old. He took lessons from his elementary and junior high school band director, a violist from Finland. Early musical experiences were grounded in church, school and family musical performances.

Following high school, Dennis attended Miami University of Ohio receiving a degree in Music Education performing in Miami's Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble and Campus Owls Jazz Band. While at Miami he was the trombonist in the "Shades of Dixie" Dixieland Band performing for 6 million people at Kings Island Amusement Park.

Dennis accepting a teaching position in Rocky River, Ohio (just West of Cleveland) where he taught Beginning Band, Concert Bands, Jazz Bands and Orchestra at the elementary, middle and high school levels for nearly 35 years. His groups received excellent and superior ratings for many years with outstanding recognition of superior middle school Jazz Bands in the Greater Cleveland area.

Following his retirement from public school teaching Dennis became a "Snow Bird" spending his winters in Naples. He is now performing with the Naples Big Band, Gulf Coast Big Band and Naples Concert Band.

Performing in the NBB enables me to continue to keep my musical passion alive while challenging our musical youth by example with one of the most amazing musical styles of American music……

John Wadsworth

Trombone & Double Bass

John Wadsworth began his music education in Philadelphia in the hands of his grandfather, an assistant principal French Horn with the Philadelphia Orchestra. John studied classical and jazz trombone with Carmen Vitocolonna and famed trombonist Glen Dodson.

In the Philadelphia area John played with the Al Raymond Orchestra, The Latin Casino Orchestra, subbed with Philly Sound's MFSB orchestra, as well as per service gigs at many Atlantic City casinos.

In addition to John's trombone work, he also plays double bass with the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra. John's orchestra double bass performance covers both classical and pop genres.

Playing in the Naples Big Band with such talented musicians has been a true blessing.