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About the band

One of the busiest big bands in the tri-state area, the Jazz Lobster Big Band swings hard! Featuring the timeless music of Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, Benny Goodman, Quincy Jones, as well as hip new arrangements, the big band plays everything from 40’s swing to fiery latin and salsa to ballroom dance numbers. Led by keyboardist and arranger James Lafferty, the big band is filled with cutting edge musicians from all over the east coast. Out front is the unique, velvet-toned bass voice of Michael Andrews, and we’ve got clarinetist Audrey (“Mrs. Lobster”) ripping up Benny Goodman favorites. The power and energy of this live big band will knock your socks off!

Featured performers:

Audrey Welber-Lafferty, alto saxophone and clarinet

Audrey Welber-Lafferty enjoys playing just about every genre of music—jazz, klezmer, gospel. funk, classical, and more—on her saxophones, clarinet, and flute. She brings her swinging soulfulness to a number of bands in the tri-state area (in addition to the Lobsters), including The Klez Dispensers, Metropolitan Gospel Big Band, Gianni Russo (of “Godfather” fame), SIII and the Truth, Swingadelic, and a duo with pianist Sarah Jane Cion called “Jumelles Jazz.” Her saxophone and clarinet work have been featured on recording projects with various groups, and she’s recently played at the Apollo Theater, Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, Feinstein's, and the Jersey Jazz Society's Jazzfest. And look out for her on BET’s “Bobby Jones Gospel Hour” sometime in spring 2010!

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Al Harrison, trumpet

One of the most sought-after trumpeters in the Philadelphia area, Al Harrison studied with Seymour Rosenfeld of Philadelphia Orchestra in college, and shortly thereafter went on the road to tour and record with Dexter Wansell and Stanley Clarke. Al has backed up practically everybody in one house band or another, including Sammy Davis, Tony Bennett, Doc Severinsen, Burt Bacharach, Leslie Uggams, Dione Warwick, and Louis Bellson. He led the Dixieland band at the Showboat for 10 years, and recently played or recorded with Phil Giordano, Bill Pusey's Trumpets East, Wilbur Wittman's Lakewood Jazz Orchestra, Jim Ward & Ed Vezinho, Ed Wise's New Orleans Jazz Band, and John Ashcraft and the Midnight Sun Orchestra. He also leads the Al Harrison Dixieland Band.

Pete Reichlin, trombone

With world-class credentials in classical, jazz, and Dixieland circles, Pete Reichlin has been a featured member of the Salzburg Mozarteum, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, the Greater Trenton Symphony Orchestra, The Delaware Valley Philharmonic, the Princeton Chamber Orchestra, And the Lou Mercuri Dixie Devils Jazz Band. He is a founding member of both Jerry Rife Rhythm Kings, and (on tuba and bass) of the Independence Hall Jazz Band. He can also be heard on numerous CD releases.

Michael Andrews, vocals

Reminiscent of the great singers with the Count Basie Orchestra, Michael Andrews will enchant you with his velvety smooth bass-baritone voice and charismatic stage presence. Michael lives in the Philadelphia area and performs with many leading jazz musicians in the tri-state area. He brings a whole new dimension to the Lobster Big Band--he sings and swings like no one else out there today!

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Warren Fioretti, tenor saxophone, woodwinds

Warren Fioretti has earned respect among New Jersey professional musicians for his controlled classical playing, sight-reading, and jazz improvisation skills. He has performed with the bands of Les Elgart, Buddy Morrow, Nelson Riddle, Rob Stoneback, and Brass Transit, and is currently also a member of the SaxPlus Saxophone Quartet, the Brookdale College Big Band, the Lakewood Jazz Ensemble, and the Georgian Court College Wind Ensemble. Warren has recently appeared in the backup bands for Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Bobby Shew, Arturo Sandoval, Bill Watrous, Jeff Jarvis, and the Manhattan Transfer. Not to ignore his "left-brained" side, Warren has run a successful consulting business as well, having earned his BS and MS degrees in Mechanical Engineering from NJIT.

Matt Janiszewski, tenor saxophone

Matt Janiszewski is an exciting young saxophonist who recently obtained a Masters in jazz from Rutgers University in New Jersey. Matt played tenor sax in the premier jazz combo and big band at Rutgers, and has performed with Frank Sinatra Jr., Jim McNeely, Eddie Palmieri, Edward Simon, Lewis Porter, Michael Mossman, Ralph Bowen, Conrad Herwig, and Bobby Vinton. He has performed throughout New Jersey, New York, and in his home state of Connecticut at such venues as Carnegie Hall, the Blue Note in NYC, Trumpets Jazz Club, and the Harford Jazz Festival. Matt is a current student of Ralph Bowen, and has studied with Eric Alexander, Jim Snidero, Ken Nigro, and Greg Case. He has also studied jazz with Conrad Herwig, Stanley Cowell, Earl MacDonald, John Swana, Vic Juris, and Dave Santoro.

Joe Devico, drums

Joe DeVico attended Indiana University where he majored in Jazz Studies and Percussion Performance. He performs as a freelance drummer/percussionist with many NY/NJ musicians, is an active studio artist and was recently nominated for a grammy for work on a children’s album with Don Sebesky. As a performer he has peformed on Broadway in Chicago and Jersey Boys, has backed such artists as James Moody, Freddie Hubbard, The Shirelles, and Frankie Valli.. His extensive big band experience has landed him in some of the best bands in the northeast including the Jazz Lobsters, the Stardust Big Band and the Joe Elefante Big Band, featured on ABC television’s Nightline. As a composer he has written music for many television broadcasts including The Judge Hatchett Show, My Name Is Earl, We Television, VH1, and The Food Network. He has recently completed an instructional book for drummers.

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Tommy Labella, tenor saxophone

A native of Neptune, New Jersey, Tommy Labella has been a notable presence on the Jersey Shore music scene since 1974. LaBella established himself as a versatile and talented saxophone player during a time when the “Sound of Asbury Park” was emerging—a fusion of rock, soul and R& B. LaBella began working with “The Mighty Burner,” legendary organist Charles Earland, and for the more than ten years they worked together, LaBella shared the stage with jazz greats Freddie Hubbard, George Benson, Roy Haynes, and Grover Washington, Jr. During this time he performed on a variety of stages including The Blue Note, The Apollo Theater, Symphony Hall in Baltimore, Seventh Avenue South, and the Village Gate. LaBella’s soulful colorings are captured on vinyl on the title track of Charles Earland’s CBS release entitled Street Themes. He’s also recorded with Pizzazz, Blue Lovett (vocalist for the Manhattans), and Billy Hector and The Fairlanes, a popular New Jersey blues band. Last summer, in the Hamptons, Tommy shared the stage with a band that included Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, Jimmy Buffet, and Bruce Springsteen.

Bob Ferry, guitar and vocals

Bob Ferry is widely known in the tri-state area for his advanced technique, melodic phrasing, and creative modern approach to the guitar. A Berklee graduate, Bob Ferry is the author of Visualizing Musicality and Guitar Magic Picking and Rhythm. Bob recently released a CD enitled “Believe in Me”. He has shared the stage with Natalie Cole, Billy Joel, Ted Nugent, and numerous others. Bob was assistant conductor and principal classical guitarist for the Richard Kiely production of Man of LaMancha and performed in several other shows on Broadway. He is also knows as the Lobsters’ “Secret Weapon” for his soulful vocal interpretations and showmanship.

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Recent/repeat concerts: • Jazz In The Park, Red Bank NJ Aug. 20th 2009 (Last 15 Yrs) • Sandy Hook Concert Series, Aug. 19th 2009 (Last 10 Yrs) • Long Branch, 4th Of July, 2009 (Last 6yrs) • Keyport Concert Series Sept. 3rd, 2009 (Last 3yrs) • Rose Rehab Concert Series, Toms River, NJ, Aug 23rd, 2009 (Last 3 Yrs) • Westfield Concert Series July 28th 2009 (date TBA 2010) • Penn. Jazz Society, Concert Oct 11th 2009, Easton PA • Swing Dance, American Legion, Whippany, Jan. 30th 2010 • Big Band Dance Weekend, Mohunk Mt, New Paltz, NY , Dec 4th 2009 • Manasquan River Golf Club, Big Band Night, July 25th, 2009

Select Future Dates:

• First Wed. of every month, 19 piece big band, Walt St. Pub, Red Bank, NJ. • Mcloone’s Supper Club, Feb 20th , Asbury Park, NJ • Mcloone’s Supper Club, Asbury Park, NJ, March 13th • Mcloone’s Supper Club, Asbury Park, NJ, April 17th • Bickford Theatre, Morristown, July 19th • Rose Rehab Concert Series, Toms River, NJ , aug 22nd , 2pm

What people are saying: "The Jazz Lobster Big Band is one the finest big bands you are likely to find in the state of New Jersey. They have great sidemen, soloists, and vocalists. Their repertoire is enormous, covering the swing era to modern times. Their concerts have exceptionally high entertainment value." – Frank Mulvaney, New Jersey Jazz Society. “A night out with the Lobsters is better than going to the Blue Note!” –Bob, NYC resident Hire the Lobsters: In addition to concerts, the Lobsters small group and big band are available to liven up your special events.We also do educational outreach programs for youth in the Tri-State Area. For booking, and more information, contact James P. Lafferty at 732-284-7388 or jazzlobsters@gmail.com

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