Truth in Jazz » Rhythm

Meet Bill Troutman, Guitar

Jamin — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:00:40 +0000

Bill Troutman - Guitar

Hometown: Born and raised in South Bend in a musical family.

Education: Took 3 private lessons a week on trombone, piano, and guitar as a child from age 7 to 18. Also participated in marching band in elementary and high school. Later studied classical guitar with Richard Wisner at Mendoza’s for 7 years.

Playing Experience: 49 years of professional experience playing in various bands and doing a single later in life. I like to arrange for the guitar and I play all of my arrangements.

Career Highlights: Being asked to teach music at Mendoza’s where I taught for over 30 years. Also playing with the South Bend Symphony in West Side Story and Oklahoma and Newton Waylon in the Midwest

Pops Orchestra.

Why I play with TiJ: What’s better than to surround myself with great musicians who have the same endeavors that I do: to produce good music.

Meet Sean Patrick, Bass

Jamin — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 15:00:34 +0000

Sean Patrick - Bass

Hometown: Fort Wayne, IN

Education: BA :Ball State University, 2008. Grew up in Fort Wayne, attending Northrop High School being active in Jazz Bands, Marching Band, Pep Band, Orchestras, Show Choir back up bands, and String Quartets.

Playing Experience: 10 Years playing in various ensembles including the following: 4 years in Ball State University Jazz Lab Ensemble, 11 years in various jazz combo settings, 2 years playing with the Cory Hill Band, 2 years in the Ball State Wind Ensemble, 3 years in the BSSO.

Career Highlights: Although I am just getting started in my career some highlights at this point include getting to play with some great jazz artists such as: Joe Beck, Matt Harris, Ted Nash, Dick Oats, Steve Houghton, and Wayne Bergeron.

Why I Play With TIJ: I love to play big band jazz music. I am glad that there is high quality big band in the Elkhart area and consider myself extremely lucky to be able to play in the group.

Meet Jim Catalano, Drums

Jamin — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:00:03 +0000

Jim Catalano - Drums

Hometown: Meadville, PA. Moved to Michiana in 1975.

Education: BA & BM: BS Music Education / Percussion – Indiana University of Pennsylvania – 1975
MM Music – University of Notre Dame – 1977
(Served as Graduate Assistant Band Director at Notre Dame from 1975 – 1977)

Playing Experience: Drummer – Truth in Jazz Big Band – 1999 – Present
Drummer – Jazz Assemblage Big Band – 1985 – Present
Drummer – Renown Sound Big Band – 2003 – Present
Percussionist – South Bend Symphony – 1978 – Present
Percussionist – Elkhart Symphony – 1978 – Present
Percussionist – Keystone Wind Ensemble – 1994 – 2002
Percussionist (Sub) – Elkhart Municipal Band
Snare Drummer – Erie Thunderbirds Drum & Bugle Corps. 1969 – 1972
Vibes – VibeNation Jazz Combo – 1993 – Present
Freelance Drummer, Vibes, Latin Percussion

Career Highlights: Graduating from Notre Dame and working with the ND Band. Performing at the Elkhart Jazz Fest. I had an opportunity to fill in on drums with area guests artists such as: Doc Severinsen, Marian McPartland, Boston Brass, Byron Stripling, Bill Watrous, and Frank Mantooth.

Why I Play With TIJ: I love to make music. My absolute favorite thing to do is to DRIVE a Big Band on Drums.

Meet Gordon Holley, Piano

Jamin — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:00:34 +0000

Gordon Holley - Piano

Hometown: Battlecreek, Michigan

Education: Attended Western Michigan University

Playing Experience: Pianist – Jazz Assemblage Big Band – 1975 – Present
Pianist (sub) – 2006 to Present
Present Pianist – Truth in Jazz 2008 to Present
Leader and Pianist – A Cut Above, 7pc band 1990 to Present
Organized & Directed Marching Band, Michigan Air National Guard
53 years of playing in night clubs, theater and concerts, stage shows with such entertainers as ; Betty hutton, Bob Cummings, “Boots’ Randolph, Clark Terry, Dick Contino, Ira Sullivan, Scott Hamilton, Lou Soloff, Jerry Murad and the Harmonicats, Pee Wee Hunt, Clayton “Peg Leg” Bates, “Stepin Fetchit”, Tommy Newsom.

Career Highlights: Playing at the Elkhart Jazz Festival, June 2000 with tenor jazz great Scott Hamilton and trumpeter Ira Sullivan. Playing at the Elkhart Jazz Festival with my 7 piece band “A Cut Above two different years and having written over 500 arrangements for my band.

Why I Play With TIJ: I enjoy the association with many great local musicians and sharing my love for many genre of music. It’s a real kick to play with TiJ in a concert setting and please so many lovers of good music and giving back to the community.