Gerard Carelli

Trombonist/singer Gerard Carelli hails originally from New Jersey, but graduated from North Texas State University before relocating to San Francisco and touring as part of the Ray Charles Orchestra. He ultimately settled down in New York City (where he does freelance music work, as well as fronts a variety of bands, everything from quartets to 17-piece big bands). Carelli plays in the city often (performing at such venues as Lincoln Center for their Midsummer Nights Swing, Rainbow Room, Waldorf-Astoria, and Irving Plaza, among others), and has been a featured artist with the Springs Contemporary Jazz Big Band sponsored by radio station KCME. Carelli has issued a pair of solo albums, 1993's Beautiful Dancer and 2001's Lucky to Be Me (the latter of which featured pianist John Oddo, bassist Jay Leonhart, and trumpeter Randy Sandke), and has guested either on-stage or on recordings by other artists over the years, including Rosemary Clooney, Mel Tormé, Jean-Loup Longnon, Paul Nash, One O'Clock Lab Band, and Charlie Persip.