OUR MUSICIANS

The Basic Quartet

(Our Regulars)

Piano, Clarinet, Drums, Bass

Herb Greenlee - Piano

Herb has been playing solo and small group jazz piano in the Washington area for over 20 years. He played at the Fish Market in Alexandria, Virginia for several years. Herb lives in Pennsylvania, and commutes to Washington to play and tune pianos. He is a connoisseur of collectibles when not playing.       

Mike Ritter - Bass, Clarinet, Cornet, Soprano Sax

Mike Ritter played clarinet and cornet in high school and in the army, taking second place to Count Basie's drummer in the All-Army entertainment contest.  In the seventies he started playing bass and continued again in the eighties, touring nationally and internationally with the pop-folk Hard Travelers. Today he plays bass or whatever is needed, but has rekindled his love for Chicago style cornet and clarinet, with an occasional blast of Bechet flavored soprano saxophone.

Ernie Buck- Bass Viol, Tuba and others (Alphorn, Accordion, Electric Bass)

Ernie began performing professionally at age 14.  Originally trained by J. Paul Freeman of the US Army Band, he studied music at Syracuse University (Drum Major of the SU Marching Band), American University and took private lessons with Oscar Zimmerman at the Eastman School of Music.  Ernie recorded on Decca/Coral Records with "The Empty Set" and has performed with Jack Jones, Peter Duchin and Country Music Stars "Alabama".  A native of Arlington, VA, Ernie appears with many local groups in the Washington/Baltimore area.

Chip Kelly - Guitar, Banjo

A  talented guitarist and banjo player who has become a regular at our Westlawn gig and many others. He retired from the Post Office and raising a daughter, and now teaches guitar and tenor banjo., but is always ready to play a gig when he can.

Steve Watson - Drums

The Plus: Our Associates

At any given time our associate musicians become our regulars. They are all accomplished musicians in their own right and play with us to extend the size of the band or substitute.

Jimmy Hamilton - Baritone Sax, Clarinet

Jimmy plays in the style of his mentor, Peewee Russell. As an extra musician, he uses his baritone sax to provide the bass line. He has been playing on the jazz scene for nearly 50 years. He is a regular at St. Elmo’s, and always ready to play another gig.

Joe Shepherd - Trumpet, Flugelhorn

Joe plays in the style of Bobby Hackett and has been on the jazz scene for decades. He is a former leader of the Who’s Who Jazz Band. Joe is also an accomplished arranger. Many of the numbers we play are based on Joe’s arrangements.  Joe is a regular at St.Elmo's.

Dick Parks - Trombone, Cornet

Dick has been playing a variety of instruments for many years. He fills in on both instruments when needed, particularly when we are playing Dixieland.  He is a regular at St. Elmo's.

Doug Powell - Trombone

Doug actively plays the local jazz scene, and plays with us when he is not playing elsewhere. His sweet trombone rounds the group off when he is playing.

Gary Carper - Tuba                                                                                                                                                 

Gary is a recent addition to our group of musicians.  He a well trained musician, having majored in music in college and has played with many groups over the years. He subs when Mike Ritter is not available

Our Very Able Substitutes

Play with us when our regular members can't.

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