Big Band Jazz
Band Bios - MEET THE BAND
BANDLEADER / TRUMPET and FLUGELHORN
Charlie Sarling taught for 38 years in the Brentwood School District where he directed the Freshmen Center Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, the High School Two O’clock and One O’clock Jazz Ensembles respectively and was also musical director for the High School Pit Orchestra. From January of 2017-2018 he held the position of Symphonic Band Director and Jazz Ensemble Director at Suffolk Community College before retiring after the 2018 Spring Semester. He continues teaching trumpet lessons as an adjunct professor at the College.
Since 2012, he has been the SCMEA Jazz Co-coordinator for SCMEA Day Of Jazz, All County Jazz Auditions, and the All County Jazz Concert. After retiring from this position in 2019, his One More Once Jazz Ensemble still conducts Big Band clinics for High School Jazz Ensembles at the annual “Day of Jazz.”
Charlie has had the honor of ‘Guest Conducting” Concert Bands and Jazz Ensembles for NMEA, HMEA, and SCMEA since 1997 and has also served as the NYSSMA All-State Jazz Ensemble Chairperson and has also conducted the All-State Jazz Ensemble at various events.
In his summers off from his teaching responsibilities, Charlie spent the last 20 years as a clinician and Big Band Conductor in both Vermont and Rhode Island at “Jazz Camp for Grown-ups.”
Aside from his teaching career, Charlie’s performance career included a concert at the Berklee Performance Center (May 14, 200) with the greats, Arturo Sandoval and Maynard Ferguson. He spent 3 years with the Frankie VJE at Riles Jazz Club in Boston during which time he had the honor of playing in the Alumni Band for Maynard Ferguson’s 75th birthday. During his residence he performed with such featured artists as Alan Wise, Carl Fisher, Stan Mark, Slide Hampton, and Arturo Sandoval.
VOCALS
Diane Marketta has been performing publicly since age 8 and grew up listening to Ella Fitzgerald and Barbra Streisand. After receiving her BFA from NYU in 1987, Diane began singing professionally at jazz, classical, pop and rock venues. Much of her career has also been devoted to vocal education as her innovative program develops powerful, versatile vocal production and teaches successful strategies in maintaining a healthy voice. Vocal director at Nassau Suffolk Music Lessons, she has been working with students of all ages since 1988. As a voice actor since 2005, Diane’s speaking and singing voice can be heard on CD recordings, TV shows, radio commercials, video games, audio books, promotional campaigns and narrations across the globe. Happy to be swingin’ with OMO! www.dianemarketta.com
SAXOPHONES
Joseph Romano, Lead Alto Saxophone, received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music Degrees and his New York State Permanent Public School Teacher Certification from Manhattan School of Music. His studies included private lessons with Peter Simenauer, Joseph Allard, David Tofani, Charles Russo, Leonard Hindel and Eddie Daniels. Additional studies included Augustin Duques at The Julliard School and with Bob Mintzer.
Currently active as a professional musician, Joe has performed at Carnegie Recital Hall, Town Hall, Symphony Space, on and off broadway shows, Westbury Music Fair, The Tilles Center, and the Nassau Coliseum. His resume includes recording sessions for CBS Records, The Rainbow Room Orchestra, the Mineola Choral Society, The Concert Pops, and Theater Three. Joe has performed with Donna Summer, Nell Carter, Mary Tyler Moore at the Annual Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Dinner, and Tony Bennett, Lainie Kazan, Mariah Carey at the Make A Wish Foundation events.
Since 1986 He has been a member of the faculty of Friend’s Academy as Band Director, Woodwind Instructor and Jazz Ensemble Director. Joe is a faculty member of The Green Vale School as Woodwind Instructor since 2015.
----------
Sherry Ferraiolo, Baritone Saxophone, began her music education in elementary school playing the trombone. After raising her family and retiring from her first career in management and software technology, the saxophone became an integral part of her daily life. Sherry holds degrees in Liberal Arts and Computer Information Systems.
In addition to performing with a number of professional big bands like One More Once Jazz Ensemble, she can be heard performing all across Long Island with the unique and entertaining saxophone group she founded, the Lady Blue Saxophone Quartet.
----------
Joe Panzarino, Tenor Saxophone, is a transplanted Brooklynite who moved to in Sayville in 1991 where he now resides with his wife Gerilyn and two grown children. Joe has a Bachelor’s Degree in Music and a degree in Computer Science and is currently a Programmer for Suffolk County. Throughout the tri-state area, Joe had spent several years performing in several different Club and Wedding Bands (Steppin’ Out, Pizzazz, and the After Hours Orchestra). In addition to the One More Once Jazz Ensemble, Joe is an active member of Bill Wilkinson’s Long Island Sound Swing Band as well as The Bay Big Band. As an avid music lover, Joe says “Making music with the men and women of OMO is a gift that keeps on giving!”
TROMBONES
Bill Finnerty has been playing trombone in all genres and band formats over the years. With many years of experience in NY club date bands and larger format big bands like One More Once he has collaborated with a great deal of top regional musicians. As a graduate of Berklee College of Music he's worked for several years as a professional recording engineer before transitioning into teaching recording production at the college level. In 2000 he started a music technology program at Half Hollow Hills school district and has expanded it into both middle schools and high schools, where it has become a popular track for traditional and non-traditional music students alike. He continues to enjoy playing with high-end music ensembles like One More Once on a regular basis.
----------
After not playing for 18 years, Lee Itzler has come back to music with a passion. He plays trombone and euphonium in several concert bands and trombone in two big bands. Trained as a Landscape Architect, he now runs a landscape construction company as well as a 22-acre pumpkin and Christmas tree farm. He can be found several times a week practicing outside in between the trees. This improves technique as well as keeping vagrants and animals away.
----------
Steve Witthoft has played with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and in bands backing Clark Terry, Gerry Mulligan, Ed Shaughnessy and Dave Brubeck among others. He has also played in several pit orchestras for theatrical shows on LI. Steve is currently playing in 12 big bands, a Dixieland band and a Pops Orchestra here on Long Island.
TRUMPETS
Phil Marciano has been playing trumpet since the age of 9, after he asked his parents to write a note to the band director at his elementary school
asking for the instrument. Phil took an interest in jazz in middle school and never looked back. During his middle school and high school careers Phil was an all-county and all-state musician playing lead trumpet in jazz bands since 8th grade. Phil was also the lead trumpet for the Nassau-Suffolk Jazz Band under the direction of the late Bill Katz for four years. In 2000, Phil was selected to be the lead trumpet for the Grammy All American Jazz Ensemble Performing at various venues in Los Angeles in February of 2000 where he played with musicians like Ambrose Akinmusire, Dominic Farinacci, Obed Calvaire, Jean Caze and others; all who have gone on to play with world famous musicians. Phil attended the Manhattan School of Music, Temple University, and finally Dowling College where he received bachelors degrees in business administration and music in 2012. Along the way Phil studied trumpet with Vince Panzarella of the New York Philharmonic, Lew Soloff, Glenn Drewes, Terrell Stafford and many other amazing trumpeters. Phil can be heard on the recording Sketches of Spain Live! which featured Dave Liebman and the Manhattan School of Music Jazz Orchestra. Phil can also be heard on various other recordings when he worked as a studio musician. Phil has played in the pit orchestras of various shows too. In 2003, with the Temple University Jazz Ensemble Phil attended the Midwest clinic where the band performed with guest artist Jon Faddis.
In 2010, Phil decided to pursue a full time career in accounting where he is currently a Partner with a national firm but still plays in his spare time with One More Once and other musicians. Phil is happy to help rehearse One More Once each week as the band continues to hone its craft. Phil is married with 2 children and spends the rest of his time with his family.
---------
Lee Schaarschmidt was the band director at Centereach High School from 1992 until his retirement in 2021. In his time there, he conducted the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Band. Under his direction, the bands at Centereach High School participated in NYSSMA, Music In The Parks, and Festivals of Music, receiving the highest ratings. Additional duties included conducting the Pit Orchestra for the Centereach Theater Department and running Centereach Marching Band. In 2019, he was selected to conduct the SCMEA Division 3 All County Band. His students have been selected to participate in SCMEA, NYSCAME, All State, and MYO. Lee is Long Island born and raised. He attended Sachem High School, received his undergraduate degree in Music Education from Houghton College, and his Masters degree through SUNY Stonybrook. As a professional musician, he plays trumpet with The Atlantic Winds and One More Once Jazz Ensemble as well as being a part of the Old Bethpage Brass Band. He is often asked to play in local pit orchestras and is a member of Skyline, one of Long Islands Premier bands, both as a player and an arranger. In addition, Lee is very active in the Sayville United Methodist Church as both Choir and Music Director.
---------
PJ Mercieca is a Long Island native and big band member for close to 15 years. A graduate of Centereach High School where his passion for music and playing the trumpet all began. He joined the big band back in 2010 while attending Dowling College as a freshman pursuing a degree in social studies. After playing with the big band for two years he came to the realization that pursuing music education was his calling. Band member Charlie Sarling, now current bandleader of One More Once helped him prepare for multiple college auditions. He currently holds a B.S. degree is music education from Hofstra University and a M.S. degree in music education from the Aaron Copland School of Music. He is currently an elementary music teacher in the Syosset School District, and has been teaching on Long Island for ten years. He would not be the musician and music educator he is today if it wasn’t for my time and experience in the One More Once Jazz Ensemble.
RHYTHM SECTION
Drums
Ellis B. Holmes, III is an alumnus of Hempstead High School where he was the Band Director there for several years. He is currently a music teacher in the Uniondale Public School Systems and was one of the Band Directors at Uniondale High School where he taught 9th Grade Band, Piano, Jazz Band, and was Percussion Instructor of the UHS Marching Knights Drumline from 2011 to 2018.
He earned his B.M. in Music Education from the Crane School of Music, SUNY at Potsdam, and his M.A. in Teaching at Lehman College, CUNY. Ellis performs as a principal percussionist in numerous shows and musicals on and off Broadway, and has played with orchestras, bands, ensembles, and with such celebrities as Helen O’Connell, Jon Faddis, Jimmy Heath, Slide Hampton, and Milt Jackson, to name a few.
His professional education resume of over 30 years reflects his selfless dedication to students through showcasing their musical talents at numerous functions, competitions, and invitationals from the local sector to statewide events. Ellis is unsparing with his expertise in providing students with assistance in their efforts for musical excellence and scholarship opportunities, and is committed to setting the stage for student success.
----------
Piano
Dr. Doug Brett is a pianist who started playing professionally at the age of 14 with his first rock band “The Trampling Hum.” He played in many bands through high school and later toured with his own Hammond organ trio “The Lighter Side.” Doug played countless club dates and recording sessions throughout his early years. He has performed in numerous musical theater productions, both in the pit and musical directing, single-engagements, appearing solo and with large and small orchestras, and accompanied numerous singers and instrumentalists. Having served on the faculty of several educational institutions, including St. Ann’s prep school, Greenwich House Music School, The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, St. Augustine School of the Arts, and Carle Place HS, Doug is currently on the faculty of the Suffolk County Community College. He maintains a roster of private piano students, as well as free-lance performances.
Doug has a BM and MM from Manhattan School of Music and a Ph.D. from NYU in classical piano performance. He is thrilled to be a part of the very talented musicians of OMO. Doug resides in Commack with his wife and two children, and continues to perform, accompany and teach.
----------
Bass
Mike Chiusano is a native Long Islander residing on the North Fork. After more than thirty years in education as an instrumental music teacher, retirement has offered the opportunity to participate more in live performance music. Currently playing for the great Amber Ferrari, Mike also directs the Woodstockmania and NotStock concerts at Theatre Three in Port Jefferson. Coming up as a symphonic trumpeter, degrees were earned at Ithaca College and SUNY Stony Brook. While teaching young bands Mike also spent decades playing bass and trumpet in pit orchestras, writing arrangements, performing sheet music preparation, playing recording sessions, appearing with local bands and other ensembles while teaching privately. Outside the music world Mike is an avid cyclist and volunteers as a Trail Steward for the mountain bike club CLIMB.
----------
Guitar
Tom Pandelakis has been playing guitar since he was a teenager living in Queens NY. He would learn popular songs and their associated guitar parts sitting by the record player as it spun at half speed, lifting the needle and placing it down countless times until he figured out the parts. He went on the road after high school where he played hotels and lounges with a show band and later moved to Boston where he got a proper music education. After returning to NY he turned to the “Club Date” business, where a musician worked for a booking office and was sent to play with other musicians to make music at parties and events. This was a great learning experience where he honed his ear for harmony.
These days he performs in trios at local restaurants and parties and with his first love, One More Once.
Emeritus - Raymond Zelenka started playing music at the age of 8. His main instruments are guitar, electric bass, keyboards, and drums. He has a degree in Jazz Performance from Five Towns College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education from Dowling College. He has performed and recorded since the age of 14. Ray has performed with numerous original bands as well as cover bands playing various styles from Rock, R&B, Jazz, Funk and Country all over the Tristate area.
In addition to performing, Ray spent many years teaching music privately. Ray is proud of his many former students who have gone on to have successful careers in music, some preforming with world famous bands. Ray is currently enjoying performing with One More Once Jazz and The Bay Big Band.