Western Mass Musician Biographies
Bruce William Krasin
27 Rocklanf Hts. Rd.
Northampton MA, 01060
413-586-5202 (h)
Born: August 30, 1947, Northampton Massachusetts
Raised Holyoke Massachusetts, 1947-1965
Education: B.S. Microbiology, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, 1965-1969. Music studies with
Prof. Joseph Contino, Clarinet, flute, saxophone
Music studies with Prof. Charles Lehrer, Oboe, English Horn
1st clarinet, UMass, Symphony Orchestra & Symphony Band
Clarinet studies with Sherman Friedlend 1st clarinetist Minneapolis Symphony.
1969-1973 United States Air Force NORAD (Noth American Air Defense Command) 504th Air Force Jazz
Band of the Colorado Rockies, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Music studies with Charles Shultz, Oboe and
English horn, W. Virginia Symphony. Flute studies with Maria Tamburrino, Utica Symphony Orchestra.
1973-1975 Berklee College of Music, Boston Massachusetts. Performances with The Gary Burton Berklee
Ensemble, Phil Wilson’s Thursday Nite Dues Big Band, Herb Pomeroy’s Berklee ‘1:00 Recording band’,
Stage West Theatre Orchestra, performances on NBC “Today Show” with Katie Couric, Rockefeller Ctr.,
NYC.
1975-1991 Performances in New England with “New England Jazz Ensemble”, Hartford Ct., Stage West
Theatre Otchestra, Springfield MA., Williamstown Theatre Orchestra, Vally Big band, Jamie Rivera’s
“Caribbean Sound”
1991-present- Performances with Jeff Hiolmes Buig Band Russia Tour 1991, Leningrad, Petrozavodsk,
and Moscow. Belgium Tour with “Young at Heart Chorus” 2003, presently with Dave Sporny’s “Amherst
Jazz Orchestera”.
Pete Grimaldi- is a native of Western Massachusetss. He has been an active musician since the late
1960’s. He was a member of the Ronnie Drumm Youth Band, which toured Japan, and the group
performed in the area for many years. A graduate of Westfield Stae, he played lead trumpet for the WSC
Jazz Ensemble, earning a BA in Music Education. After leaving College Pete entered the United States Air
Force, playing with the McGuire AFB band. Since leaving themilitary, Pete has taught the trumpet
privately in his studio at home. He has also earned a Masters in Education from WSC. Pete is very active
in local theatre work, as well as small Jazz group performances. He has been a member of the Jeff
Holmes Big Band, wich toured Russia, and recorded two CDs. Presently, he is a member of the Amherst
Jazz Orchestra with many of New England’s finest musicians. His wife Nancy and two daughters, Gina
and Gabrielle are also involved in various musical groups and activities in the area. Some of the
renowned musicians that Pete has performed with are John Abercrombie, Yusef Lateef, Peter Erskine,
John Fedchock, Chris Vadala, The Temptations, the O’Jays, Doc Severinson, Kenny Rogers, Engebert
Humperdink, Al Martino, The Four Tops, Lew Soloff, Claudio Roditi, Ed shaunessey, Bobby Darin, Bob
Mintzer and the Yellowjackets, and David “Fathead” Newman. Pete has also performed on lead trumpet
at the Hartford Stage, Stage West, The Barrington Stage, Berkshire Theatre Festival, and numerous
Theatre presentations in the New England Area.
Gregory Caputo
Freelance drummer, specializes in “versatility within ‘traditional’ drumming styles” (Modern Drummer
Magazine). Hamilton College Nation Jazz Archives Inductee (1998(: National Drum Association’s “Gene
CKrupa Drummer Search” finalist; conducts frequent clinics and master classes. Endorsement include
Remo Drumheads (Gold Endorser), Rhythm Tech Percussion, and Regal Drum Sticks.
Education:
Graduate of the Hartford Conservatory of Music Jazz and Pop Program.
Studied with Jim Chapin, Alan Dawson, and Joe Morello Faculty Member: in Jazz in July, 2001 & 2003
Faculty Member Mount Holyoke College.
Professional Credits Include drumming for: Gene Krupa Big Band, Les Brown Big Band, Count Basie Big
Band, Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Harry James Big Band, Sammy Kaye Orchestra, Benny Goodman Big
band, artie Shaw Orchestra, Nelson Riddle Orchestra, and performances with, Sheila Jordan, Benny
Watters, Sammy Davis Jr., Cab Calloway, Bryon Stripling, Charlie Ventura, and Claude “Fiddler”
Williamsn.
Joe Lacreta 413-556-0499. North Main St. Sunderland Ma 01375.
Instructor for: Jazz guitar Westfield State College
Masters of Music in jazz arranging and composition Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst 1998. Bachelors of
Music in jazz guitar performance, UMASS Amherst 1995.
Joe received his Masters of Music degree from UMass Amherst in 1998 where he studies with Dr. Yusef
Lateef. Joe has worked and recorded with a variety of musicians and ensembles performing various
types of music throughout New England. He has played club dates with jazz organist Shelton “fatman”
Lasterm, Gospel great Michelle Wallace, and saxophonist and percussionist Hilary Noble. Joe has
performed in concerts with Free Jazz saxophone legend Glenn Spearman, Yusef Lateef, Bob Mintzer,
Lew Soloff, and Peter Erskine. Joe has assisted many greats in clinics and master class settins including
Bob Mintzer, Lew Soloff, Chris Vadala and Greg Abate.