Primary Instrument: Band/orchestra
For almost four decades the United States Military Academy Band’s Jazz Knights have brought musical excellence to their audiences by presenting the best in big band favorites, popular music, and original compositions and arrangements for jazz ensemble. Members of the group are graduates of some of America's most prestigious music schools such as the University Of North Texas, Eastman School of Music, Indiana University, Berklee School of Music, and the Manhattan School of Music. They are recruited and selected through a competitive audition process specifically for service in the United States Military Academy Band at West Point. Past and present members of the band have played with such icons as Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson, Ahmad Jamal, Chaka Kahn, Prince, Billy Cobham, and the Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller Orchestras.
The Jazz Knights’ highlights over the years include playing with Benny Goodman at Lincoln Center in 1982, performing with the Duke Ellington Orchestra for the 200th Anniversary of the New York State Legislature, and twice appearing at the Hatch Shell for Boston's Independence Day celebration. The Jazz Knights have also performed for festivals and music educators' conventions, including the International Association for Jazz Education conventions, the Western International Band Clinic, the University of Northern Colorado Jazz Festival, the International Society of Bassists' convention and the New York State Band Director’s Association Conference in 2008. Notable guests who have performed with the Jazz Knights include David Baker, Bobby Watson, David Liebman, Rufus Reid, John Clayton, Eddie Daniels, Steve Turre, James Carter, Randy Brecker, Michael Abene, Steve Wiest, Jon Faddis, Jim Snidero, Gary Smulyan, Scott Wendholt, and Benny Golson.
At West Point, the Jazz Knights provide music for numerous functions throughout the year. In combination with the Concert Band and field music unit, the Hellcats, they help fulfill official musical requirements of the Military Academy and the Army, including military and patriotic ceremonies both at West Point and throughout the country. The Jazz Knights also perform for the summer concert series at the Trophy Point Amphitheatre and for the winter concert series at Eisenhower Hall. Their performances recreate the sounds of the greatest jazz ensembles and the innovative styles of today through their original compositions and arrangements.
The West Point Band's Jazz Knights are:
Saxophones/Reeds
Sergeant First Class Mike Reifenberg
Staff Sergeant Derrick James
Staff Sergeant Xavier Perez
Staff Sergeant David Loy Song
Sergeant First Class Jay Malone
Trumpets/Flugelhorns
Staff Sergeant John Castleman
Staff Sergeant Vito Speranza
Staff Sergeant Josh Economy
Sergeant First Class Rich Johnson
Trombones
Staff Sergeant Dan Pierce
Sergeant Major Ron Fleischman, Group Leader
Staff Sergeant Eric Ordway
Master Sergeant Teddy Arnold
Rhythm
Sergeant Major Scott Arcangel, Piano/Musical Director
Staff Sergeant Mark Tonelli, Guitar
Staff Sergeant Brandon Nelson, Bass
Sergeant First Class Scott Drewes, Drums
Staff Sergeant Alexis Cole, Vocalist
At First Light: New Music From The West Point Band's Jazz Knights
Self-published
2008
Tracks: Alone Together - Howard Dietz/Arthur Schwartz/arr. Sergeant First Class Scott Arcangel
At First Light - Jeffrey Wayne Holmes (BMI)
The Monster Brooks No Pretense - Mike Fahie
Suo Gan - arr. Staff Sergeant Mike Reifenberg
Dangerous Ground - Staff Sergeant Derrick James/arr. Staff Sergeant Mark Tonelli Secret Love - Sammy Fain/Paul Francis Webster/arr. Staff Sergeant Mark Tonelli
The Stakeout - Sergeant First Class Scott Arcangel
Samba For Megan - Staff Sergeant Mike Reifenberg
The Basilisk - Staff Sergeant Mike Reifenberg
Personnel: Chief Warrant Officer Matthew Morse: Director
Staff Sergeant John Castleman: Lead Trumpet/Flugelhorn
Staff Sergeant Vito Speranza: Trumpet/Flugelhorn
Sergeant First Class Rich Johnson: Trumpet/Flugelhorn
Staff Sergeant Josh Economy: Trumpet/Flugelhorn
Staff Sergeant Mike Reifenberg: Lead Alto Sax/Soprano Sax/Flute/Clarinet
Staff Sergeant Derrick James: Alto Sax/Clarinet
Staff Sergeant David Loy Song: Tenor Sax/Clarinet
Sergeant First Class Jay Malone: Tenor Sax/Clarinet
Master Sergeant Gary McCourry: Bari Sax/Bass Clarinet
Staff Sergeant Dan Pierce: Lead Trombone
Staff Sergeant Eric Ordway: Trombone
Master Sergeant Ron Fleischman: Trombone
Master Sergeant Teddy Arnold: Bass Trombone
Sergeant First Class Scott Arcangel: Piano/Assistant Director
Staff Sergeant Mark Tonelli: Guitar
Staff Sergeant Brandon Nelson: Bass
Staff Sergeant Scott Drewes: Drums
Commissions 2006
Self-published
2006
Tracks: Without A Doubt - Alan Baylock
Look for the Silver Lining - Jerome Kern, arr. Michael Abene
Reverse Peephole - Staff Sergeant Scott Arcangel
Flag Waver - Andy Farber
The Eternal Flame - Michael Philip Mossman
Try Harder - Chris Walden
Lemon Juice - Dennis Mackrel
Personnel: Chief Warrant Officer Douglas Hammond: Director
Staff Sergeant Mark Bobnick: Lead Trumpet
Staff Sergeant Vito Speranza: Trumpet
Staff Sergeant Rich Johnson: Trumpet
Staff Sergeant Josh Economy: Trumpet (tracks 1, 5 and 7)
Staff Sergeant Denver Dill: Trumpet (tracks 3, 4 and 6)
Staff Sergeant Bill Dunn: Trumpet (track 2)
Staff Sergeant Mike Reifenberg: Lead Alto Sax
Staff Sergeant Derrick James: Alto Sax
Staff Sergeant David Loy Song: Tenor Sax
Sergeant First Class Jay Malone: Tenor Sax
Master Sergeant Gary McCourry: Bari Sax
Sergeant Major (Retired) Jim Perry: Lead Alto Sax(track 2)
Master Sergeant Doug Remine: Lead Trombone
Sergeant First Class Harvey Tibbs: Trombone
Master Sergeant Ron Fleischman: Trombone
Sergeant First Class Teddy Arnold: Bass Trombone
Staff Sergeant Scott Arcangel: Piano
Staff Sergeant Mark Tonelli: Guitar
Staff Sergeant Brandon Nelson: Bass (tracks 1, 5 and 7)
Master Sergeant (Retired) Lou Pappas - Bass (tracks 2, 3, 4 and 6)
Sergeant First Class Bob Jones: Drums
Staff Sergeant Craig Bitterman: percussion (track 5)
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