Alto I - George Furlow             

Alto II - Terry Magursky    

Tenor I - John Pastin

Tenor II - Todd Bushyeager 

Baritone Sax - Ed Dzenis  

Trombone I - Gary Piecka

Trombone II -  Bob Patterson

Trombone III - Joe Schulties

Bass Trombone - Ron Spang 

Trumpet I - Karl Priore  

 Trumpet II - Gene Laus  

 Trumpet III - Skip McAuliffe 

 Trumpet IV -   Denny Hand

Dr. John R. Pastin, Lieutenant Commander USN (Retired)

John Pastin retired in May 2017 as the Dean of the College of Performing Arts at Rowan University, Glassboro, New Jersey, where he lead the departments of Music, Theater, Dance and Art. In September 1998, following a distinguished career as a U.S. Navy Bandmaster and Musician, he accepted the position of Director of Bands at Rowan, where he conducted the Wind Ensemble and Concert Band, taught conducting and ensemble rehearsal methods, and coached in the areas of music arranging and jazz improvisation techniques. He is recognized nationally as a conductor of bands, clinician and adjudicator. Pastin also remains active as a composer, arranger and commercial jazz woodwind performer.

As a thirty-year veteran of the Navy's Music Program, Pastin has conducted, commanded, trained and performed with some of the Navy's most prestigious bands including: the Navy Show band, where he made two consecutive six-month tours to the countries of South America and West Africa; the Navy Band at Pearl Harbor; Navy Band Seattle; the multinational and multi-service NATO Forces Band in Naples, Italy, performing throughout Europe; U.S. Naval Academy Band, Annapolis; Navy Band New Orleans; Navy Band Orlando, Florida; and he retired from the Navy in August 1998 as the Officer in Charge of the presidential unit United States Navy Band, Washington, D.C.

His performances include special concerts and ceremonies at the White House for Presidents Reagan, Bush and Clinton; feature concerts at Carnegie Hall, New York; Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Constitution Hall, Washington, D.C.; Meyerson Hall, Dallas, TX; The Vatican; Saint Petersburg Russia; Tokyo, Japan; Beijing, China; and performance tours throughout Europe and all fifty states.

He received many personal military awards including the Joint Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Meritorious Service, Commendation and Achievement Medals, The Colonel George S. Howard Award for Musical Excellence, and upon his retirement as Conductor of the United States Navy Band, the Legion of Merit awarded by President William Clinton. 1n 1996 Pastin was inducted into Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters fraternity, and in 1998 he was honored with membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association, the professional organization for master conductors and musicians. Membership into this elite organization is considered the highest honor by American bandsmen, in recognition for outstanding leadership and achievement in the field of concert bands and its music.

Pastin holds Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees in conducting, as well as a Bachelors degree emphases in jazz performance. He studied at the University of the State of New York, Navy School of Music, American Conservatory of Music, and completed his Masters and Doctoral studies at Northwestern University and the University of Maryland, respectively.

A 1968 graduate of Sto-Rox High School and native of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, he is married to the former Arleen Kosh, also from McKees Rocks. They have three children; Adina, Danielle and Christopher.

Meet The Band!

Director/Arranger - Dr. John Pastin

Dr John Pastin

Director/Arranger

Tenor Saxophone I

George Furlow earned degrees in Music Education and saxophone Performance from Duquesne University.  He taught saxophone at the college level for 17 years and has performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony, Westmoreland Symphony, and the Three Rivers Saxophone Quartet.  George currently serves as Worship Director at Covenant Church of Pittsburgh and teaches privately.  He previously worked as a Worship Artist with Worship International, a division of Integrity Music in Mobile, AL.  He is also active as a jazz and smooth jazz performer with three albums on digital platforms to his name.  He enjoys his time in his home studio recording sax solos and producing musical projects. 

Terry earned his BSME at Duquesne University.  He has performed with many groups over the years including Vic Genre and the Stone Masion Band (70's show band that toured the eastern US and the Middle East) as a featured woodwind artist and arranger; Portable People (local punk band) on saxophones; Pat Oliver Orchestra (local society band) on Lead Tenor Sax; Jack Purcell Orchestra (local society Band) on Lead Also Sax; Mainstream (wedding and country club band) as a Multi-Instrumentalist; Civic Light Opera (CLO) as a substitute pit musician for various shows including a road tour of Guys and Dolls featuring Maureen McGovern; Trinity Jazz Orchestra on Lead Tenor and Alto Sax and featured soloist; Trinity Jazztet on Tenor Sax and Flute; Northway Christian Church (Worship team) on Alto Sax & Flute; Father Time (local house band at Jergel's) on Tenor Sax; Legacy (a Chicago tribute band) on Tenor Sax; Jazz Conspiracy Big Band on Lead Tenor Sax and featured soloist; Jazz Conspiracy Swingtet on Tenor sax and Flute; Jazz Express (Current-Local jazz band playing clubs) on Alto Sax, Flute and EWI; Pittsburgh Doo Wop Big Band/Riverview Big Band (Current) Alto Sax and Woodwinds; Jazrus (Current-4 piece contemporary jazz group) on Alto Sax, Flute and EWI.

Terry has also performed as a pit musician for various musicals and club dates in the Pittsburgh area.  He has acted as an instructor for various High School marching bands; taught Music Appreciation and Theory at CCAC; and Retired as a private music instructor for various local music stores and school districts.

Todd Bushyeager is a musician and music educator.  Todd earned his BM in Music Education from James Madison University and was a proud member of the renowned Marching Royal Dukes. 

Since 1996 Todd has served as a teacher with Pittsburgh Public Schools, beginning his career at Schiller Classical Academy, where he taught classroom music for four years.  He then moved to John A. Brashear High School, where he has spent the last 25 years as the instrumental music teacher and director of the Brashear Marching Band.

Todd has played tenor saxophone in the Pittsburgh Doo Wop Big Band/Riverview Big Band since 2007, while also performing with various rock and jazz bands over the years.

Todd resides in Shaler with his wife, Marylou, their daughters, Natalie and April, and their family cat. Mickey.  Todd enjoys spending time with his family doing activities like skiing, rock climbing and making music together.

Ed Dzenis

Baritone Saxophone

Ed started on the bari sax when he found one in the closet in his Easton, PA junior high band room.  After he convinced his mother he would not hurt himself playing such a big horn, he was on his way.  Ed continued playing saxophone and clarinet in a variety of combos and big bands through his college days at Lehigh University, getting his engineering degree for his "day job".  After graduation his job brought him to Pittsburgh where he has played in a wide variety of community bands, pit orchestras and ensembles.  He was a founding member of the East Winds Symphonic Band.  He is also the music director of the East Winds Saxophone Ensemble which has played venues such as Bach, Beethoven and Brunch, the Benedum Center, Phipps Conservatory and Homestead Carnegie Hall.   Ed retired from his "day job" and lives in Mars, PA with his wife, Connie, near his children and his grandchildren, Kendall and Parker.

Gary holds  BMSE (1974) and MM  (1976) degrees both from Duquesne University.  After graduation Gary toured the United States, Canada and Japan with the world famous Glenn Miller Orchestra.  As a professional trombonist in the Pittsburgh area his performing credits include the Holiday House, Heinz Hall and the Benedum Center for numerous shows presented by the Civic Light Opera and the Broadway Series.  Currently he holds the position of Principal Trombone for the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater Orchestra.  He was also an adjunct faculy member at Duquesne University from 1979 to 1983.  Gary has been with the Pittsburgh Doo Wop Big Band/Riverview Jazz Band for almost 20 years!

Bob Patterson holds a BM in Jazz Performance from Duquesne University.  He has performed at Opryland, the Greenbrier, Cruise Ships, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, La Miranda CLO, the Holiday House and many local theater companies.  Bob has also performed at Lincoln Center (Alice Tully Hall) and toured Europe and Asia with the World Civic Orchestra.

Joe Schulties

Trombone III

Joe Schulties holds Bachelors (1971) and Masters (1980) degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.  He is retired after a 41 year career with Westinghouse/Siemens.  Joe has been a member of the Pittsburgh Doo Wop Big Band/Riverview Jazz Band since it's inception in 2000.   He married to Diana, has one daughter, Jenifer, and currently lives in Sherwood Oaks, a senior living community in Cranberry Township.

Ron Spang

Bass Trombone

Ron Spang earned his B.S.  in Music Education and Master of Music degrees from Duquesne University.  He has extensive experience as a music performer, educator and clinician.  As a touring artist, Ron had performed for Disney, NBC and at the Playboy Jazz Festival.  A U.S. Military Veteran, Ron served as bass trombonist and featured soloist for U.S. Air Force Bands.  Locally, Ron has performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, The Bach and Mendelssohn Choirs, The Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra, the Temptations, The Skyliners and the Pittsburgh Symphony Pops.  Primarily, Ron performed as the bass trombonist and featured soloist with Pittsburgh's River City Brass Band for over two decades while remaining active as a freelance performer, clinician and educator. 

As an educator, he served in various teaching and administrative positions for several school districts, colleges and universities.  He served as Chair of the Brass Department for Duquesne University's School of Music, taught instrumental music at the California University of PA (now Penn West) for almost twenty years and enjoyed a successful career as Chair of the Music Department in the Charleroi Area School District for over three decades.

Karl Priore

Trumpet I

Karl Priore was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area. After his family moved to the North Hills, Karl received his education in the North Hills School District.  It was at a young age that Karl found a love for music and a desire to play the trumpet.  Upon graduation there was no doubt in Karl's mind that he wanted to be a teacher and performer of music.  Karl was then accepted to Duquesne University's School of Music and awarded a performance scholarship where he received his Bachelors Degree in Music Education.  During his time at Duquesne University, he studied trumpet with Dr. John Wilson, Roger Sherman (Pittsburgh Symphony), Matty Shiner and Vincent Monteleone.  Karl also attended Towson State University for a portion of his undergraduate work.  It was there that he studied with Raymond Moore and played in the jazz band under the direction of Hank Levey.  Following his undergraduate education he was awarded an assistantship with Dr. John Wilson with whom he studied as he received a Master of Music from Duquesne University.

Karl began to perform professionally by playing with many of the local dance bands around Pittsburgh.  It wasn't long before he started to play with well-known names and acts as well as being a full time member of the Benny Benack Band.  Throughout the years, Karl has performed a wide variety of musical styles from classical to jazz to rock.  He has appeared with the Pittsburgh Opera, the Civic Light Opera Orchestra, the original Balcony Big Band, The Letterman, the Buddy Rich Tribute Band, the Big Easy Jazz Band with Tom Roberts and Johnny Angel and the Halos.  He has also played lead trumpet with the Glen Miller Orchestra, Bobby Vinton, Maureen McGovern, Jim Nabors, Perry Como, Pat Boone and Jack Jones.  Currently he is the lead trumpet player for the Burgh' Big Band, the Joe Campus Tribute Big band, the Pittsburgh Doo Wop Big Band and the Riverview Jazz Ensemble.  He also continues to do a great deal of freelance work.  His love for the traditional style Dixieland music is evident as he is co-founder of the RedHot Ramblers Dixieland Jazz Band.

Karl's experience and love for music is unmistakable in his teaching.  With over 41 years of experience, he takes great pride  in the students and ensembles with and whom he works with.  In these years, he has developed award-winning students and ensembles from both the Monessen School District and the Kiski Area School District.  Karl has also traveled to Norway to give master classes to high school students.  He is a member of MENC, PMEA, WCMEA, PSEA retired and the Musician's Union Local 60-471.  In his years as a music educator, he has been director of Marching Bands, Jazz Ensembles, and Concert bands at all grade levels.  Although Karl is currently retired from public school, he maintains status professor of trumpet at the University of Pittsburgh.  Karl resides with his wife Beth in the North Hills of Pittsburgh.

Gene Laus

Trumpet II

Gene started playing the trumpet at a young age and through high school (Penn Hills) studying with Amerigo "Riggie" Laus and Carl McVicker, Sr.   At the encouragement of Riggie Laus he marched with the local/national Drum & Bugle Corp, "The Pittsburgh Rockets".

Gene graduated from Penn Hills High School in 1968 and went to West Virginia University (WVU) from 1968 to 1972.  While at WVU he studied with Roger Sherman (from WVU) and also had the pleasure of working with very talented musicians such as Jay Chattaway (Arranger for Maynard Ferguson and went on to be a staff writer on Star Trek, The Next Generation and Deep Space Series soundtracks).    He played with Bob Hamrick (former Principal Trombone with the Pittsburgh Symphony) as well as Jon Youngdahl (Trombonist in the Navy Band in Washington D.C who performed under the leadership of John Pastin).  He also recorded with Paul Spencer Adkins on his first album (one of the first African-American Lead Tenor Opera singers to perform lead roles in Philadelphia as well as the US and UK).

From 1975 to 1983, he played, arranged and recorded original material and horn parts with the Hit-n-Run Band (originating in WV).  While on the road with Hit-n-Run,  he had the pleasure of recording with the horn section at the Hit Factory in NYC and Coconut Studios in north Miami, FL.

Piano - Andy Yalch 

Bass - Vince Gorman  

Drums-Deb Weible 

Vocal - Danielle Pastin

Vocal - Sam Brooks

Skip attended Duquesne university where he majored in trumpet performance.  He was the principal trumpet in the Symphony Winds and the assistant trumpet in the famous Brass Ensemble and award-winning Jazz Ensemble.  During and after college,  he played many shows and acts that were produced at the Holiday House, Benedum Center, Heinz Hall,  and the Civic Arena. 

He was the principal trumpet on the PBS produced Doo Wop Shows and toured with "Ballet Spectacular with Margot Fontanel",  Civic Light Opera/Broadway Series and Hamid-Mortan Circus Band.  Skip was also a founding member of the original Balcony Big Band.

Denny Hand

Trumpet IV

Denny graduated with a music degree from St. Vincent College and continued his studies in a masters degree program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP).  He taught instrumental music at Immaculate Conception and Greensburg Central Catholic Schools.  He has played in the pit orchestra for many musical productions and ran a six-piece blues band with horns for almost 20 years.  He has also played with the Seton Hall University Symphonic Winds and with several local community bands

Vince Gorman

Electric & Double Bass

Vince plays both double and electric bass and has been a member of the
Pittsburgh Doo Wop Big Band/Riverview Jazz Ensemble since 2007. He
studied Jazz and Classical Bass at Slippery Rock University.

He has played with many local and national groups such as classic Doo
Wop Groups The Platters, The Harptones, The Paragons and The
Jesters, acclaimed Sinatra tribute act Brian Duprey, Johnny Angel's
"Swingin' with an Angel", The Burg' Big Band, Trinity Jazz Ensemble, Dr.
Zoot and the Billy Mancini Band. Vince has played with local rock and
pop groups such as The John Gault Theory, Alex Talbot Trio, Skipper
Johnson Band and T. Mitchell Bell and the Wandering Coalition. He
also played bass for the 2004-2005 national tour of The Best Little
Whorehouse in Texas. You may also see Vince playing with one of his
own groups Whiskey Rebellion (rockabilly), Vince Gorman Jazz Quartet
or Vin and Kit (acoustic rock duo).

Vince lives in suburban Pittsburgh with his lovely wife Stacy and his
pretty pittie Luna. He has been a Luthier (string instrument repairman)
for over 20 years and is the full-time Luthier at Brighton Music Center.

Andy Yalch

Piano

Andy earned a B.S. in Music Education (1976) and an M.S. in Music Composition (1985) from Duquesne University.  He is retired as a Music Specialist for the Wilkinsburg School District in addition to affiliation with Carnegie Mellon University School of Music where he collaborated with Dr. Natalie Ozeas (director) as an Urban Music Project Member. He is a member of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Education Committee.  Mr. Yalch has also worked for the Wurlitzer Music Company and the Fulton Organ and Piano Company as a salesman.  He has more than 30 years of professional experience as a Piano Tuner Technician and has tuned pianos for the Baldwin and Steinway Companies.

Professionally, he has more than 35 years of experience performing with national acts and was the pianist and music director for the Holiday House from 1973 until 1982.  He was also a piano accompanist for the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School.

He is currently the pianist for the Pittsburgh Doo Wop Big Band, Riverview Jazz Ensemble, Brother Rick & The Throwbacks, Pittsburgh Big Band Legends, Trinity Jazz Orchestra, and numerous small combos in the Pittsburgh area.  He also works extensively as a solo pianist for country clubs, hotels and private engagements.  Andy is Vice President of the American Fereration of Musicians Local 60-471. 

Danielle Pastin

Vocal

Sam Brooks

Vocal

Praised by Opera News as having "one of the most sheerly beautiful voices on the scene today", soprano Danielle Pastin continues to earn critical acclaim for her engagements across the country. Upcoming performances include Alice Ford in Falstaff with Pittsburgh Opera.  Recent performances include the Verdi Requiem with Pittsburgh Concert Chorale and New York Symphony Orchestra as well as a debut with Opera Colorado as Donna Anna in Don Giovanni,  a reprisal of the role of Micaele in Carmen at Pittsburgh Opera, Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni with Palm Beach Opera as well as Cio-Cio-San in Madame Butterfly with Virginia Opera and Knoxville Opera.

Past engagements include Nedda in Pagliacci at the Metropolitan Opera; Masha in Enemies, A Love Story with Kentucky Opera; Countess Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro with Pittsburgh Opera and Opera Main as well as the world premiers of Robert Paterson's Three Way at Nashville Opera and at the Brooklyn Academy of Music; Ben Moore's Enemies, A Love Story (Masha) at Palm Beach Opera; Henry Mollicone's Gabriel's Daughter (Lucinda) at Central City Opera; and Markus Fagerudd's Free Will (Gazardiel) at Savonlinna Opera Festival.  Highlights of Pastin's additional performance credits include her 2011 Metropolitan Opera debut in The Queen of Spades (Masha); the Met's production of Carmen (Frasquita) in 2012 and 2013; the East Coast premier of Ricky Ian Gordon's The Grapes of Wrath (Rosasham),  Cosi fan Tutte (Fiordiligi), Otello (Desdemona), and Le Nozze di Figaro (Countess Almaviva) with Pittsburgh Opera; La boheme (Mimi) at Royal Albert Hall, Santa Fe Opera, Manitoba Opera, and Arizona Opera; The Pearl Fishers (Leila) with Toledo Opera; Die Fledermaus (Rosalinda) with Opera Naples; The Merry Wives Of Windsor (Hanna) with Pensacola Opera; Madame Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San) and Carmen (Micaela) with Northern Lights Opera Festival; Don Giovanni (Donna Anna) and Pagliacci (Nedda) with Austin Opera; Otello (Desdemona), La traviata (Violetta), La boheme (Mimi), and Le nozze di Figaro (Countess) with Syracuse Opera; and I Capuletti a i Montecchi with Annapolis Opera (Giulietta).  For more information, visit www.daniellepastin.com

With an M.M. from New York University in Vocal Performance, a B.M from Berklee College of Music, and a B.S. from Carnegie Mellon University in Chemistry, saying Sam has diverse interests is putting it lightly.  His vocal style was heavily influenced by the great crooners of the Big Band Era like Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Nat Cole and Louis  Prima.  As a young adult he went on to study Jazz, Commercial Music, and Musical Theater in Boston and New York City, which helped to define his eclectic style.  Sam also performs in Musical Theater productions in the Pittsburgh area.  Favorite local music credits include Titanic the Musical (Edgar Beane) at Lincoln Park, All Shook Up (Chad) at The Strand, The Last Five Years (Jamie) at the Greensburg Civic Theater, The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Brad Majors) with Split Stage Productions, Godspell (Judas) at The Theater Factory and The Wedding Singer (Robbie Hart) with Mon River Arts.  Sam is an adjunct professor of voice at Seton Hill University and runs his own private voice studio.  He h been singing with the Pittsburgh Doo Wop Big Band for the past year and couldn't be more thrilled.  Follow Sam on Instagram @thesambrooks to find out more.

Deb Weible

Drums

Deb studied Geology at Thiel College (B.A. 1984) and graduate studies in Geology at The University of Pittsburgh (1986).  She worked professionally as a Field Geologist and Project Manager for several engineering consulting firms prior to founding Geo-Environmental Drilling Company, Inc. in 1991 where she acted as President & General Manager for 32 years.  Since retiring in 2023 she has focused on pursuing musical interests.  She has been playing and performing in the Pittsburgh area for over 45 years.  As a freelance musician, she currently performs with the Pittsburgh Doo Wop Big Band, Riverview Jazz Ensemble, West Hills Symphonic Band and many other small jazz groups and combos.  Perfomance highlights include performing with the World Civic Orchestra (2013 & 2015) at New York's Lincoln Center (Alice Tully Hall); backing Sinatra performer Brian Duprey's shows in Pittsburgh with The Rat Pack and Symphonic Sinatra (2015, 2017, 2017  & 2024); and performing with Doo Wop groups Willie Winfield and the Harptones, The Jesters , The Paragons and The Four Aces.  Deb also has a love of musical theater and has performed in over 95 musical productions with local community theaters, college, alumni groups (PHHS) and high schools.  She is a member of the American Federation of Musicians Local 60-471.