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SSG John Castleman Staff Sergeant John Castleman, trumpet, a native of Poulsbo, Washington came to the Academy Band in December of 2007. He earned a Bachelor of Music in wind performance from Central Washington University and a Master of Music in theory and composition from Norfolk State University. Prior to his appointment in the Jazz Knights, Staff Sgt. Castleman served in the United States Air Force “Heritage of America” Band in Virginia. In addition, he held a position at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Epcot Center as a lead trumpet player for Future Corps. Staff Sgt. Castleman has performed with the Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman Orchestras. He can also be heard on Telemundo television, performing with Tony Vega. SSG Vito Speranza A native of Amsterdam, New York, Staff Sergeant Vito Speranza spent the first part of his career performing on lead trumpet in a studio orchestra in Rome, Italy. While living in Italy, he also had the honor of performing at the Perugia Jazz festival, backing up such artists as Freddie Hubbard and Chet Baker. SSG Speranza became a United States Air Force musician in 1996. Upon joining the Air Force, Speranza traveled extensively throughout the Midwest as trumpet soloist in the Heartland of America's jazz band and concert band. SSG Speranza joined the Jazz Knights as the lead trumpet player in November of 2000. He has been featured as a soloist on many Jazz Knights concerts, performing the music of Louis Armstrong, Harry James and Thad Jones, among others. As a member of the group, he has enjoyed having the opportunity to perform with such artists as Byron Stripling, Eddie Daniels, Emil Richards, John Clayton and John Riley. SFC Richard Johnson Sergeant First Class Richard Johnson is originally from northern Minnesota. After graduating from the Univ. of MN-Duluth with a BM in classical performance he moved to New York City to be part of the city’s vibrant music scene. He went on to study jazz at the Manhattan School of Music where he graduated in 2000 with a Master's degree. He has been a member of the Jazz Knights since 2003. Along with playing third trumpet in the Jazz Knights, SFC Johnson has a variety of performance experience; with Lyric Recovery at Weil Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, recording two albums for Koch International with the New York City based Gramercy Brass Orchestra, on saxophonist/composer Jason Rigby’s highly acclaimed record Translucent Space on the Fresh Sound New Talent label, as well as the upcoming Opsvik & Jennings record Commuter Anthems on the Rune Grammofon label. SFC Johnson has also worked with pit orchestras, small groups, recorded TV and film scores, and performed in the U.S. and China with musicals and jazz groups. Recently SFC Johnson has begun working with laptop, electronics and different treatments on the trumpet in solo and group settings. SSG Joshua Economy Staff Sergeant Joshua Economy is from Old Orchard Beach, Maine and joined the Jazz Knights in March of 2006. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of New Hampshire in 1999, where he studied with Dr. Robert Stibler. In 2002, he completed his Master of Music in Jazz Studies from the New England Conservatory, where he studied with George Garzone, Bob Brookmeyer and John McNeil. Prior to joining the Jazz Knights, Staff Sgt. Economy was a freelance musician in the Los Angeles area, participating in jazz festivals and recording albums in various genres. His jazz trio, Zinfandel, worked as the house band at Parker's Lighthouse in Long Beach, California. In 2005, he was a finalist at the Long Beach Jazz Festival New Artist Competition. Staff Sgt. Economy was also a featured soloist on Will Street's album Seven Colors of Love and can be heard on Ayn Inserto Jazz Orchestra's Clairvoyance featuring Bob Brookmeyer and George Garzone. He has performed with Lewis Nash, Dave Liebman and Clark Terry.
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