Glenn M. Taylor, guitar, keyboards, vocals * Bob Cianci, drums, vocals Chris Roselle, guitar, harmonica, vocals Russ Crapella, guitar, vocals Gary Evans, keyboards, harmonica, bass, vocals Jeff Guenther, guitar, bass, vocals | Mike Guaragna, bass, guitar, vocals Rhonda Grindell, drums, vocals Pepe Hernandez, bass, vocals Sean Jenness, guitar, vocals |
Christopher Bolger, guitar, bass, vocals * Joe Alexander, guitar, vocals Al Egizi, guitar, vocals Keith Theall, bass, vocals Dave Hirschberg, drums, vocals Jerry DeLisio, saxophone(s), flute, vocals Ron Weinstein, guitar, bass, harmonica, vocals Brian Wiley, bass, vocals Lenny Kirk, drums, vocals Don Guinta, drums, vocals Joe Coghlan, drums, guitar, vocals Scott Calvert, saxophone(s), woodwinds, vocals Andrei Koribanics, drums, vocals Tom DePalma, saxophone(s), woodwinds, vocals John Frondelli, drums, guitar, vocals Ethan Maayan, drums, vocals Kevin Ellman, drums, vocals Bill Winters, guitar, bass, harmonica, trumpet, vocals Matteo Varano, saxophone(s), woodwinds, vocals, percussion * Indicates original Kootz / OMJ band-member; (see history) |
Jerry DeLisio - saxophone(s), flute, vocals
Jerry DeLisio, Kootz guest-sax-man, grew up in the town of Cliffside Park, in the '60's, overlooking the New York City skyline and in the shadow of Palisades Amusement Park. In those days he could hear the sound of people screaming from the giant cyclone rollercoaster from his bedroom window.
At the age of seven, he was introduced to the clarinet in grade-school. At ten, the teacher handed him a tenor saxophone. That was it. He was hooked on that sweet sound.
First influenced by the 'horn'-playing of the big band music his father used to listen to, in particular the Louie Prima Orchestra (with Sam Butera on sax), he then came upon the stylings of Boots Randolph and King Curtis. This led him to the Jazz-'Giants' Coltrane and Parker... and on to 'Bruce's' Big-Man, Clarence Clemons.
While studying music at Jersey City State College, Jerry would spend his nights and weekends with current-Kootz 'guitar-slinger'Al Egizi, jamming-endlessly in Al's basement. By the mid-70's he was asked to join the North-Jersey-based band, “Friends.”
“Friends”, came to be known as New Jersey's No. 1 Party Band. Throughout the mid- 70's, into early 1980's they appeared all over NJ, NY and Connecticut, playing night clubs, colleges and concerts. “Friends” opened for the likes of Steppenwolf and Gary U.S. Bonds, as well. Performing at all of the 'coastal-hot-spots', during the mid-70's, in places like D'Jays, The Osprey and The Stone Pony... Jerry was 'smack-dab-in-the-middle'... of that great “New Jersey Shore-Sound”.
After “Friends” Jerry once again hooked up with his pal 'Big-Al E'... and the band “TAXI”... even recording an LP on the Decca label... Jerry continues to appear with TAXI at their 'annual-reunion-night'... as well as with his own band at many private parties and corporate functions.
Jerry has truly carved-out a professional-career in music as a performer... and as public school band director in his home town of Cliffside Park.
He adds his 'special-magic' to the sound of The Kootz on many shows throughout the year... Keep an eye on the band's site; www.thekootz.com, to see when “Jerry-D” will be “raisin' the roof”, with 'the boys'!!!