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The Jazz Lobster Big Band

About the band

One of the busiest big bands in the tri-state area, the Jazz Lobster Big Band swings hard! Featuring the timeless music of Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, Benny Goodman, Quincy Jones, as well as hip new arrangements, The Jazz Lobster Big Band does everything from 40’s swing to fiery latin and salsa to ballroom dance numbers. Led by keyboardist and arranger James Lafferty, the big band is packed with cutting edge musicians from all over the tri-state. Featured on vocals are Newark’s treasure, Carrie Jackson, and Jersey Shore's inimitable Vance Villastrigo. Also featured and providing original compositions and arrangments, from Dublin, Ireland is master jazz guitarist David O’Rourke. And if that isn't enough, we’ve got clarinetist Audrey (“Mrs. Lobster”) ripping up Benny Goodman favorites, and master bassist Steve Varner and Joe Devico laying down the groove. The power and energy of this live big band will knock your socks off!

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Featured performers:

Audrey Welber-Lafferty, alto saxophone and clarinet

Audrey Welber-Lafferty’s fiery saxophone, clarinet, and flute can be heard in many different musical groups and in a wide variety of styles—from straight ahead jazz, urban gospel and klezmer to classical! Reviewers have described her saxophone playing as “inspired,” “muscular,” “a true New Orleans vibe,” “gloriously pure-toned,” and Will Friedwald of the Wall Street Journal highlighted her “especially fluid clarinet solo” in his review of Swingadelic’s recent album. Audrey was also recently featured on BET’s Bobby Jones gospel hour with Newark NJ’s “S3 and the Truth”.

Carrie Jackson, vocals

Carrie Jackson attributes her vocal style of singing to her mentors, the Great Ladies of Jazz, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, and Carmen Mc Rae, but, Carrie truly has a Jazzin' style that is uniquely her own. She has a sound that is honey laden, soulful, sultry, and sings a pop, and blues tune that has a poignant mellow sound; her timing is right on and the subtle twists and turns in her phrasing make her that comparatively rarity, a real jazz singer with a great Sound!! " Ms. Jackson is one of the most sought after vocalists is the metropolitan area, her resume looks like Who's Who of Jazz....................Extraordinary!" She electrifies her audiences with her dynamic music and takes the audience by storm with her charm and temperament..................Jerome Wilson, Cadence Jazz Magazine. "

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David O’Rourke, guitar

Steve Varner, bass

Irish born David O’Rourke was introduced to the US jazz scene in 1982 via Bucky Pizzarelli and Les Paul. Influenced by Pat Martino (with whom he has studied and now collaborates), David has performed with jazz legends Tommy Flanagan, Cedar Walton, Jackie McLean, Billy Higgins, Curtis Fuller, Kenny Davern, Jack McDuff and many more. His arrangements have been recorded and performed by many jazz legends, as well as the RTE Concert Orchestra (Ireland) which he guest conducts. David leads his own 20 piece Big Band (The O’Rourkestra), co-founded and directs NYC’s Jazz Standard Youth Orchestra and the Jazz Standard Discovery Program. n addition to an active schedule as a performer, O’Rourke is in demand as a jazz conductor and arranger. He is currently creating arrangements for the debut tour (Japan) of drummer Lewis Nash’s Big Band. David conducted the RTE Concert Orchestra in Dublin’s National Concert Hall for two years in succession as music director/conductor of the tributes to arranger Nelson Riddle. He conducted for Steve Wilson’s “Bird With Strings” project that also included a workshop in string writing when they performed at SUNY New Paltz. David also conducted Steve’s 50th birthday run at Jazz Standard and wrote string arrangements for trumpeter Jeremy Pelt’s “Close To My Heart” recording followed by further arrangements for the launch performance at Jazz Standard and Sirius Satellite Radio. String arrangements for Pamela Luss led to David conducting the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra strings in a Prague recording studio.http://www.davidorourke.com/biography/

Steve Varner was born and raised in Tennessee, where he entered the world of music playing electric bass. The musical ability of this primarily self taught musician soon gained the attention of touring musicians, who took Steve out on the road during the years when most young musical hopefuls were studying in college. In 1980, Steve moved to the Harrisburg, PA area, where he soon became a local favorite. In addition to his extensive sideman duties as a bassist, Steve also led his own electric quartet, Modern Traffic, taking the role of "guitarist" in the band by playing the piccolo bass. The band recorded an album in 1990 of all Varner originals. Switching to acoustic bass in the early 1990's, he began to work, tour and record with a wider circle of improvisational musicians. Now residing in northern New Jersey, Steve has performed with such jazz greats as: Pat Martino, Phil Woods, Dave Liebman, Billy Hart, J.D. Walter, Steve Rudolph, Tim Warfield, Eric Alexander, James Moody, Jim Ridl, Vic Juris, Ernie Watts, Bill Goodwin, Bob Dorough, Jean-Michel Pilc, Tom Rainey, Jeff Hirchfield, Jack Wilkins, Dennis DeBlasio, Tierney Sutton, Patty Austin, and Karrin Allyson.

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Pete Reichlin, trombone

With world-class credentials in classical, jazz, and Dixieland circles, Pete Reichlin has been a featured member of the Salzburg Mozarteum, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, the Greater Trenton Symphony Orchestra, The Delaware Valley Philharmonic, the Princeton Chamber Orchestra, And the Lou Mercuri Dixie Devils Jazz Band. He is a founding member of both Jerry Rife Rhythm Kings, and (on tuba and bass) of the Independence Hall Jazz Band. He can also be heard on numerous CD releases.

Matt Janiszewskitenorsaxophone

Matt Janiszewski is an exciting young saxophonist who recently obtained a Masters in jazz from Rutgers University in New Jersey. Matt played tenor sax in the premier jazz combo and big band at Rutgers, and has performed with Frank Sinatra Jr., Jim McNeely, Eddie Palmieri, Edward Simon, Lewis Porter, Michael Mossman, Ralph Bowen, Conrad Herwig, and Bobby Vinton. He has performed throughout New Jersey, New York, and in his home state of Connecticut at such venues as Carnegie Hall, the Blue Note in NYC, Trumpets Jazz Club, and the Harford Jazz Festival. Matt is a current student of Ralph Bowen, and has studied with Eric Alexander, Jim Snidero, Ken Nigro, and Greg Case. He has also studied jazz with Conrad Herwig, Stanley Cowell, Earl MacDonald, John Swana, Vic Juris, and Dave Santoro.

Joe Devico, drums

Joe DeVico attended Indiana University where he majored in Jazz Studies and Percussion Performance. He performs as a freelance drummer/percussionist with many NY/NJ musicians, is an active studio artist and was recently nominated for a grammy for work on a children’s album with Don Sebesky. As a performer he has peformed on Broadway in Chicago and Jersey Boys, has backed such artists as James Moody, Freddie Hubbard, The Shirelles, and Frankie Valli.. His extensive big band experience has landed him in some of the best bands in the northeast including the Jazz Lobsters, the Stardust Big Band and the Joe Elefante Big Band, featured on ABC television’s Nightline. As a composer he has written music for many television broadcasts including The Judge Hatchett Show, My Name Is Earl, We Television, VH1, and The Food Network. He has recently completed an instructional book for drummers.

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For schedule check www.jazzlobsters.com What people are saying: "The Jazz Lobster Big Band is one the finest big bands you are likely to find in the state of New Jersey. They have great sidemen, soloists, and vocalists. Their repertoire is enormous, covering the swing era to modern times. Their concerts have exceptionally high entertainment value." – Frank Mulvaney, Director, New Jersey Jazz Society. “A night out with the Lobsters is better than going to the Blue Note!” –Bob, NYC resident Hire the Lobsters: In addition to concerts, the Lobsters small group and big band are available to liven up your special events.We also do educational outreach programs for youth in the Tri-State Area. For booking, and more information, contact James P. Lafferty at 732-284-7388 or jazzlobsters@gmail.com