Vaughn Wiester's 
 "Famous Jazz Orchestra"

"Members"

Saxophone Section

 
John Vermeulen - (lead sax)  (borrowed from BrianMichaelSmith.com)  John began playing swing music while attending Capital University in the late 70’s. After receiving a degree in Jazz Studies and Music Education he helped found the notorious “New Remnants Dance Orchestra”; a repertory swing band playing the original classic arrangements from the libraries of the great big bands, most notably the Count Basie Orchestra. He also started a long association with “Guy Lombardo’s Royal Canadians” in which he played under several leaders including Teddy Philips, Art Mooney and Al Pierson. 
John attended the University of North Texas, received a Masters in Jazz Studies, taught in the Dallas Public Schools, and played in the Dallas area until his recent return to Central Ohio. He now teaches in the Westerville City Schools. Over the years, he has had the opportunity to play in various Big Bands led by the likes of Bob Crosby and Les Elgart and in the Ghost bands of Jimmy Dorsey and Benny Goodman among others. Currently John plays in Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra and Johnny Mack’s Superband. He has also had the opportunity to play with groups as diverse as the Columbus Symphony, The Columbus Jazz Orchestra and for the Palace Broadway Series. The John Vermeulen Octet is a smaller jazz/dance orchestra that has played various functions from weddings to the Galion Oktoberfest.

Bryon Olsheski -After graduating in 1995 from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music with a Bachelors in Jazz Performance, Bryan cut his teeth in the industry as a soloist and guest artist with performers around the world on the Princess and Royal Caribbean Cruise lines. He then relocated to London, England for three years. He started teaching and also began performing and recording in salsa, jazz and function bands hired out for weddings and other special events. Bryan formed his own band playing original music at many of the popular jazz clubs in London, including The 606 Jazz Club, the Jazz Café and the Bulls Head Barnes.  He has shared the stage with some of the most famous 

names in jazz such as Joe Henderson, Kenny Garrett, Wes “Warmdaddy” Anderson, Conrad Herwig, Jack McDuff, Slide Hampton and George Benson. He has also been a featured soloist for the Temptations, The Columbus Jazz Orchestra, Steve Winwood, Vaughn Weister’s Famous Jazz Orchestra, Afro-Rican Jazz Ensemble, Kico Cowan and Expresion Cubana, The Four Tops and The Spinners.
Bryan has lived in Columbus for the last 13 years. During this time he has dedicated himself to composing and perfecting his craft. In March 2005 he recorded his first CD under his own name showcasing five original compositions. The CD features Bobby Floyd on the B3 Organ, Derek Dicenzo on guitar and Reggie Jackson on drums and was named the best jazz CD of 2005 by “The Other Paper.”
Bryan is also featured on Bobby Floyd’s CD “Notes To and From My Friends.” Bryan was a featured performer with Wycliffe Gordon’s Blackberry Patch presentation which debuted at the newly-renovated Lincoln Theater in early 2013.  Bryan is a member of David Brown’s harmony project orchestra and is also a member of the Columbus Jazz Arts Group, including the jazz program for students called “Making Right Choices.” He performed recently with Michael Bolton at the Lancaster Music Festival and with Dr. John in a studio session. He performed original compositions by Berklee College of Music faculty member, jazz guitarist Rick Peckham, at Denison University’s Annual Guitar Festival.  When Bryan was working with the Famous Jazz Orchestra, Bill Dobbins arranged a piece specifically for Bryan called “Turn Out The Stars.” Bryan especially enjoys his career as a teacher at a private music studio in Hilliard and through the “Choices” program. He occasionally works with other education programs through the Jazz Arts Group. Bryan has been teaching beginners through professionals for close to eight years.
Jay Miglia - (borrowed from jazzartsgroup.org)  Jay Miglia is an active member of the Columbus music community as a teacher, saxophonist and composer/arranger. He coordinates the jazz area at Otterbein University, which currently entails teaching academic courses (jazz history, improvisation, theory), studio saxophone (applied lessons and quartets), and directing the Otterbein Jazz Ensemble. Since 2005, Jay has developed and taught classes for the Columbus Jazz Arts Group's Jazz Academy. He regularly appears around the Midwest in clubs and concert settings, as a sideman on recordings, and as a backup musician for an array of jazz and popular music celebrities. 

He is a long-time member of the Famous Jazz Orchestra (perfect attendance award, 2003) and subs in the Columbus Jazz Orchestra. He also tapes the CJO's music together.

Bob LeBeau - (borrowed from DwightLenox.com)  Bob is a veteran saxophonist from London, Ohio, where he began his playing in the school music program. Bob has a B.S. in Education from Wilmington College and a Masters in Education from Xavier University. For over 30 years he was the principal at Franklin Heights High School in Columbus. While in the U.S. Army he played in the show band with the "Second Army Showmobile", a touring variety show group. He also toured every major army command in the world with the famous "Rolling Along" All-Army Revue. 

Bob has worked with Steve Lawrence, Margaret Whiting, Pat O'Bryan, Myron Floren, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra directed by Lee Castle, and the Bob Crosby Orchestra. Locally he has played with Riley Norris, Howdy Gorman, Bruno Masdea, Doc Everhart, Lincoln Village Big Band, Freedom Sound and for the past 13 years has been lead alto for the Rick Brunetto Big Band. Additionally, he has co-lead the small group "Timeless".

Veteran saxophonist, Bob Lebeau has performed in and around central Ohio most of his life. The London, Ohio native has played in the big bands of Rick Brunetto, Buno Masdea, Doc Everhart, Riley Norris, and Howdy Gorman. He was the co-leader of the Wedding Band, TimeLess and the top 40 group, Freedom Sound. He also played in the small groups of Jack Hedges and the Tunetimers and Jim Johnson. While in the Army, bob toured around the world with the award winning variety show "Rolling Along." In addition, he has performed in bands accompanying such artists as Margaret Whiting, Steve Lawrence, Bob Crosby and Myron Floren. On Dwight Lenox's exciting new band, The Lenox Avenue Express, Bob holds down the bottom on his baritone saxophone.

Alex Burgoyne - not available, yet