band bios

Rico Barr and the Jump 'n' Jive Review is New England's Premier Dance Band. The Band was Nominated as Swing Band of The Year by the National Swing Awards, but their repertoire includes the history of Dance music from the jazz and rock decades. They can be seen on the Concert Stage with their original compositions and arrangements and are in demand for Corporate Events, Parties, Weddings and Dances throughout New England and beyond.

RICO BARR - LEAD SINGER AND DRUMS

Rico has performed in such diverse settings as jazz and show bands, as well as backing up rock legend, Chuck Berry, playing with Harvey Brooks of The Electric Flag and jazz great, Joe Newman. Rico has written over 300 songs and scored a top fourty dance club hit with Forbidden Love, recorded in both English and Spanish. This song appears on CMJ Volume 16 with the Neville Brothers. In his role with the Jump 'n' Jive Review, both playing drums and singing, Rico has been described as a combination of Gene Krupa and Louis Prima both of whose songs are included in the Jump 'n' Jive Review repertoire.

DAVE "THE LIP" DUBINSKY - TRUMPET

Dave has performed at the White House for both President Johnson and Nixon. He was lead trumpet for the Herb Pomeroy Big Band and was with the Dallas Symphony. He has toured with Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and has performed with Rita Moreno and Bobby Rydell.

CARL REPPUCCI JR. - PIANO

Carl who started playing the Piano at Age Four has performed with the Gene Krupa and Sammy Kaye Tribute Bands, as well as with Tony Bennett Accompanist Gray Sargent.He can be heard as a featured soloist on "Not so Tenderly" on the Sea Breeze Label. Carl was taught by his father noted pianist Carl Sr.

PETER MUNDT - BASS AND LEAD VOCALS

Peter is a graduate of Berklee College of Music and has a Masters Degree in the Creative Arts from Lesley University .HIs forte is Big Band,Jazz and Rock. He has also contributed some great arrangements for the band including "The 50's Medley" which has become the closing medley for many JJR shows.

DOUG LEAFFER - TENOR SAXOPHONE

Saxophonist Doug Leaffer has been performing for over 25 years in various East Coast jazz, pop/rock and blues venues from Miami to Montreal. Doug is in demand for a variety of musical settings – from small combos on up to big bands. He has recorded a CD with Boston jazz nonet on the Sea Breeze Jazz label and has been acclaimed by Jazz Times magazine as a "fine soloist". Renowned pianist Bill Cunliffe has called Doug an "interesting and soulful player". Doug Leaffer plays tenor and soprano sax.

MIKE DiBARI - GUITAR

From swing to hard bop with a little bit of the Mississippi Delta thrown in, Mike DiBari embraces the many sounds of classic jazz and blues guitar.y. Worcester Magazine's Noah Schaffer said, "DiBari always hits the mark regardless of whether he's shooting from the hip on hard blues, plucking out delicate lines on a ballad, or keeping the groove on an upbeat jump tune."

YVONNE WOLLACK - DRUMS

Yvonne began music at the early age of five and began her formal percussion training at the age of eight. At the age of fifteen, Yvonne began her private percussion practice in the Medfield School system. During her high school years, she began playing professionally in the Boston area with various groups, studio playing, local plays, she continues to teach and play. During her high school years she was awarded the John Philip Souza Award and a scholarship for future studies. Yvonne studied with Alan Dawson. She is a member of the Percussion Art Society and is an endorser of Regal Tip drum sticks. She has written two percussion books; Elements of Percussion and Fills for Drum set. She has also written many percussion solo pieces and articles for drum magazines.

JODY BREGLER - DRUMS

A well rounded musician whose experience includes both small group and big band including Country Blues and Jazz .A graduate of Berklee College of Music he has also studied privately with Jazz greats Joe Morello [Dave Brubeck] and Billy Higgins.

GARY JOHNSON - DRUMS

Gary has traveled extensively with the Artie Shaw Tribute band under the direction of his father renowned clarinetist Dick Johnson. He has also performed with Rosemary Clooney and Dizzy Gillespie.

TODD BAKER - BASS

Berklee Grad 1980. Played w/ Artie Shaw Orch, Bassist for South Shore Music Circus. Worked w/ Rosemary Clooney, Woody Herman Herd, 4 Freshmans.

THE JUMP 'N' JIVE ALUMNI

JAMES CAMERON - TENOR SAXOPHONES

Jim is an International Jazz Star who has performed in Vancouver, Tokyo, Yokohama, Kyoto, Lisbon, Marseilles, and London. He has toured the Hawaiian Islands with the Bennyh Goodman Tribute Band. and his credits include performances with Jo Jones, Buddy Tate, Lou Donalson ,Jimmy Garrison, Phil Woods and Eddie Gomez.

ROGER KIMBALL - BASS AND ARRANGING

Roger is trained in both classical and jazz and has worked with Carly Simon, Warren Vache and The Coasters.

CRAIG HLADY - GUITAR AND LEAD VOCALS

Graig is a native of Chicago who contributes arrangements as well.A disciple of Stevie Ray Vaughn,Craig adds a blues and funk flavor to the JJR sound.He has played on and produced hundreds of studio recording sessions and has toured the U .S. and Europe.Craig is also a faculty member of the Berkelee College OF Music where he is an Assiatant Professor and teaches Guitar.

PETE HARRISON - PIANO AND ARRANGING

Pete is known internationally and has performed in both big band and small group settings. His local credits include the State Street Rhythm and Blues Band, the Silver Bullet Orchestra and the Winiker Brothers Orchestra.

JIM BASS - GUITAR

Jim is the leader of the B. St. Bombers and has performed from coast to coast with recording artist M-TABOO and ex-heavyweight champ, Joe Fraizer. He has also performed at the Texas Opry House in Houston, Texas.

JIM CAPONE - TENOR SAX AND VOCALS

Jim has performed with Louis Prima sidekick Sam Butera. He also contributed the arrangement of Robin Hood which peaked at #3 in the Swing Top Forty .Jim appears on the band's "Guido Shuffle" CD where he performs a rousing renditon of "Caldonia".

PAUL HANSEN - GUITAR AND LEAD VOCALS

Paul is a talented musican an educator.His credits include Marlena Shaw and Annie Royer, film director Barbara Hammer and Seneglese master drummer Ibrahima Camara[percussionist with Stevie Wonder].He is staff accompanist at Berklee College of Music and is on the faculty of National Music Workshop's Dayjams.

PAUL AHLSTRAND - TENOR SAXOPHONE

Paul has performed with: The Temptations, Dennis Brennan, Ronnie Earl, The Family Jewels, The Four Tops, Tim Gearan, Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson, Thad Jones, The Love Dogs, Gato Malo, Mighty Sam McCain, Nicole Nelson, Rebecca Parris, Son Seals, Howard Tate, Susan Tedeschi, Frankie Valli And The Four Seasons, Toni Lynn Washington, and many others

BOB HOLFELDER - TROMBONE

Bob's eclectic musical interests were apparent form early on. While still in High School he studied with jazz legend Phil Wilson and Boston Symphony principal trombonist Ronald Barron. He has since become a much sought after freelance artists, performing throughout New England with R&B bands, jazz ensembles, brass bands and whatever else comes up. Bob is also in demand as an arranger, selling his charts world wide through his publishing company, Cool Breeze Music. Bob contributes many arrangements to the Jump N' Jive repertoire.

INFORMATION / BIOS