About

The Greece Jazz Band is a 20 piece Big Band that started in 1997 as a new performing group in the Greece Performing Arts Society, one of the oldest community arts groups in the United States. The band is made up of volunteer musicians with diverse careers from music teachers to engineers. All ages from students to retirees are represented. They are united by their common love of performing big band jazz for enthusiastic audiences. In a typical year, they play 20-30 performances all around the greater Rochester, New York area.

The band has played many venues. In addition to formal auditorium concerts, where they play more serious and challenging jazz charts, they also hold dances and play for corporate and charity functions, adult living and care facilities, school music outreach concerts, holiday mall concerts, and festivals. The bandÕs festival experience includes Corn Hill Arts Festival, Spencerport Canal Days, Greece Summerfest, Wegmans Concerts by the Shore, Maplewood Rose Festival, Canandaigua Arts Festival, Eastman House 150th Birthday Celebration, Rochester International Jazz Festival, Monroe County Fair and others. The band has also performed at the Montage Grille and at Community sponsored concerts in Greece, Irondequoit, Perinton, Brighton, Victor, and Honeoye. Click on the link below to see our Performance History and our Upcoming Schedule. Also check out the Photo Gallery to see us at some past performances. Click on the “contact us” link below if you would like to book the Greece Jazz Band.

Director

Gary J. Samulski, Director of the Greece Jazz Band, is formally the Director of Bands and Curriculum Co-Ordinator at Greece Athena High School, Rochester, NY. Mr. Samulski retired in June 2011 after 34 years as a Music Educator.

Mr. Samulski is in demand as an adjudicator and clinician. He has guest conducted the Lexington (Ky) Pops Orchestra and has performed with the likes of Johnny Mathis; Paul Anka; The Four Seasons; Glen Campbell; Tom Jones and many more!

His high school jazz ensembles had a run of 22 consecutive years Of Gold Medal Awards at National Music Festivals as well as opening for Maynard Ferguson, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Count Basie & Tommy Dorsey Orchestras, and Spyro Gyra.

Mission

The mission of the Greece Jazz Band is to provide an opportunity for volunteer musicians of all ages and backgrounds in the greater Rochester area to perform, learn and experience contemporary jazz music, and to bring that music to the residents through performances in the community.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals are Monday evenings, 7-9 pm, in Greece.

Volunteer Needs

The Greece Jazz Band is usually on the lookout for talented players who will fit into the band. We also need people to handle sound and lighting at our performances, as well as photographers, videographers, and people to assist us with publicity. Email us by clicking “Contact Us” below if you can help, or would like to audition for the band.