The Crown Island Jazz Band focuses on traditional jazz commonly known as Dixieland, although we do “color outside the line” and will gladly gear our sets to accommodate special requests. (Yes, we can happily play waltzes, polkas, "specialty numbers" etc., all with a Dixieland flavor of course!)   The Crown Island Jazz Band was formed in 2002. Our name, Crown Island Jazz Band, was chosen because our  two "founding fathers" lived in Coronado, known as the Crown Island.   We will play at any event where there is a desire to transform an ordinary event into a lively and exuberant occasion.

We are most pleased to introduce ourselves:

Our newest member on reeds Tom Conti has spent his life in music beginning at Eastman School of Music Prep School, then earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York, plus a fifth year of advance study.   West Point Military Academy Band. Professional touring musician and percussion instructor for 10 years.     St. Augustine High School Band director and head of the Fine Arts Department for 23 years. Currently performing in 5 music projects in San Diego which include big band, Dixieland and jazz combo performance.  Tom performs on reeds with our group, but also plays drums with some of the other groups.

On cornet is Hans Reuter.  An Engineer by trade, Hans has a long history of playing in Big Bands, Swing Bands, Dixieland Bands and directing Choral Groups around San Diego.  

Allan LaMotte's career has involved being a physical education teacher and coaching sports at the high school level, including responsibilities as athletic director and physical education chair. He has played the trombone in concerts, dances, parades, musicals, circus performances and even U.S. Navy Seal graduations!

Janed Casady, on piano and keyboard, is a native San Diegan who has played music with many different bands, including The Yankee Air Pirates, since 1971. 

Playing tuba is John Palmer. John played in the Hoover High School Band and then went on to become a shop teacher in San Diego for 30 years before reacquainting himself with the tuba.   

Our drummer Bob Constantine's work years were in Aerospace Q.C. and gas turbines.  He began drumming in the army in 1954 and just completed his 53rd year "behind the tubs". He plays in a variety of bands in the San Diego area, from Dixieland to big band and everything in between.

 

 

 

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