Saxophone

Master Sergeant Andrew Layton *

Master Sergeant Andrew Layton was born in Silver Spring, MD, but raised in the great state of Washington. After attending Kentridge High School, a school nationally recognized for its excellence in music, he attended the Berklee School of Music. After two years, he transferred to the University of North Texas. While there, he played lead alto saxophone with the prestigious Two O'clock and One O'clock lab bands. MSG Layton graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1999, and shortly thereafter became the lead alto saxophonist with the Jazz Ambassadors. MSG Layton and his wife Debbie have been married since 2001, and welcomed their first child, Sidney, in the summer of 2009.

Sergeant First Class Patrick Shook

Born and raised in Spokane, Washington, Sergeant First Class Pat Shook currently plays tenor saxophone and woodwinds with the Jazz Ambassadors. SFC Shook earned a Master of Music degree at the University of North Texas and a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Idaho. When not touring the country with the Jazz Ambassadors, he maintains an active teaching, recording and performing schedule in the Washington, DC and Baltimore areas. As a Summit Records recording artist, SFC Shook has released two albums as co-leader: "The Shook-Russo-Young Quartet featuring Greg Gisbert" and "So Far From Home."

Staff Sergeant Bradford Danho

Staff Sergeant Bradford Danho earned a Master of Music degree from the University of North Texas and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford. He has studied saxophone with Jim Riggs and flute with Mary-Karen Clardy. SSG Danho is a two-time alumnus of the Henry Mancini Institute, and was a finalist in the 2004 North American Saxophone Alliance Jazz Saxophone Competition. SSG Danho joined the Army Field Band in 2008.

Staff Sergeant Joshua Fox

Staff Sergeant Joshua Fox, originally from Hesperia, California, started saxophone in the 6th grade and played through high school in both the concert and jazz bands. After high school, he attended Fullerton Community College to study jazz under James Linahon and saxophone with Leo Potts. He later transferred to the University of North Texas where he earned his Bachelor of Music degree while studying under Jim Riggs. After graduation from UNT, SSG Fox became the Associate Director of Bands for the Carroll Independent School District of Southlake, Texas, where he taught concert band, jazz band, and orchestra, grades 6-12. During his time at CISD, SSG Fox helped the jazz program grow from one high school band to eight junior high and high school bands. This culminated in the program's first qualification to the Essentially Ellington Jazz Competition, where they placed within the top 15 high school bands in the nation.

Staff Sergeant Paul White

SSG White earned a Bachelor of Music from Appalachian State University and both a Master of Music and a Doctorate of Musical Arts from The University of Texas at Austin. He has studied both saxophone and composition with Rick Margitza, Bill Gora, Rick Lawn, Dan Welcher and Donald Granthom. His recent solo album has been reviewed by "Jazz Times" and "Jazz Magazine". Prior to joining the Field Band SSG White taught at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.

Trumpet

Sergeant Major Kevin Watt **

Sergeant Major Kevin Watt is originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan. He earned a Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Hope College. He has performed with a number of renowned musicians, including Joe Williams, Art Farmer, Arturo Sandoval, Dick Oatts, Butch Miles, and Bobby McFerrin, and has recorded with vocalist Sara Jones, Trio Da Paz, the Jerry Ascione Big Band, and the North Texas One O'Clock Lab Band. In addition to his duties as trumpet section leader, soloist, and assistant director of the Jazz Ambassadors, SGM Watt works as a recording producer and has helped to produce over ten recordings for The U.S. Army Field Band.

Master Sergeant Michael Johnston

Master Sergeant Michael Johnston earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Florida. Before his appointment to the Jazz Ambassadors, he was a member of the trumpet section of The U.S. Army Field Band's Concert Band component. He has been a featured soloist with both the Jazz Ambassadors and the Concert Band, and has performed with Harry Connick Jr., Clark Terry, Dizzy Gillespie, Della Reese, Dave Brubeck, the Count Basie Orchestra, and the St. Johns River City Brass Band.

Master Sergeant Jack Wengrosky

Master Sergeant Jack Wengrosky is originally from Hillside, Illinois. He completed a Master of Music degree at the University of North Texas, during which time he performed and recorded with the renowned One O'clock Lab Band on lead trumpet and maintained a private trumpet studio in the Frisco Independent School District. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at Elmhurst College. He has performed with such musicians as Lee Konitz, Freddie Hubbard, Diane Schuur, and Louie Bellson, and played lead trumpet for Guy Lombardo, Al Hirt, Rich Little, and Doc Severinsen's Tonight Show Orchestra. He has studied with Arnold Jacobs, Bobby Shew, Rich Corpolongo, Keith Johnson, and Don Jacoby. MSG Wengrosky has 25 albums to his credit, was selected as a College All-Star by Downbeat Magazine, and is regularly listed as an outstanding Elmhurst College alumnus. He now lives in Maryland with his wife Debbie and son Thomas.

Sergeant First Class John Altman

Originally from Long Island, NY, Sergeant First Class John Altman joined The U.S. Army Field Band in 1999. After completing his Bachelor of Arts degree at Centre College of Kentucky, SFC Altman performed professionally in the Miami and Chicago areas before completing his Master of Music degree in Jazz Pedagogy and Performance at Northern Illinois University. Since joining the Army Field Band, he has performed in the Embassy Brass Quintet and Chamber Brass, and is currently the group leader of Brass 5. SFC Altman has performed as a featured soloist with the Concert Band many times, and in many diverse styles.

Sergeant First Class Liesl Whitaker •

Bio coming soon!

Audio Engineer

Sergeant First Class Howie Smith

Sergeant First Class Howie Smith has served with the 101st Airborne Division and the 5th Signal Command. Prior to serving with The U.S. Army Field Band, he performed as guitarist and audio technician with the U.S. Army Band Europe.

§ = Element Leader
** = section leader
* = lead player

Trombone

Sergeant Major Michael Buckley §

Sergeant Major Michael Buckley is the Element Leader for the Jazz Ambassadors. Before joining the Jazz Ambassadors, he performed with the Concert Band for six years. SGM Buckley earned a Master of Music degree at the University of Northern Colorado and a Bachelor of Music Education degree at the University of North Texas. He spent a year performing on Premier Cruise Lines. His teachers include Carl Fontana, Vern Kagarice, Susan Smith, and Dave Maser. SGM Buckley is dedicated to his family, music education, volunteering in local schools, and maintaining a full brass studio. His hobbies include golf and table tennis.

Sergeant First Class Jeff Adams **

Before joining the Jazz Ambassadors in 1998, SFC Adams was a very active freelance musician in Southern California and also logged many hours as a public school band director, clinician and private instructor. He has extensive experience in Broadway-style pit orchestras and has worked with many popular entertainers such as Lou Rawls, Tony Bennett, Kenny Rogers, Keely Smith, Les Brown, Frankie Vallie, the Four Tops, and Mary Wilson. He has a Masters in Music Education from the Univ. of Redlands and a Bachelors in Commercial Music from Calif. State Univ. at Long Beach; he also spent his Freshman year attending Berklee College of Music. With the Jazz Ambassadors he has had the opportunity to perform with many major orchestras including: Boston, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Long Beach, Ohio, Seattle, San Diego, Denver, Madison, Syracuse, the National Symphony, and the NY Pops at Carnegie Hall.

Staff Sergeant Michael Bravin *

Staff Sergeant Bravin performed for four years with Electric Brigade of The United States Naval Academy Band before joining The U.S. Army Field Band in 2005. A native of Tulare, California, he studied at the University of North Texas and placed 2nd at the 1999 Eastern Trombone Workshop Jazz Competition. SSG Bravin has performed with the Guy Lombardo Orchestra, Maynard Ferguson, Dizzy Gillespie, and Debbie Reynolds.

Staff Sergeant Brian Keegan

Staff Sergeant Brian Keegan earned a Master of Music degree from the University of Miami, where he served as Teaching Assistant for the Department of Jazz Studies, and a degree in Music Education from George Mason University. SSG Keegan was a featured soloist with the Glenn Miller Orchestra in 2005 and Solo Trombonist with Carnival Cruise Lines in 2002. SSG Keegan was bass trombonist with the off-broadway revue In the Mood from 2002-2005. He has also performed with Frank Sinatra, Jr., the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Eddie Daniels, David Liebman, Maria Schneider, Patti Austin, Steve Miller, Dave Koz, Bruce Hornsby, Usher, and many others. SSG Keegan is an active educator, nay, INSPIRATION to chilluns everywhere.

Guitar

Staff Sergeant Jonathan Epley

Staff Sergeant Jonathan Epley earned a Master of Music degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Louisville. He studied guitar under Craig Wagner and arranging/composition under John LaBarbera. He has performed with Jamey Aebersold, David "Fathead" Newman, and Delfayo Marsalis among others. Before joining The U.S. Army Field Band in 2011, SSG Epley served with the U.S. Army Europe Band and Chorus in Heidelberg, Germany.

Drums

Sergeant First Class Todd Harrison

Sergeant First Class Todd Harrison started his professional music career at the age of 14 in Houston, Texas. He quickly became known for his ability to excel at any style of drumming, including Middle Eastern and Latin styles, rock, R&B, Broadway, country & western, and funk. After high school, SFC Harrison studied jazz under Shelly Berg at San Jacinto Junior College and classical percussion at Houston Baptist University. He has performed with Paul Gilbert, Clark Terry, Russell Malone, Kirk Whalum, Grupo Mazz, Joel Frahm, Rob Levit, the Unified Jazz Ensemble, and many others. SFC Harrison is also an accomplished illustrator and cartoonist, and enjoys participation in local triathlons, cycling, scuba diving, and fishing.

Bass

Sergeant Major Jeffrey Lopez **

Sergeant Major Jeff Lopez earned a Master of Music degree at Manhattan School of Music and a Bachelor of Music degree at Berklee College of Music. In addition to playing bass, he composes for the Jazz Ambassadors. SGM Lopez has performed with Kenny Werner, Dave Douglas, Craig Handy, Rita Moreno, and many others. He has a solo album entitled The Sun and the Rain, and was a contributing author to Jazz Player Magazine. He is a three-time recipient of the Maryland State Arts Council's Award for Artistic Excellence in composition and solo performance. SGM Lopez also enjoys competing in triathlons.

Vocalist

Master Sergeant Marva Lewis

Born in Denison, Texas, Master Sergeant Marva Lewis earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a minor in Hotel and Restaurant Management at Wiley College, where she was a member of the Wiley A Cappella Choir. A Gulf War veteran, MSG Lewis was a fuel handler in Desert Storm and Desert Shield with the First Cavalry Division. She is an alumni of the US Army Soldiers Show, and has served as principal vocalist for the Jazz Knights at the United States Military Academy. MSG Lewis attributes her eclectic taste for music to her father, who always surrounded her with music, and her grandmother, who made her go to church choir rehearsal.

Piano

Master Sergeant Timothy Young

Master Sergeant Timothy L. Young, piano, joined the Jazz Ambassadors in 1998 and has been a member of the Jazztet since its inception in 1999. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Jazz Studies at Shenandoah University, and toured Japan, China, and Germany with the Shenandoah University Jazz Orchestra. MSG Young earned a Master of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas in 1997. He has performed and done clinics with Lou Marini, Charles MacPhearson, Steve Swallow, Ray Anderson, "Doc" Cheatham, Mark Tamaro, Vince DiMartino, Clint Strong, Joe LaBarbera, and Rebecca Parris.