Rock River Jazz Band, Inc.

 Current Players

Saxes

Jessica Dempsey - Alto

Riley Carter- Alto

Cathy James - Tenor

Scott Angelici - Tenor

Pete Fink - Baritone

Trumpets

Aaron White

Jon James 

Tom Whitcombe 

Rebecca Quintana

Trombones

Bryan Anton 

Matt Senneff  

Dave Balicka

Rhythm

Eric Murphy - Upright Bass

Jonathan Rivera - Keys

Tim Hess/Charlie Lyon - Drum Set

Director - Jon James

Trumpets

Aaron White - Lead Trumpet

Aaron White grew up in hometown of Rockford, IL.  Studied music privately with Phyllis Hogberg, of Winnebago, IL, through high school. Attended Northern Illinois University and received Bachelor’s degree in Music Education in 1999.  After graduation, Aaron was a music educator for three years.  Two years in the West Pike School District in Kinderhook, IL, and one year in the Chadwick-Milledgeville School District.  After deciding to quit teaching, Aaron worked for 5 years for Griggs Music in Davenport, IA as a music salesman and then as shipping/receiving/inventory manager.  Aaron is currently loading truck at the Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Sterling, IL. Currently performs with: The Sterling Municipal Symphony Band, Rock River Jazz Band, As well as “Sterling Brass” Brass Quintet. Instruments performing on: Trumpet:Cannonball 725 in Black Nickel finish - Bach Strad Limited Edition Flugelhorn: Olds; Piccolo Trumpet: Getzen (4-valve, long bell)

Jon P. James - Director & Trumpet

Trombones 

Matt Sennef- Trombone 

Bryan Anton - Trombone

Saxophones

Cathy L. James -  Tenor

Cathy started playing clarinet at the age of 10. Her idols were Pete Fountain and Benny Goodman. Cathy played in every group she could going through school.  Cathy currently plays solo chair clarinet in the Dixon Municipal Band and oboe, Bass Clarinet in the Byron Civic Band. She also plays  Bari Sax, Clarinet & Flute in the Class Act II Big Band, along with several other groups when needed.  Cathy founded Rock River Jazz Band, Inc.  Cathy has her own combo, A'int Misbehavin' and enjoys playing in area pit orchestras and collecting instruments. She also operates Saxophonic Sounds, a sax quartet that has expanded, at one time to 12 players.  She is now the proud (or foolish) owner of a sopranino as well as the bass and contrabass Saxophone. Cathy's husband is Jon James of the Rock River Jazz Band.

Pete Fink - Bari Sax