We are going to start compiling lists of notable Rochester, Monroe and Genesee County radius musicians, memorable events in the area's music history, and eventually induct the best of the best in to our Hall of Fame.  If you know of anyone who should be recognized for their accomplishments in the field of music, please let us know. 

NOTE: We would like to take some space to recognize current and former members of our community who have made major accomplisments in their varied fields (besides and including music) over the years.

CONGRATULATIONS & KUDOS GO OUT TO:

2008: 

Jason "J-Mac" McElwain - "J-Mac" is back!  Congratulations on the release of your book "The Game of My Life: A True Story of Challenge, Triumph and Growing Up Autistic."

2007:

Taye Diggs - Plays Dr Sam Bennett on the ABC hit series "Private Practice."

2006:

Teddy Geiger - RMC member - Congratulations on the record deal with Columbia Records. His debut CD “Under-Age Thinking” has just been re-released and re-packaged with extra music, photos, a DVD and is in stores now with a new look and is subtitled "Look Where We Are Now". It originally premiered at #8 on the Billboard Music Chart. He is featured on the cover of Seventeen Magazine November 2006 issue as the "Hottest Guy In America". He will also be featured in the 2007 Rolling Stone/Chevrolet "Year In Rock" calendar. Teddy is also pursuing an acting career - another side of his artistic talents. To learn more about Teddy see his listing in the RMC Musicians Directory.

Jimmie Highsmith Jr - RMC member - Congratulations on receiving the prestigious Duke Ellington Musical Genius Award and induction into the FCD Hall of Fame. To learn more about Jimmie see his listing in the RMC Musicians Directory.

Charles "Chuck" T Campbell - Sacred-steel guitarist and member of the Campbell Brothers has received a National Heritage Fellowship for Folk and Traditional Arts given by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Donald Palumbo - Named chorus master for 2007-08 season at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. He is also the first American to have served as chorus director of the prestigious Salzburg Festival.

Phillip Seymour Hoffman - Best Actor Oscar win for Capote. The DVD is in stores now.

Jason "J-Mac" McElwain - Manager of Greece Athena Trojans basketball team, now nationally known for his inspirational performance (scored 20 points and tied a school record with six 3-pointers) to win the game against Spencerport. Also congratulations to Jason on winning the ESPY - Best Moment In Sports award, and Teen Choice Courage Award.

Rochester Razor Sharks - Congratulations on the ABA Championship title win!

In Memorium

For those whose song was silenced before its time...

Le Ngo (1991-2008)

Flute player, honor and music student at School of the Arts.

Kevin DeFrance (1960-2007)

Accomplished guitarist that played with several bands, over many years in the Rochester music scene.  He toured for a short time with the orchestra during a run of Jesus Christ Superstar, and played with The Mister Magoo Band, Blue Axis, Twin Image, Wild Heart, 585, Long Live Rock Show and too many more groups to mention.  He loved the Fender Strat and according to his colleague Dave Belec “His specialty was taking the classic “feel” of Hendrix and Santana and infusing the speed and proficiency of an 80’s era bred guitarist, the end result being an incredibly gifted technician who could slow down and let the notes speak for themselves!”

Dennis Monroe (1950-2006)

Folk instrumentalist and teacher well known in Folk and historical music circles throughout the Rochester area. Recordings of his music can be found on Give Me Your Hand and Released and he also performed with the White Hots (White Hots With Relish Live At The Clarissa Room).

John Starr (1955-2005)

Bassist and owner/operator of the Rochester jazz club the Clarissa Room. He was also a maintenance mechanic for Greece Central School District (20 years), civil rights activist and board member of Bill of Rights Defense Committee of Monroe County.

Bob Stata (1953-2005)

Jazz bassist (stand up double/electric bass) and member of the Mambo Kings. After graduating from Gates Chili High School, he attended Hochstein School of Music and graduated with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Eastman School of Music. He later earned a master’s degree in music education from Nazareth College and taught instrumental music at Allendale Columbia School. Over the years he played with Dizzie Gillespie, Clark Terry, Barry Harris, Stanley Turrentine, Marion McPartland, Fred Wesley, Diane Schur, Gene Bertoncini, Eric Reed, Bill Dobbins, Gap Mangione and Bob Schneider.

Mark Manetta (1956 – 2005) 

Jazz guitarist and member of the band Primetime Funk. He played with Chuck Mangione, Doc Severinson, Ben Vereen, Jeff Tyzik, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic and many others. He studied at the Eastman School of Music with renowned guitarists Gene Bertoncini, Pat Martino and Richard Longale and directed the jazz ensemble in the music department at Hobart and William Smith College.

Mary Anne Conners (? – 2005)

Music teacher (4 years) Gates-Chili school district, sang at church/schools directing several community choirs. She was also well known as the town/village historian for over 20 years in the East Rochester area and was a member of the East Rochester Association of Churches.

Frederick Fennell (1914-2004)

Founder (1952) and conductor of the internationally renown Eastman Wind Ensemble. He was considered by some to be the "most-recorded American Conductor ever." Over the years he worked with the Dallas Wind Symphony, Cleveland Symphonic Winds and the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra, recorded 22 albums on Mercury Records including a Collection of Civil War Songs which won him a citation and medal from the Congressional Committee for the Centennial of the Civil War in 1961. Stereo Review selected their recording of Percy Grainger’s "Lincolnshire Posy" as one of the Fifty Best Recordings of the Centenary of the Phonograph, 1877-1977.  In 1992 the Frederick Fennell Hall in Kofu Japan was dedicated in his name. The Frederick Fennell Prize was created in his honor by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers and the College Band Directors National Association and is awarded to gifted American composers. He was inducted to the American Classical Hall of Fame in Cincinnati OH in 2001.

Ray Santirocco (1931-2004)

Board chairman of Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester, Monroe County Legislator – 15th District, scholar, concert pianist, scientist (PhD – physics and astronomy), associate provost RIT in 1998, board member 911 Operating Practices and Cornell Cooperative Extension.  Ray was a champion for the arts in our community and headed a committee to revive interest in a performing arts center for the City of Rochester. Because of his tireless involvement in so many projects, he touched countless lives and his presence will be greatly missed and never forgotten.

"Unkle" Roger McCall (1951-2003)

Rochester Music Coalition member, local music supporter and WCMF DJ.  His support of the musicians of Rochester and the RMC was unprecedented. He hosted "Homegrown" the longest running local music show in the country at WCMF 96.5 FM for almost 30 years. He also was a DJ during the overnight shift at WCMF for most of his time at WCMF and made six Homegrown albums featuring local bands during his career.  "Unkle" Roger, a champion of local original music, was a musician himself, and had previously played bass in a local band called the Fugitives. His absence leaves a huge hole in the heart and soul of the Rochester music community and we vow as an organization to make our common vision a reality in his honor.

Ben Grammatico (1924-2003) 

Band leader and trumpet player.  Played with Duke Spinner in the 1930’s, Al Zanni band in the 1940’s, band leader and trumpet player in the Sonny James Band in the 1940’s where he met his wife – singer Nikki Masetta.  The band's theme song "Stardreams" written by Sonny Burke eventually also became the theme song for the Gateswingers as well. He often helped Aquinas High School playing trumpet with the band for their musical productions. In the 1980’s he played with the Webster Village Band and eventually formed the Gateswingers in 1991 where he was band leader and trumpet player until his death. We thank Ben for all the years he made Rochester jump, jive and wail! He will be greatly missed but never forgotten. His love of music has been passed on to several family members including his 3 sons, grandchildren, nieces and nephews currently making their mark on the local and international music scene.

Vincent "Mr B" Bruni (1928-2003)

The father of drum & bugle corps/marching bands.  Founder of Rochester Crusaders, Empire Statesman and several others in Rochester. In 1976 he founded and ran the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame. His incredible contributions to this form of music will live on for generations to come.

Tim Kelley (1960-2003)

Trumpet Player for the Skycoasters for 20 years.  We thank Tim for all the years he made Rochester sing, dance and party. His presence will be greatly missed by all of us.

Aaron G. Christiano (1981-2002)

Rochester Music Coalition member, singer/guitarist with the band Manaia.