Je Widenhouse
has been traveling the world and playing professionally for 15 years.
This ensemble is especially rewarding and challenging, and Je
has endeavored to accept Jazz as his personal savior. Previous
projects include
Squirrel Nut Zippers,
Sex Police, and
Hobex.
An amazing stride
pianist in the style of Fats Waller, Reese Gray embodies the
early American jazz scene, dressing the part and with the raw
enthusiasm for the music that keeps it fresh. He often brings
obscure new favorites to the group and has written a ballad
“Blue Leaf Clover” that appears on the current CD. Former
projects include
Squirrel Nut Zippers and
Asylum
Street Spankers.
Mike Gray
is the younger brother of pianist Reese Gray. Under his helpful
guidance, Mike is learning to master the techniques of early
20th century drummers. He is the newest addition to the
firecracker lineup.
A former music
instructor and New York City hired gun for performing ensembles,
Earl Sachais
has a Bachelors
and Masters from the Manhattan School of Music and has been writing original tunes for the Firecrackers. Earl has preformed
with such greats as Warren Covington and the Tommy Dorsey Band,
and has backed Barbara Streisand, Sammy Davis Jr., and many
others. He lends a mature stability and a Jazz attitude to
the group. He is also a member of a Salsa Band Nuevo
Montuno.
Henry
Westmoreland
is a recent graduate of Brevard Music School, who majored in both Tuba and Composition. Henry wields a
virtuosic command of his "mellifluous modern matter horn" with
verve.
Jason
Krekel has musical roots in Louisville KY and is son of
the legendary
Tim Krekel. In the
Firecracker Jazz Band, Jason is featured on banjo and
tenor guitar, authentic instruments of the period. He
also makes
hand cranked posters
and plays in the Mad Tea
Party.