ABOUT
Named after an obscure Louis Armstrong composition, Cornet Chop Suey established their popularity in 2001 following their inaugural performance at the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee. The six-piece group of seasoned musicians applies their own exciting style to traditional jazz, swing, blues, and many other genres. They are known for their wide repertoire, top-notch musicianship, and the entertaining way they connect with audiences of all ages. The unique front line with Brian Casserly on trumpet, Jerry Epperson on reeds and Brett Stamps on trombone is driven by a powerful rhythm section consisting of Rick Zelle on piano, Jay Hungerford on bass and Dick Maley on drums. The members are also sought-after educators, arrangers, and guest performers. Cornet Chop Suey has toured throughout North and South America, Mexico, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the Mediterranean.
Tribute to Tom Tucker
CORNET CHOP SUEY CO-FOUNDER
Our dear friend and bandmate, Tom Tucker, passed away on July 2, 2022 at the age of 86. After retirement, Tom's best life began when he became an avid member of the St Louis Jazz Club and began playing his cornet in St Louis. In 1996, Tom and Brian Casserly formed Cornet Chop Suey, playing 215 jazz festivals coast to coast, 13 international jazz cruises, and recording 10 CDs. His band members were family - and the success of the band, the pinnacle of his musical career. He will forever be in our hearts and he is with us in spirit onstage for every performance.
Meet the Band
Brian Casserly
Cornet Chop Suey Co-Founder Trumpet/Trombone/Vocals
Brian Casserly, who also performs under the stage name “Big B,” has been a professional musician since the age of 14. He is based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Known for his unique “one-handed” trumpet playing style, Casserly has played alongside many of the greats in the music business including Tony Bennett, Tex Beneke, Stan Kenton, Chuck Berry and even Tiny Tim. Brian is a regular featured All-Star at jazz festivals, a session musician for commercials,
professional recordings and musicals in the U.S. and Canada; and is the past musical director for the S.S. Admiral, a riverboat located on the St. Louis riverfront. In 2016 Brian won a regional Emmy Award for his work as Music Director on the national touring show, “Liquid Roads,” inspired by the music that traveled the Mississippi River from New
Orleans, Louisiana to St. Louis, Missouri.
Jerry Epperson
Reeds
Jerry Epperson's professional career began in 1959 performing in dance bands and continued at Truman State University playing in traditional jazz and contemporary jazz bands. During the late '60s, Jerry was aided by local legend Buddy Moreno in getting established in the St. Louis area. He was fortunate enough to have the chance to meet Louis Armstrong at this time. Trained in classical music, Jerry was a music educator and has played with many jazz bands including The Dixieland Rhythm Kings, Bob Havens, New Orleans' Wes Mix, and many others. Jerry makes frequent appearances at jazz festivals, and performs regularly in the St. Louis area.
Jay Hungerford
Bass
Jay Hungerford received his degree in Music Education from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He performs at jazz festivals and clinics across the country. He has taught at the University of Missouri - St. Louis, Fontbonne College, Meramac College, Missouri Baptist University and has been a member of the Webster University Jazz Faculty in St. Louis MO for over 2 decades. Jay was acknowledged as "Best Local Bassist" by the Riverfront Times, St. Louis. Concerts include performances with Herb Ellis, Mundell Lowe, Bill Charlap, Buddy Defranco, Richie Cole, Scott Hamilton, Chris Potter, Roger Williams, Vanessa Rubin, Maynard Ferguson, Bill Watrous, Eddie Higgins, Warren Vache, Howard Alden, Ralph Sutton, Jay McShann, Carl Fontana, Jake Hanna, Butch Miles, Grady Tate, Joe Ascione, Johnny Varro, Bob Draga, Mike Vax, Bobby Shew, Tom Hook, The St Louis Symphony, including the Carnegie Hall premiere of William Bolcom Songs of Innocence and Experience. Jay is also a member of the St. Louis "Fox Theater Orchestra" and has performed with over 23 national tours. He has over 60 recordings to his credit including 26 Integrity Worship recordings. Jay co-wrote, singing legend, Patti Page's last top 100 hit song - "My Man Friday". Using the exact methods and lesson plans found in his book, Walking Jazz Lines For Bass, Jay has produced a variety of proteges who have since gone on to acclaim and notoriety, not limited to Avishai Cohen (Chick Corea, International Vamp Band), Neil Caine (Harry Connick, Jr.), and Justin Corgan (Devon Allman Project). Jay is a member of the worship team at Grace Church in Maryland Heights, MO.
Dick "Spanky" Maley
Percussion/Vocals
Dick Maley was born in Washington, D.C. He attended Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music in Winchester, Virginia. After college Dick performed in the pit orchestra at Kings Dominion amusement park in Doswell, Virginia and Kings Island amusement park in Cincinnatti, Ohio. Dick moved to New Orleans in 1978 at the ripe old age of 22, where he performed in many notable night clubs on Bourbon Street with the New Dixie Zing Kings Dixieland show band. In 1980, Dick moved to Clearwater, Florida where he started honing in on his jazz skills under the tutelage of many great jazz artists such as Al Hirt, Pete Fountain, Bill Allred, Tom Saunders, Chuck Hedges, Henry Cuesta, John Davidson, Pieter Meijer Quartet, Bob Draga, Mike Vax, Bob Havens, Johnnie Varro, The Guy Lombardo Orchestra, The Peter Graves Orchestra and Ms. Connie Haines, to name a few. He presently resides in Lakeland, Fl. just outside Orlando where he performed for the Walt Disney Company, as well as performing in many local and international jazz Festivals with Wally's Warehouse Waifs from Michigan. Dick currently performs in Florida with his 8-piece group and with his 18-piece big band at local concerts and festivals.
Brett Stamps
Trombone
Brett Stamps held the position of Director of Jazz Activities at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (SIUE) from 1979 -2019 where he initiated the Jazz Performance Degree. He directed the SIUE Concert Jazz Band and taught jazz combo, improvisation, arranging, trombone, education, and history. After his retirement he was honored with the title of Professor Emeritus. He obtained his BA in Music from the College of William and Mary (1970) and his MM in Studio Music and Jazz Pedagogy from the University of Miami (1975). Brett performed, recorded and arranged for the United States Army Field Band Jazz Ambassadors (1970-1973), the Stan Kenton Orchestra (1973-1974), and the University of Miami Concert Jazz Band (1974-1978) before accepting a teaching position at Miami-Dade Community College New World Center (1978-1979). St. Louis area performance credits include the Jim Widner, Kim Portnoy, Mo Bottom and Gary Dammer Big Bands; Fox Theater & MUNY Orchestras; the St. Louis Rivermen; Cornet Chop Suey, Legacy; Galaxy; the SIUE Jazz Faculty; and various clinics, concerts and recordings (including his new CD release In Your Own Sweet Way for Victoria Records). Brett remains active as a composer/arranger and clinician. Past endeavors include directing Missouri and Illinois All-State/All-District Jazz Bands, presenting trombone ensemble masterclasses (USF), writing music commissioned by the IMEA, private individuals and local schools, directing annual concerts of his original music at the historic Sheldon Concert Hall in St. Louis, writing for trombone quintet, touring nationally with Cornet Chop Suey and the St. Louis Rivermen and teaching/performing at the Jim Widner Band Camps.