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Nick with Bobby Hackett's last Besson Cornet, which he recently restored for Bobby's granddaughter Michelle (photo: Randy Batista, Media Image Photography) |
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With Bobby Gordon (left) and |
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With clarinetist Ron Hockett at the Tribute To Bobby Hackett Concert. |
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With Jim Cullum Jr. at his |
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Nick DeCarlis Nick grew up listening to the sound of
the Bobby Hackett horn from the time he was a toddler, thanks to the musical tastes of his father Pat. It was natural that he would choose to play cornet at the age of 10. While he quit the school band just
four years later, the cornet came out of storage while an art student at the University of Florida, and Nick began teaching himself to play jazz. Not surprisingly, he gravitated to early swing standards,
attempting to embody the melodic, lyrical style for which Bobby Hackett was famous. Other strong influences were Ruby Braff and Warren Vache, Jr., who Nick brought to Gainesville for a 1985 Friends of Jazz concert
performance. His first gigs were in 1982 with the first edition of Moondancer, with the late guitarist Charlie Bush, singer Cathy DeWitt and drummer Lennie Kesl. "If it wasn't for Charlie Bush inviting me to
play with the band, there's a good chance I'd still be playing in the privacy of my own home, if at all." During 1990 Nick was one of the founders of "The High Note" Jazz Club in the historic Florida Theater in
downtown Gainesville, and during that year played there frequently with his trio featuring Ed Legere on piano. For some time, Nick has traveled to St. Augustine, and Jacksonville Beach to play with well-known
cornetist John Thomas. In October 2000 he played with the famous Jim Cullum Jazz Band, of Public Radio's "Riverwalk" fame, in San Antonio, TX – one of the very best traditional jazz bands in the country.
"It's been a great thrill to share the stage with these guys – two of the best cornetists around and both ardent admirers of Bobby Hackett." Other recent trips were swank The highpoint of his playing career was the In 2003, Nick traveled to San Diego for a terrific gig which included
California jazz greats Bobby Gordon (clarinet) and Dan Barrett (trombone), as well as a two-day visit back to the Landing Jazz Club to play with the Jim Cullum Jazz Band. Nick plays for private occasions with his
group, the Classic American Jazz Orchestra. When he isn't pursuing his career as an unemployed jazz musician, Nick concentrates on his "day gig," owner of DECA Design Inc, a graphic and product design studio in Gainesville, FL. He also collects and restores vintage cornets, most of which date from 1850 to 1920. |
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Purchase my new CD! |
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Nick's Group: Presents Classic American Jazz. Hear full length sound recordings: |
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With the great Jim Cullum Jazz Band, San Antonio, Texas, November 2003. |
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Jamming with Wynton Marsalis and other members of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, February 2002. |
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At the "Famous Oasis", St. Augustine, with John Thomas. |
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Cornets For Sale |
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New "Echo Bell" Cornet Page! See several examples of these unsual cornets with two bells! |
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