The Chris Coogan Quintet plays an
exciting mix of jazz and originals. At any time the quintet consists of
John Mobilio on bass, Jim Royle on
drums, Jim Clark on Sax, and Rex Denton on trumpet.
John
Mobilio (Acoustic and electric basses) is a multi-talented musician
who, as bassist, educator, musical director and performer brings his joy
of jazz and music to audiences and students throughout Connecticut and
into New York, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Living in Middlebury, Connecticut
gives John easy access to performance venues in New York City, New Haven,
Norwalk, Stamford, Hartford and the Springfield, Mass areas.
John has recently engineered and performed as bassist on the upcoming
Chris Coogan Quintet CD and has been the bassist with Coogan for the past
ten years. John is also bassist in the Mike Coppola Trio, which
performs regularly in the Westport, CT area. You can often find John digging
into jazz standards on his acoustic bass at the Silvermine Tavern with
the Chris Coogan Group, or with the Harold Zinno Jazz Sextet, which he
has been a member of for the past 10 years. Zinno also promotes an 18
piece big band with John on bass. John has performed with the Nelson Riddle
Orchestra and is the bassist for the Bea Forgione Group, Ross Novgrad,
Rob Zappulla, Ed Chervansky and many others.
“I have a real passion for the music I play, be it a Strayhorne
tune or a polka. Performing on the bass feeds my soul, and creating music
with other musicians gives me the opportunity to share my joy of music
with others and spread that joy to the people who come to listen and enjoy.”
Mobilio’s motto in life is “whatever it takes.”
He brings his positive attitude and energy to every gig, to every situation
he encounters.
James
L. Royle (percussion) is a native of Connecticut and president of
the state chapter of the Percussive Arts Society's 2000 Chapter President
of the Year. Jim attended the University of Bridgeport as a percussion
and education major under the direction of Howard Zwickler, Arthur Lipner,
and Bill Finegan. Jim has also studied various aspects of percussion with
world recognized masters such as Max Roach, Alan Dawson, Keith Copeland,
Akira Tana, Norbert Goldberg, and Vernal Fournier. Jim Royle's name has
become synonymous with jazz in the New England club circuit and his articulate
playing is documented on several CDs, including Storm Before the Calm
on the Sea Breeze Jazz label (2000), as well as the more recent Jazz By
Coogan, showcasing Jim's small-group talents. Jim is the drummer for the
prestigious New England Jazz Ensemble big band which is the combined product
of Walt Gwardyak (pianist of the famous Buddy Rich Band) and Mike Jones.
Rex
Denton (Trumpet) Known for his breadth in interpertative style of
the trumpet and flugelhorn, Rex is a fixture of the regional jazz scene
in Connecticut and New York City. Prior to moving to the area in 1994,
Rex was a charter member of the legendary upstate New York Salsa group
"La Muralla" and the Latin Jazz group "Mambo Kings", headed by Richard
Delaney, where his long-standing affinity for Latin music was refined.
In addition Rex was a regular in the little Big Band "Sheer Energy," headed
by Composer Carl Atkins, and a member of Gap Mangione's Little Big Band.
Rex has studied with Jeff Tyzik, Carl Atkins, Roger Larson and Tim Mear
and regulary performs in with vocalist Shawnn Montero, Chris Coogan and
Brian Torff and Thunderstick. He has performed with Ray Charles, The Manhattan
Transfer, Bill Watrous, Slide Hampton, Frank Wess, as well as in the orchestras
of numerous broadway shows and other nationally recognized acts. Rex has
been recorded on many albums, but may be heard most recently on Chris
Coogan's cd 'Live'.
Jim
Clark(Saxophone) is the owner of Media Music, where he composes, produces
and performs original soundtracks for radio, television, video/film, multimedia
and internet projects. His work has won numerous awards and his client
list includes many Fortune 500 companies. His composition and arranging
work has brought him to ensembles ranging from rock bands to symphony
orchestras. Mr. Clark has appeared with Lou Christie, Mickey Dolenz, Dizzy
Gillespie, Jennifer Holiday, Bobby Rydell and Billy Taylor.
John
Mobilio (Acoustic and electric basses) is a multi-talented musician
who, as bassist, educator, musical director and performer brings his joy
of jazz and music to audiences and students throughout Connecticut and
into New York, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Living in Middlebury, Connecticut
gives John easy access to performance venues in New York City, New Haven,
Norwalk, Stamford, Hartford and the Springfield, Mass areas.
James
L. Royle (percussion) is a native of Connecticut and president of
the state chapter of the Percussive Arts Society's 2000 Chapter President
of the Year. Jim attended the University of Bridgeport as a percussion
and education major under the direction of Howard Zwickler, Arthur Lipner,
and Bill Finegan. Jim has also studied various aspects of percussion with
world recognized masters such as Max Roach, Alan Dawson, Keith Copeland,
Akira Tana, Norbert Goldberg, and Vernal Fournier. Jim Royle's name has
become synonymous with jazz in the New England club circuit and his articulate
playing is documented on several CDs, including Storm Before the Calm
on the Sea Breeze Jazz label (2000), as well as the more recent Jazz By
Coogan, showcasing Jim's small-group talents. Jim is the drummer for the
prestigious New England Jazz Ensemble big band which is the combined product
of Walt Gwardyak (pianist of the famous Buddy Rich Band) and Mike Jones.
Rex
Denton (Trumpet) Known for his breadth in interpertative style of
the trumpet and flugelhorn, Rex is a fixture of the regional jazz scene
in Connecticut and New York City. Prior to moving to the area in 1994,
Rex was a charter member of the legendary upstate New York Salsa group
"La Muralla" and the Latin Jazz group "Mambo Kings", headed by Richard
Delaney, where his long-standing affinity for Latin music was refined.
In addition Rex was a regular in the little Big Band "Sheer Energy," headed
by Composer Carl Atkins, and a member of Gap Mangione's Little Big Band.
Rex has studied with Jeff Tyzik, Carl Atkins, Roger Larson and Tim Mear
and regulary performs in with vocalist Shawnn Montero, Chris Coogan and
Brian Torff and Thunderstick. He has performed with Ray Charles, The Manhattan
Transfer, Bill Watrous, Slide Hampton, Frank Wess, as well as in the orchestras
of numerous broadway shows and other nationally recognized acts. Rex has
been recorded on many albums, but may be heard most recently on Chris
Coogan's cd 'Live'. 
Jim
Clark(Saxophone) is the owner of Media Music, where he composes, produces
and performs original soundtracks for radio, television, video/film, multimedia
and internet projects. His work has won numerous awards and his client
list includes many Fortune 500 companies. His composition and arranging
work has brought him to ensembles ranging from rock bands to symphony
orchestras. Mr. Clark has appeared with Lou Christie, Mickey Dolenz, Dizzy
Gillespie, Jennifer Holiday, Bobby Rydell and Billy Taylor.