John Cascella(1947-1992)
- Composer
- Sound Department
- Soundtrack
In his teenage years, John played alto saxophone. He transferred into Somerville High School, Somerville NJ from Indianapolis at the start of his senior year in 1964 (to graduate in June of 1965). He signed up for the school jazz band on his own, without an invitation from the school's music director, Mr. Claude Shappell. By tradition, only student musicians who had been invited into the jazz band by Mr. Shappell signed up for it. The first day of practice, John was a new face to everyone. Mr. Shappell immediately spotted John and explained to him that the jazz band was for the "more accomplished" musicians in the school and asked if John would describe his experience. To which John most sincerely replied "Well, I've been on the Steve Allen show twice". None of the other students there could make that claim. John soon showed the band members why he had been on national TV twice.
John was the main reason the Somerville High School jazz band made a record that year. His playing was exemplary. During the recording in New York City, the piano player for Al Hirt happened to be in the sound booth. While the band was recording "Harlem Nocturn" (an alto sax solo), the piano player was heard to comment "That kid sounds like Phil Woods". That comment was quite appropriate. John had been taking lessons from Phil Woods in Solebury, PA, a small town just outside New Hope, PA, about 45 minutes south of Somerville.
John dabbled with piano during high school, but his main instrument was alto sax. He returned to piano and then accordion in his later years as a professional musician.
John was the main reason the Somerville High School jazz band made a record that year. His playing was exemplary. During the recording in New York City, the piano player for Al Hirt happened to be in the sound booth. While the band was recording "Harlem Nocturn" (an alto sax solo), the piano player was heard to comment "That kid sounds like Phil Woods". That comment was quite appropriate. John had been taking lessons from Phil Woods in Solebury, PA, a small town just outside New Hope, PA, about 45 minutes south of Somerville.
John dabbled with piano during high school, but his main instrument was alto sax. He returned to piano and then accordion in his later years as a professional musician.