Left to Right: Dick Maley, Brian Casserly, Rick Zelle, Jerry Epperson, Brett Stamps, Jay Hungerford
Brian serves as co-leader of Cornet Chop Suey, which he founded with long-time friend and colleague Tom Tucker. Cornet Chop Suey enjoyed a rapid rise in popularity after they performed for the first time at the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee in 2001. The six-piece band applies its own exciting style to traditional jazz, swing, blues and "big production" numbers. They are best known for their wide repertoire, top-notch musicianship and the entertaining way they connect with audiences of all ages. The band is named after an obscure Louis Armstrong composition and performs a popular Armstrong set featuring some of his most loved tunes alongside a fascinating historical narrative of his rise to fame.
This well-traveled ensemble has toured throughout the U.S., Europe, South America, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and Germany among others.
The band's 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. Many of the musicians in the band are educators as well as performers and have performed with other popular festival bands prior to forming into one of America's hottest jazz bands.
Every performance by Cornet Chop Suey is a high-energy presentation and is always a memorable experience for the audience.