MICHAEL CAREY

Growing up in Northborough MA, l went to the middle school where I played clarinet, alto and tenor sax.

 

Band director Dave Daquil and Brent Ferguson gave out tapes of classic jazz, Jazz-Rock fusion and Boston sax players like George Garzone, Jerry Bergonzi.  Worcester musicians Dick Odgren and Emil Haddad played a weekly gig in Northborough and invited me to sit in as and ninth grader.  These were powerful early experiences that motivated me to practice and major in music.  During my high school years Dennis Wren advised me to learn flute to help the pit-orchestra and play big band arrangements. 

 

Later, Dennis took us to hear the Count Basie Orchestra at the El Morocco in Worcester and it was there where I met band members.  The live sound of that particular band sold me on the music! Later I went to the Foxborough Jazz Camp and met Steve Massey, Jeff Leonard, Ted Casher, Doug Olsen and Matt Wilson.