The Big Easy

This talented group has been entertaining people throughout the area and has been the special guests of Care on the Corner at their Annual Evening of Jazz and Tricky Tray.

Mark Wright, playing piano, is Organist and Choir Director at St. John the Divine. Hearing New Orleans jazz live in New Orleans for the first time in 1973 inspired him to try to play this style.  For the last 33 years he has played annually at Preservation Hall in New Orleans. He performs regularly in the New York City area (where he has played at The Cajun Restaurant and the Rainbow Room) and has lectured/ performed New Orleans music in 30 states and Europe. Weekly, he plays at The Old '76 House in Tappan, NY.

Ruth Brisbane, vocalist, hails from New York City, Ruth's background includes singing and dancing parts in "the Wiz," "Black and Blue" and "One Mo'Time."  She was also lead in a one-woman Bessie Smith blues show.  Ruth has worked with many of the great names of jazz and continues to perform internationally.  She recently performed on a tour of Russia with the Harlem Blues and Jazz Band.

Paul Boehmke , clarinet& saxophone is a dynamic and exciting soloist.  His versatile style effectively bridges the jazz, r&b, and blues idioms.  He is a multi-instrumentalist, playing clarinet, alto, tenor, soprano saxophone and flute.  He is in demand as both a recording and performance artist.

John Russell , drums, harmonica is leader of The Big Easy Rhythm, John is a supportive ensemble player with a gutsy percussive style geared to "swing the band."  Since his first jazz gig at the 1978 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, John has maintained a vision of preserving a modern legacy of pre-1950's jazz.  His performance and recording credits include work with Arvell Shaw, Doc Cheatham, Red Richards and Sammy Rimmington.

Tom Wright, tenor saxophone, began studying saxophone in 1925.  He played in various local dance and marching bands in the 1930's including the West New York Exempt Fireman's Band and Wilbur Buchner's  Rhythmasters.  In the late 1940's he was one of the early members of the Palisades Park Fire Department (Marching) Band.  He performed regularly from 1961-1991 through at dances and weddings as a member of Phil Labue's "Windjammer's."  He and his son, Mark, still regularly perform for local groups.