Ozzie Melendez, trombone, vocals, musical director
Ozzie Melendez has been involved with many facets of the music industry and has contributed his musical talents as a trombonist, singer, composer, and arranger to projects in almost every style of music. Born on July 28, 1962 in Brooklyn, New York. Throughout grade school, he excelled in music and was rewarded with various awards. All-County, All-State, The Louis Armstrong Jazz Award, and The Tri-State McDonalds Jazz Ensemble to name a few. Later, he went on to the very prestigious Berklee College of Music, were he studied under, Phil Wilson, Tony Lada, and Tom Placjec. Ozzie Melendez has recorded and toured with some of the biggest names in the industry… Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Ricky Martin, Celine Dion, Gloria Estefan, Jennifer Lopez, Willie Colon, Tito Puente, Marc Anthony.
Musical influences include:
Frank Rosolino, Curtis Fuller, JJ Johnson, Bill Watrous, EWF, Tower of Power & Jerry Hey
I, along with Lee Finkelstein and Alex Stewart, created the Funk Filharmonik. Former member Alex Stewart and I had the idea of a band that could duplicate the sounds of EWF and Tower of Power with a full band. Not 1 or 2 horns like most bands were doing. A full band with a lot of horns and singers and a full rhythmsection. We went to a club were Alex had been playing in a band on Monday nights and spoke to the drummer, Lee Finkelstien. As it turned out, Lee had visions of the same band for years. Of course we formed an alliance. I went home, and the very next day started transcribing tunes for what would later be called “The Funk Filharmonik”. I can remember being so excited. That day I transcribed 6 of my favorite Tower of Power tunes.
My most memorable Funk gig was on my birthday, we played at the Brokerage Pub. In between songs Gary the owner of the club said that a package hadcome for me. He brought it on stage, and with everyone watching, I proceeded to open it to find a brand new King 3b Silver Sonic Anniversary Addition tenor trombone. My wife had bought it for me and surprised me with it in front of all the fans and the Band. I cried like a baby!!
Every gig I do with the Funk Filharmonik is a very memorable gig. Whether it be because of John Scarpulla tilting my microphone while I’m not looking so that I’m not heard for a few notes, or Vinnie Cinquamani sticking his tongue in my mouth while singing backgrounds on the same mike, or Lee Finkelstien re-writing the words to “Don’t Change Horses” and singing them at the spur of the moment to great applause and laughter, or Jack Knight climbing on top of Tommy Bowes’s shoulders while playing the bass, and not blowing the groove, or not seeing or talking to Greg Schleich, other than hello and goodbye during the night, and knowing that that’s all we need, or watching Chris Karlic deep in thought, riding one of the great grooves the rhythm section is throwing down, or listening to Davey Lavender screaming out the directions to his home to let us know that he’s tired and wants to go to bed, or Sandy Rose inviting couples to see the band and booking us under his name(we love you Sandy) or Ron Fox’s awesome upper register, or Tom Bowes’s great personality and bald head, or Steve Finkelstien trying to make announcements on his percussion mike that is just about off. I love everyone in the band for their brotherly love and support, not to mention their GREAT musicianship!! I am very proud to have been one of the founding members of the Funk Filharmonik.
Currently, I am the Musical Director and trombonist for latin music legend, Willie Colon as well as trombonist for Marc Anthony.
Click here for more info about Ozzie.
Equipment:
· Trombone King 3B
· Bach 6 ½ AL mouthpiece
· Sennheiser microphone