Our Members

Director

Dick Burlant - A band is only as good as its band leader. Dick helps us achieve our great sound by not only conducting the band, but also by being the band's musical director. You will also be entertained by many of his great arrangements and tenor sax solos.

Mr. Burlant has a long career in music. He has performed with various groups at the Newport Jazz Festival and Birdland in New York city and he joined the Rodney Dangerfield Touring nightclub act several seasons running. Before the Counts, Dick was an arranger and soloist with the Sonny Costanzo Big Band. He was also a member of Oakdale Theatre pit orchestra for 12 years.


Vocalist

Michele Grace - Michele Grace has been singing all her life. Born into a family of musicians and spending time in her parent's music stores she was exposed to a variety of musical influences, She went on to study acting with Uta Hagen at the H.B. Studios in NYC, later joining the faculty for a number of years.

The combination of musical knowledge and theatrical training is evident in her moving delivery of a song. She performs professionally and has years of credits to her name. As a teacher she has a large following of devoted students many of whom are professionals themselves.

The Fairfield Counts and the Big Band music are a favorite performing venue for Michele as it gives her the opportunity to breathe new life into great old songs.


Rhythm

Drums: Gabe Nappi from Bridgeport
Piano: Bob Bonazzo from Westport
Bass: Rob Pawling from Norwalk

Saxes

Lead Alto: Joe Meo from Bethel
2nd Alto: Mort Ginsburg from Stamford
Lead Tenor: Elliot Zelevansky from Wilton
2nd Tenor: Ed Drescher from Fairfield
Baritone: Harvey Tuckman from Norwalk



Trumpets

Lead: Fedele Volpe from Orange
2nd: Don Gels from New Canaan
3rd: Michael Strange from Milford
4th: Gene Clayton from Bedford, NY

Trombones

Lead: Bob Carlson from Cos Cob
2nd: Joe Letizia from Stamford
3rd: Russ Watsky from Ossining, NY
Bass: John Revel from Weston