Concert Program - Sun, March 30, 2025 - Eisemann Center with Leo P

Berkner High School Jazz Band
Hay Burner

By Sammy Nestico (1968)

Parfait
By Steve Spiegl (1982)

Dolphinology
By Bronislaw Kaper & Ned Washington (1947); Arr. Tom Kubis

Don’t Get Around Much Anymore
By Duke Ellington (1940); Arr. Roger Pemberton



Texins Jazz Band
Moanin’
By Charles Mingus (1976); Arr. Andrew Homzy

Basin Street Blues
By Spencer Williams (1928); Arr. James Morrison

Green Bossa
By Kenny Dorham (1963); Arr. Tom Kubis

Social Call
By Gigi Gryce / Jon Hendricks (1955); Arr. Scott Arcangel

Haitian Fight Song
By Charles Mingus (1957); Arr. Sy Johnson

The Chicken
By Pee Wee Ellis (1969); Arr. Kris Berg

It Don’t Mean a Thing
By Irving Mills & Duke Ellington (1932); Arr. Matt Harris



Leo P

JLeo Pellegrino, popularly known as Leo P, is an American saxophone player from Pittsburgh, PA. His chops on the baritone sax and unique dance moves alongside his ever-changing hair color and matching outfits have taken him from the subways of New York City to featured status at Royal Albert Hall and international prominence.

Leo moved to New York in 2010 to attend the Manhattan School of Music. His unique performance style created friction with his professors. Some loved him and believed in his alternative style, while others claimed he would never be able to get a good sound while moving around.

He began playing in the New York City subways in 2014 while he was still in school and later switched to full- time performance. His subway performances led to viral videos with two different groups: Lucky Chops (LC) and Too Many Zooz (TMZ). Eventually, Leo put his focus on TMZ, and since that time, the band has recorded and played live with Beyoncé and recorded with Diplo. Their song "Warriors" has been featured in an international commercial for the Google Pixel 2 (alongside a visual from a TMZ performance) and named "Song of the Week" by the BBC.

In 2017, Leo was chosen to perform as a featured artist at the BBC Proms' tribute to Charles Mingus at Royal Albert Hall. According to SeenandheardInternational.com, "possibly the true highlight of the evening was the outstanding solos of fuchsia-haired New York-based saxophonist Leo Pellegrino, choreographed to a tee in zebra-striped shoes, in 'Moanin'." His sheer physical agility while playing his instrument virtuosically was simply unlike anything I have experienced before. Unsurprisingly, he brought the house down." In 2019, Pellegrino and alto saxophonist Grace Kelly announced a long-term collaboration project known as 2SAXY. 

Texins Jazz Band

The Texins Jazz Band is a full 18-piece big band based in Dallas, TX. The band is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. From 1986-2019 the band operated as The Texas Instruments Jazz Band and was organized through the Texins Association (Dallas, Texas) of Texas Instruments. The Texins Association ceased operation in 2019 and the band became the Texins Jazz Band in 2020. The majority of band members have STEM based degrees and careers (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).

The group formed in the summer of 1986, sparked by an ad placed in a TI company newspaper. The band quickly reached a sustainable level and has remained active since its inception. Almost everyone played in high school and/or college and is glad to have an outlet to continue to study and play jazz. The band rehearses every Tuesday night at Dallas College, Richland Campus.

Future Concerts:
Sun, Jun 22, 7pm - MPAC Concert with Matt Harris. We'll be doing all Stevie Wonder songs!
Sun, Nov 2, 7pm at the Eisemann Center with guest TBD
Sun, Apr 19, 2026, 7pm at the Eisemann Center with guest TBD

Texins Jazz Band Roster

Director: Bill Centera

Saxes
Paul Westbrook (President) - B.S. Mechanical Engineering
Alejandro Vera (Treasurer) - M.S. Electrical Engineering
Gerry Burnham - Ph.D. Electrical Engineering
David West – M.S. Manufacturing Engr / Materials Science
Tom Hilbun (Secretary) - B.S. Chemical Engineering; Registered patent attorney

Trombones
Bryan Campbell - MBA
Jason Shick - B.S. Computer Science
Marco Samperio - DMA Trombone Performance
Ken Kunz – M.A. Music Education

Trumpets
Brian Bass – B.S. Computer Science
John Alptekin - Ph.D. Chemistry
Andrew Kortze - B.S. Electrical Engineering
Dennis Doane - B.S. Mechanical Engineering

Rhythm
Bill Sallee (bass) – M.S. Electrical Engineering
Ron Iovine (guitar) - B.S. Computer Science
Mike Coldewey (piano) – Software Developer
Chris Lichtenberg (drums) – Ph.D. Electrical Engineering

Vocalist
Nicole Bernard - B.S. Advertising - Business

Berkner High School Jazz Band

Berkner Jazz Band is a widely recognized performing group from Richardson ISD. Their mission is to enrich lives through musical performance, community outreach, and educational opportunities. All students are involved in a variety of other fine arts ensembles, including marching band, concert band, string orchestra, choir, and mariachi. Berkner Jazz has become one of the premier live performance ensembles for the City of Richardson, performing at annual events such as the COR Santa’s Village. Students consistently participate and earn Area spots in the yearly TMEA All-State Jazz audition. Berkner Jazz consistently earns superior ratings in festivals around the DFW Metroplex. For more information about donating to the financial assistance program that supports these musicians’ opportunity to participate in Berkner Jazz, email Mr. Austin Townsend at austin.townsend@risd.org

Berkner High School Jazz Roster

Directors: Austin Townsend & Laura Dunlap

Saxes
Micah Casillas
Ivie Enosegbe
Mason Johnson
Aide Rivera
Beckett Russell
Josue Trejos

Trombones
Morgan Bolton
Brandon Lopez Cruz
Clayton Martin
Keegan McDuffie
Josthin Posadas

Trumpets
Sened Gebrehiwet
Adrian Gomez
Katie Tucker
Alexa Vera
Connor Waits

Rhythm
Ares Tristan Garcia (drums)
Joseph Helmich (bass)
Mitchell Johnson (drums)
Brandon Rojas (guitar)
Josephine Romi (bass)
Beckett Russell (piano)

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