Biographies
Brent Deskins (drums)
Brent graduated with a degree in Music Education from Bowling Green State University. After teaching for a year, he enlisted in the US Marine Corp, and attended the Armed Forces School of Music where he was an instructor of Music Theory, and a percussionist with field bands in both the states, and overseas. For the past 25 years he has been teaching in the Ottawa-Glandorf school system in Ottawa where he was the head Band Director of Concert, Jazz and Pep Bands, and in the classroom teaching music theory. He has performed as a percussionist with the Lima Symphony, The Lima Marimba Ensemble, and numerous pit orchestras at the University of Findlay. He is the Music Director for the Trinity United Methodist Church in Ottawa, Ohio, and also teaches percussion to private students. |
Allen Comesky (guitar)
Alan began playing guitar 50 years ago in High School playing guitar in Stage Band. While a student at Bowling Green State University, he played with the band The Unknowns. After his undergraduate studies, he played with the band Tuesday Night Jazz Band in Bismarck, North Dakota. He has been playing for the past 20 years guitar for the Findlay Civic Jazz, and 2 years with the University of Bluffton Jazz Ensemble. Alan is a scientist with Ground Water Science. |
Paul Baransy (trumpet)
Paul Baransey retired in 2012 after working as a band director at Ottawa Glandorf. He also taught at Continental Local Schools. He stays active as a music educator; serving as the band director at St. Augustine School (Napolean) and as BGSU student teacher mentor. He directs the OMEA District 3 Junior High Jazz Band, serves as marching band adjudicator, and runs the "Groundwork" Jazz Camp at Bluffton University. He also teaches trumpet at Bluffton University, and has a studio of successful students. Besides playing in "Standard Time", he is a member of "Night Jazz Big Band". Paul has been in the horn section, and has arranged music for many of Reg Routons's musical projects; including "The Funk Factory", "The Fossils", "Flag City Rock and Soul Revue", "The Millstream Mojo Blues Band", and "That 70's Band". This year he has been asked to play in the Bluffton University Jazz Band. |
Janie Emrick (vocals)
Janie studied voice performance at the Wheaton College Music Conservatory, Chicago, Ill. She sang for several years with The Nightingales which was a part of the Night Jazz Big Band. For 13 years, she sang with Messiah Quartet traveling three states, two years with The Funk Factory, and with the University of Findlay in pit orchestra’s doing vocals. She has sung many years in Church Choirs, and worship teams as a soloist. |
Terry Emrick (bass)
Terry studied voice at Ohio University. He began playing double bass in junior high, and studying double bass and tuba with private instruction. He played jazz bass in high school with The Swinging Gales. At Ohio University he played in several jazz bands and ensembles. Terry spent 13 years as a Music Pastor in a Lutheran church, and 13 years singing with The Messiah Quartet, which he founded. He currently plays jazz bass for Findlay Civic Jazz for the last 10 years and for the University of Bluffton Jazz Ensemble for the past 4 years; as well as playing contrabass with the University of Findlay String Orchestra. He also sings with Bach Collegium in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. He has played bass for many pit orchestras in Ohio, and in Ft. Wayne, Indiana as well as church worship bands. |