James Ingenito: EVI (Electronic Valve Instrument), Flugelhorn, Trumpet, Composer

James has been an active performer/educator for more than 15 years. James spent the early 90's in Florida where he earned a Bachelors degree in Jazz Performance/Composition from Florida Atlantic University studying with trumpeter/composer Dr. Tim Walters. "I have studied with some famous musicians, but Tim Walters was probably the most influential musician I worked with. He got me thinking about music as opposed to chops." While in school, James formed the original fusion group Steps Beyond, which performed an all-original repertoire composed by Ingenito. In 1993, he returned to New York to earn a Masters Degree in Jazz Performance under jazz legends Donald Byrd, Jimmy Heath and the late Sir Roland Hanna. During this time James was signed to the CATS PAW label where he released "RHYTHM ROOM BLUE" which received favorable reviews from the Jazz Times.

As an educator, Ingenito splits his time as both High School Band Director and Jazz Educator and clinician. He has served as Vice President of  Nassau Music Educators Association in charge of Jazz studies. Ingenito confesses, "Teaching music to these kids makes me a better musician!" James has been a band director in the Island Trees school district for the past ten years.

Besides many trumpet and flugelhorn performances, Ingenito is one of a handful of players around the world that play the Electronic Valve Instrument {EVI}. Capable of a wide variety of sounds, it is a wind-powered synthesizer that is loosely based on the trumpet. "It allows me to express myself in a different way than my trumpet or flugel", he says, "but because of its unique appearance, I get a lot of curious looks from the audience!"

James' latest project is his jazz fusion group with Guitarist Rob Roscigno and Saxophonist John Mendolia. Stay tuned for more info!