Brass
Zachary Granger
Trombone / Trumpet
Zachary Granger was born in Columbus, Ohio, and began playing the trombone in the ninth grade as part of his public school jazz program. After taking trombone lessons with local guitarist and former trombonist, Jim Pelz, Zachary was changed forever by recordings of Frank Rosolino and J.J. Johnson. Zachary decided at the age of 14 that making music everyday of his life was top priority and has since evolved into a renowned trombone soloist and freelance musician.
Zachary's trademark as a trombonist is the beauty of his sound, stellar technique, and deep emotional connection to the music. With an ever growing mastery of the instrument and extensive knowledge of jazz harmony, Zachary has distinguished himself as one of the pre-eminent musicians in Cincinnati, Ohio and the surrounding tristate area, not only in the realm of jazz and improvisation, but performing some of the more difficult music in the commercial music world as well.
Zachary is a fixture in the recording studios, the big band music scene and is highly sought after by many musical groups in Cincinnati and with touring acts. Zachary studied under Marc Fields, a trombonist who worked with the great Ray Charles Orchestra, for nearly 8 years. Zachary has performed and recorded with Bobby Broom, William Menefield, Brian Newman, Sam Blakeslee, Steve Kortyka, Rufus Ried, Jeff Hamilton, The Legends Show and John Von Ohlen up until his recent passing.
Michael (Maddog) Mavridoglou
Trumpet / Trombone
Michael is an American-born trumpet player and multi-instrumentalist. He studied at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and graduated in 2002 with a degree in Jazz and Studio Music. He studied mainly under Pat Harbison and Brad Goode during his time there.
Directly after graduation, Michael toured extensively throughout America with Rays Music Exchange, a progressive instrumental fusion group. Rays Music Exchange garnered national attention and found success as a national touring act. Through Rays Music Exchange, Mr. Mavridoglou grabbed the attention of the celebrated Jazz Mandolin Project from Burlington, VT. He instantly became a fixture in this group that included the likes of Jon Fishman (Phish), renowned NYC drummers Dan Weiss and Mark Guiliana, jazz bassist Danton Boller, and mandolinist Jamie Masefield. Michael toured relentlessly with JMP for the next three years playing large shows and venues such as Bonnaroo, Jazzfest, and countless regional and national jazz festivals.
Mr. Mavridoglou is the founding member of “Maddog’s Filthy Little Secret” horn section featuring Jeff Coffin (Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Dave Matthews Band). This horn section has become a staple for many large shows with the very successful jam/prog rock act Umphrey’s McGee and Mike Gordon (Phish). He also has arranged and performed on several Umphrey’s McGee’s albums. Maddog’s Filthy Little Secret recently took part in the official first performance of Huey Lewis and the rUMors.
Mr. Mavridoglou currently holds the trumpet chair in Cincinnati’s well known Clyde Brown Band, Aja: A Tribute to the Music of Steely Dan, Cincinnati Transit Authority (Chicago Tribute), Airwave/Ultrasonics, The Original Farm League Big Band and countless other groups in the Cincinnati area, where he has established himself as a top-call trumpet player, multiinstrumentalist, arranger, and educator.