Gerry's Story

Gerry Grimo performing Big Band classics throughout New England
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When one meets Gerry Grimo, director of the East Bay Jazz Ensemble, he sees a shy, soft-spoken career banker that somehow comes alive in his role as Emcee, lead singer, bassist, keyboardist, librarian, equipment manager and all around jack of all trades for the traditional style big band that has become part of his heart and soul for the last 25 years of his life.

As a native of Bristol, RI he grew up listening to the big band sounds of his dad's outstanding collection of big band albums. Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Buddy Rich, Count Basie, Harry James, and Glenn Miller were household standards for the Grimo's. Growing up in the late 60's and early 70's, taking 10 years of accordion lessons, it was only natural to dream of being part of a big band like that some day. "I've seen the Glenn Miller story at least 20 times.

That probably says everything you need to know about me" Gerry says.

Gerry Grimo is the band leader and the director of the East Bay Jazz Ensemble.

Gerry lives in Windsor with wife, Agnes, and sons  Zach, and Matthew (daughter Audrey is now out on her own) and works as Risk Management officer at Connecticut River Bank, in Charlestown, NH. His musical career began in Rhode Island at the age of 7 with 10 years of accordion lessons and includes 7 years of performing with a 40 member accordion orchestra and over 30 years as leader, bassist, pianist, vocalist for several small bands in southern New England.

Current musical assignments include Director/Keyboardist/Bassist for the East Bay Jazz Ensemble (a 5-13 piece swing band founded in RI in 1976); Organist/Pianist and music minister for St. Francis Church in Windsor, Vt. (since 1991); Bassist for the Grimo Dance Band; and as accordionist for Firehouse 6.

In addition to East Bay Jazz He has performed as bassist, pianist and accordionist with  Marble City Swing Orchestra/Jazz Quintet; Vermont Jazz Ensemble; Big Band 2007; The Moonlighters; and as part of local musical theatre performances for Northern Stage of White River Jct (Oliver; Tintypes; Big River); The Footlighters of Hanover High School (Fiddler on the Roof; Crazy For You; West Side Story; Cinderella; The Boy Friend); The Off Broad Street Players in Claremont (Oklahoma; Best Little Whore House in Texas; Mame); the Newport Opera House Players in Newport, NH (Man of La Mancha; Music Man; Oliver; Annie Get Your Gun; State Fair; Pajama Game; Guys and Dolls; Bye, Bye Birdie)   Covered Bridge Players in Windsor (City of Angels; 1776; Music of the Night; Jesus Christ Superstar; Working); North Country Community Theatre (Nunsense; Fiddler on the Roof; Singin' in the Rain; High School Musical; How to Succeed in Business; Grease, Footloose); the Upper Valley Rotary Follies ('90, '92, '95, '98); Colby Sawyer College (City of Angels); Providence College (1776); Windsor High School (Once Upon A Mattress; You're a Good Man Charlie Brown); Proctor Academy (Oliver; Guys and Dolls); Kimball Union Academy (Jesus Christ Superstar); Stevens High School (Little Shop of Horrors) and the music programs at Bethel, Woodstock, and South Royalton High Schools; Holy Family School of Springfield, Vt.; and Mt Royal Academy in Sunapee, NH. 

For more information about booking the full band, a smaller ensemble, or for information about their upcoming performance schedule you can contact Gerry Grimo at 802-674-5908 or EMAIL him at gerry@gerrygrimo.com.