Band members find groove in jazz sounds

While many of the people their age are simply listening to Top 40 tunes, they are wailing on instruments and getting carried away improvising their own music.

PHOTOS BY SCOTT FRIEDMAN Zach Cregle, 17, plays his part in the seven-piece horn section of The After Effect, a Millstone Township-based band of area youths that plays at various events throughout New Jersey. The After Effect, a jazz and rock fusion band with members ages 13-19 from across western Monmouth County, continues to display a passion that draws large crowds, despite having lost their leader earlier this year. While the same can't be said for former director Pete Mauro, of the Lawrenceville section of Lawrence, the members of the Millstone Township-based band have consistently proved their dedication to the project, and maybe more importantly, to the music, right from the start.

The band formed three years ago when Mauro, who was the Allentown High School band director, decided to resign his 20-year post at the school. Some of Mauro's students found him so inspiring that they asked him to lead a side project they named The After Effect to continue their jazz education outside of school.

Guitarists Kevin Basko, 15, (l) and Jimmy Maraday, 17, play off each other's talents at a rehearsal of The After Effect. While the band progressed over the years, increasing in membership and playing gigs at community events, festivals, Waterfront Park in Trenton, an exposition for the New York Yankees and other New York City venues, Mauro bowed out in February to the dismay of everyone involved. However, band members refused to give up on the endeavor. With the support of parents and friends, the band found a new director, Michael Morreale, of Staten Island, N.Y.

Morreale, a professional entertainer and singer who has a quartet and has performed with Joe Jackson and Keely Smith, teaches music at the College of Staten Island.

He said he took on the job to proliferate the art form and an appreciation of jazz.

"When you get a group of kids playing, some with real talent will go to be professionalmusicians and others with talent may not go on to be professionals but will have developed an appreciation of music," he said.

"We're very lucky to have Michael," said Mary Prendergast, the mother of two of The After Effect's founding members. "He's taking the band to the next level."

The band has upcoming performances scheduled for Aug. 21 at McGuire Air Force Base in Wrightstown, and from Sept. 21-28 at the Stephen Seller Tunnel to the Towers Run in memory of firefighters who lost their lives at the World Trade Center in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001.

"They are building a reputation for being a dedicated bunch of teen musicians who love music and love more than anything to play for people," Prendergast said.

Her son Frank, 17, said he knew the band would go on even after Mauro's departure.

"We had a sit-down and everyone was still loving the music," he said. "We not only kept it going, but made it bigger and better than it was."

Frank said the group helps area youths learn more about music, compositions and composers while teaching them to work together and toward careers as professional musicians.

His participation in the group helped him achieve acceptance to the New Jersey Governor's School for the Arts. He was one of two bass players chosen out of about 200 applicants in the state for the program.

Alto sax player Joe Gellman, 19, a founding member, said The After Effect has played a large role in his decision to share his love of music with others by pursuing a career in music education. He will attend Rowan University in the fall.

One of the most important lessons he learned in The After Effect is, "Music has to be a compromise. One person can't do it all. All have to agree for it to work."

Gellman commented that he's enthusiastic about working with Morreale, because "with every director comes a new style of music."

The founding members planning to leave the band to study music in college want to see the project continue after they leave. In order for the music to go on, The After Effect needs new members.

Auditions will take place the last week of July. Those interested in trying out for the group have to know their scales and/or rudiments, have to work with a private music instructor, need a passion for and dedication to music, and should display a good work ethic in setting up and breaking down performances.

"Three-quarters of the band is made up of seniors and we would like to see this go on," Frank said. "We would really like for it to continue and give kids the opportunity to do more."

Trumpet player Joseph Gullace, one of the youngest members of the band at age 13, saidmembers learn how to play jazz and experimental music.

"I've learned so much," he said. "I've learned improvisation and how to make a band into a family," he said.

Joseph said music is a good way for teens to express themselves.

"You can play a slow ballad when you're sad and fast and happy when have a good day," he said. "I love when the beat of the music flows through me. When that happens I get happy."

Kevin Basko, 15, who has been playing guitar for six years, said he joined The After Effect to jam and have fun. He said one of his favorite songs to play with the band is "Time to Grow" by Paul Clarke, since he likes the opportunity to improvise.

Jimmy Maraday, 17, who also plays guitar, had similar sentiments and said "Get It On" is his favorite piece to work on because everyone in the band gets to play a solo.

Trombone player Bree Kregle, 17, said band members get a good sense of what it takes to be a professional musician.

"It's more than I thought it would be," she said of joining the group. "At the beginning we thought we would just get together and play, but now we play gigs for a lot of people and everywhere."

Tenor sax player Zach Kregle, 15, said the music is more challenging than what school bands offer. He said the band is a good venue for teens to express their feelings and share good times with other people their age.

Other band members include drummer Mike DiGugliemo, guitarist Eddie Struk, alto sax player Kristina Savas, flautist Michelle Prendergast, bass trombone player Wayne Heideman and trombone player Brianna Kregle,

For more information about joining or booking The After Effect, contact Mary Prendergast at mcp2art@optonline.net or at 609-208-0052.