meet the band

Formed in 1997 by co-leaders Brian Casserly & Tommy Tucker and named after a favorite Louis Armstrong tune, Cornet Chop Suey has become one of the top touring bands on the jazz festival circuit today. The unique combination of front-line trumpet and cornet, superior musicianship (each member has fronted bands of their own), powerful rhythm section, variety of repertoire, their sense of humor - all of these elements combine into one very talented and entertaining group. Their 1st cd "CORNET CHOP SUEY - LIVE" was produced the old-fashioned way; in a single evening in front of a live audience. The band wanted the recording to have the feel of a 1950's era jazz festival; the sense that you were there for a wonderful captured evening, and that you can be a part of that evening time and time again. The recording was so successful (it's been re-printed several times), that they chose to do their 2nd recording "CORNET MARMALADE" in the same fashion. Their recently released 3rd cd "CHOP SUEY & OTHER DELIGHTS" was done entirely in the studio by one of the best recording engineers in St. Louis, and is every bit as exciting as a live concert. Cornet Chop Suey are local favorites with the members and supporters of the St. Louis Jazz club. After hearing them, we hope they'll become one of yours, too!

brian "big b" casserly

Brian Casserly, who also goes by the name "Big B" plays trumpet, trombone and is also a vocalist with the band. A professional musician since the age of 14, Brian has played for many greats in the music business, including Tony Bennett,Tex Beneke, Stan Kenton, Chuck Berry and even Tiny Tim. He has also played the prestigious Monterey Pops Festival for several years. An in-demand session musician, Brian has performed in many commercials, recordings and musicals in the U.S. and Canada and is the past musical director for the S.S. Admiral, a riverboat on the St. Louis riverfront. After touring the U.S. and Europe for several years with his own jazz band and a St. Louis-based blues band, he decided to devote his musical talents entirely to traditional jazz, playing concerts and festivals as well as recording with several St. Louis bands.

"little" tommy tucker

Tommy began playing trumpet at age 11 under a retired Marine bandmaster who Tommy says "still thought he was in the Marines." He played in high school and college, did a 4-year tour in the Navy, then went into the finance and auto dealership business for 25 years. After Tommy sold the dealership in 1987 and retired, he decided to get back into the music scene. He started a band called "All That Jazz" and progressed from there, becoming a fixture in the St. Louis traditional jazz scene.

"rev" jimmy haislip

Legendary trombonist Jimmy Haislip has been everywhere several times since his career began in 1949 with The Bob Hoff Big Band Orchestra, and brings a wealth of experience and musicianship to Cornet Chop Suey. He has performed with Bobby Hackett, Don Ewell, Don Goldie, Tony Parenti, Dick Wellstood, Barrett Deems, Ralph Sutton, Eddie Miller, George Wettling, Mondell Lowe, Marty Napoleon, Smokey Stover, Big Tiny Little, Al Hirt, Pete Fountain and many, many others, and appeared in shows with Danny Thomas, Jerry Vale, Red Buttons and Helen O'Connell, and tours of Europe, Canada and the Caribbean. Jimmy has appeared on the Arthur Godfrey Talent Scouts Show (both radio & TV), I've Got A Secret, The Tonight Show, and the Sammy Gardner Show, in addition to performing on (at last count) 100 or more recordings.

gerry "mulligan" epperson

The newest member of the group playing clarinet and bari sax, Jerry's professional career began in 1959 performing in local dance bands, and continued at Truman State University playing in Dixieland and jazz bands. He was fortunate enough to have the chance to meet Louis Armstrong at this time. Trained in classical music, Jerry was a music educator for several years, and was active in several area jazz bands. During the late '60s, Jerry was aided by local legend Buddy Moreno in getting established in the St. Louis area. During the past few years, he has performed with The Dixieland Rhythm Kings, Bob Havens, New Orleans' Wes Mix, and many others. Jerry makes frequent appearances at jazz festivals, and performs regularly in the St. Louis area.

paul reid

The newest member of Cornet Chop Suey, Paul is an all-around entertainer who's done just about everything in the business. His experience runs the gamut from playing solo piano in bars to performing with big bands, writing advertising jingles to performing voice-overs for commercials, creating music production for cartoons to composing legitimate songs and lyrics, producing recordings to performing on recordings, producing radio shows to being the featured celebrity interviewer, singing radio jingles to leading the Paul Reid Singers, playing everywhere from strip joints to Las Vegas while performing all styles of music from Dixieland to Harry James and beyond!

Paul has worked with Harry James, Lionel Hampton, Trummy Young, Bud Freeman, Shelly Mann, Arthur Lyman, Barney Kessell, Pete Daily, Joe Darensborg, Ella May Morse, Herb Geller, Clare Fischer, Mel Blanc, Gary Owens, the Hot Frogs and others. He was a member of the Night Blooming Jazzmen from 1988 to 2001.

"big" al sherman

A retired high school band director, Al began his teaching career in Bismarck, MO in 1960. After one year in Bismarck, he taught one year at Bonne Terre, MO and then moved to Crystal City, MO in 1962. Al retired from public school teaching and Crystal City Public Schools in 1994. After his retirement, he taught part-time at Jefferson College until 1996. Al served as an adjudicator and clinician for many school music festivals during his teaching career.

His professional playing experience began as a trumpet player in the Air Force band at Barksdale Air Force Base, LA in 1953. He began playing bass there, and has played professionally since being discharged from the Air Force in 1957. Al has performed with groups ranging from piano and bass duos to jazz combos, dixieland bands and big bands. Venues include a variety of settings including country clubs, private parties, jazz clubs, hotels and jazz festivals.

Al joined Cornet Chop Suey in 1997, and is still having the time of his life playing jazz in the St. Louis area and all over the country. He is a member of the board of directors of the St. Louis Jazz Club.

john "go-go" gillick

John has been playing the drums since he was eight years old and won several competitions in high school with bands of his own. While playing in Chicago, a representative of the Ludwig Drum Company heard one of John's extended solos - as a result, Ludwig sponsored him for many years. Following a stint playing in the U.S. Army Band, John formed the Little Big Band which became the house band at the Sheraton Hotel in Palm Springs. Frank Sinatra heard one of John's features one night and brought Harry James in the next evening. Harry immediately hired him. John was introduced to dixieland jazz in the early '70's and has performed with Jean Kittrell and the St. Louis Riverman, the 1926 Jazz Band, the St. Louis Saints, the Mason Dixie Line, and the River City Ramblers. More recently, John has been playing the jazz circuit and wowing audiences and fellow musicians alike with his solo work and fiery big band drive.