The Criterions Reunite for a Cool Summer Jazz Concert

What’s a Criterion?

1) a standard by which something can be judged or decided. 2) A West Chester University student or alumnus whose musical prowess and love of jazz/swing/big band music earned them membership into the elite performing ensemble known as the Criterions.

The Criterions student band has been active on campus since the 1920s, when it was established as a dance band. It’s the longest running jazz band of its kind and “Crites” alumni continue their legacy with brilliant musicianship. Several generations of performers – alumni from as far back as the ’40s and ’50s – annually take part in this celebration of musical camaraderie.

Among those returning to play traditional and contemporary jazz music with the Criterions Alumni Jazz Ensemble are musicians with a wealth of experience performing for local, national and international big bands: Woody Herman Orchestra, the U.S. Army Blues Jazz Ensemble, the Brian Pastor Big Band, the Audubon Jazz Explosion Big Band, the Stan Kenton Orchestra, the Al Raymond Big Band, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and many more.

Lee Southall ’64, who founded the alumni ensemble and plays trombone, is directing the group this year and hopes to see first timers as well as old timers join them. Three 1960s alumni confirmed to be on stage took their musical passion on the road soon after graduation with a combo called The Teachers: Mike Solick, Bob Fanelli and James Zoller.

Solick ’60 plays lead alto sax and is a faithful attendee at the reunions who achieved national acclaim, eventually playing on the Johnny Carson show. He was the student leader of the Criterions in his college days and retired in 1993 from a 33-year teaching career in Collingdale and later in Phoenixville schools. He also taught part time for the WCU Marching Band.

Fanelli ’60 is a reunion regular who plays many of the tenor sax jazz solos. A very successful and in-demand jazz musician since retiring from corporate life with Johnson and Johnson (when he moonlighted as a club musician), he’s released a few CDs. He also taught several years in the Rose Tree Media School district.

Zoller (“Jimmy Z”) ’66 is another regular at reunions. He is a talented multi-instrument player (trombone, tuba, double bass and electric bass, guitar, banjo) who was on the road with the Bobby Mercer band. Now a club musician, he has his own Dixieland band, “Bone Tom,” and formed Reading’s current big band “The Last Big Band,” which incorporates many of the local Crites alums including all five mentioned here, plus Southall.
Joining these alumni will be:

Al Moretti ’74, a faithful attendee who plays lots of jazz trumpet, is master of many talents who boasts more occupations, many of them health-related, than the entire band. He owns Moretti Music store on in Caln and founded the group “The Victory Jazz Orchestra,” which plays at the Chester County brewery.

Phil Forlano ’69 has never missed a reunion. This outstanding music teacher, who just retired after 40 years in the Fleetwood school district, has had a jazz festival named after him at that school and is the “Pied Piper of Music” in that system. A great baritone saxophonist, he anchors that spot year after year in the Crites Reunion Ensemble. He also plays in The Last Big Band and The Victory Jazz Orchestra.

Rehearsals take place throughout the day on Wednesday, July 15, and are open to the public. The free concert is Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Both tae place in Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, Philips Memorial Building.