Rick Brunetto, a native of Piqua, Ohio, earned his Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music in 1974 and a Masters in Percussion at Ohio State University in 1976. He went on to study timpani in New York with Fred Hinger, world-renowned timpanist with the Philadelphia and Metropolitan Opera Orchestras.
In 1974 he joined the well-known Bob Allen Trio at the Christopher Inn located in Columbus, with whom he performed and recorded for over 13 years. From 1978 to 1999 he was on faculty at Denison University where he served as Chair of the Music Department from 1992 to 1998. He has also taught at Kenyon College and Mt. Vernon Nazarene College.
An active performer and conductor, he has performed and directed concerts with Louie Bellson, Bill Watrous, Frank Foster, Marvin Stamm, Jamey Abersold, and John Faddis
In 1984 he fulfilled a lifelong musical ambition to create a 17-piece big band. Today the Rick Brunetto Big Band enjoys great success on the Columbus music scene and appears regularly at festivals, clubs and special events. The band's recordings include: "Tuxedo Junction", "Pick Your Take", "Stand Up and Swing", and their latest CD, "So Many Stars So Many Dreams". He has written many arrangements and compositions for percussion ensemble, big band and symphony orchestra including the "Suite For Big Band And Orchestra", which has been performed by several area orchestras.
Currently Rick Brunetto teaches applied percussion and "Audio Recording Techniques" at Capital University. Additionally, he directs the band at St. Charles High School. He continues to perform, write and arrange for the Rick Brunetto Big Band, appearing weekly at the 94th Aero Squadron. For more information, visit the band's web site at www.rickbrunetto.com.
Contact Rick Brunetto at (614) 236-6934.