The John Mahoney
......an ensemble that defies its name by offering an expansive, rich harmonic tapestry and unparalleled musicianship. This isn't your typical "little" band; it's a powerhouse of sound, delivering modern arrangements crafted by the masterful hands of John Mahoney.
Enjoy some of our music
The band's full harmonic array creates a luxurious tapestry of sound, exploring intricate arrangements that resonate with both sophistication and soul.
Meet The Band
On the Natchez
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Little Band Bio
Embark on a musical journey with John Mahoney's innovative septet—a brilliant ensemble that captures the electrifying spirit of his 18-piece big band without the associated costs, space, and personnel constraints. Focused on the timeless treasures of the American Songbook and iconic jazz standards, this septet promises an unparalleled musical experience.
Adding a touch of elegance, Meryl Zimmerman lends her unique vocal stylings to the septet's performances, complementing Mahoney's fresh arrangements and allowing the band's four horns and rhythm section to shine in unencumbered soloing.
Catch The Little Band every Monday evening on the enchanting Natchez Steamboat, where the talents of saxophonists Rex Gregory and Doug Stone, trumpeter Bobby Campo, trombonist John Mahoney, pianist/vocalist Matt Lemmler, bassist Ed Wise, and drummer Michael Brothers are showcased alongside the captivating vocals of Meryl Zimmerman. Join us for an unforgettable evening of jazz on the river, where every note tells a story of passion, talent, and musical mastery.
Band Member Bios
John Mahoney
Band Leader | Trombone
A native of upstate New York, John Mahoney grew up listening to Glen Miller, Stan Kenton and Tommy Dorsey. His dad took him to hear Count Basie and that imprinted on his mind what would become his life's passion for jazz.
John received his B.S. in Music Education from the State University of New York at Potsdam. In 1978, after playing professionally for six years, he earned his M.M. degree in Jazz and Contemporary Media from the prestigious Eastman School of Music.
This led to a career of performing, arranging and teaching at Loyola University in New Orleans. John serves as Coordinator of Instrumental Music and Jazz Studies and Professor Emeritus in the College of Music and Fine Arts of Loyola University in New Orleans where he continues to teach adjunct trombone. He performs within the rich historical jazz culture in and around New Orleans bringing down-home New Orleans feel and soulful roots of the music for all to enjoy.
Throughout John's career his arrangements been featured and performed internationally and nationally by musicians such as J.J. Johnson, Bob Sheppard, Brian Blade, Jon Coward, Evan Christopher, Wycliffe Gordon, Paul Frechou, Larry Panella, Al Belletto, Johnny Adams & David Torkanowsky.
Meryl Zimmerman
Vocalist
Originally from Long Island, Meryl got her Masters of Music in Jazz Voice Performance at the Manhattan School of Music where she studied with acclaimed vocalists Kate McGarry, Theo Bleckmann, and Peter Eldridge. Though her years of training are evident in her impeccable technique and impressive vocal range, her ability to affect her audiences through her emotional connection with the music is paramount. She “displays her vocal chops with relish,” according to Offbeat Magazine.
Meryl’s performed at venues across New Orleans including the city’s premier jazz club Snug Harbor, as well as Tipitina’s, The Spotted Cat, Three Muses, and Buffa’s, to name a few. She has performed at the French Quarter Festival and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
She is an adjunct professor at Loyola University and University of New Orleans, where she teaches jazz voice. Her debut album, Crystalline, was released in 2020.
Bobby Campo
Trumpet
Rex Gregory
Alto Saxophone
Bobby Campo, trumpeter, leader and composer, is a founding member of La’s LeRoux and has performed and recorded with Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Kerry Livgren (of KANSAS), Don Vappie and the Creole Jazz Serenaders, Pete Fountain, The John Mahoney Big Band, Matt Lemmler, Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra and Dr. John. Bobby also tours with The Last Waltz 40 band featuring Warren Haynes, Don Was, John Medeski, and Robbie Robertson. He is retired from teaching High School Instrumental Music in East Baton Rouge Parish.
A New Orleans based saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist, Rex Gregory has performed and/or recorded with a diverse array of luminaries such as Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, Rickie Lee Jones, Jill Scott, Dr. John, Jason Marsalis, Jerry Douglas, Derek Smith aka Pretty Lights, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Stanton Moore, and many others. In addition, Rex is known for his composition and arranging abilities which are featured on his independently released studio recordings An End to Oblivion and Rocket Summer. He is a staple in the New Orleans music community and his contributions to a wide variety of projects is a testament to his musical capabilities.
Rex is a comfortable addition anywhere and everywhere.
Doug Stone
Tenor Saxophone
Doug Stone’s versatility as a jazz saxophonist, improviser, and composer can be heard on his recordings as a leader, co-leader and sideman. Stone maintains an active national and international performing and touring schedule, and is a first call musician in New Orleans, LA, with groups including The John Mahoney Septet, Reid Poole’s Boppin’ Five, the Victory Swing Orchestra, and in Baton Rouge, LA, with the Florida Street Blowhards, among others.
At Louisiana State University, Stone directs the acclaimed LSU Jazz Ensemble, coaches chamber jazz ensembles, teaches applied lessons in jazz saxophone and improvisation, and teaches courses in jazz pedagogy and career preparedness. He has also served as the president of the Louisiana Association for Jazz Education and jazz division chair of the Louisiana Music Educators Association.
Matt Lemmler
Piano & Vocals
Matt Lemmler follows in the long tradition of great New Orleans pianists, from the Storyville jazz of Jelly Roll Morton, to the boogie and rhythm & blues of Antoine “Fats” Domino, to the New Orleans Stride of James Booker and Dr. John, to the modern jazz of Ellis Marsalis, to multifaceted entertainer (and Matt’s high school piano colleague) Harry Connick, Jr. After earning a Bachelor of Music from Loyola University and a
Masters degree from Manhattan School of Music in NYC, Matt toured four years with Andrew Lloyd Weber’s The Phantom of the Opera. Once he finished touring, he came back to the Big Easy and sharpened his skills with some of New Orleans’ finest
bandleaders, including Bob French, Herb Tassin, and master clarinetist Pete Fountain.
Lemmler has toured internationally recently, including Hawaii and Portland, Oregon, Paris, and Israel, where he performed at Jazz Fests, Jazz Masses, house concerts, as well as conducted clinics and workshops. When in New Orleans, Matt and the NOLA Jazz Revival can be found creating masterful recordings, original show productions, and unique learning opportunities throughout the communities. He is the Jazz Piano Professor at Loyola University, College of Music in New Orleans, and is a Certified Yamaha Artist.
Ed Wise
Bass
Ed Wise, a native of Houston, Texas, has been performing music professionally for over 50 years. An accomplished performer on both string bass and electric bass, Ed has toured with Harry “Sweets” Edison, Monty Alexander, and Texas R&B legend Delbert McClinton. He has performed with world-famous jazz musicians, including Lee Konitz, Mose Allison,
Arturo Sandoval, Herb Ellis and Jim Hall, as well as legendary vocalists Billy Eckstine, Cab Calloway and Frank Sinatra Jr.
For many years, Ed played bass and arranged music for New Orleans modern jazz pioneer Al Belletto and is consistently in demand for both modern and traditional jazz performances.
Ed has also served as staff musician for the Delta Queen Steamboat Company as a bassist, band leader and arranger.
In 2005, Ed Wise was a recipient of New Orleans Magazine’s Jazz All-Star award. As an educator, Ed is on faculty at Loyola University in New Orleans, where he teaches bass instruction, jazz combo, pop ensemble and music theory.
Michael Brothers
Drums
Michael Brothers is Director of Jazz and Percussion Studies at Southeastern Louisiana University, where he teaches Applied Percussion, Percussion Methods, Jazz History and Jazz Pedagogy, and is Director of the University Jazz Ensemble, the University Percussion Ensemble and the Spirit of the Southland Drumline. A native of Oakland, California, his forty-plus year career as a drummer and percussionist spans a wide range of musical experience including performances with big bands, symphony orchestras, recording sessions and Broadway, including over 6,600 performances of the Broadway musical The Phantom of the Opera, the longest continually running Broadway tour in history. His extensive credits include performances with some of the world’s legendary entertainers such as Victor Borge, Mitzi Gaynor, Marvin Hamlisch, Gladys Knight, Liberace, Maureen McGovern, Anthony Newley, Patti Page and Dinah Shore. His albums Reunion and Three Times Two have received extensive airplay throughout the United States, Australia, Canada, France, The Netherlands and United Kingdom. Michael holds degrees in Percussion Performance from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL (MM) and Loyola University New Orleans (BM).
