Vynce Watson – Bass
Dan Pugh – Keyboards/Piano
Mikal Serafim – Guitar
Scott Remillard – Saxophone
The Longwood Jazz Project
The Longwood Jazz Project is a collection of some of Central New York’s finest musicians playing music where their passions lie, traditional and contemporary jazz. Their music forged from traditional jazz influences of Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, and Cole Porter to modern players such as Dave Sanborn, Yellow Jackets, Rippingtons, Dave Koz, Dave Weckl, Victor Wooton, Kirk Whalum, Everette Harp, Michael Brecker, and Jeff Lorber. Their song list is deep and the high-energy quintet places its own eclectic stamp on classic jazz standards and modern jazz. Since forming in 2014, the Longwood Jazz Project has established many repeat clients and enjoys a solid following in CNY. The LJP has performed at the CNY Northeast Wine and Jazz Festival, the Glenora Jazz Greats Event, the Fitz, the Fulton Jazz Festival, Binghamton Jazz Festival, Anyela’s Vineyards, Gilded Club, the Turquoise Tiger, Dave Kasper’s Jazz in the Burbs, and most recently, the 2024 Syracuse Jazz Fest.
Gary Iacovelli
Gary is a 35 year veteran of the CNY music scene including ten years with the Sammy award-winning band Prime Time. Currently performing with the Longwood Jazz Project, he was the co- founder of the Steely Dan cover project Royal Scam in the mid-nineties. Gary has also performed with Rocco Barbato and Midnight Snack, Jaime Willard, Dave Welsh, Donna Alfred, the Bob Cooper Band, Aaron Veladri, Theo Curtain, Taj, Funky BluRoots, Endicott’s national recording artist, Gary Wilson, and many others.
Scott Remillard
As the lead sax player for Soul Mine Scott is known to blow a mean sax. Like the rest of the Longwood Jazz project, Scott’s true love is the freedom of Jazz. Scott has played with many top local bands including the Critics, John Puma and the Dangerous Horns, Roosevelt Dean and the Spell Binders, Larry Arlotta and the Celebration Band.
Vynce Watson
Vince started playing at 18 years old. Played R&B with local bands: Thunderbolt, Love’s Creation, The Hump Jones Trio, and Boogie D. Toured with Ex Art Blakely sideman, saxophonist James Wideman, and drummer Eddie Layman, from 1975 to 1978. Relocated to Syracuse, NY, in 1978, to join the show group, The Dynamic Insiders w/ The Natural Light Band. Eventually joining Herb Williams and Magnum 3. Performed with other Syracuse local bands, 2 different versions Fresh Aire, and The Sunrise Band. Later joining a Jazz Fusion Band, Transfusion. Other local credits: Kumbatu, Reggae, Submysshun, R& B, Funk. Performed with other local artists: Dave Hanson, Ronnie Lee, Paulie Cierra, The John Betsey Trio featuring Marcus Curry. Currently performing with: Bob Holz and a Vision Forward, The Longwood Jazz Project, The Soulmine Band, Soul Citizen, and Funky Blu Roots.
Daniel Pugh
Daniel is a Central New York-based pianist. Born into a musical family, Daniel began playing the piano at age 5 and started earning a living playing music at age 14 when he joined the Stan Colella All-Star YouthBig Band. After high school, Daniel studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, and earned his Bachelor of Music degree in 2015. After graduating, Daniel jumped right into his music career with two back-to-back jobs as a pianist and bandleader on cruise ships in Australia. Since then, Daniel has been an in-demand pianist in both the Syracuse and Los Angeles areas. He has performed with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, The CNY Jazz Orchestra, The Salt City Jazz Collective, Second Line Syracuse, Joe Whiting, Atlas Band, and many other local ensembles.
Mikal Serafim
Since coming to NewYork in 2010 Mikal Serafim’s band Funkybluroots has played The NYS Bluesfest in 2011 and 2016, Montremblamt Blues Fest 2014, and the Lauded Chenango Blues Fest 2016, with 5 albums nominated 3 times for a Sammy Award. The guitarist-singer has played with area Jazz and Blues performers and has backed up National Touring artists Jaquim Joyner, J White, and vocalist Rebecca Jade, as well as being an annual participant in Frank Malfetanos Syracuse Jazz Festival. Mikal has played guitar as part of Producer Tom Emmi’s nationally syndicated series “Lest We Forget “remembering Dr John(2019), David Linley(2023), and Kim Simmonds (2024). He currently resides in Auburn NY and is currently working on Funkybluroots “Riding the Razors Edge,” to be released in 2025.
