Joe Calzone

Founder and president of the Calzone Case Company headquartered in Bridgeport, Ct Joe started studying drums and percussion at the age of 11.

He studied with many local teachers learning drums 101 from the original Buddy Rich Drum Book. He joined his first band at the age of 14. The band was called “The Metaphysical Distress Signal”. That was real 60’s stuff.

When he was old enough to travel into NYC he began to study at the prestigious Frank Ippolito’s Professional Percussion Center. Joe studied drums styles of all types as well as mallet instruments such as the timpani and xylophone.

In 1971 he received a mailer from Sam Ash Music announcing a drum clinic a drum clinic to be given by Long Island native Carmine Appice. Joe was aware of Carmine’s style as he was a big fan of his work with Vanilla Fudge and Cactus.

Immediately after being blown away by the clinic Joe signed up for lessons at Carmine’s Long Island studio. He began to travel to Long Island every other week for two hour lessons while still traveling into NYC every alternating week for lessons at the Percussion Center.

He played in many bands from high school up to thru mid 70’s at which time he started the case company. Bands ranged in size from 2 piece wedding and society bands (to pay the bills) to 10 piece horn bands (to play the music). He also played in a show band by the name of “The Hollywood Picture Show”. This band really made money but the music was less then inspiring and the crowds were unappreciative not to mention the outfits and the silver sparkle platform shoes. You cannot play drums in silver sparkle platform shoes, nor should you try.

When Joe decided he had had enough of being on the road and started the business he hung up his sticks for a short while concentrating on the start up. His passion for the drums and music never faded and he continued to practice and play with other musicians but in a much more informal fashion.

Joe continues to play the drums whenever possible and welcomed the opportunity to join company with some of his associates and form Trainwreck.

Dan Sawyer

Dan got his start singing at a very early age, entertaining classmates and family members at parties and school functions.

Early in high school, he discovered that guitar players could actually get dates easier than athletes, so he quit sports and got a paper route to purchase his first guitar, a Framus acoustic that he played until his fingers bled. Since his brother was playing bass in a popular local band, he began to follow the band around, often acting as a roadie to get into the clubs before he was of legal age. Invitations to join bands as a singer/bass player soon followed. Since there was a bass in the house, Dan practiced that instrument until he felt he was good enough to join in and began playing clubs at 18.

After a stint in the Coast Guard, he began his musical career in earnest, playing almost every night in clubs up and down the east coast and Canada. He also worked as a guitar technician for several artists. Eventually he landed a gig with a touring club band (Lebel) in Buffalo, NY, where he played bass and sang 5-6 nights a week for several years, opening for bands like Head East, Edgar Winter and Talas and writing and recording several songs for European release.

With a growing family and responsibilities, Dan returned to CT in 1983 where he continues to play clubs, parties and coffee houses to this day. He will now work for food and/or fun.

Don Sessions

Don Sessions began playing drums at the age of 13 after discovering his father’s old kit stored away in the attic. Raised on the music from the Big Band era he started off with a jazz style but was soon solidly into Rock via the music of the Beatles and the Stones. He took lessons from local players and started jamming with friends from school. After the release of Cream’s first album he switched to a double bass drum setup following the style of Ginger Baker. Other influences include Bill Bruford of Yes, Billy Cobham and Airto Moreira as he played with Chick Corea.

He put together bands throughout high school and college and expanded his talents to include a variety of hand percussion instruments allowing him to play with jazz and acoustic acts.

After taking a break when his two children were born Don set his kit back up and knocked the rust off his licks. The Trainwreck gig has provided a refreshing challenge especially since it got him a chance to play the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!

Dan Lipsitz

Dan Lipsitz started playing alto saxophone in 2000 when he was 10 years old. Soon after starting, he met guitarist Billy Michael from Bethel, Connecticut, with whom he got his first real performing experience at various restaurants with the group, Jazz for Juniors. In middle school, he began to form his own groups and became more and more involved with the local music scene, participating in the middle school Western Regional music festivals. Now a senior at Joel Barlow High School in Redding, Connecticut, he has played with various groups, including the J & B Band, Cinnamon Sky, the Chris Coogan Quintet, Project Monolith, and now, Trainwreck. Although he plays mostly alto sax, he doubles on tenor sax, soprano sax, clarinet, and flute.

Rusty Corso

Rusty began playing bass at age 13.Everything on AM radio(remember that?) was a big influence back then. He has played in too many different bands to list around the Conn. area & N.Y.C. ever since. Rusty loves playing live music & hopes to continue playing for a very long time. The opportunity to participate in the corporate band competition has been quite a experience for Rusty and has proven to be a lot of fun, which is why he does it.....FUN.