Probably the most satisfying part of Coordinating the Bob Vitale Youth Jazz Program at the AAA festival since 2011 has been watching our young musicians grow personally as well as musically. They accomplish academically, graduate, enter chosen careers, travel the world, win at competition, and even take up the baton and conduct the jazz ensemble!

Will Comer has been a staple of the jazz program. Until last year, my exposure to Will’s musicianship strictly involved accordion. In addition to the Jazz Program, Will has graced our CAA orchestra. He competed and won titles at AAA competition taking 1st place in the Elsie Bennett Competition in 2016 and 3rd place in the Carmen Carrozza Competition in 2019.

What I didn’t know is that Will has been a pianist since the age of 8, primarily studying under Joe Utterback of Stratford, CT. Music has always tugged at Will. Piano is his staple, but he also played organ, synthesizer…and harmonica! When his mother brought an accordion home from work one day it came as no surprise that the then 15 year old Will would be drawn to it. He loved the sound of it as well as the way the instrument connected to his body.

And connect it did. So much so that he added accordion lessons to his musical studies. Referred to Sandy Zera by AAA Board Member Emilio Magnotta, Sandy nurtures Will’s love of the accordion to this day. Sandy and her late husband, Ed Zera, owned Zera Musicland for years, and she has been musical “mom” to Will and numbers of other young very talented musicians. Sandy has a way of not only tapping into her students’ skills, but providing the holding environment unique to each of her students. She makes them “mind” and helps them grow. Will cherishes her for that.

Will entered college double majoring in Jazz Performance and Human Resources Management at Rutgers University in 2016, He took his accordion with him, gigging across 10 states with it on weekends to make extra money. He graduated this past May. On February 19, 2019, I was invited to hear Will perform at a church service in his home town. The progressive and moving service featured a jazz combo with Will on piano, along with a stand up bass player, sax player, and percussionist. A full chorus sang a composition that Will wrote and arranged. It was then that I saw Will in his element. And I couldn’t stop slobbering all over myself and his parents, who were sitting next to me. He was simply brilliant.

As graduation from Rutgers approached, Will’s cousin, Dana Bowers, a vocalist and Airman 1st Class with the Mid America Air Force Band, told him about an opening for a pianist with the group. Will applied for the position. He recorded and sent in a performance tape that included Funk, Pop, Classical and Jazz selections. 27 other young musicians did the same. Will was one of 2 applicants chosen out of that group of 27 to fly to St. Louis to audition in person.

Will described the process as only Will could. “It was very nice, even given the inaccuracy of one of the lead sheets!” He arrived at 7:30am for his audition. The three round audition process included some 15 selections that involved playing along with a big band and a small combo. Some of the selections were given to him ahead of time. Others he had to sight read and play along on the spot. He chose the pieces for his solo round: Mozart’s Sonata in A Minor and Lush Life by Billy Strayhorn.

By 12:30 that day, Will Comer was offered the position of Airman First Class with the Air Force Band of Mid America stationed at Scott Air Force Base. The band performs from St. Louis to Chicago, but there’s a possibility of deployment outside of the United States as well. He’ll be playing in several groups that perform jazz, big band music…even rock and roll! He has committed to 4 years of service. He leaves for Basic Training in San Antonio, TX this September. When the judges found out he also played the accordion they were thrilled and are considering the purchase of an instrument for Will to play. His duties will be primarily music and include youth outreach projects. Some administrative duties are also likely added. Will is looking forward to “giving back to my country and serving for the next 4 years, growing musically as well as personally.”

When asked to describe his musical high points on accordion to date, he cites playing in many places across the country, meeting people. He has coined a style of his own on the accordion, using unique combinations with harmonic color. He credits several people in the accordion world as having a profound impact on him. Among them are his accordion teacher Sandy Zera, Don Gerundo, Eddie Monteiro, Bob Vitale and Frank Marocco. There are likely more, because Will is open to learning no matter what the circumstances, positive or otherwise.

Frank Busso, Jr. has served his country for the last 15 years as the accordionist with the Air Force Strings Primier Band as Senior Master Sargent. His official title is Superintendent of the Air force Strings. When asked to comment on Will’s new adventure with the armed forces, he says it’s a “great opportunity for Will to serve his country while doing something he loves.” Frank looks forward to serving in the military with Will, confident that he’ll do great things representing our country.

AAA Board member Manny Bobenrieth, who recently retired as accordionist with the United States Army Strolling Strings Band, offers Will his good wishes and these words of wisdom:
“Be prepared to put the needs of the Air Force above your own….”

I suspect this will come naturally to Will. He shared with me that he was considering obtaining an advanced degree in Social Work at one point along the way. He was instrumental in helping me recruit players for the jazz group, paying them out of his own pocket, performing at local venues at festival to promote the accordion whenever asked. He was ALWAYS THERE, always willing, always “WILL.” He consistently added a special “sparkle” to the jazz ensemble with his unique brand of humor and dazzling smile. His energy is boundless and has to be reigned in at times, as his teacher, Sandy Zera can attest to.

I had the honor of speaking directly to Will’s most influential piano teacher, Mr. Joseph Utterback. “ Dr. Joe,” as he is called, is a celebrated jazz pianist, composer and recording artist having performed throughout the United States and Europe. He taught for over 20 years at Sacred Heart University in CT. He’s been a jazz artist both nationally and internationally for over 50 years. His credits are too numerous to mention here. When I asked this fascinating, high energy man about his student, he responded thus: “Will is prodigiously gifted, one of the most gifted young musicians I know. I can throw anything at him and he’d do it!”

Will is among a group of young musicians that would regularly join Dr. Joe for “parties” in which the creative musical process was encouraged and they learned from and with each other. Music, according to Dr. Joe, is a shared adventure, playing along the same track, moving towards a musical goal.

Will has clearly benefited from his time with Sandy and Dr. Joe. Will says “all music is valid. The worst thing to say is NO when it comes to music. I’m open and have a fluid concept of music. I’m eclectic.”

Will’s parents, Tom and Charisee are bursting with pride for their son and his many accomplishments to date and his dedication to his musical journey, wherever it takes him. They have been, like his musical mom Sandy Zera, staunch supporters of this journey, putting their arms around him when he needed it as well as giving him the space to stretch and grow.

CAA Orchestra Conductor Peter Peluso is grateful for Will’s artistry both as a soloist at CAA concerts as well as a member of the CAA Orchestra. He consistently added youthful vigor and energy to the group.

Last Summer, while busking on accordion in New York’s Columbus Circle along with friends on bass, drums and trumpet, Will was stumbled upon by AAA member and CAA Orchestra member Fred Schwinger. Fred was totally surprised, as was Will. The crowd was upbeat, having fun. People were gathering and enjoying the music. He was clearly enjoying himself….a true “Will Moment.”

I must say I will miss “Will Moments” like these, whether it’s the mark he made on the Bob Vitale Youth Jazz Ensemble or the CAA Orchestra. Will has always felt like a second son to me and Sandy Zera. For that, we feel blessed.

AAA President Dr. Joe Ciccone sends Will his very best wishes on behalf of the American Accordionists’ Association. “We are proud of you, Will!”

We release Will into the Wild Blue Yonder with our love and very best wishes.

For further information: Marilyn@CTAccordion.com