The Thread City Jazz Trio has been playing together since 2014, as part of the house band for the Stomping Ground’s Thursday night jazz sessions in Putnam, CT.  The trio format is a special ensemble in jazz, with a tradition going back to the early swing era.  With a basic instrumentation of piano, bass and drums, the musicians can explore and reinterpret music spontaneously.   Trios led by Bud Powell, Bill Evans, Ahmad Jamal, and Keith Jarrett have often been on the creative forefront in jazz, and continue to serve as an inspiration to contemporary musicians. Thread City Jazz Trio continues in that tradition, playing material from the standards repertoire in an expressive, adventurous, and visceral manner.

The trio members are:

Pianist Anthony Cornicello is a Professor of Music at Eastern Connecticut State University, where he has taught jazz piano as well as directed the Eastern Jazz band.  Anthony has been involved with jazz since the 1980s, leading his own ensembles and playing with avant-garde groups such as “Inside/Out”. 

Rick O'Neal is a Bass Player for a few regional bands including Delta Generators and ONeal Armstrong. Rick has appeared at the San Francisco and Montreal Jazz Festivals, and has opened for Etta James and BB King. He is now an adjunct Professor at Eastern Connecticut State University.

Drummer Matt Bronson. 

An active performer and educator, percussionist Matthew Bronson has carved his way into the world of music with a unique skill set and background. A New England native, Matt received a bachelors degree in Music Education from Western Connecticut State University, and a Master of Music Degree in Percussion Performance from the University of Minnesota Duluth. This diverse background finds him both at home as a dynamic performer and teacher including as an adjunct Professor at Eastern Connecticut State University.