Biography

Early Years & Education

Casey started playing trumpet at the age of seven after seeing a Maynard Ferguson concert. Growing up, he was surrounded by big band jazz, from the likes of Count Basie, Maynard, Buddy Rich, and Benny Goodman, and also listened to horn bands like Chicago, Chase, Earth Wind & Fire, and Blood Sweat & Tears.

He played in his school's jazz band and in the Cuyahoga Community College High School All-Stars Band. Casey earned a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music, graduating in 2008 with a degree in Jazz Composition. In his senior year, Casey received their Toshiko Akiyoshi Award for Jazz Composition.

He worked with the Artie Shaw Orchestra, earned his Master's degree in Jazz Studies from New England Conservatory of Music in 2012, and spent a year on the faculty of Berklee College of Music as an Assistant Professor of Contemporary Writing and Production. He relocated to Nashville in the fall of 2015.

Collaborations & Career

Casey has performed with McCoy Tyner, Maria Schneider, Phil Wilson, Greg Hopkins, and others including Omar Thomas and Dynamo.

Music City Big Band was born in spring of 2017. Casey freelances regularly (trumpet, trombone, arranger) and is an executive board member of the American Federation of Musicians Local 257.