About

Harold Johnson

Band Leader/Trombone

Harold “H” Johnson is the trombonist/vocalist for the Palm Beach Society Orchestra. He began playing professionally with Your Father’s Mustache in Denver and New York City. Since then, he has performed around the United States and the world, including a 40-year career with Walt Disney World. He was a long-standing member and leader of the Grand Florida Society Orchestra and was a member and assistant conductor of the Walt Disney World Band.  His love of jazz continued when he became the leader of the Rosie O’Grady’s Goodtime Jazz Band. 

A talented trombonist, “H” is a sought-after freelancer and has performed with the Orlando Jazz Orchestra, the MegaBones, the Bob Crosby Bobcats and with numerous national touring shows including Johnny Mathis, Red Skelton, Steve and Edie Gormet, the Four Tops and the Temptations, etc….

He studied music education at the University of Colorado and Metropolitan State College.  

John Katalenic

Piano

John Katalenic was born in Detroit, MI in 1949 and has been involved in music since the age of six. In 1969, John played with and arranged for the 101^st Airborne Division Army Band, stationed in Vietnam. After the service in 1971, he attended the Berklee School of Music in Boston, where he majored in Composition and Arranging. Returning to Detroit in ’75, John was hired as staff arranger and pianist at DB’s Club, in the Dearborn Hyatt Regency Hotel. Artists performed with there include: Joan Rivers, Jerry Lewis, Mills Brothers, Four Tops, Temptations, Red Skelton, Melissa Manchester and Tony Bennett. Locally, John also played with the Larry Nozero Jazz Quartet, which was chosen to perform at the Switzerland’s Montreaux Jazz Festival in 1981. From this experience, he caught the ear of the Ford Motor people and orchestrated the national radio commercials, “Have You Driven A Ford Lately.” In 1986 John opened his own recording studio, Sound Star Productions. In addition to his work with the car companies, he wrote, produced, and played on hundreds of local and national radio jingles, and produced many local artists.

In 1994, John joined the Walt Disney Company in Orlando, Florida and began playing piano with and arranging for the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra.

Paul Parker

Drums

Paul Parker has performed with many popular recording artists from the 50s-70s such as Little Anthony, Leslie Gore and Brian Wilson. 1995 through 2020 he was a musician at Walt Disney World performing with several shows including The Hollywood HitMen, Nova Era, Tarzan Rocks and 18 years with the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra. Over the last 20 years he has played drums for vocalist entertainer Michael Andrew performing with several pops orchestras in the United States.

Paul attended The American Conservatory of Music in Chicago Illinois studying percussion and drum set.  2005-2020 was on the adjunct faculty at Osceola County School for the Arts. 

At this time Paul enjoys freelancing/ performing in a variety of styles and teaches privately from his home studio.

Rex Wertz

Tenor & Soprano Saxophone/Clarinet/Flute

Rex has enjoyed long term musical associations with Walt Disney World, Chuck Owen’s Jazz Surge Big Band, Sam Rivers Orlando Big Band, the Orlando Philharmonic Pops Orchestra, and the Rich Walker Quintet.

He has also enjoyed performing with numerous musical acts and Broadway shows that visit Florida while on tour.

Rex has been a member of, and has especially enjoyed playing with, the Palm Beach Society Orchestra at the Grand Floridian for 20 years.

Doug Matthews

Bass/Bass Guitar

Doug Mathews, a Florida native studied Electric and Double Bass at Valencia Community College in Orlando and Berklee College of Music in Boston. In 1982 he started playing shows and special events at Walt Disney World (including a six year stint with the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra), while maintaining his freelance work and other steady gigs.

He worked as Sam Rivers’ regular bassist for 18 years performing at numerous international jazz festivals, concerts and clubs in Europe, Canada and the U.S.. Recordings with Sam Rivers include 2 Grammy nominated CD’s with the Rivbea All-star Orchestra, and albums with Steven Bernstein, Brian Groder and David Manson among others. Doug has had the privilege of playing with a wide range of artists including Petula Clark, Ira Sullivan, Lynn Ariale, and has played with numerous American and International improvisors through outreach projects with the Atlantic Center for the Arts, Timucua Arts Foundation and the Civic Mined 5.