Effective period / Period of releases: 1953 - 2007

Members: Al Klink, Hymie Schertzer, Bernie Leighton, Cutty Cutshall, Billy Butterfield, Lou McGarity, Carmen Mastren, Tutti Camarata, Warren Covington, Carl Poole, Jack Satterfield, Andy Ferretti, Eddie Grady, Phil Giardina, Sandy Block

The Commanders (aka The Commanders Big Band) was formed by drummer Eddie Grady and Tutti Camarata as a recording project and "road band". Eddie Grady was a child star drummer who moved through many bands before becoming an established studio session drummer. His studio experience led to the formation of The Commanders.
The Commanders toured for the 3 years between 1954 to 1957, playing the major ballrooms from coast to coast.

The original band had the 4 trombones in the front row. The second row consisted of 3 trumpets and two saxes (alto and a tenor who doubled on bass sax). The rhythm section were the drums, bass, piano and guitar.

Commanders Big Band:

TROMBONES
Al Lorraine - Lead
Porky Cohen - Jazz - Some lead too. (From Providence R.I.)
Morty Trautmaun - - A little lead
Felix Mayerhofer - A little lead

TRUMPETS
1st - Unknown - I've got a mental block
Willie Gillette - Jazz - He played some lead too.
Mario Bonofidi - Split lead - From N.Y.

SAXES
Paul Gaglio - Alto - He was featured quite often.
Lou Lindholm - Tenor and Bass Sax - He was also featured on record dates on the bass saxophone.

RHYTHM
Drums - Eddie Grady
Bass - Rudy Berser (Later replaced by Jimmy Gannon)
Piano - George Cooper
Guitar - Griff Howe

VOCALIST
Lucia Roberts - She did a recording with the band ("All By Myself")

Other Members (studio and tour)

Al Klink (tenor, bass instrument);
Carmen Mastren (guitar);
Hymie Shertzer (saxophone, alto saxophone, baritone saxophone);
Andrew Ferretti, Carle Poole, Billy Butterfield (trumpet); Bob Cutshall, Phil Giardina, Lou McGarrity, Jack Sarrerfield (trombone);
Bernie Leighton (piano);
Sandy Bloch, Bob Haggart (bass instrument);