Dr. Chip Crotts
Dr. Chip Crotts is Associate Professor of Trumpet and Director of Jazz Studies at Samford University in Birmingham, AL. A GRAMMY nominated artist, Chip has been an on call trumpet player for the Disney Company and has performed for them throughout the US and Europe. He has also toured and performed with numerous artists, most notably Natalie Cole, Rhythm and Brass, The Manhattan Transfer, Boston Brass, Ray Charles and the great Maynard Ferguson.
Chip is very active in the marching arts and has been an adjudicator for Drum Corps International, Bands of America and numerous state marching contests across the United States. He began his DCI career as a member of the Phantom Regiment from 1989-1990 and spent 1991-1992 as a member and soprano soloist of the 13-time Drum Corps International World Champion Blue Devils, receiving the “Performer of the Year” Award both years. As a DCI educator, Chip has been a caption head for Spirit Drum and Bugle Corps (2006-2007) and co-caption head of the two time DCI Champions Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps (2008). Chip is currently in his first season as a member of the Blue Devils brass staff.
Dr. Crotts holds degrees from East Carolina University and Penn State University, as well as a Doctor of Musical Arts in Jazz Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. In addition to being a first call player for many national Broadway tours and shows, Chip also performs with groups such as the Alabama Symphony, Hunstville Symphony, Night Flight Big Band and SuperJazz Big Band. He is also an associate member of the Tuscaloosa Horns, with whom he tours year round with such groups as The Temptations, Four Tops, OJ’s and Frankie Valli.
Chip will join the Blue Devil Brass Staff
Ricky Odello
Ricky Odello is a lifetime member of the Blue Devils' family. He began his drum corps career with the Blue Devils "C" Corps in 1989, at the young age of three. Ricky marched with the "C" Corps 1989-1998, the "B" Corps 1999-2002, and the "A" Corps 2003-2007. Ricky was also a member of the Sacramento Freelancers Winter Percussion Ensemble in 2002 and 2007. He is the Grandson of Ann and Tony Odello, the organization's founders, and son of DCI Hall of Famer and current BDB and BDC director Rick Odello.
During his time with the Blue Devils Ricky won two DCI World Championships (2003 and 2007), one High Percussion Title (2007), and one World Music Festival Championship (2005). After aging out of The Blue Devils, Ricky earned a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature and a minor in Education at UC Santa Cruz (class of 2007).
Ricky uses a teaching philosophy that embodies the methodical approach and leadership qualities he learned while marching with the Blue Devils.
Ricky will join The Blue Devils Percussion staff.
See 2010 Blue Devils Staff List