The group formed as a quartet in 1990, with Joe Magnarelli as trumpeter, Keith Saunders as pianist, Bim Strasberg and Ornowski on drums. The band was made a quintet in 1991 with the addition Jerry Weldon, tenor saxophonist, and drummer Eddie Ornowski. Clifford Barbaro replaced Ornowski in 1996. Although their style and repertoire are hard bop, the band’s sound is not derivative. The New York Hardbop Quintet is a regular performer in New York. However, they have also performed on the West Coast many times. Ironically, all their recordings were made for the Swiss TCB record label. Allmusic
