Introducing The Dunes Trio
Featuring Debbie Sullivan
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Debbie Sullivan played piano and sang in a rock band during high school. She headed to college as an English major but continued to find herself irresistibly drawn to music. After completing a BA in music, she formed a jazz group that toured the East Coast.
Eventually she settled in the Boston area to continue her musical studies at Berklee College of Music. Debbie appeared throughout New England for years and then ventured to Europe to perform at 5-star hotels in Sweden and Switzerland. Subsequently she became the house pianist at the Nantucket Yacht Club, appearing for eight consecutive summer seasons. Realizing how much she loved oceanside living, Debbie moved to Narragansett. While raising a son and performing at Foxwoods and in Newport she also managed to earn a Master’s Degree in Music Education at the University of Rhode Island. Debbie taught music in Rhode Island for several years but eventually moved back to the Boston area when she was offered a job in Cambridge. Living a double life as teacher and musician is fulfilling but challenging. Debbie is looking forward to the time when she will again be a year-round Narragansett resident. “Playing music every summer at the Dunes Club is incredibly special to me because Narragansett feels like home.” |
Bassist Tom Charlap comes from a prominent New York musical family. His brother is noted jazz pianist Bill Charlap and his father was Broadway composer Marc “Moose” Charlap, who wrote the music for the Broadway hit “Peter Pan.”
As a teen Tom studied at the Harlem jazz school “Jazzmobile” under Dr. William “Billy” Taylor. He went on to graduate from the Manhattan School of Music where he studied under NY Philharmonic bassist Orin O’Brien. Tom played in the house band at Tavern On The Green and toured with the Woody Herman Band before embarking on a career as Broadway pit musician. He has performed both on Broadway and with touring companies for such shows as: Peter Pan, Cats, and Jesus Christ Superstar. Tom has done extensive freelance work in clubs and on cruise ships. His recordings include Sandy Stewart & Family, featuring his stepmother, Sandy and brother, Bill. Tom has travelled the world many times over but eagerly awaits summers at the Dunes Club. |
Paul Mason, drummer, is a Rhode Island native. After seeing the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964, Paul signed up for drum lessons and never looked back.
While earning a BA in music from the University of Rhode Island, Paul played in bands in throughout New England. He continued to perform after becoming Vice President of the Rhode Island based record label North Star Music. While at North Star, Paul produced and recorded many CDs including one with the Chili Brothers featuring special guests Rick Danko and Buddy Cage. He also recorded, produced, and played on eight CDs of standards with the North Star Jazz Ensemble and four contemporary tribute CDs with CommonGround. Paul is an adjunct to the Music Department at Brown where he has been teaching jazz drum set for over 30 years. He also currently teaches at the Wheeler School and the Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School in addition to being a ski instructor at Loon Mountain in New Hampshire. |