Geoffrey Gallante isn’t a fictitious character, although his adventures in Rocko the Hero are. He’s actually a trumpet-playing prodigy child and friend to Mona Smith and her family. When Mona was outlining Rocko the Hero, she wanted to pair the canine with a boy on the journey. Geoffrey was a perfect fit since he and Rocko have taken long walks together through the local nature preserve.  Because Geoffrey is associated with his trumpet ability, it made sense to include Geoffrey’s trumpet skills in the story.

 

           Geoffrey Gallante began playing the trumpet early, and at age four he’d already played in front of thousands at the Potomac Nationals in Virginia and the Lakewood Blue Claws in New Jersey.

Over the years his talents have been featured on such shows as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and CBS’ The Early Show and NBC’s The Today Show.

           Geoff has played with other trumpet luminaries from Phil Driscoll, Arturo Sandoval, and Hugh Masekela to the preeminent jazz musician of our time, Wynton Marsalis. Indeed last May Geoff had the distinct honor of sharing the stage with Maynard Ferguson when the legendary jazz trumpeter performed his very last show at famed Blues Alley in D.C. Chuck Mangione and Doc Severinsen are two more greats he’s met and performed for along the way.

           His many guest soloist credits already include the likes of the distinguished brass ensemble Washington Symphonic Brass (comprised in part of principal players of the NSO), the acclaimed Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra of D.C., the renowned U.S. Army Blues Jazz Ensemble (on the steps of the U.S. Capitol), the 257^th U.S. Army Band, the Allentown Band, and the Rappahanock (VA) Pops. Last Christmas season Geoff appeared with the New Bedford (MA) Symphony Orchestra and at the White House in Washington, D.C.

           Attesting to Geoff’s immense appeal as a national anthem performer are his regular appearances at professional sport venues across the country. These include such teams as the Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Bruins, Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, Detroit Pistons, Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Denver Nuggets, and the Indiana Pacers.  Geoffrey recently had the privilege of shaking hands with LaBron James.