John DeFazio has a long history of activity with drum and bugle corps in the Rochester area, beginning in 1961 with Dutchtown Lancers, followed by membership in the Ridge Culver Statesmen. He served in the United States Navy, and performed with the U.S. Navy Recruit drum and bugle corps and Miami military drum and bugle corps. He has also played in the horn lines of Rochester Crusaders and Phoenix, Mighty St. Joe’s Alumni and Ghost Riders mini corps. He has been a member of both the Empire Statesmen competing corps and the extended corps. He has served on several special committees with the Statesmen, including the advisory committee, steering committee and U.S. Marine Tattoo organizing committee. He marched with Statesmen when the corps won the World Show Band championships in England in1998 and in the Presidential Inauguration Parade in Washington in 2001.