JOTO - Jazz on the Oboe: Part 2

Indeed... listen to this frenchman, Jean-Luc Fillon...

Gee, Baby, ain't I good to you

Cool and understated Joe Williams, Dizzy Gillespie & Henry Johnson...

JOTO - Jazz on the Oboe!

This gal - Oboe tomoca - does something few dreamed of... she plays jazz on that "goofy" double-reed instrument which usually sits in the depths of an orchestra... right in the middle and almost unseen by most... the Oboe!

Tomorrow a post of the "grand master of oboe jazz" - Yusef Lateef ... no doubt an inspiration to Oboe tomoca's playing!!

JOTFH - Jazz on the french horn!!

Years ago there was a fellow named Julius Watkins who played Jazz french horn and was "The Man!"

Here's a fellow who's still tootin' jazz on the French Horn - his name is Giovanni Hoffer, and he's a real player, too!!!

He's playing the jazz standard, "Freddie the Freeloader."

Hey, Giovanni - Julius would be proud!!!!!

Billy Mitchell returns in May!

Yup, he's back with us in May 2010 for another "Sedona Jazz at the Church" concert!

We're still working on the particulars, but should have everything figured out within the month.

As many know, Mitch was here in September of last year, finishing off a weekend of two concerts (the first being with Renee Patrick & Steve Sandner) and it was a great time for everyone who attended.

The founder and director of the Scholarship Audition Performance Preparatory Academy (SAPPA), an advocate of World Music, and an absolutely fabulous man AND musician, Mitch's time with us promises to be another high point in our Jazz at the Church Concert series.

So check the jazz home page next week for the exact dates, and then mark your calendar... in ink!

Here's a video of Billy's group at a concert with saxophonist Carol Chaikin, at the "Tribute to World Music" concert in 2008 at the Levitt Pavilion Summer concert series in Pasadena, CA...

Not jazz... but it's really, really good!

Here's a once in a lifetime "find" for a fellow who taped this in the parking lot of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in Sharon, Pennsylvania. Kenny Vance is the fellow with the shades on...

Daughter & Dad Duo Plus One

You can now purchase your tickets for the Valentine's Day Concert, with Renee Patrick and George Grant doing the vocals and Steve Sandner on piano.

It's billed as "Daughter & Dad Duo Plus One" and promises to be a great, grand and glorious way to spend Valentine's Day with that someone special!!

This is a "return engagement" for both Renee and Steve, while George (of Castelles & Ink Spots fame) makes his Jazz at the Church debut.

What a fabulous afternoon it promises to be!!!

Within the week we'll have "spotlights" posted on all three of these marvelous musicians, so check back for more information AND our usual and great spotlight videos culled from YouTube of innumerable jazz artists!

Tickets are available at the church and online, so for ticket information, et al, click the picture which accompanies the upper right "Next Concerts" link.

Nina Simone & the "Backlash Blues"

Nothing need be said, eh?

Clark Terry on the Tonight Show

Clark Terry gets a "Lifetime Achievement Award" this month from the Grammys. Well deserved, to say the least!!! Here's a video of Clark on the Tonight Show... and watch for his circular breathing!

Yes, there's ALWAYS a Silver Lining

Yes, we had to cancel the concerts.

Yes, the parking lot was a sea of mud and goo.

Yes, we all were disappointed that Laura, Jim and Warren wouldn't be in our midst, entertaining and lifting us up musically with good vibes and great rhythm...

However, In the midst of life - when it's not all that "good" at first glance - there is always a silver lining to the cloudiness of our surroundings.

Such was the case with this weekend. Although the weather "pushed out" and precluded any concerts, there was a bit of beauty given.

The accompanying picture was taken yesterday, in the midst of the snow storm. It shows the gate to Saint Luke's Church, and the water streaming down the walkway towards the parking lot.

It is a kind of visible reminder of the "silver linings" of life, albeit this weekend's events are a bit of a mini life lesson: things don't happen on our timetable.

We may be "ready, willing and able," but circumstances can change what occurs.

Fear not! Things work out in time. And in reference to the postponed concerts, they will take place in March, and there's no doubt that they will be another high point in our Jazz Ministry and work for the Lord.

So let's thank God for the beauty of the earth, the changing winds of rain, sleet and snow, and then remember what is perhaps the most timely lesson of all... when events happen in life, look for the presence of God in it: that is, the good, the glorious.

He'll be there. He always is. Sometimes, however, we just "hang our head" and don't see Him.

Do you see Him in the picture? (click it with your cursor to make it larger.)

Weekend Concerts Postponed - really bad weather!

This weekend's scheduled concerts have been postponed due to the rain, flooding, and subsequent snowy weather in Sedona.

However, all is NOT lost, as we are in the process of rescheduling the concerts for the weekend of March 12 - 14.

That will be the weekend of the 4th Sunday in Lent, commonly called "Refreshment Sunday" - a day when the Lenten discipline is relaxed, both liturgically and personally.

So this particular "Refreshment" weekend will not only witness flowers returning to adorn the Altar on this Sunday (their absence throughout Lent is one of the "rigors"), but we'll even be refreshed musically...

How so? The two postponed concerts - "Tribute to the Music of Doris Day" and"Jazz Praise... Amazing Grace ala Take Five: Church Hymns & Jazz Standards Swingin' Together" - WILL return to both enliven our spirits and refresh our souls!!!

Now, THAT'S Refreshment!

The specific times and dates will be published within two weeks.

So what's the next regularly scheduled concert? Click the "Next Concerts" picture (above right) to find out about a really cool Valentine's Day concert!

This is a video from a few years ago, taken at a concert at Saint Peter's Church in New York City, which is affectionately called by many New Yorkers "The Jazz Church."

And then there's us - Sedona, AZ and the Jazz at the Church concert series.

Pick up your tickets for this weekend concerts, either at the church today and tomorrow from noon until 3pm, or online via the "Next Concerts" picture in the upper right hand corner of the blog, and see you at the concerts!

Woody Shaw & Friends

See you Saturday & Sunday?

A great weekend, with two distinct concerts: "A Tribute to the Music of Doris Day" and "Jazz Praise: Amazing Grace ala Take Five - Church Hymns & Jazz Standards Swingin' Together"

Get your tickets by clicking on the "Next Concerts" picture to the right, and for now...

enjoy the video below, of the late, great and cool struttin' Woody Shaw at the Mt Fuji Jazz Festival some years back... around two years or so before Woody died.

Get your tickets for this weekend

The trio of Jim Martinez (piano), Laura Didier (vocals) and Warren Jones (bass) are coming to Saint Luke's this weekend for two concerts, and it promises to be not only a fun event, but a joyous experience, also!

Here's the lineup for the weekend:

~ 3 pm Saturday ~

"Tribute to the Music of Doris Day"

~ 3 pm Sunday ~

"Jazz Praise Concert"

Amazing Grace ala Take Five:

Church Hymns & Jazz Standards Swingin' Together!

Click the "Next Concerts" picture (above & to the right) for tickets & info...

they're on their way!!

It's not quite the pony express, but Jim, Laura and Warren are moving our way (maybe THIS should be their theme song for the week?) ...

Yesterday they did the Doris Day Tribute at Historic First Presbyterian Church in Phoenix, tuesday and wednesday they will be at Faith Lutheran Church in Yuma, AZ, then back to Phoenix for a gig on thursday at the Steinway center, then "over and up" to Overgaard's Faith Lutheran Church for a friday night gig and then finally - voila! - they'll be with us on Saturday and Sunday!!!

Gadzooks, they're busy, aren't they!!!

Get your tickets today online - right HERE - and we'll see you at Church for two great afternoons of fabulous music by Jim Martinez on piano, Laura Didier doin' the singing, and Warren Jones on bass!

Jim Martinez plays Billville

Here's Jim doing a duo with himself...

And remember, he's going to be here at the Church next weekend (Jan. 23 & 24, 2010) for two concerts! Click the "Next Concerts" picture to the right for information and tickets...

Jim Martinez & Lionel Hampton

Lionel Hampton & Jim Martinez playin' in NYC in 2000... a great piece of history, to say the least!

And remember: Jim, Laura Didier and Warren Jones will be with us February 23 & 24, 2010, so get your tickets now!! Just click on the "next concerts" poster to the right....

Jim's posted "info" from the video is this:

"This was Hamp's 2nd to last recording session (12/00) at age 91. The session was for "Praise Him With Jazz" at Avatar Studios in NYC. www.jimmartinez.com for more info. Video credit to my good buddy in NY, Joe Covey."\

"Jazz at the Church" Spotlight: Warren Jones III, Bassist

Warren Jones appears for the first time at our Jazz at the Church series with Laura Didier and Jim Martinez in January 2010.

Here's a GREAT bio on him, culled directly from his website....

"Warren L. Jones III has spent more than 30 years as a professional bassist, composer, clinician and teacher.

"He has performed and recorded with national and local musicians and entertainers in the Valley of the Sun since 1980.

"A Jazz Bass Performance graduate of the Arizona State University School of Music in 1986, he has taught in high schools, community colleges, and was an adjunct faculty member of the ASU Jazz department. Currently he is an adjunct faculty member at Mesa Community College.

"He appears with both local and national artists on more than 30 CDs and DVDs. Mr. Jones has composed over 30 pieces of music for various diverse ensembles. His compositions and arrangements have been performed locally and internationally.

"Warren was a founding member of the award winning Craig Render Quartet in the 1980's and has been mentioned in Downbeat magazine as a musician to be noticed in Arizona.

"Warren has performed as a sideman on many jazz recordings, including two releases by the Phoenix Jazz Quartet, several with the Keith Greko Trio, “Live at Inspirations” with Bob Kindred and Chuck Marohnic, "The Complete Phoenix Recordings" with the Carl Fontana/Conte Condoli Quintet, "A Cool Brassy Night at the North Pole" with Summit Brass, Fred Forney's "Into the Mist", and the critically acclaimed Bob Ravenscroft Trio's , “Live at Taliesen West”.

"Warren has been, and is a leader of several jazz ensembles, including the Trio 2000, the Quartetto del Sol, and the Phoenix Jazz Quartet with Armand Boatman and the Moio Brothers. His most recent group "BRIDGES" features Jacob Koller on piano and is a critical success."

For more information on Warren, and to purchase his CD go to his website, found HERE.

Finally, here's a video of Warren playing with guitarist Chris Champion on "All Blues.."

"Jazz at the Church" Spotlight: Laura Didier, Vocals

Vocalist Laura Didier, together with pianist Jim Martinez, began our Jazz at the Church Concert series in February 2009.

The concert was billed as "Church Hymns & Jazz Standards Swingin' Together" and was a fitting beginning to what has turned out to be a very successful and joyous endeavor for our parish.

In 2010 Laura and Jim will present not only the above-mentioned Jazz Praise concert, but have expanded into a second concert entitled "A Tribute to the Music of Doris Day." (click HERE for the "A Tribute to Doris Day" website)

It's good to have the two of them back with us again, and we'll probably have them revisit us in 2011, too... they absolutely love Sedona!

Here's a biographical sketch on Laura, culled from her myspace website:

"Laura Didier was raised with an appreciation for music by her father, a classically trained pianist, and her mother, with whom she shares a love of musical theater. At an early age, she developed her ear for song and found herself being drawn toward the sweet, sentimental, and sultry sounds of the great American vocalists. She was, and continues to be, inspired by the music of Doris Day, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Sarah Vaughn, Rosemary Clooney, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald and many others.

"Didier has spent the past fifteen years supporting the Air Force career of her husband and raising their three sons, Alex, Sam, and Zach. While stationed from 1997-2004 in Goldsboro, NC, she joined the choir at her church. During that time, she continued to develop vocally and discovered that singing would always be her passion.

"Didier first began studying voice when she and her family moved to Carmel, CA in 2004. Two years later, she relocated to her hometown of Sacramento, CA, where she continued studying both classical and jazz singing. In August of 2008, Didier relocated back to Goldsboro, NC, where she and her family currently reside.

"Jam sessions are a great place to play and meet other musicians. While living in Sacramento, Didier had the fortune of meeting CA Jazz pianist Jim Martinez in February of 2007 at such an event. She has been performing with his group nationally ever since. Highlights have included the Sacramento, CA Jazz Festival, the Vacaville, CA Jazz Festival, and a Christmas concert in Davenport, IA. In February of 2008, she traveled with the Jim Martinez trio to Moscow, ID for the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival where she participated in the "Jazz in the Schools" program and assisted with student workshops. Most recently, Didier returned from her first international appearance at the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival in New Brunswick, Canada.

"Didier continues to expand her musical skills by adding business and promotions. She co-headlined and co-produced the Spring 2008 "Sacramento/Seattle Jazz Divas" concert in Loomis, CA as well as a Christmas concert in Goldsboro, NC in November of 2008. Along with her pianist and musical director Jim Martinez, Didier has co-developed a "Tribute to the Music of Doris Day" show which premiered in Roseville, CA in February of 2009."

Laura can be found on the internet on MySpace and her new website, LauraDidier.com. Here's Laura singing at a concert in Carmel, California a while back...

"Jazz at the Church" Spotlight: Jim Martinez, piano

Jazz pianist Jim Martinez, together with vocalist Laura Didier, began our Jazz at the Church Concert series in February 2009.

The concert was billed as "Church Hymns & Jazz Standards Swingin' Together" and was a fitting beginning to what has turned out to be a very successful and joyous endeavor for our parish.

In 2010 Jim and Laura will present not only the above-mentioned Jazz Praise concert, but has also added a second concert entitled "A Tribute to the Music of Doris Day." (click HERE for the "A Tribute to Doris Day" website)

Here's the link for tickets for their appearances on January 23 & 24, 2010.

Jim presents a variety of live shows, including not only the above mentioned Jazz Praise and Doris Day concerts, but also tributes to Oscar Peterson, Lionel Hampton and Edvard Grieg, together with "The Jazz Music from A Charlie Brown Christmas" and a Diva Series concert.

Currently living in Sacramento, California, Jim, a classically-trained pianist, has performed or recorded with notables like Lionel Hampton, the Stan Kenton Band, the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, Christian McBride, Benny Golson, Roy Hargrove, Russell Malone and Ed Thigpen, the first drummer with the Oscar Peterson Trio. Hampton was a guest on Jim's fifth CD titled "Praise Him With Jazz".

After a 2002 concert at Carmel Presbyterian Church, the legendary Clint Eastwood said in a Los Angeles newspaper interview, "Last night, we went to a church in Carmel where a guy named Jim Martinez was playing...they were great."

If you follow our meditation series on YouTube, you'll know that we use Jim's Jazz Praise music often, and if you would like more information on Jim and his music, it can be found via his website at www.JimMartinez.com

Here's one of several of Jim's videos on YouTube, ending with a very cool "They will know we are Christians...." :

Ave Maria

God, Faith and Jazz.... holiness in the midst of the temporal... played by the European Jazz Trio.

Trying to Get Good: The Jazz Odyssey of Jack Sheldon

This is a promo for a GREAT DVD. Buy it!

Maynard Ferguson Meets Miles Davis, Clark Terry and Clifford Brown

Yup, you guessed it... Maynard was "big" in my early years, too!!!

Richard Galliano Trio - Accordian Jazzer!!

An original from Bill Carter

Blues Man Roy Book Binder

The skuttlebutt is that Roy will be around our neighbourhood in May or June of this year ... hmmmmmm

What do you think? Maybe a Sedona visit?

Michael Brecker & friends... a spiritual & musical communion

This is the first of two videos posted by the Jazz Video Guy of these musicians... in a few days I'll post the next one...

Christmas Eve Jazz @ a Presbyterian Church

We're not the only church to have done some Christmas Eve Jazz...

To quote the information posted with the youtube video below, "An old French carol updated in an amazing way - recorded live on 12/24/2009 at First Presbyterian Church, Clarks Summit, PA. It's the Presbybop Christmas Eve Band, with Rev. Bill Carter on piano, Michael Carbone on saxophones, Tony Marino on bass, and Marko Marcinko on percussion. "

A new year begins w/ "A Night in Tunisia"