Had an amazing and completely unique trip to the Russian far east. Siberia in the winter is everyones dream, ice fishing, fur hats, balalaikas and domras, borsch, ice sculptures...and vodka, an endless infusion of vodka. The people were some of the warmest and most welcoming of any place I've been in the world. I think we all made friends we'll have for many years.
The band of Darrell Grant, Marilyn Keller, Mark Hutchinson and Charlie Gray was not only great musically but a blast to travel, hang, and be ambassadors with. For details about our adventures, check out Darrell's blog: http://thejazzbridgeproject.wordpress.com/
Finishing a NEW RECORDING with Nancy King and François Théberge February 17-28
François and I planned this project 8 years ago in his apartment in Paris. The plan was to compose NEW MUSIC for the worlds greatest jazz singer... under the influence of a rabbit fricassee and a couple killing bottles of Hermitage, this sounded like a great idea. Bringing it to fruitionhowever has been a much longer road than it seemed that night. The process of writing music for a vocalist, especially this specific vocalist, is very different than writing the kind of jazz I usually do. For one thing the melody has to be sung... in other words, ideally, the melody would be MELODIC. For another, this music needs LYRICS! a terrifying concept. Realizing quickly that my ability to write even a bad lyric was non-existent, I needed help. Andrea Neimeic and Taylor Williams, both exceptional young songwriters and lyricists worked their magic to put meaningful words to my melodies. We've put together a disorienting array of great musicians, (Tim Bryson bass clarinet, Matt Warming, Lars Campbell, Jon Ramm-Gramenz, John Moak trombone, Dan Balmer guitar, Dan Tepfer, Steve Christofferson piano, Glen Moore, Tom Wakeling bass, John Gross tenor, Ja'tik Clark tuba) to record this new material, and now Francois and I are thrilled and terrified to have Nancy sing our new music... to finally have our plan become reality! I'll keep you posted on when it's ready and where you can hear it.
A heads-up for a very happening event...
2/11/2012 AJAM presents a
workshop with Steve Wilson and John Wiitala!!!
AJAM - 1223 SW 16th ave 97205, Saturday Noon-2pm, $20 at the door.
 Steve and John are unquestioned masters of their instruments, of teaching, and of group communication. The workshop will be focusing on the dynamics of improvising with other people. Steve and John will play in a trio and/or quartet setting, answer all your questions, and maybe even get a couple of you to play with them.
John Wiitala has worked with some of the greatest names in jazz, including Joe Henderson, Junior Cook, Charlie Rouse, James Moody, Bud Shank, and Cecil Payne. He has toured with Richie Cole, Arturo Sandoval, Shorty Rogers, and Jessica Williams, and has played at jazz festivals around the world, including Monterey, North Sea, Montreux, Detriot, and JVC/Concord.
Please RSVP by email to ajamusicpdx@gmail.com or phone 503-544-1504 so we can get a sense of how many people will be showing up. thanks.
 Alan Jones Academy of Music
 AJAM brings musical education to the small group setting, in the forward-thiking and innovative style of a "real world" jazz band environment. Aspiring musicians are placed in dedicated ensembles who work together consistently throughout the term(s) of instruction. Band members will receive group instruction emphasizing the importance of listening and working together, as well as individual coaching with assignments designed specifically for each student. Ensembles will develop a distinctive style and group sound, build their own repertoire of music, prepare for performances, auditions, contests, learn to navigate the music business, and more. Each band will also have the opportunity to perform throughout the community.
For more information on AJAM, please visit:
http://www.ajampdx.com
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January Calendar
25
AJAMsession featuring The Universal Expanding Quartet (UXQ), Blue Monk, 8-11, no cover, all ages
February Calendar
1
Farnell Newton Quintet plays the music of Wayne Shorter, Ivories, 8:30-12, $7- cover, all ages
2
AJAMsession featuring The Jonsemble, Blue Monk, 8-11, no cover, all ages
9
AJAMsession featuring The Wishermen, Blue Monk, 8-11, no cover, all ages
12
Alan Jones - Randy Porter Trio
featuring John Wiitala, Bainbridge Is. "Sunday at the Commons" Concert Series, www.firstsundaysconcerts.org, 4-6, $20 adults, $15 seniors, $10 youth
16
AJAMsession featuring The Jonsemble, Blue Monk, 8-11, no cover, all ages
20
Charles McPherson Quartet in association with the Portland jazz festival, Jimmy Mak's (*inc. link to jimmy's website*), 9:30-11, $15-$20 www.ticketsoregon.com
23
AJAMsession featuring FROM PARIS François Théberge on tenor sax, George Colligan on B3!, Alan Jones on drums, Blue Monk, 8-11, $5 cover for this special show, all ages
24
Alan Jones Sextet, feat. FROM SEATTLE Thomas Marriott, The new basement jazz club at the Brasserie Montmartre, 8:30-11:15, $10 cover, all ages
24-25
Portland Jazz Festival JAM SESSION featuring Ez Weiss, Tom Wakeling, Alan Jones, midnight-2am, no cover, all ages
25-26
Portland Jazz Festival JAM SESSION featuring Ez Weiss, Tom Wakeling, Alan Jones, midnight-2am, no cover, all ages
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