Jan McDonald. Courtesy photo
LAHS News:
The Los Alamos Historical Society (LAHS) invites the public to a piece of cake and concert by local legend Jan McDonald, trumpet, joined by famed Bert Dalton Trio (Bert Dalton, piano; Rob “Milo” Jaramillo, bass; John Bartlit, drums)!
Birthday cake-cutting begins at 6:30 p.m., the concert at 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15, in the heart of Los Alamos’ Historic District, near Oppenheimer’s house: Fuller Lodge, 2132 Central Avenue. The event is free and open to the public.
Great American jazz works will range from Duke Ellington to Dave Brubeck, both of whom once performed on The Hill, near Oppenheimer’s house, and beyond.
Santa Fe musician McDonald is an accomplished music educator and trumpet player. He has performed in numerous professional ensembles, symphony orchestras, and combos throughout the state. He is one of the founders of the Los Alamos Big Band and Black Mesa Jazz Quintet and served as director of the Los Alamos High School band for 30 years. (Hilltopper alumnae know him memorably as Mr. Mac!) Jan is the recipient of the Outstanding Secondary Educator Award and the Outstanding New Mexico Jazz Educator Award. His award winning first CD, Sweet, a selection of jazz standards and original compositions, was released in 2010.
Dalton, Bartlit and “Milo” Jaramillo play a varied repertoire of jazz, Latin, and Brazilian music, plus a group synergy that only comes from performing together for twenty years. In addition to their trio performances, they are the core members of the award-winning five-piece Brazil Project. The trio has played tribute concerts to George Gershwin, Dave Brubeck, and produced Chris Calloway’s final concert recording honoring Lena Horne.
Bert Dalton
Pianist Dalton is recipient of the New Mexico Music Commission Platinum Award, the Santa Fe Mayor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, and the New Mexico Music Industry Eric Larson Lifetime Achievement Award. Performance and recording credits include John Clayton, Jeff Hamilton, Herbie Mann, Regina Carter, Bud Shank, Anita O’Day, Albert “Tootie” Heath, Melissa Aldena, Bobby Shew, Ali Ryerson, Victor Mendoza, Shirley MacLaine, the Smothers Brothers and Howard Alden, among others.
Originally from Chicago, Dalton has been a New Mexico resident since 1990. He served 25 years as Music Director of the National Dance Institute of New Mexico and has performed at major jazz festivals in Telluride, Sedona, Santa Fe, Aspen, Mexico, New Zealand and Australia. His Latin jazz group “Yoboso” won the 1996 BET Jazz Discovery Competition.
John Bartlit
Veteran of Mr. Mac’s Magic Band, Percussionist Bartlit received a music performance degree from the University of New Mexico and was on faculty for 12 years. Bartlit’s trademark is versatility, as seen in a sampling of his professional ties: the New Mexico Symphony, New Mexico Marimba Band, John Lewis of MJQ, Rita Moreno, Chris Calloway, John Cage, the International Flamenco Festival, Bert Dalton Trio, the Brazil Project, several dance troupes, and his own invention, “Skumbaag”, described as 21st Century Phantasmagoric Rockin’ Vaudeville. He has a platinum album with Robbie Robertson, film credits, and premier recordings of works by modern classical composers.
Rob “Milo” Jaramillo
“Milo” Jaramillo started out playing sax and flute, then switched to bass in high school. He also studied at UNM and went on to perform with John Lewis, Tommy Berndtsson, Bill Watrous, Tony Quinones, Hillary Smith, Ritmo Caliente and Chris Calloway. He has toured extensively throughout the U.S, Australia, and Cuba with the Pink Flamingos, Yoboso, & Ritmo Caliente. Jaramillo is in great demand in the New Mexico music scene performing regularly with Hillary Smith, Chill House, Ron Crowder, Bert Dalton Trio, and the Brazil Project. He resides in Isleta Pueblo.