TGIF News:
What: Black Mesa Brass Quintet
To: Arts Editors and Calendars
Date: April 14, 2023
Time: 5:30 (doors open at 5:15)
Where: First Presbyterian Church 208 Grant Ave. Santa Fe, NM 87501
Admission: Freewill offering and open to all
For More Information call 982.8544
Program:
TGIF April 14, 2023
- Star Wars . . . . . . . . . . . . . Williams
- Golliwog’s Cake Walk . . . . Debussy
- Porgy & Bess Sampler . . . . . Gershwin
- Summertime
- I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin,
- Puttin’ On the Ritz . . . . . Berlin
- A Foggy Day/Nice Work If You Can Get It . . . Gershwin
- Birdland . . . . . . . . . . . . Zawinul
The Black Mesa Brass Quintet was formed in 1990. Their repertoire is an eclectic mix of classical, modern, pop, and jazz tunes. They play a variety of venues, including concerts, educational performances at schools, weddings, and other special occasions. Their collective musical experience is on the order of 240 years. They are joined by percussionist John Frary for this performance.
Jan McDonald has been a mainstay of the Los Alamos music scene for decades. He is recognized nationally as an accomplished trumpet player and educator. He performs with many professional groups in New Mexico, and is the recipient of the Outstanding Secondary Educator Award and the Outstanding New Mexico Jazz Educator Award.
Bruce Letellier earned degrees in nuclear engineering from Kansas State University before moving to Los Alamos. An avid volunteer with the high school drama department, he performs regularly with numerous ensembles in northern New Mexico.
Jeremy Best started playing Horn professionally in 1996 with the Marine Corps Band and spent 4 years playing full time with multiple ensembles. He played occasionally for the next 16 years while completing his Marine Corps career. Jeremy picked up music more actively after retirement and moving to Los Alamos. He plays with numerous groups and is the newest member of the quintet.
Bruce Warren moved to Los Alamos in 2000, after a career teaching physics and math and then photography. He spent much of his time at the University of Denver playing in the Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, and other groups. After decades of not playing, he picked up the trombone again in 2008 and enjoys playing with several musical groups in the Los Alamos area.
Jerry Morzinski ended his 20-year Navy pilot career with a tour at Annapolis, where he played with Navy musicians from the Washington DC area in large- and small-group ensembles. He organizes brass ensembles, arranges music, and directs the adult choir at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos.
John Frary took up the drums again after an almost 40 year hiatus. He studied with Joe Cox and has enjoyed playing with various jazz groups in Los Alamos.
First Presbyterian offers weekly recitals 5:30-6 p.m. Friday evenings. These concerts are free and open to all. A freewill offering for the recital fund will be received.