“An evening of music inspired by America’s art form – jazz.”
Jared Wright knows whereof he speaks. He’s been a prominent figure in the local jazz scene since he graduated from Fort Lewis College in 2009. Artistic director of the Southwest Civic Winds, the Civic Winds Jazz Orchestra and convener of the newly named Jazz Collective, Wright and his trumpet can be seen and heard virtually everywhere.
He has invited four jazz-seasoned colleagues to join him for a special evening in the Unitarian Recital Series on Friday.
If you go
WHAT: UUFD Recital Series: The Civic Winds Jazz Collective.
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday.
WHERE: Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 419 San Juan Drive.
ADMISSION: $25 adults, $8 students and children. Cash or checks at the door.
MORE INFORMATION: Visit https://tinyurl.com/yckb6km9 or contact Marilyn Garst: 385-8668; mmgarst1940@gmail.com.
“I’ve been assembling pieces that reflect American jazz,” Wright said of the upcoming concert. “My hope is to express the different elements that make up the style: swing, ballad, New Orleans groove. And, of course, everything is deeply rooted in the blues. We’ll open with Wynton Marsalis’ ‘Feeling of Jazz’ from the album ‘The Magic Hour.’”
Originally recorded in 2004 with vocalist Dianne Reeves, the tune’s lyrics conjure a solitary midnight: “I feel so lonely tonight, My heart is cold and my head ain’t right. I need a feeling that sets my soul free. I need a feeling of jazz.”
The Collective will perform sans a vocalist, but a deep indigo groove will ring through the evening.
“We’ll also perform classics from the Great American Songbook, contemporary arrangements of straight-ahead standards, as well as works from the 21st century,” Wright said.
Five Four Corners jazz aficionados constitute The Jazz Collective: Wright (trumpet), Clay Lowder (percussion), Chad MacCluskey (guitar), Jack Maynes (piano) and Michelle Wagner (saxophone). Each has a solo career, performs with other ensembles and most likely has a day job in a domain other than music. As seasoned jazz musicians, the five players have come together to create a quintet unlike any other.
After graduating from FLC, Wright spread his jazz wings to perform in many ensembles and many genres. He’s currently preparing the Civic Winds for their fall concert, which will be held Nov. 21 in the Community Concert Hall at FLC. He conducts a trumpet studio and is choir director at Christ the King Lutheran Church.
Lowder has been involved with music his entire life, working as a songwriter, session player, recording engineer and band leader in California and now Colorado. Like other local luminaries, Lowder is affiliated with Stillwater Music as a teacher and he performs with the Rec Trio and the Durango Funk Collective.
MacCluskey gravitated to music at an early age, but he went on to earn degrees in neuroscience and education. He’s been active in public education for 24 years while playing guitar (or bass) in a variety of genres with many local bands.
A graduate of FLC in jazz studies, Maynes is now on the music faculty as adjunct professor. He also teaches keyboard at Stillwater Music and will be a featured soloist in a Beyond the Concert Hall program sponsored by the San Juan Symphony on Jan. 16. He continues to play with several area bands including Jeff Solon Jazz, Union Five and is keyboard for Chevel Shepherd, Season 15 winner of “The Voice.”
Wagner specializes in the entire saxophone universe (tenor, alto, baritone and soprano) as well as clarinet. Like her colleagues, she is a regular mentor at Stillwater Music and performs with a variety of ensembles. In addition, she is a Durango medical professional.
“Besides Marsalis, we’ll celebrate the works of Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Herbie, Hancock and more,” Wright said.
Judith Reynolds is an arts journalist and member of the American Theatre Critics Association.
