All Star Jazz Group Septet
Sat., Jan. 24, 2009 / 8 pm

Seven of the Hottest Jazz Musicians Around

Jesse Green - Piano
As a pianist, composer, arranger, recording artist, producer, and teacher, Jesse Green has an extensive background in music. He has written many arrangements for big band as well as small groups. “Blues for Dad”, written for his father, legendary jazz trombonist Urbie Green, was performed by the “Cota Cats” at the 1989 Cota Jazz Festival. With his own trio, he has appeared at the famous DeerHead Inn in Delaware Water Gap, PA, the Hillside Inn Jazz Lounge, River Street Jazz Café, and Blues Street Jazz Club...all Pocono area jazz clubs. Jesse has played at the Smoke Jazz Club in NYC and at the Trumpets Jazz Club in Montclair. Jesse appeared at Sculler’s Jazz Club in Cambridge, MA, along with John Lockwood on bass and Alan Dawson on drums, and at the prestigious Jazz at the Y series in New York’s 92nd Street Y. In August of 1996, Jesse headlined at Zinno’s in New York with his father, Urbie, as a special guest. He has performed at the Main Street Jazz Festival in Columbia, SC, and can be seen on a video of the festival which airs periodically on PBS. He has also appeared at the 1999 Indy Jazz fest. In July 2000, Jesse performed at the United States Day in the United Kingdom’s Millennium Dome as a member of a U.S. delegation presented by the White House Millennium Council. Further accomplishments include two semi-finalist placements in the First Biennial Jazz Piano Competition in Indianapolis, IN, and the Annual International Jazz Piano Competition in Jacksonville, FL.

Dennis Jeter - Trumpet & Vocals
In 1994 Dennis started the 'Monday Night Jam Session' at The Iridium in New York City which ran for eight months. While at the Iridium, Mr. Jeter began exploring the world of jazz through the eyes of a vocalist. This was to mark the beginning of a new era in his performing experience. The next few years were very rewarding. He had the opportunity to perform with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra both as a vocalist as well as on the trumpet. Mr. Jeter began a weekly series at the Louisiana Community Bar and Grill in the Spring of 1996. In addition to his own quintet, Dennis featured over twenty five of today's hottest jazz stars including; Slide Hampton, Cyrus Chestnut, Joe Temperely, Vincent Herring, Carl Allen, Loston Harris, Marc Cary, Rodney Kendrick, Paquito Di Rivera, Wes Anderson, Milt Grayson and many, many more. This was an opportunity not taken lightly by Mr. Jeter. He used it as a chance to re.ne his craft concentrating on the singing of standards in a tradition long forgotten by many of today's new vocalists.

Lisa Parrott - Baritone Sax
Lisa came to New York in 1993 on an Australian government grant to study with Steve Coleman. Since then in the USA, Lisa has performed with such great musicians as -Dave Brubeck, Diane Schuur, Gregory Hines, Rachel Z, Cindy Blackman, Gunther Schuller, Clifford Barbaro, Denis Charles, DIVA, Rob Reddy's Horn Choir, Kit McClure Big Band, the Jimmy Heath Big Band and the Jimmy Dorsey Big Band. She has toured with the cream of Australia's ensembles, including John Pochee's Ten Part Invention, Paul Grabowsky's Australia Art Orchestra, Lloyd Swanton's The Catholics, James Morrison's Big Band, Mara Kiek Quartet and Jackie Orszacksky. Lisa was the baritone saxophonist for The Diva Jazz Orchestra during one of the Jazz In January concerts.

Daniel Gonzalez - Drums
At 19 years of age he began performing with a Latin band named “cache.” He played with many of Hawaii’s top bands and musicians including Tropi-Jazz, Gabe Balthazar, David Choy, Rodney Perez, Wayne DeSilva, Sandy Tsukiyama, Ray Cruz, Carlinhos Deoliveira, and others. In 1993, Tropi-Jazz backed the legendary quatro player Yomo Toro in concert. In 1994, they opened up Honolulu’s First International Jazz Festival. After military service, Daniel remained on Maui for a year performing with the likes of Joe Cano, Lenny Castellanos, Fulton Toshombe, Kelly Covington, Gene Argel, Hector Serrano, Mike Zangrando, Shiro Mori, Carlos Godines, Estaire Godines, and Rolando Morales. It was in Maui where Daniel met and performed with the accomplished Bob Albanese. He has performed at Caesars Palace, the MGM Grand, Tropicana, and the Stardust.

John Jensen - Trombone
John performs with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and recently made a historic tour to Egypt, which included performances at the Giza Pyramids and at both the Cairo and Alexandria Opera Houses. John has been a featured performer at the White House, the Corcoran Art Gallery in Washington DC, and the Kennedy Center. John has performed with the McCoy Tyner Big Band and has been featured alongside Urbie Green, Milt Hinton, Stephanie Nakasian, Hod O'Brien and Danny Gatton to name just a few. He performs frequently with his quartet for concerts, clubs and private parties in the metropolitan DC area and throughout the East Coast. He has been featured at jazz parties throughout the USA. Additionally, he was lead trombonist and a featured soloist with the United States Navy Band Commodores for 12 years. John played for 10 years with John Previti's "Mingus/Monk Tribute Band" and also is featured with the group Chaise Lounge.

Evan Gregor - Bass
Evan Gregor began studying electric bass at age 13 and became exposed to jazz through the artistic community in Delaware Water Gap, PA. He received a scholarship to Berklee College of music where he received awards for both performance and his major, jazz composition. Working as a freelance bassist, Evan has toured professionally with groups in Denmark, Japan, Holland, London, Slovakia, and across Canada. He has been hired as a sideman by Gary Burton, Dave Liebman, Bill Goodwin, Phil Wilson, Bob Dorough, Urbie Green, Jesse Green, Matthias Lupri Group, Christian Scott, and performed/recorded with Vic Juris, Ian Froman, Phil Markowitz, Donny McCaslin, George Garzone, Dave Berkman, Myron Waldon and others. He recently did two tours with Grammy nominated trumpeter Christian Scott, and toured/recorded with the group Waking Vision. He is currently studying acoustic bass under Steve LaSpina with an assistantship at William Paterson University and performing regularly in New York and the northeast.

Nelson Hill - Alto Sax and Flute
Nelson Hill is a saxophonist, clarinetist and flutist from Mt. Bethel, Pennsylvania. He has studied privately with Phil Woods, Hal Galper, Eddie Daniels and James Caruso. Nelson graduated from the Eastman School of Music in 1981 with a B.M. in saxophone performance. At Eastman, Nelson studied with Ramon Ricker, Bill Dobbins, Rayburn Wright, William Osseck and Mardelle Marcellis. He performed with the National Jazz Ensemble. Upon graduation, he toured for three years with Maynard Ferguson, playing lead alto saxophone. During his stay, he recorded on the albums Storm and Hollywood. After he left Ferguson in 1984, Nelson worked at Tamiment Resort, Harrah's Marina and Mount Airy Lodge where he performed with Tony Bennet, The Spinners, The Temptations, Wayne Newton, Jay Black, Frankie Valli and many others.

Jazz In January
The Centenary Performing Arts Guild will feature, “Jazz In January 2009”, a three concert series beginning Saturday, Jan. 10th at 8pm in the Dome in the main administrative building on the campus of Centenary College - 400 Jefferson Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840 (Directions).

2009 Tickets

Tickets Now On Sale

Tickets can be purchased by calling 908-637-6455 or Centenary Box Office at 908-979-0900 Or through our Secure Online Ticketing System (Series not available online except as comment request) - MasterCard, Visa, Cash or Checks Accepted.

Tickets may also be purchased with CASH or CHECK at these convenient locations:
Panther Valley Inn
Valley National Bank
Hackettstown Carpet
Long Valley Music Center
Hackettstown Trading Post
Skylands Bank ( Mountain Ave Only)

Return to Jazz In January Page

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