FREE CONCERT/Jazz for the Soul SERIES FINALE with Andrew Walesch (GLENDALE)

Andrew Walesch in his debut at JAZZ for the SOUL will feature classic, favorite American Songbook tunes by Berlin, Kern, Gershwin, Porter and More! Andrew is joined by Clark Gibson (saxophone) and Chris Finet (bass); a world class trio. Come and sing-along! Don't miss this! "FRESH and CLASSIC at the same time!" — Star Tribune

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Music on a Mission is pleased to contribute 100% of all donations from this concert to a vetted local charity (TBA).

Andrew Walesch - Like a good many before him, singer and pianist Andrew Walesch somehow manages to encapsulate the sophistication of a cosmopolite and the self-effacing charm of a country boy.
Whether composing and arranging or appearing in settings ranging from solo artist to big band, this Minnesota native, who crisscrosses the country playing dates big and small, is as respectful of his predecessors as he is ready to take a leap into the unknown and chart a new course.
In his monthly, sold-out shows with his 10-piece band, Walesch is a traditionalist and an iconoclast rolled into one. His audiences include jazz enthusiasts of a certain age, as well as a younger crowd compelled by his down-home insouciance, and the knowing irreverence of a tried-and-true American nightclub entertainer. “Although they are my idols, I don’t attempt to imitate the great pop and jazz artists of the 50’s and 60’s,” says the singer and pianist, “but I go for broke when we do our shows -- vocally and musically — which is what they all did best and why they were in a class of their own."
His vocal and piano chops, along with his keen sensibility to find and interpret a great lyric, have led to some great opportunities for Walesch, including an appearance on the nationally syndicated NPR broadcast Mountain Stage and more recently, an invitation to perform at the 33rd Annual Cabaret Convention at the Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City. In 2023, Andrew accepted the position of artistic director of the MIM Music Theater in Phoenix, Arizona where he now resides.

Clark Gibson - is a jazz saxophonist, composer, and the Director of Education at The Nash in Phoenix, AZ. He is a highly sought after adjudicator and clinician throughout the country. His forward-thinking music is strongly rooted in the traditions of jazz musicians of the 20th century, the history of Western classical music, his own life experiences, as well as musical traditions from cultures across the globe. Clark’s professional career began in Denver, Colorado performing popular music genres such as jazz, funk, blues and more. While there, he formed his own group, the Clark Gibson Quartet which was nominated for “Best Jazz Group in Colorado” by Westword Magazine and released his first independently released CD “The Offering”.

Clark received his Bachelor of Music in jazz at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, WA. During his studies, he stayed busy teaching his own private students and performing with such notables as the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, the Temptations, the Four Tops, the Jim Knapp Orchestra, Lalo Rodriguez, Nueve Era, Tombau, the Jim Kerl Big Band and Dina Martin, as well as performing with a host of local masters including Jay Thomas, Greta Matassa, Clarence Acox, Greg Williamson and the Pony Boy All-Star Big Band. From 2012-2015, Clark completed his masters and doctoral degree at the University of Illinois. During this time, he recorded a third album as a leader self-titled as the “Old Style Sextet”. The cd received high reviews and national airplay through BluJazz Records based out of Chicago, IL as well as received 2nd Place in the international jazz & blues competition at the Venetian in Macau, China.

In 2010, Clark recorded his second album “Iapetus,” released on Pony Boy Records, which featured his latest original compositions and arrangements. In 2015, Clark released Charlie Parker with Strings: The Lost Arrangements through BluJazz Records. The recording is receiving national attention from radio as well as positive reviews in publications such as Down Beat, allaboutjazz.com, the L.A. Jazz Scene and Oklaoma Magazine. Clark Gibson's 2019 album release "Tri-Colored Eyes" is all original music featuring Euan Edmonds on trombone, Jim Pisano on tenor saxophone, Pat Bianchi on B3 organ and Jeremy Thomas on drums.

Chris Finet - is part of the faculty of NAU’s School of Music. He teaches double bass along with directing the jazz ensembles and teaching jazz improvisation courses. Originally from the Phoenix area, Chris attended NAU as an undergraduate studying under late professor, Joel DiBartolo. While in Arizona he worked with many of the state’s great jazz artists including Chuck Mahronic, Fred Forney, Dom Moio, and others along with holding a position in the Flagstaff Symphony. While an undergraduate, he was awarded full scholarships to attend summer programs at the Berklee School of Music, the Skidmore Jazz Institute, and the Henry Mancini Institute.

After completing his undergraduate studies, Chris received scholarships from both classical and jazz departments to attend the Manhattan School of Music in NYC. He Studied with New York Philharmonic bassists Orin O’Brien and David Grossman as well as Metropolitan Opera Orchestra members Tim Cobb and Jeremy McCoy, and graduated with his Master of Music degree in 2008. Once finished with his studies at MSM, Chris was in demand as a freelancer in New York in both the jazz and classical realms. Orchestral positions include the Chamber Orchestra of New York, Manhattan Chamber Orchestra, Allentown Symphony Orchestra (PA), Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra (PA), the Binghamton Philharmonic (NY), and Principal Bass of the Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra (NY). He worked with renowned conductors such as Kurt Masur, Sydney Harth, Pinchas Zukerman, Raymond Leopard, and others. In 2008, he also became a member of the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas under the direction of Alondra de la Parra. It was with that orchestra that Chris performed at the 2008 Latin Grammy Awards, toured Mexico multiple times including performances at the 2010 Bicentennial Celebration, and recorded 2 critically acclaimed albums for Sony Classical.

While maintaining a busy schedule as an orchestral musician, Chris has also performed with jazz greats such as Doc Severinsen, Roy Hargrove, Dave Douglas, Dave Liebman, Benito Gonzales, Dave Gruisin, John Tchicai, Flora Purim, Jimmy Cobb, and many others. Performance venues include Jazz at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, the Blue Note, the Jazz Standard, and the Telluride Jazz Festival.

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ALL JFTS CONCERTS ARE FREE and open to the public and all donations received will benefit local and international humanitarian causes. You do not need to register for this event, but if you haven't done so, so we can keep you posted with Jazz for the Soul updates and reminders. Doors open at 4:45PM

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