One of the best things about summer is all of the great outdoor music festivals. The Sounds Like Summer Concert Series, presented by Volume 1 Magazine, is certainly no exception. My jazz group, The Walk/Klenz Jazz Sextet, has had a very busy summer schedule thus far, and we look forward to performing at this concert series on Thursday, July 2nd. As always, check out all of our shows by clicking on the Shows tab above.

Recently, I had the opportunity to record with the soulful South Farwell. Their new album “Tear Everything Down” is done, and I will be playing with the band for their CD release party in early July.

Tear Everything Down is awash in chops of B3 organ, in shimmering horn lines, and in plenty of rollicking piano, but the biggest asset to the band is still its pure and simple earnestness.

Read the review.

The funk band I play in, Duncan Ninja is packing a powerful one, two punch and is quickly gaining popularity. Duncan Ninja plays the music of Earth, Wind & Fire, James Brown, Tower of Power, Marvin Gaye, etc. Our shows are exploding with energy, so be prepared get down! Lastly, the Red Parrot Swing Band can be heard every Tuesday night from 7-9 at the Red Parrot Lounge - Formely Woo’s Pagoda. Come hear some classic big band music, and there are always swing dancers!

Every Tuesday night the Red Parrot Lounge presents SWING DANCING! Come out to show your moves or enjoy the dynamic sounds of the Red Parrot Big Band. This group is made up of the top musicians from the area and rivals the quality of groups from yesterday and today. Featured music includes the hits of Glen Miller, Harry James, Frank Sinatra, and so many more! If you’ve got an itch to dance, we’ll help you scratch it! - V1.

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Summer has finally arrived and with that, it is nice to take a deep breath, reflect upon another successful academic year gone by… and then get fired up about new projects! The summer is filling up fast with some awesome gigs, new groups, and several recording projects.

My catalyst group, The Walk/Klenz Jazz Sextet, is constantly booking new shows, and the whole group is looking forward to all the summer shows and festivals. If you are in the Chippewa Valley area, you can check us out at several locations. Click on the upcoming shows tab above to check out all the dates. You can keep up-to-date on our new shows as they are booked by joining our The Walk/Klenz Jazz Facebook group! The Sextet will be in the studio this month, so be on the look out for some great new tracks.

I have also been asked to be apart of some new and exciting groups in the area. There is a new funk and R&B band on the scene packing a huge blow. Duncan Ninja is an amped up group consisting of a powerful five piece horn section that plays music of Earth, Wind & Fire, James Brown, Tower of Power, Marvin Gaye, etc. Come check out one of our shows, and be prepared to groove all night!

I am also pleased to announce that a weekly big band jazz venue is back in the Valley. The Red Parrot Big Band can be heard every Tuesday starting June 16th from 7 - 9pm at The Red Parrot Lounge and Nightclub. The charts are amazing and sure to pack the dance floor. This group consists of the top players in the area. Embrace the warm rays of summer, and thank you for continuous support of great live music!

One of my recent recording sessions was with a great new group - South Farwell. South Farwell is the latest addition to the Midwestern soundscape, which is steadily gaining notoriety in today’s national (and international) music scene. The band’s debut album, Tear Everything Down, will be available early summer. Take a listen!

Mama Cried- South Farwell

It has been a very busy and exciting spring thus far! Whether I am teaching, playing a late night blues or jazz gig and getting up to play in a brass quintet the next morning, I am constantly kept on my toes!

I have been very fortunate to be apart of some wonderful musical experiences. Most recently, my high school jazz band at Regis High School, here in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, has demonstrated that patience, perseverance, and a good ole’ work ethic really pays off. Last weekend, the Regis HS Jazz Band won the Eau Claire Jazz Festival for the first time in the school’s historic 56-year existence! Congratulations to all of the Jazz Band students! Go to my Teaching Page for video.

My Jazz Sextet is also maintaining a solid performance schedule. For all you Facebook members, join the Walk/Klenz Jazz Sextet Group! “Over the past two years, The Walk/Klenz Jazz Sextet has become a fixture on the Eau Claire jazz scene. The Sextet consists of some of the most prolific musicians in the Chippewa Valley today. Led by trumpeter Jeff Walk and vocalist Adrian Klenz, The Sextet is a powerhouse group that plays original compositions, classic and mainstream jazz and everything in between.”
The Eau Claire Blues All-Stars new “Live” CD is finally mixed down. It should be available for you to groove to in June. I also laid some tracks down for the exciting and upcoming new group, South Farwell. South Farwell is the latest addition to the Midwestern soundscape, which is steadily gaining notoriety in today’s national (and international) music scene. The band’s debut album, Tear Everything Down, will be available in early summer 2009.” New Audio Clips Coming Soon!

I will be playing in some exciting ensembles and venues in the coming weeks. On February 21st, I will be joining the Saint Croix Jazz Orchestra for their “A Winter’s Jazz” concert series. The highlight of the concert will be our performance of the great Leonard Bernstein composition, “Prelude, Fugue & Riffs”. It is a “power house” of a band. Check it out if you are in the Minneapolis area.

The month March kicks off the The 42nd Annual Eau Claire Jazz Festival. The climax of the festival happens April 2-5, however, March features hundreds of live performances. My Jazz Sextet will be busy performing a few venues in addition to our bi-monthly slot at the House of Rock. On March 7th we will be at the Acoustic Cafe. This is an all ages show, so be sure to come early. This gig is going to sell out! You can also see us at the Eau Claire Regional Arts Center at the historic State Theatre. Be sure to click on the shows tab above to view all of my gigs including ones with the highly acclaimed EC Blues All-Stars.

It is hard to believe that 2008 is already coming to a close. The year was insanely busy yet very gratifying and rewarding. There is so much to look forward to in 2009!

Including the release of a new “LIVE” album from the EC Blues All-Stars!
The album consists of tracks from three different burning live shows during the late fall. It is in postproduction right now and I will keep everyone updated on its official release date. Check out the ECBAS upcoming shows by clicking on the shows tab in the menu above.

“Comprised of local music scene veterans, the All Stars contain members of the area’s finest bands, both past and present. Each member of the ensemble is a master with his instrument, as well as a martial art – everything from traditional kung-fu to Cantonese underwater knife fighting – ensuring a musical butt-kick factor of 100%.”- V1 Magazine

Live Jazz continues to flourish in 2009 with The Walk/Klenz Jazz Sextet! The Sextet consists of some of the most prolific musicians in the Chippewa Valley today. After a much needed holiday break, The Sextet will reconvene our every other Thursday performance schedule at our gracious home club, The House of Rock, starting January 22nd. We also headline the bill on the Saturday before, January 17th. As always, NO COVER!!! Doors open at 8:00 - Shows start at 9:30. See you there!

Check out the Walk/Klenz Jazz Sextet fall venues by glancing at the Upcoming Gigs Roll to the right or click on the shows tab above for more detailed information.

Also, be sure to check out the great new jazz blog on the new and improved Volume One Magazine website entitled Directions in Jazz.

“Check out the Walk/Klenz Sextet at the House of Rock on Thursday at 9 PM. This group is a fixture on the Eau Claire jazz scene. Led by trumpeter Jeff Walk and vocalist Adrian Klenz this is a powerhouse playing music from all over the musical spectrum. The House of Rock has been hosting these guys ever since the Stone’s Throw ditched its Monday night jazz line-up about a year ago. Check it out hip cats!” - V1.