The end to another successful school year of making great music, the sun is out longer which means summer is here! 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 1st.

Here is the gist of the concert series –

The Sounds Like Summer Concert Series is Volume One’s Thursday-night gig in downtown Eau Claire’s Phoenix Park. Local bands play to crowds of approximately 1,000 people each night on the banks of the Chippewa River in June, July, and August. The show runs from about 6:30pm to 8:30pm, but new in 2010 is a “pre-show” set from area singer/songwriters at 6pm.

Some other projects that I’m involved with will be performing at the concert series:

August 5th – Myself and some other horn players will be joining Magic Mama. MAGIC MAMA performs ORGANIC HIP HOP and World Beats for the Whole Family. Through her music, MAGIC MAMA delivers an empowering and hope-filled message of love and respect for all and inspires creative thinking and Earth-friendly actions.

August 19th – Back with another exciting and truly original band – Dead Dogs.
See the previous posting for a video about the Dead Dogs, other local bands & venues, or go directly to it right here.

Then, to finish out the summer concert series, August 26th, the funk band I’m in Duncan Ninja will be laying down the grooves. Also exciting news from the land of ninjas who are funky, we will be in the studio in July working on our first EP. More news to come from DN.

“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!”

You can also get more of the Walk/Klenz Jazz group at the Jazz at Noon Series. This series is at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire’s Central Campus Mall from 12-1pm. We play June 24-25 and July 1-2.

On the educational front, I’m co-leading a wonderful jazz camp for those students located in the Western Wisconsin area. The Chippewa Valley Jazz Camp runs from JULY 19-23, 2010 Eau Claire Wisconsin – 1:00 – 5:00pm

The Chippewa Valley Jazz Camp is designed to provide an inexpensive summer jazz experience for middle and high school band students. Students involved in the camp are from all over the Chippewa Valley and western Wisconsin. Our faculty consists of the finest educators in the area as well as nationally touring artists.

You can still register, but HURRY! Go visit the CVJC website for more details.

I have been in the studio a lot lately. As I mentioned, Duncan Ninja will be recording in July. I also was able to do some work on the new Meridene album that will be coming out soon, and I was fortunate enough to play lead trumpet on a phenomenal new big band project – The Aaron Hedenstrom Orchestra. This recording consists of some absolutely killin’ players and compositions, and I can’t wait to let you know when it will be released! I will also be back in New York City this July to record on the next Nees & Vos album. Really looking forward to working with those guys again!

Again, events and shows are always being added so check back often. A great way to keep track is follow me on Twitter – @JeffreyWalk. By keeping up-to-date with my tweets, you’ll be reminded of upcoming shows and other worthwhile experiences that deserve micro-blogging.

Here is a seven minute documentary that features one of the bands I play in – Dead Dogs. It showcases music and art at The State Theatre in Eau Claire Wisconsin. Sponsored by The State Theatre, The Eau Claire Arts Center and Volume One Magazine.

STATE THEATER from Stephanie Lau on Vimeo.

This time of year has always been exciting for me and many of my students. The Eau Claire Jazz Festival is coming up again on April 15th-18th. Here is a recent promo video I did with some of my students about the festival. Check out their website www.eauclairejazz.com.

The Eau Claire Jazz Festival’s vision:

Promote appreciation and a continuation of Jazz music in perpetuity, in the Midwest, through the integration of the arts and by providing a world class festival to draw visitors to the Chippewa Valley.

The middle of winter is upon us, and chances are you are suffering from a little cabin fever. Well, I have some hot shows that will cheer you up. On Saturday, Feb. 20th, The Chippewa Valley Jazz Orchestra will be holding its premiere concert!

The CVJO seeks to provide educational jazz experiences in a community big band setting. Among the members are many of the finest jazz musicians in the Chippewa Valley, including full-time performers, music educators, and others with a passion for the art of the big band. This substantial collection of talent makes it possible for the band to tackle a wide variety musical styles and eras, and their concerts will reflect both the traditions that are the underpinnings of jazz and the works of more modern composers. The Chippewa Valley Jazz Orchestra makes a consistent effort to include works by regional composers and arrangers, including premiers of new works by local musicians.

Go to the Chippewa Valley Cultural Association website for ticket info.

After taking a 3 month break, Duncan Ninja funk band is back! We have a bunch of shows lined up this year. Check out our all ages show at the Grand Little Theatre on Feb. 27th!

Duncan Ninja, voted one of the “Best New Bands” in the Chippewa Valley, is a funk group comprised of two suave singers, five hot horns, and a ripe rhythm section. They play music by artists such as Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Earth Wind & Fire, Marvin Gaye, KC & the Sunshine Band, and more. Several members of the group play in other bands around the area, including The Eau Claire Blues All-Stars, The Walk/Klenz Jazz Sextet, Meridene, and The Procrastinators.

Remember that the mobile version of JeffWalk.com is easily accessible from your touch-based smartphone or iPod Touch. Just type JeffWalk.com into your device’s web browser and the mobile format of JeffWalk.com will be at your fingertips! To view the site in its full, web-based format, simply scroll to the bottom the page and turn the mobile theme to “off.” You can also bookmark the site and add an icon right to your phone’s home screen!

Also, don’t forget to follow me on Twitter! By keeping up to date with my tweets, you’ll be reminded of upcoming shows and other worth while experiences that deserve micro-blogging.

Now it’s even easier to follow JeffWalk.com right from your iPhone, iPod, or other smart phones. The developers at Brave New Code have designed an application, based on Apple’s App Store design specs, that connects you to JeffWalk.com right from your mobile touch device with the simple tap of an icon! Just type JeffWalk.com into your device’s web browser and the mobile format of JeffWalk.com will be at your fingertips! To view the site in its full, web-based format, simply scroll to the bottom the page and turn the mobile theme “off”. You can also bookmark the site and add an icon right to your phone’s home screen!

A few months ago I recorded a project with the Twin Cities Horns, and the album has been released. The artist’s name is Tonia Hughes, and the album is entitled “I’m Ready Now.” Tonia has a absolutulety beautiful voice, so go to her website and get the album! Here is a sample of one of the tracks I play on, it’s called “Fire”.

“The song lyrics are poignant and powerful – born out a series of loss experienced by Hughes over recent years. However, what should have left her broken and in despair brought forth a sound that is incomparable to anything that she has recorded or performed to date!”

Fire- Tonia Hughes

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Here is a local TV spot of the Red Parrot Big Band. I perform with this fabulous big band every Tuesday night from 8-10 p.m.

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