CONCORD, NH – The Musicians of Wall Street Jazz Ensemble will present their annual Jazz in January cabaret-style evening with two shows on Friday, January 20, at 7 pm & 9 pm. The audience will enjoy Latin, swing and band originals while savoring food courtesy of Hermanos Cocina Mexicana.

Named for its downtown Concord location, the Musicians of Wall Street Jazz Ensemble is comprised of the Concord Community Music School’s jazz faculty: David Tonkin, guitar; Richard Gardzina and Matt Langley, saxophones; Tom Robinson, keyboards; Don Williams, bass; and John Faggiano and Tim Gilmore, drums. All have performed, individually and together, throughout New England, in New York City and at jazz festivals around the nation.

The Music School wishes to thank Hermanos Cocina Mexicana for food and beverages. Tickets may be bought in advance for $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors. The shows take place at the Concord Community Music School’s Community Room, with entrances on Fayette and Wall streets. For tickets and more information call 603-228-1196. Tickets may also be purchased on-line at www.ccmusicschool.org.

THE ARTISTS:

John Faggiano (percussion) trained at Acadia University and Berklee College of Music with further studies in Orff-Schulwerk at University of Lowell and in African and Afro-Latin music with Nuru. A student of Ed Nicholas, Gary Chaffee and Alan Dawson, he has performed at the Blue Note in NYC and the Saratoga and White Mountain Jazz Festivals. A member of the Musicians of Wall Street Jazz Ensemble, he is a founding member of the performance group “Applehead.” A twenty-year veteran of the band “The Knights,” John has performed shows with the Drifters as well as Gary Chaffee and Pat Metheny. He can also be heard on many recordings recently, with the Dave Tonkin Group, Steve Schuch and on Peggo and Paul’s award-winning CD, Patchwork Quilt.

Richard Gardzina (saxophone) received his B.A. in Music Composition from North Texas State University and his M.A. in Music Composition from UNH with further study at the Berklee College of Music. He is a producer, recording engineer and owner of Sound Experience recording studio and has composed works for various film companies in Los Angeles and NY, NYC choreographer Dianne Eno, NH Theater Project, Pontine Movement Theatre, Arthur Hall Dance Company, and NH Dance Alliance. Richard has composed and produced over 125 songs for children, and composed and produced 50 Songs for Social Dance as well as recorded two CDs of original jazz compositions, Play This and Imaginings. With forty years of performing experience in NH, Texas, Los Angeles. Richard is on the faculty of New England College as well as the Music School.

Tim Gilmore (percussion) received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Ed/Music from Salem State College and studied further in composition and performance programs at Berklee College of Music. He is a member of the Harry Skoler Jazz Quartet with Brownstone Recording Artists and has performed with such groups as the Cape Ann Symphony, the Symphony by the Sea, the Paul Madore Chorale, the Boston Percussion Ensemble and the Cambridge Harmonic Orchestra. He has also performed with Lester Bowie, Marion McPartland, Tower of Power, Tiger Okoshi, and Warren Vache. Some of his recordings include “A Work of Heart,” “Reflections on the Art of Swing” and “Conversations in the Language of Jazz” on Brownstone Records.

Matt Langley (saxophone) has studied with Lou Marini of Saturday Night Live, David Baker, Ted Dunbar, and Stan Strickland. Since 1988, he has been a member of the Charlie Kohlhase Quintet (CKQ), recording three CDs on the Accurate Label. CKQ has toured the United States extensively, performing in jazz festivals from the Boston Globe Festival to the Rutabega Jazz Jam in Knoxville, Illinois, and giving clinics, master classes and individual lessons. CKQ’s fourth CD, Dancing on my Bedpost, showed up on the top ten lists of many jazz critics in 1999 and their fifth CD is currently awaiting release on the NADA label. Matt’s recording sessions have included ones with Ron Carter, John Medeski, Billy Martin, Chris Wood, Roswell Rudd, and many others. Matt performs regularly with Tonkin Toys and teaches at the Music School.

Tom Robinson (piano) received a B.M. in Jazz Studies from Capital University, Columbus, Ohio. He has studied saxophone with Michael Cox, and piano with Mark Flugge and Joe Hunter. He was selected for Ohio Music Educator's All-State College Jazz Ensemble in 1992-1993. Tom performs throughout New England as a sideman with several jazz groups as well as leading and writing for his own trio.

David Tonkin (guitar) has studied jazz guitar with Ed Cory, Jay Azzolina, and Randy Roos. Chair of the Music School’s Jazz Department, he has worked with the NH Artists in the Schools Program, led workshops at the Lincoln Center Institute at Dartmouth College, and taught at UNH Manchester. He performs throughout New England as a soloist, studio musician, and as a member of Straight No Chaser. He is also the founder of the David Tonkin Group and Tonkin Toys. Tonkin performed in two sold-out performances with Straight No Chaser at the well-known New York City jazz club, The Blue Note, and at the Saratoga Jazz Festival. An active composer, his work has been heard on radio and television throughout the area.

Don Williams (bass) received a B.S. in Music Education at Plymouth State College, with further study in the M.F.A. program in music at the University of New Hampshire. He performs often with Raccoon Beach, Tonkin Toys, Plymouth State College Faculty Quartet, and the Loli Sterling Group. He has appeared at The Blue Note, Rainbow Room, and Saratoga Jazz Festival, and has performed with the Platters, Randy Brecker, Jack Wilkins, and Bob Guilotti. He is also on the faculty of SAU#48 and Plymouth State College.