Jazz for the Soul/Jerry Donato, Nicole Pesce, & Friends

We continue the New Year Celebrations with the always sparkling and spontaneous Jerry Donato and Nicole Pesce show! Join us at JAZZ for the SOUL on the JAZZBIRD stage for the spectacular  talents and antics of sax-man Jerry Donato, the surprising and always  energetic Nicole Pesce on piano, Valley favorite rhythm aces, bassist Jon Murray and drummer, Todd Chuba.

Jerry Donato-tenor sax is a multi-talented jazz man,  playing the  soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone sax with equivalent  skill. In  addition to covering all the bases with the sax, he plays the  flute,  alto flute, and bass clarinet. Jerry has both an extensive  recording  history and discography. He has recorded everything from TV  shows to  made for TV movies. His discography, well over 75 CD's,  include  recordings with Pete Jolly , Steve Ferrone and Nils Lofgren.  You can check out samples of his recording work on his website. jerrydonato.com

Nicole Pesce-piano, Nicole’s “Happy Birthday Variations” video has over six million views on YouTube and over eight

million shares on Facebook. Recognized by the Arizona Republic as one  of the “top ten musicians to hear in Phoenix”, Nicole has performed for  Muhammad Ali, Ricky Martin, George Benson, Waylon Jennings, Shaquille  O’Neal, The Gypsy Kings, and Brian Setzer.

Nicole enjoyed a residency as the house pianist at the Ritz Carlton  Hotel in Phoenix, AZ for over a decade...entertaining audiences with  everything from Bach to Lady Gaga. With additional performances at such  venues as the Tempe Center for the Arts, Herberger Theater, Desert Ridge  Marriott, ASU Kerr Cultural Center, Mesa Arts Center, Phoenician  Resort, Wrigley Mansion, & The Princess Hotel.

At age 14, Nicole played for Debbie Reynolds at Debbie’s Hotel and  Casino in Las Vegas. That same year, Nicole appeared on the Jerry Lewis  MDA Telethon (which aired to over 65 million viewers) – and toured the  USA with Jerry.

Additional appearances include performances with American Idol  contestant David Hernandez, The Moscow Ballet, Zowie Bowie, The Cast of  Mary Poppins, Young Frankenstein, Mamma Mia, and White Christmas.

Jon Murray-bass returned to the Phoenix five years  ago with his family after  19 years teaching and performing music in  Southern California. Mr.  Murray has held several teaching positions,  including most recently as  orchestra and jazz director at Arizona  School for the Arts and Music  Theory professor at Grand Canyon  University. In addition Jon held the  position of Jazz Director at  Arizona Christian University, as orchestra  and jazz director at  Flintridge Prep School in the L.A. area, and other  teaching positions  at Arizona State University, Grand Canyon University,  California State  University Northridge, the Master’s College, and the  Colburn School of  Performing Arts.  He performs regularly  as a bassist in various jazz  ensembles and orchestras in the Phoenix and  Los Angeles music  communities.

Todd Chuba-drums is originally from rural Michigan but  moved to Arizona to study music at ASU. He has been a professional  drummer and percussionist, specializing in a variety of musical genres  and styles, for over 35 years.

"Todd Chuba’s career is a rare thirty-year success story that  includes recordings, performances and national and international tours  with the likes of:  Nils Lofgren (“Old School 2012”), Paul Rogers  (“Abandon Love ~ Amnesty International Tribute To Bob Dylan 2012”), Eric  Burden, Glen Campbell, Joey DeFrancesco, David Griesman, David  Garfield, Eric Marienthal, Neil Stubenhaus, Lenny Castro, Steve Gadd,  Steve Ferrone, Ray Herndon, Tom Booth, Al Casey, Alice Tatum, Annie  Sellick, Khani Cole, Bob Friedman, Stevie Nicks. A True testament to a  musician's approach to drums and percussion." — TJS Custom Drums

ALL JFTS CONCERTS ARE FREE and open to the public and all donations received will benefit local and international humanitarian causes.

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