The Millennium Bugs
Features
"Jazz & Beyond: Carson City
The Mile High Jazz Band Association formed in 2001 as a nonprofit corporation to support the MHJB and its subgroup, the Millennium Bugs (jazz combo), promote live jazz performance in northern Nevada, educate the public about jazz, and enrich the cultural life of the community. Member benefits include mailings, discounts on admissions, and invitations to special events, plus the satisfaction of helping big-band jazz to thrive! To book the Mile High Jazz Band (big band) or Millennium Bugs (jazz combo), call 775-883-4154. |
The Millennium Bugs
The Millennium Bugs, a jazz combo associated with the Mile High Jazz Band, play a great variety of jazz styles. They performed for the Carson City Preservation Coalition/Historical Society, Olympic Torch Relay Ceremony in Carson City, Carson City Music Club, Westview block party, Camel Race Day in Virginia City, Carson Nugget showroom, Carson-Tahoe Hospital Foundation, Carson High Prom, BAC Beer Tasting, weddings, receptions, and parties. Upper photo: The Millennium Bugs shown with drummer Lee Warner in by the Foreman-Roberts
House Museum in Carson City.
The Players
Gil Linsley - trumpet and flugelhorn - Rev. Gil Linsley started in the music business at age 15, leading his own band in southern California. At the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas, he played for Louis Armstrong, Vic Damone, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dick Haymes, Lena Horne, Peggy Lee, Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra, to name just a few. He moved to Lake Tahoe in 1960 to join the house band at Harrah's and played for Nat "King" Cole, Mac Davis, Wayne Newton, Barbra Streisand, and others. He played with the "Jazz Guys" combo for Woodwind Sailing Cruises out of Zephyr Cover. He currently plays with several groups in the Reno-Tahoe-Carson area. He and his wife Gail are ministers with the Center for Spiritual Living (where the Mile High Jazz Band rehearses). ************** 
Dan Lancaster - alto & tenor sax, clarinet, and flute - Dan has a fantastic musical resume (in bullet format):
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David Bugli - piano and trombone - has a Bachelor of Science Degree in music education from Ithaca College, New York, where he studied composition for four years with Karel Husa. He has a Master of Music Degree from the University of Massachusetts. He has participated in Conductors Workshops presented by the American Symphony Orchestra League in San Francisco and St. Louis. In addition to conducting, he plays classical and jazz piano, tuba, and trombone, and he composes and arranges music. David Bugli conducts the Carson City Symphony and was Assistant Conductor of the Foundation Orchestra in Reno. For the Carson City Symphony, he arranges music that features guest artists on the Symphony's annual Holiday Treat and Pops Party concerts. In the past he organized the annual Reno TubaChristmas event and led the annual Capitol Tree Lighting on the steps of the Nevada State Capitol in Carson City. The latter featured performances by the Holiday Brass Ensemble (generally about two dozen players) and a group of about two hundred elementary school singers. Along with his wife Ellie, and with the Brewery Arts Center, he has been instrumental in creating and running an annual multi-day jazz festival in Carson. Originally called "Basie @ 100" (2004) and "Basically Basie" (2005), the festival is now called "Jazz & Beyond" and features over 20 performances. He is the recipient of the 2007 Nevada Governor's Arts Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts. ************** 
George Worth - bass and valve trombone - Dr. George Worth has been bass player for the MHJB, on and off, for several years. He also plays trombone and tuba. He worked professionally in the music business for many years. George was born in Utica, N.Y. When he went into the Air Force in 1950, he was part of a musical group that played at the officers' club and the NCO club, where he played string bass, tuba, slide trombone, and drums. Later, he was in the band at Edwards Air Force Base. When he got out, he formed a group called the Kings IV, which headlined at Lake Tahoe. The group was in business for 18 years and opened for Judy Garland, Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra, and Danny Thomas. The group played the Sahara when it opened in the mid '60s. George got into chiropractics "because it was something I could do that I could control and still give something to people." He has been practicing chiropractics in South Lake Tahoe since 1973. (His website is at http://www.laketahoechiropractor.com.) He is active in several musical groups, including the Carson City Symphony, the Jazz Guys, the Millennium Bugs, 9th St. Jazz Band, the Carson Valley Pops Orchestra, and Dr. Worth & His Medicine Band. He has been known to play electric bass and valve trombone at the same time. George retired from the Mile High Jazz Band the summer of 2011. ************** 
Lee Warner - drums - Lee is a busy guy who is in a lot of demand. Lee has been teaching private drum lessons since 1971, and at Maytan since March, 2000. He has about 40 students, and he always welcomes new students of all ages. Lee plays the drums in groups around the Reno area, including 50s band "Papa Clutch and the Shifters." Visit "Papa Clutch and the Shifters" web site at www.papaclutch.com. His teaching at Maytan’s gives him a chance to pursue his three greatest passions: music, children and teaching. He is part of the ten-piece Maytan Soul Band, which includes many Maytan teachers and employees. It is a horn band like Tower of Power. They present concerts of funk and soul music (James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Average White Band, etc) in local elementary schools. They also do clinics for middle school and high school music classes. Lee can be reached at: (775) 348-0000 in Reno or by e-mail: leew@muzak.com. ************** 
Mark Ashworth - drums (first-call sub) - Mark is a born entertainer. He is the driving force behind Lucky Diamond and The Gents o' Jive, a '20s and '30s hot jazz band. Lucky Diamond and The Gents o' Jive has been performing since the grand opening of the Silver Legacy Resort Casino in 1995. Hired by Circus Circus, initially for three days, the act stayed for 18 months. Since then, they have appeared for private parties and corporate events in the Reno-Tahoe area, including the Cadillac Ball in Truckee, and New Year's Eve at Sharkey's. He also plays with The Jazz Guys, a quartet which plays everything from Dixie and be-bop to bossas and big-band swing. Mark is also known for his emcee-ing abilities where he does a Bob Hope-like routine (complete with golf club) in the persona of "Bob Hopeless." ************** Audio samples of the Millennium BugsThe following were recorded with Mark Ashworth on drums.
The Preacher, by Horace Silver - performed by the Millennium Bugs 10/2/2010
The Days of Wine and Roses - performed by the Millennium Bugs 9/11/2010
Oh, Lady Be Good, by George & Ira Gershwin - performed by the Millennium Bugs 10/2/2010
Back Home Again in Indiana - performed by the Millennium Bugs 10/2/2010
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Lower photo: The Millennium Bugs shown with drummer Mark Ashworth at the Mark Twain
Cultural Center in Incline Village (2010).
Last updated 1/24/2013