Tues., January 11, 2011
MHJB presents "Cool Jazz in January"

Swing into the new year with the Mile High Jazz Band at "Cool Jazz in January," a big-band event with vocalist Sheryl Adams at Comma Coffee, on Tuesday, January 11, 2011, 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. Comma Coffee, 312 S. Carson Street, is across the street from the state legislature building in Carson City. General admission is $5 at the door, and is free for age 18 and under. Come early for dance instruction, 6:00 to 7:15 p.m., $5 additional.

The 18-member Mile High Jazz Band will play hot and cool jazz in the spirit of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Woody Herman, and more contemporary styles from their vast repertoire. Performances are funded, in part, by a grant from the Nevada Arts Council, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

For information about "Cool Jazz in January" and other live music at Comma Coffee, call June Joplin at 775-883-2662. For information about the Mile High Jazz Band, call 775-883-4154, or see milehighjazz.com.

Friday, January 21, 2011
Eighth Annual Mile High-Carson High Jazz Extravaganza
at the Brewery Arts Center

It's "big-band jazz times two" when the Mile High Jazz Band presents the eighth annual Mile High-Carson High Jazz Extravaganza, on Friday, January 21, 2011, 8:00 p.m., at the Brewery Arts Center Performance Hall, 511 W. King Street, Carson City. The concert, sponsored by the Brewery Arts Center and the Mile High Jazz Band Association, is a benefit for the Carson High Jazz Band programs.

Tickets prices are $13.50 general admission, $11.50 students and seniors, and $6.50 for youth age 12 and under. Tickets are available at the Brewery Arts Center, online at www.breweryarts.org, or at the door. Tickets purchased in advance directly from Carson High Band students will receive a $1.50 discount per ticket. For information, contact the Brewery Arts Center at 775-883-1976 x 117 or see www.breweryarts.org.

The Extravaganza will include two big bands, combo performances, and a grand finale combining the forces of both big bands. "I am pleased that the Mile High Jazz Band has been asked to support the high school jazz band again," said David Bugli, Mile High Jazz Band leader and pianist. "The high school music ensembles are talented and goal-oriented, and they deserve the community's help and encouragement. I'm looking forward to another round of intergenerational musical swing!"

The Carson High Jazz Band attends and competes at jazz festivals each year. With support from the Jazz Extravaganza and other fundraisers, the Carson High Jazz Band plans to attend the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival in Moscow, Idaho, towards the end of February. The band has played for the 2009 Carson City Chamber of Commerce holiday party at the Railroad Museum, former Governor Guinn's inauguration, the Greenhouse Garden Center music series, and "Winter Wine and All That Jazz." Directed by Jarod Sorum, the band is a zero-hour class at Carson High School designed to teach students about jazz - the music that has affected America in so many ways.

The Mile High Jazz Band, a professional big-band ensemble, plays regularly in northern Nevada, including monthly performances and quarterly Jazz and Poetry events at Comma Coffee. They sponsor an annual Jazz Festival in Carson City in August. Mile High Jazz Band appearances are funded, in part, by a grant from the Nevada Arts Council, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

(Photo of "intergenerational combo" performing on the 2010 Jazz Extravaganza.)

Click here for Nevada Appeal article about the event

Tues., Feb. 8, 2011
Mile High Jazz Band Presents
"Jazz Sampler for Sweethearts"

Treat your Valentine to a Jazz Sampler for Sweethearts, an evening of sweet and hot big-band music at Comma Coffee on Tuesday, February 8, 2011, 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. Comma Coffee, 312 S. Carson Street, is across the street from the state legislature building in Carson City. General admission is $5 at the door; free for age 18 and under. Dance instruction, 6:00 to 7:15 p.m., is $5 additional.

Jazz Sampler for Sweethearts features the 19-member Mile High Jazz Band and vocalist Sheryl Adams, presenting jazzy versions of favorite love songs for Valentine's Day, and other swinging, big-band selections. Highlights of the evening include Speedy Garfin (pictured) singing "Through the Years," and guest soloist Gerry Wright, soprano sax, in "When I Fall in Love." The performance is funded, in part, by a grant from the Nevada Arts Council, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

For information about live music at Comma Coffee, call June Joplin at 775-883-2662 or see www.commacoffee.com. For information about the Mile High Jazz Band, call 775-883-4154 or see milehighjazz.com.

Sat., Feb. 19, 2011

The Millennium Bugs play for a wedding at Genoa Lakes Golf Club in Genoa, NV.

Mile High Jazz Band Presents "Spring Fancy"
in Carson City March 8, 2011

The Mile High Jazz Band and vocalist Sheryl Adams will be joined by Rita Geil and other award-winning poets and readers for an evening of big-band jazz and poetry on Tuesday, March 8, 8:00 to 10:00 p.m., at Comma Coffee. The theme of the evening is "Spring Fancy," in all its dimensions.

Featured poets and readers are Rita Geil, Susan Sara Priest, Teresa Breeden, Tracy McQuay, Amy Roby, and Lee Warner, who will take turns and read a poem before each song is played by the band. "It adds an element of surprise for the audience when they discover the connection between the poem and the song," said David Bugli, band leader and pianist.

Comma Coffee, 312 S. Carson Street, is across the street from the state legislature building in Carson City. General admission is $5 at the door, and free for age 18 and under. Dance instruction, 6:00-7:15 p.m., is $5 additional.

The Mile High Jazz Band plays at Comma Coffee on the second Tuesday of each month, and poets join them every third month. For more information about Jazz and Poetry with the Mile High Jazz Band, call 775-883-4154, or visit MileHighJazz.com. For information about other events at Comma Coffee, call June Joplin at 775-883-2662.

Pictured at left, poet/read Rita Geil.

"Speedy" Garfin & the Garfin Gathering
at Brewery Arts Center April 2, 2011
Back again by popular demand!
NEW DATE: This show was originally scheduled for Sat., March 12, 2011.

Mile High Jazz Band Assoc. (MHJB) and Brewery Arts Center (BAC) present "Speedy" Garfin & the Garfin Gathering on Saturday, April 2, 2011, 7:30 p.m., at the BAC Performance Hall, 511 West King Street in Carson City.

This unforgettable, feel-good, evening of jazz and comedy features "Speedy" Garfin on alto sax, soprano sax, clarinet, flute, conga drums, and vocals; keyboardist Kerry Shacklett; drummer George Stigliano; and the vocal styles and choreography of Jakki Ford.

Originally from New York, Speedy Garfin came to Nevada to perform with Don Rickles at the Sahara in Las Vegas, and his groups appeared on the Ed Sullivan and Johnny Carson shows. A favorite in Nevada lounges, he and Jakki Ford also played in the Catskills every summer. Now retired from the casino and nightclub scene, Garfin plays in the Mile High Jazz Band and his group, "Speedy" Garfin and the Garfin Gathering, enjoys performing at the Brewery Arts Center and in "Jazz! Carson City" music festivals.

Tickets are $16.50 general admission, and $13.50 for students, seniors, and MHJB and BAC members. Tickets are available at the BAC box office, online at breweryarts.org, and at the door. For information, call MHJB at 775-883-4154.

Tues., April 12, 2011
Mile High Jazz Band Celebrates Tenth Anniversary of
Monthly Concerts at Comma Coffee

Come hear the sensational big-band sound of the Mile High Jazz Band with vocalist Sheryl Adams and guest vocalist June Joplin on Tuesday, April 12, 2011, 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Comma Coffee in Carson City. Comma Coffee, 312 S. Carson Street, is across the street from the state legislature building.

Mile High Jazz Band, which formed in 1997, has been playing monthly at Comma Coffee since April 2001. To celebrate the ten-year collaboration between the band and the coffee house, anniversary cake will be served to patrons at the April 12 performance. General admission is $5 at the door, and free for age 18 and under. Dance instruction, 6:00-7:15 p.m., is $5 additional.

The Mile High Jazz Band includes five trumpets, four trombones, five saxophones, keyboard, guitar, bass, drums, and vocalist. They will play about sixteen tunes from their ever-expanding repertoire of selections in the style of Basie, Ellington, and more contemporary composers and arrangers. The performance is funded, in part, by a grant from the Nevada Arts Council, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

For information about the Mile High Jazz Band, call 775-883-4154, or visit their web site: www.MileHighJazz.com. For information about other live music at Comma Coffee, call June Joplin at 775-883-2662.

Special event: Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Breakfast Jazz at Greenhouse Garden Center

David Bugli and friends will play for the Carson City Chamber of Commerce's "Jazzy Breakfast Club" at Greenhouse Garden Center on Tuesday, May 3, 2011, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., which is normally too early for jazz musicians. Join the Chamber for breakfast and gardening ideas. The event will also be used to familiarize the business committee with plans for this August's "Jazz! Carson City" music festival. For last minute details, check the Chamber's website and click on "Chamber Events Calendar". The group is Gerry Wright on soprano sax, Dan Lancaster on reeds, Steve Hayes on guitar, David Bugli on keyboard, and Ruth Clifford on drums.

Tues., May 10, 2011
"MHJB Celebrates Nevada Arts Day"

MHJB performs at Comma Coffee in celebration of the 12th Arts Day in Nevada at the State Legislature - 8:00 to 10:00 p.m., Admission: $5 admission, FREE age 18 and under.

Arts Day is presented by Nevada Arts Advocates. The group was founded as a state-wide organization in 1977 and is proud of the outreach and education the organization has brought to Nevadans. For more information on Nevada Arts Advocates, go to their website at www.nvartsadvocates.org.

Special event: Thursday, May 12, 2011
Getting in the Mood,
featuring The Commanders Jazz Ensemble

Mile High Jazz Band Association and the Carson High School Jazz Band present a free concert by The Commanders Jazz Ensemble from the US Air Force Band of the Golden West on Thurdsay, May 12, 2011, at the Carson City Community Center at 7:00 p.m. The concert is being presented as a preliminary event to the "Jazz! Carson City" music festival, which will feature over 35 free music events this coming August. The festival is sponsored by the Mile High Jazz Band Association and the city of Carson City.

Although The Commanders concert is free, people are encouraged to get their free tickets ahead of time. Tickets will guarantee general admission seating up to 6:45 p.m., at which time seating will be open to the public. Tickets will be available starting April 15 at Play Your Own Music in the Carson Mall (1213 South Carson Street, Carson City) and at the Carson City Convention and Visitors Bureau (1900 S. Carson Street, Suite #100, Carson City)

The event will start with a short performance by the Carson High School Jazz Band, under the direction of Jarod Sorum, at 7:00 p.m., followed by the performance by The Commanders, under the direction of Technical Sergeant Jim Butler.

The Commanders, a newly-revived ensemble coming from the US Air Force Band of the Golden West, carries on the American musical tradition of the great big bands, yet offers a lot more than the big band sounds. This energetic group of highly-trained professional musicians, formed from about a dozen Airmen, delivers the full gamut of jazz music - traditional jazz, cool, bop, swing, Broadway favorites, popular tunes, Latino rhythms, and patriotic music. The Commanders offers an entertaining show you won't soon forget!

A typical evening with The Commanders might include favorites from Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, Count Basie, to Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, and Dizzy Gillespie - to the sounds of today's greatest salsa groups and modern jazz groups, plus American show tunes and pop songs delivered by the group's enchantingly talented vocalist. Their renditions of hot jazz standards of any style feature rousing improvised solos from every instrument in the group. This is an ensemble capable of delivering a truly unique combination of entertainment.

In addition to enjoyable community concerts, the group offers informative lecture and performance clinics and general assembly programs. They visit colleges and schools throughout the region, inspiring future generations of musicians and connecting with youth.

For more information about this event, contact the Mile High Jazz Band at 775-883-4154. For information about The Commanders go to http://www.bandofthegoldenwest.af.mil and click on the "Ensembles" link. You can also check out their Facebook page (Click here). Click on the "photos" link to see some recent photos of the band in performance in southern California.

Pictured above, SSgt. Geoffrey Fisher, singing with the band.

Mile High Jazz Band Presents "Heat Waves"
in Carson City June 14, 2011

The Mile High Jazz Band and vocalist Sheryl Adams will be joined by Rita Geil and other award-winning poets and readers for an evening of big-band jazz and poetry on Tuesday, June 14, 8:00 to 10:00 p.m., at Comma Coffee. The theme of the evening is "Heat Waves," in all its dimensions.

Featured poets and readers are Rita Geil, Susan Sara Priest, Tracy McQuay, Amy Roby, and Lee Warner, who will take turns and read a poem before each song is played by the band. "It adds an element of surprise for the audience when they discover the connection between the poem and the song," said David Bugli, band leader and pianist.

Comma Coffee, 312 S. Carson Street, is across the street from the state legislature building in Carson City. General admission is $5 at the door, and free for age 18 and under. Dance instruction, 6:00-7:15 p.m., is $5 additional.

The Mile High Jazz Band plays at Comma Coffee on the second Tuesday of each month, and poets join them every third month. For more information about Jazz and Poetry with the Mile High Jazz Band, call 775-883-4154, or visit MileHighJazz.com. For information about other events at Comma Coffee, call June Joplin at 775-883-2662.

Pictured at left, poet/reader Rita Geil.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Mile High Jazz band performs at Comma Coffee from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. Enjoy the jazz solos of saxophonist Dan Lancaster, pictured at left, and other members of the band. Comma Coffee, 312 S. Carson Street, is across the street from the state legislature building in Carson City. General admission is $5 at the door, and free for age 18 and under. Dance instruction, 6:00-7:15 p.m., is $5 additional.

MHJB Performs for Relay for Life
Saturday, July 16, 2011

Mile High Jazz Band performs for the opening ceremonies for the American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life" event at Centennial Park at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 16, 2011. For details, see the Carson City Relay for Life website at http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=30498.

Sun., July 31, 2011
Millennium Bugs play for Ice Cream Social

The Millennium Bugs play for Ice Cream Social for the Carson City Historical Society on Sunday, July 31, 2011, at the Roberts House Museum, 1207 N. Carson St., Carson City from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Admission is free. Ice cream, cake, cookies, and pie will be available for $3 per person.

Woodworking Specialties and their master craftsmen have worked in the area on historic restoration projects. They will be sponsoring a free building clinic for the first 50 children at the ice cream social.

The Roberts House will be open for tours. Come and bring the whole family.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Mile High Jazz Band performs at Comma Coffee from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. Comma Coffee, 312 S. Carson Street, is across the street from the state legislature building in Carson City. General admission is $5 at the door, and free for age 18 and under. Dance instruction, 6:00-7:15 p.m., is $5 additional.

Saturday, August 20, 2011
MHJB performs on Third Street
as part of "Jazz! Carson City" music festival

Mile High Jazz Band performs on Third Street in Carson City from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 20, 2011, as part of the "Jazz! Carson City" music festival. The band and its regular vocalist vocalist Sheryl Adams will be joined by several guest singers (many of them shown at right at the recent "Relay for Life" opening ceremonies) for a spectacular performance of "Seasons of Love" from "RENT." Guest singers Jakki Ford, Mark Williams, and June Joplin will be performing solos with the band.

Admission is free. See the festival website at JazzCarsonCity.com for details on the festival.

Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011
MHJB presents "Jazz & Poetry: Leaving"

The Mile High Jazz Band and vocalist Sheryl Adams will be joined by several poets and readers for a lively evening of big-band jazz music and poetry on the topic "Leaving," on Tuesday, September 13, 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. The event will be at Comma Coffee, 312 S. Carson Street, across the street from the state legislature building in Carson City. Admission is $5 general and free for age 18 and under.

David Bugli, leader and pianist for the Mile High Jazz Band, said, "We will explore many aspects of the expression 'leaving' in the poems read and the musical selections played after each poem." The program will feature award-winning poets and readers Rita Geil, Susan Sara Priest, Amy Roby, Lee Warner, Krista Lukas, Tracy McQuay, Wayne Carlson, and Harrison Beaumont. For more information, call the Mile High Jazz Band at 775-883-4154, or visit the web site: MileHighJazz.com.

Sat., Oct. 1, 2011
Millennium Bugs Perform for World War II Pilots

The Millennium Bugs perform at John Ascuaga's Nugget in Sparks, NV, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. for the World War II Pilot's Dinner.

Autumn Jazz - Tuesday, October 11, 2011, 8-10 p.m.

Mile High Jazz Band presents Autumn Jazz, a program of big-band music with vocalist Sheryl Adams, on Tuesday, October 11, 2011, 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Comma Coffee, 312 S. Carson Street. Comma Coffee is across the street from the state legislature building in Carson City.

General admission is $5 at the door; free for age 18 and under. Dance instruction, 6:00-7:15 p.m. is $5 additional.

This performance is part of World Music Days, an annual global event affirming the ideals of tolerance, friendship, and shared humanity, inspired by the life and work of journalist and musician Daniel Pearl.

Information: 775-883-4154 or MileHighJazz.com.

Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011

Mile High Jazz band performs at Comma Coffee from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. Comma Coffee, 312 S. Carson Street, is across the street from the state legislature building in Carson City. General admission is $5 at the door, and free for age 18 and under. Dance instruction, 6:00-7:15 p.m., is $5 additional.

"Illumination" - Holiday Jazz and Poetry event at Comma Coffee
Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011

The Mile High Jazz Band and vocalist Sheryl Adams will be joined by Rita Geil and other award-winning poets for an evening of big-band jazz and poetry on Tuesday, December 13, 2011, 8:00 to 10:00 p.m., at Comma Coffee. The theme of the evening, "Illumination," relates to the holidays and to life.

Comma Coffee, 312 S. Carson Street, is across the street from the state legislature building in Carson City.

General admission is $5 at the door, and free for age 18 and under. Dance instruction, 6:00-7:15 p.m. is $5 additional.

The Mile High Jazz Band plays at Comma Coffee on the second Tuesday of each month, and poets join them every third month. For more information, call 775-883-4154, or visit MileHighJazz.com.

Pictured at right: Rita Geil dressed as Mrs. Claus, at a previous Holiday Jazz & Poetry event at Comma Coffee.