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 Band
Saxes
(L-R) Chris Guerra, Tenor; Randy Seeber, Alto; Steve Carmack, Alto; Jeremy Bosler, Tenor (sub); Karl Rinder, Baritone Not pictured: Jake Page, Alto; Tyler Kremers, Baritone
Trumpets
(L-R) Bob Souter, Trumpet and Flugelhorn; Dale Head, Trumpet and Vocals; Michael Beal, Trumpet and Flugelhorn Not pictured: Bill Hunsicker, Trumpet
Trombones
(L-R) Elizabeth Jones; Dean Carter; Mario Ibanez; Paul Jorgensen, Bass Trombone
Rhythm Section
(L-R) Adam Cohen, Guitar; Larry Widener, Drum Kit; Frank Iannetta, Bass; David Bugli, Piano and Leader
Band Leader and Pianist
David C. Bugli 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 thirty performances over ten days, all free. He is the recipient of the 2007 Nevada
Governor's Arts Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts.
Featured Vocalist
Vocalist Jakki Ford is an accomplished and versatile performing
artist. She enjoys a growing reputation, nationally and internationally, as an outstanding
vocalist with a 4-octave vocal range. As a professional actress and talented dancer,
she is widely recognized for her artistic sensitivity, gracefulness and extraordinary
magnetism on stage, television and film.
Jakki holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Wayne State University, Detroit,
Michigan, majoring in Speech and Theater, and has completed many post-graduate courses
in Vocal, Music and Drama at the University of Nevada, Reno, learning from acclaimed
Master Artists. She has sung with the University Choral and Symphonic Choirs, toured
the United States singing back-up for a major recording artist and joined the Nevada
Opera Company as First Soprano in Verdi's Italian opera Macbeth. Jakki performed
in the French production, Samson and Delilah. She has also performed with
the Reno Jazz Orchestra and the Carson City Symphony and now performs around Reno-Tahoe with her own small jazz combo.
