Focusing primarily on the works of Count Basie and his Famous Orchestra, this 17-piece ensemble (managed and rehearsed by Kevin Tangney) is a musical freight train full of swagger and swing. catch them Sunday the 30 at NAU along with Gracie Jay!
Gracie Jay is creating sounds for the soul with an original, raw and veracious repertoire. She left her hometown of Detroit, MI at 18 to pursue music at Berklee College of Music where she began to discover her abilities as a songwriter, bandleader, and ... view more »
Focusing primarily on the works of Count Basie and his Famous Orchestra, this 17-piece ensemble (managed and rehearsed by Kevin Tangney) is a musical freight train full of swagger and swing. catch them Sunday the 30 at NAU along with Gracie Jay!
Gracie Jay is creating sounds for the soul with an original, raw and veracious repertoire. She left her hometown of Detroit, MI at 18 to pursue music at Berklee College of Music where she began to discover her abilities as a songwriter, bandleader, and vocalist. After completing her undergraduate program, Gracie lived in major cities such as Boston, San Francisco, and New Orleans working as a vocalist and writer in a number of bands and projects. Gracie performed with her trio at the Tucson Jazz Festival and with her band, J-Calvin in the Telluride Jazz Festival.
During Gracie’s time in New Orleans, she taught multiple music courses, private lessons, and directed ensembles at Loyola University. She had great opportunities as a vocalist to work alongside musicians such as drummer Jamison Ross and vocalist Cyrille Aimee. She is currently one of the arrangers for the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, led by Adonis Rose. Along with the NOJO, her big band arrangements have been featured with the Phoenix based “New Guard Big Band”.
Gracie is dedicated to sharing music with audiences and musicians around the world. She continues to learn about herself and the world of music throughout her travels, studies, and musical experiences.
Kevin Tangney started playing trumpet in the 6th grade. He quickly fell in love with the instrument and the different ways it can be played. He was a member of the Young Sounds of Arizona under the direction of Milas Yoes and Hugh Lovelady, playing lead trumpet on the DownBeat Magazine lauded “Ringers” album. Kevin went to MCC and studied there under Grant Wolf, Fred Forney, and Hugh Lovelady. In 2002, Kevin joined the US military as a trumpet player, and played trumpet all over Europe until he was deployed in combat operations to Iraq. After leaving the military, he once again pursued and finished his BA in Music Education at MCC all while guiding whitewater/4×4/hiking trips in Moab, UT.
In 2017, Kevin moved back to Phoenix full time to pursue a full time career in trumpet performance. Kevin is in high demand as a performer and educator. He has played with Arturo Sandoval, Kim Richmond, Lucas Pino, The Sugar Thieves, NOLAZ, Lymbyc Systym, Kurt Elling, Gunhild Carling, and Wu-Tang Clan among others. Kevin was the assistant director for Young Sounds of Arizona for many years, directed the NAU Jazz Ensemble II, and adjudicates/clinics jazz ensembles for AMEA festivals. Currently, Kevin is the owner/manager of The New Guard Big Band, Arizona’s premiere 17-piece jazz orchestra.
The New Guard Big Band
Saxes:
Paul Brewer
Marvin Scott
Damian Hagge
Saul Vermeulen
Natalie Galatin
Bones:
Mark Witt
Tim Fleegle
Collin Logsdon
Richard Lillard
Trumpets:
Glenn Butler
Liam Connor
Kurt Finchum
Kevin Tangney
Rhythm:
Shea Marshall (keys)
Jim Resnick (guitar)
Chris Finet (bass)
Chase Ellison (drums)
Concert sponsor: Gloria and Phil Cowen
Tickets: https://nau.edu/music/programs-events/horizons-concert-series/
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