Recap of the JCGS Music Meeting November 5, 2019

According to JCGS president Matt Dorris, Tuesday’s meeting was fantastic!

PROGRAM
Due Mandolini / Milton & Laurel Bloombaum – Ural Rowan Tree, Korobushka – Traditional Russian Songs
Rick McGrah – Freight Train by Elizebeth Cotton, Johannas Journey (original composition)
Bill Graham – Bernadine, A Tribute To Rodrigo (original compositions)
Steve Bismarck (guitar), Marge Bismarck (bassoon) – Sicilienne by Maria Theresia von Paradis (arr. Pietri Santo)
John Swinnerton – Staffordshire (original composition)
Ryan Alexander – Arietta Theme & Variations by Joseph Kuffner, Abendleid by J.K. Mertz 
Brian Parris – Midnight Rider by Gregg Allman, Turn The Page by Bob Seger
Matt Dorris – Elegy by J.K. Mertz

~ Intermission ~

Local guitarist Arturo Ville was featured for the second half, playing his original compositions.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

TONIGHT Ashland’s own Jaxon Williams returns home, this time as part of the guitar/clarinet duo Jâca. Their program, called “Imaginary Boundaries” has been described as “WAY too much fun for classical music”, and focuses on breaking down barriers between musical genres, between cultures in society, and between audience and performer.  Program includes: Appalachian folk music, Portuguese Fado, Spanish Flamenco, Argentinian Tango, Brazilian Choro, and more! Saturday, Nov. 9th, 7:30pm at the Rogue Valley United Unitarian Fellowship (RVUUF) 87 4th St. Ashland. Tickets can be purchased at the door, at Music Coop, or at https://jaca.bpt.me. At this point, you may have to get your tickets at the door.

Flamenco dancer Savannah Fuentes will be performing her show “Sky, Flamenco en Vivo” with guitarist Pedro Cortes and singer Diego Amador Jr. (son of the famous flamenco pianist Diego Amador) on Nov. 14 at the Bellview Grange in Ashland, 1050 Tolman Creek, starting at 8pm. Tickets are available at https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4325705.

Grant Ruiz will play solo flamenco guitar at Kriselle Cellars in White City as part of their annual Tempranillo Day celebration from 1-4pm. Grant and Dan Fellman will play guitar duets at the Paschal Winery happy our on Sunday, Nov. 17 from 3:30 to 5:30pm; at the Clayfolk Show and Sale at the Medford Armory on Friday, Nov. 22 from from 4:30 to 6:30pm; and at Belle Fiore Winery on Sunday, Nov. 24 from 5-7pm.

Next month we will elect our board members for the coming 2 years. We currently have 3 returning board members (Matt Dorris, Grant Ruiz, and John Swinnerton) who are up for re-election, with room for up to 4 more members. Please consider being a member to help organize and support the activities of our 18-year-old society! You can send a nomination (including yourself) by responding to this email, or you can make a nomination during the December meeting.

Respectfully submitted,
Grant Ruiz
Flamenco and classical guitarist
Secretary, JCGS
flamencopacifico.com
duoflamenco.com
541-261-3811

Recap of the JCGS Music Meeting October 1, 2019

We had a lovely evening of music by local artists as well as the Tenaya Duo from the Bay Area. About 35 people were in attendance.

PROGRAM
Rick McGrath – Goodbye Blue Bell by Merle Travis
Joe Thompson – Three Impressions (original composition)
Milton & Laurel – Lovers Suite
Arturo Ville – Sonata Clasica by M. Ponce
Bill Graham – Autumn Leaves by J. Kosma/J. Mercer
John Swinnerton – Inward (original composition)
Steve Bismark – El Ultimo Cafe by Hector Stamponi/Catulo Castillo
Norm Fletcher – The Davey Bear
Bob Bath – To Make You Feel My Love by Bob Dylan, arr. D. Jaggs
Grant Ruiz – Tangos en tono de Tarantas by Chicuelo

~ Intermission ~

The Tenaya Duo performed a wonderful selection of (mostly their own) arrangements of works by Edvard Grieg and some lesser known works by Isaac Albéniz.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ashland’s own Jaxon Williams returns home, this time as part of the guitar/clarinet duo Jâca. Their program, called “Imaginary Boundaries” has been described as “WAY too much fun for classical music”, and focuses on breaking down barriers between musical genres, between cultures in society, and between audience and performer.  Program includes: Appalachian folk music, Portuguese Fado, Spanish Flamenco, Argentinian Tango, Brazilian Choro, and more! Saturday, Nov. 9th, 7:30pm at the Rogue Valley United Unitarian Fellowship (RVUUF) 87 4th St. Ashland. Tickets can be purchased at the door, at Music Coop, or at https://jaca.bpt.me

Flamenco dancer Savannah Fuentes will be performing her show “Sky, Flamenco en Vivo” with guitarist Pedro Cortes and singer Diego Amador Jr. (son of the famous flamenco pianist Diego Amador) on Nov. 14 at the Bellview Grange in Ashland, 1050 Tolman Creek, starting at 8pm. Tickets are available at https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4325705.

Respectfully submitted,
Grant Ruiz
Flamenco and classical guitarist
Secretary, JCGS
flamencopacifico.com
duoflamenco.com
541-261-3811

Recap of the JCGS Music Meeting September 3, 2019

PROGRAM
Duo Mandolini  – Lahaina Luna by Kui Lee
Brian Parris – Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me by Elton John & Bernie Taupin
Rick Mcgrath – Bluebells by Merle Travis
Bill Graham – La Vie En Rose by Piaf and Louiguy, Lagrima by Franciso Tarrega
John Swinnerton – The Road Home and Paschal (original compositions)
Matt Dorris – 4 Intimations/Etude #8 by D. Bogdanovic/M.C. Smith, Sounds of Bells by J. Guimaraes        

ANNOUNCEMENTS
As a special treat, the Tenaya Guitar Duo will perform a set during the second half of our next monthly meeting on Tuesday, October 1. (Tenaya is a Ahwahneechee word from the Yosemite Valley, meaning “to dream”, and also the name of a Ahwahneechee leader in the 19th century.) The duo consists of San Francisco bay area guitarists Gareth Loy and Jonathan Braun, who is also a Master Ceramicist. Dr. Loy has a Wikipedia page dedicated to him that describes his research connecting music and mathematics, as well as his work at Stanford and with music-related software. They will perform their arrangements of pieces by Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg and rarer pieces by Spanish composer Isaac Albeniz. This will be a unique concert!

David Rogers will play oud with visiting pianist Malek Jandali and local cellist extraordinaire Michal Palzewicz as part of Anima Mundi Production’s “Heart of Humanity” concert series. The concert is entitled “Peace Through Music” and will take place October 6 at 3pm at the SOU Music Recital Hall. Tickets and information are available here. Mr. Jandali has created a worldwide program entitled “Pianos for Peace” which you can find out about through the same website. There will be local installations of pianos and other events in Ashland as part of the program this coming week.

The Folias Duo (flutist Carmen Maret and guitarist Andrew Bergeron) who performed at our August meeting just released their new CD, Delicate Omens. They previewed some of the music out our meeting. You can get information, listen to samples, and order the CD here.

Michael Hoyt is selling a Yamaha G-245S student guitar for $150. You can contact him at mg.hoyt@charter.net.
Grant Ruiz will play guitar duets with Dan Fellman on Sunday, Oct. 13 and 20 at the Ashland Wine Cellar from 4-6pm; and at Belle Fiore Winery on Sunday, Oct. 27 from 5-7pm. Owner Jim Whittaker has remodeled the Ashland Wine Cellar into a gorgeous space to hear music, drink an excellent variet of wines, and enjoy delicious snacks. Check out their website for information on upcoming events.

Respectfully submitted,
Grant Ruiz
Flamenco and classical guitarist
Secretary, JCGS
flamencopacifico.com
duoflamenco.com
541-261-3811

Recap of the JCGS Music Meeting August 6, 2019

We had a good sized audience for the Folias Duo, including some tango dancers. Unfortunately, not as many local players participated, but it was still a sweet evening.

PROGRAM
Bob & Georgie Bergeron – 7 Spanish Angels
Milton & Laurel Bloombaum – Miserlou
Brian Parris – Crying by Roy Orbison, The Heart That You Own by Dwight Yoakum
John Swinnerton – Untitled (original)
Grant Ruiz – Prologue/Overture from La Comedia of Errors (original), Choco by Berto Boyd
Steve Bismark – Doralice by Dorival Caymi

~ Intermission ~

Folias Duo, Carmen Maret (flute) and Andrew Bergeron (guitar):
Creole Ballet (2018) by Carmen Maret/Francisco Canaro 
Milonga
Zamba I
Soñar y nada mas     
Tango 
Alpha’s Last Dance (2007) by Carmen Maret
Full Long Nights Moon (2009) by Andrew Bergeron
Mamba Guinee (2013) by Carmen Maret 
Phoenix Trilogy (2016) by Andrew Bergeron
III. Living Now  
Quixote (2018) by Andrew Bergeron  
I. Penance 
II. Chivalry
El Choclo and Lagrimas y Sonrisas (trad.)
Tango arrangements by Bergeron/Maret

ANNOUNCEMENTS
“La Comedia of Errors”, a bilingual adaptation of “Comedy of Errors”, is now playing at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Grant Ruiz composed the music and performs it live on stage at each performance. Tickets are available at osfashland.org.

Grant Ruiz will play solo guitar on Saturday, Aug. 17, at the River’s Edge Restaurant in Grants Pass; guitar duets on Sunday, Aug. 25 with Dan Fellman at Belle Fiore from 5-7pm; and solo guitar on Wednesday, Aug. 28, at Belle Fiore from 5-7pm.

Professional flamenco dancer Linda Andrade has recently moved from L.A. to southern Oregon and will be teaching regular classes at Oak St. Dance Studios in Ashland on Thursdays from 5:30-6:30pm. If you are interested or know anybody who might be, please have them contact Linda at matadoraflamenca@gmail.com. All levels are welcome. Grant Ruiz and Mark Everson will be accompanying the classes.

Respectfully submitted,
Grant Ruiz
Flamenco and classical guitarist
Secretary, JCGS
flamencopacifico.com
duoflamenco.com
541-261-3811

Recap of the JCGS Music Meeting July 2, 2019

There was a great crowd for a holiday week, plus some new attendees.

PROGRAM
Rob & Karma Rhodes – Untitled by Anonymous
Rob Rhodes – Knights in White Satin by Justin Hayward (arranged by Rob Rhodes)
Bill Graham – The Big Rock Candy Mountains, Adelita by F. Tarrega
Danny Jokelson – Jerusalem by Dan Bern
Bryan Paris – Across the Universe by J. Lennon, Killing the Blues by Rowland Sallly
John Swinnerton – Sunrise, Hummingbird (both original compositions)
Steve Bismark – Cangao Triste by Edson Lopes, This Guy’s In Love by Burt Bacharach (arr. Mario Abril)
Ryan Alexander – Julia Florida by A. Barrios, Estrillita by M. Ponce
Norm Fletcher – I Do It For Your Love by Paul Simon
Mark Everson – Danze Arabic (trad. flamenco)
Matt Dorris – Tombeau sur la mort de M. Comte de Logy by S.L. Weiss, Suite Del Recuerdo by J.L. Merlin, Mysterious Habitats by D. Bogdanovic

ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Folias Duo (Andrew Bergeron on classical guitar and Carmen Maret flute) will be our featured artists at the JCGS meeting in August. You can get more information here. They are extraordinary musicians and composers. Mark your calendars and tell your friends!
“La Comedia of Errors”, a bilingual adaptation of “Comedy of Errors”, opens on July 2 at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, featuring compositions and live guitar music performed by Grant Ruiz. Tickets are available at osfashland.org.
Francie Buckley is selling an Eastman P20 steel string parlor guitar. Francie says, “It has a solid spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides. New it goes for $1300 but I am asking $750. It is in excellent condition and comes with hard case and gig bag. It is a sweet little guitar but I am no longer playing steel string. Eastman is sort of considered to be a Martin knock off, well made and similar sound.” Please contact Francie at francie@ashlandhome.net.
Professional flamenco dancer Linda Andrade has recently moved from L.A. to southern Oregon and will begin teaching regular classes at Oak St. Dance Studios in Ashland starting Thursday, Aug. 8, from 5:30-6:30pm. If you are interested or know anybody who might be, please have them contact Linda at matadoraflamenca@gmail.com. All levels are welcome. Grant Ruiz and Mark Everson will be accompanying the classes.

Respectfully submitted,
Grant Ruiz
Flamenco and classical guitarist
Secretary, JCGS
flamencopacifico.com
duoflamenco.com
541-261-3811


Recap of the JCGS Music Meeting June 4, 2019

There was a large attendance for the last JCGS music meeting on June 4, including several new people.
Please note that there is flamenco concert TONIGHT at the Havurah in Ashland. Please see below under ANNOUNCEMENTS for details.

PROGRAM

Rob Rhodes: Over the Rainbow by Harold Arlen; The Entertainer by Scott Joplin

Bill Graham: Sweet Marie / Anonymous; Longing for You by Bill Graham

Brian Parris: Sunny Afternoon by Ray Davies; Change the World by Eric Clapton

John Swinnerton: Jazz Night & Americana by John Swinnerton

Ryan Alexander: Preludes #1 & #3 by Villa Lobos

Grant Ruiz: Egeón’s Theme by Grant Ruiz; Poema by Bianco/Melfi; When I Die by Dan Fellman, Grant Ruiz, and Pablo Neruda

Grant Ruiz & Arturo Ville: Canción Mixteca by José López Alavez; Malagueña Salerosa by Ramírez/Galindo

Arturo Villa: Fuge BWV 1000 by J. S. Bach; Sevillana (Fantasía) by Joaquin Turina

ANNOUNCEMENTS
The flamenco trio consisting of dancer Savannah Fuentes, guitarist Pedro Cortes, and singer/percussionist Jose Moreno will perform at the Havurah Synagogue in Ashland TONIGHT at 8pm as part of their “Oceans” tour. This troupe is the real thing and not to be missed. Tickets and information are at brownpapertickets.com/event/4235915.

This Saturday, June 15 is the Grants Pass Porchfest from 11am to 3pm. Some members of the JCGS will be performing from 11am to 1pm. If you wish to join them, contact Bob Bath at bbath@budget.net.

The Folias Duo (classical guitar and flute) will play at La Baguette in Ashland on Thursday, June 20 from 7:30-9:30pm. They will be our featured artists at the JCGS meeting in August. You can get more information here.

Francie Buckley is selling an Eastman P20 steel string parlor guitar. Francie says, “It has a solid spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides. New it goes for $1300 but I am asking $750. It is in excellent condition and comes with hard case and gig bag. It is a sweet little guitar but I am no longer playing steel string. Eastman is sort of considered to be a Martin knock off, well made and similar sound.” Please contact Francie at francie@ashlandhome.net.

Grant Ruiz
Flamenco and classical guitarist
Secretary, JCGS
flamencopacifico.com
duoflamenco.com
541-261-3811