 The band is tuning up
for the sixth annual Veteran's Celebration and Recognition Dance put
on by the Youth Fellowship of St. John United Church of Christ in
Lincoln. The time of the event is 5-8 p.m. Nov. 11, and the place is
After Shock, 201 Madigan Drive in Lincoln.
For the fifth year, the Adam Larson Quartet will set the mood
with songs from the '30s and '40s. A highlight will occur about 6:30
p.m., when the band offers a musical tribute to each branch of the
U.S. military service. Several of the young people will be wearing
vintage uniforms. Others will display uniforms of family members.
A light meal will be served during the first hour of the
celebration, followed by cake and cookies with punch or coffee.
Fellowship and dancing make up the rest of the evening's agenda.
The purpose of the event, according to Youth Fellowship member
Orry Ingram, is "just so we can express our appreciation to veterans
here and let them know we value what they did for our country."
Invitations have been sent, but if any veteran deployed from or
currently living in Logan County has been inadvertently missed,
people can relay names and contact information to the St. John UCC
office at 732-6957 or Tonita Reifsteck at 732-9796.
Members of the St. John Youth Fellowship have worked since the
November 2006 event earning money to put on this celebration.
Activities have included monthly workdays at Pizza Hut and Culver's,
presenting a variety show and spaghetti dinner, and helping to put
on the church Germanfest.
[to top of second column]
 |
About the musicians
Adam Larson, who fronts the quartet, began playing saxophone in
2001 at the age of 11. Currently he leads his own duo, quartet and
quintet as well as playing with the Central Illinois Jazz Train,
Illinois State Jazz Ensemble 1 and other area groups. Recently he
was selected as a member of the 2007 Next Generation Jazz Orchestra,
with whom he will tour to New York City and Paris and play at the
Monterey Jazz Festival. Earlier this year he was chosen for the
inaugural Jazz Band of America as well as being named a finalist for
the 2007 Gibson/Baldwin Grammy Jazz Ensembles. In the past summer he
attended the Ravinia Summer Jazz Workshop, where he had the
opportunity to work with jazz legends James Moody, David Baker,
Billy Childs and Nathan Davis. In 2006 Larson's composition "Near
Your Side" placed first in the IMEA composition contest, and he also
garnered first-place honors for his work in improvisation. He
expects to continue his education at a music school in the East. (http://www.adamlarsonjazz.com/)
To round out the quartet, Bruce Lane at piano earned a music
degree in 1981 and has since played trumpet and piano with a number
of jazz and rhythm and blues groups in central Illinois. Wally
Tuchardt on electric bass took up his instrument at age 14 while
living in Hong Kong. And finally, John Larson on drums holds a
bachelor's in music and teaches percussion as well as performing
regularly.
[Text from
news release received]
 |
