A Fundraiser for Sierra Jazz Camp
Sierra Jazz Picnic in Nevada City, California’s Pioneer Park
to celebrate the jazz scene of Nevada County.
FREE CONCERT – $20 Suggested Donation

Sunday, June 19, 6-9 PM
Pioneer Park, Nevada City
featuring
Bill Douglass
Nora Nausbaum
Beth Duncan
Ruth Davies
Ken French
John Girton
David Clouse
Matt Langley
with special guests
Tommy Coster & Gerry Pineda

The Sierra Jazz Society was created in 2003 by Bill Douglass & Nora Nausbaum. Dedicated to Jazz education, presentation and promotion in Nevada County and the surrounding areas, the SJS has had a profound effect on the local music scene and we’re excited to keep the tradition alive AND honor our former artistic director & founder with this new tradition

Admission to the concert will be FREE but we encourage a donation to support the artists and the mission of the Sierra Jazz Society. Pioneer Park is located at 421 Nimrod Street in Nevada City.

Beth Duncan’s first recording, ’Orange Colored Sky’ established Beth as one of Northern California’s leading jazz vocalists and her 2012 follow-up ‘Comes the Fall’ debuted on the national radio at #26 right below Diana Krall, brought her international recognition, and won an Independent Music Award. More than her beautiful voice, Beth’s vocal interpretations maintain a strong undercurrent of love for life and joyful celebration for her art.

Bassist Ruth Davies’ discography includes several platinum and Grammy-winning CDs with jazz and blues greats. Ruth got her start with blues legend Charles Brown and has performed and recorded with Van Morrison, Bonnie Raitt, John Lee Hooker, Etta James, Maria Muldaur, Keb’ Mo, Jimmy Witherspoon, Vassar Clements, Toots Thielemans, Ernie Watts, Jackie Ryan, and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, among many others. Ruth currently plays with Elvin Bishop.

Pianist Ken French has been performing jazz piano professionally for many decades on the San Francisco scene and as far a field as Japan and the Atlantic seaboard. A compelling soloist, thoughtful accompanist, dynamic ensemble leader, and sought after arranger, Ken is a very busy man as in addition to being accompanist, arranger and musical director with Clairdee,
www.triobzf.com/French

John Girton is well known throughout the world for his work as lead guitarist with the group “Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks.” John recorded 3 albums with the group, and also wrote and arranged material for them. He was also featured as guitarist, saxophonist, clarinetist, and occasional mandolinist with the popular vocalist, Maria Muldaur for many years. John is an instrumentalist, vocalist, recording artist, studio musician, and composer. His original songs are a mixture of jazz, swing, blues and folk music, with a bit of humor thrown in for good measure.
www.johngirton.com

David Clouse began his career playing with Ron Crotty from the Dave Brubeck Quartet and Terrell Eaton from Bonnie Raitt, and spent several years teaching, playing, and touring through-out the United States. Since 2012 David has been living in Nevada County and performs extensively with a long list of people that includes Bill Douglass, Achilles Wheel, Ralph Hammer (from Stevie Wonder), and Dream and the Dreamer, among others.

Saxophonist Matt Langley recently relocated to Nevada City from southern Maine. Though he studied briefly with Lou Marini, David Baker, Ted Dunbar, and Stan Strickland, most of Matt’s education has come on the bandstand. He has recorded extensively with the Charlie Kolhlhase Quintet, his own group Color, with pianist Pandelis Karayorgis’ group System of 5, and with Mike Effenberger’s weirdturnpro. Mr. Langley has also shared the stage or recording studio with Ron Carter, Richie Cole, Fred Hersch, John Medeski, Billy Martin, Chris Wood, Matt Wilson, Tiger Okoshi, Roswell Rudd, Dave Douglas and many others.

After completing her masters in Music at Boston’s New England Conservatory Nora Nausbaum taught at Northern Michigan University and Arkansas State University at Jonesboro. Nora is currently performing with the Amaryllis Trio and is active in the jazz community while maintaining her private teaching practice.