Joy of Jazz!

12/10/2013

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

jazz @ jay's enjoys the joy of what enjoins us (join us, please!)...

Wednesday 12/11 (7-10) You can't help but feel grateful when this rhythm section - Brian Claxton/drums & Braun Khan/bass - joins us with the wacky likes of Mark Sloniker/piano to create a jazzy-joyful-sound-track to celebrate ye merry gentle-gender-neutral-persons in a season of peace and harmoniousness and Eine Kleine Nacht Musik (this will be anything but a Stille Nacht!)

Thursday 12/12 (6:30-10:30) Jay's Bistro finds the ghost of Christmas past, Ebenezer Sloniker, six feet under the piano (and still not able to reach the pedals (solo) playing reggae piano (the other Marley) until aRound 8pm, when the ghost of Christmas present, Patrick Atwater, climbs behind a (one horse open) bass, and sleighs you (in a good way) with spirited seasonal song that will make this night wholly holy! And if that weren't enough, our Bossa Nova Brother & Sister, Monty Hogan & Judi Lucero will come down the chimney around 8:15 with guitar & flute & voice and Samba your soul into Serenity and Sweetness (now, if we can't sugarplum coat this at Christmas, when can we?).

Friday 12/13 Jay's welcomes back the Saxsational Briana Carrisquillo (The quartet tonight will be called "One Wise Woman & The Three Wise Guys"). The wise guys are, Little Drummer Boy-is-he-good, Mark Raynes/drums, Bass-icly Brilliant, Braun Khan on bass & falalalala, & Mark (a mall & the night visitor!) Sloniker on piano and reindeer!

Saturday 12/14 Jay's Bistro will be closed for a private holiday party. So please join us on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday ( oh look - Friday the 13th falls on a Friday again!) or next week, or some other time soon, for it's a joy to make a joyful noise in your presence!

Oh, yeah, I forgot to tell you what Santa is bringing US for Christmas!! A presence cooler than presents! The Prodigal Son (we'll use the #3 definition: yielding abundantly!), Myles Crosson Sloniker returns from the Big City for a visit ("Myles Be Home For Christmas") and plays at Jay's December 18, 19 , 20 & 21 with Colleen Crosson chiming in on Saturday the 21st. It's a family affair and we hope Emma Sloniker will be hopping on stage with some vocals, too (she's been sitting in with us these days)!

Our love to you and yours from our family (and our Bistro family too). Or as a sweet soul once said: "God Bless Us Everyone!"

Thanks for listening!
Trick or Treat! And Happy Holidays!
Mark

Giving Thanks for the Song of Life

11/20/2013

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

In this season of giving thanks, I am SO grateful to Jay & Jacki of Jay's Bistro for their continued support of jazz and live music in general! I think that THIS winter will mark 20 years of making music for them - first in their original bistro on College Ave & Oak Street Plaza, and since 2001 at the current Jay's Bistro at 135 West Oak Street in Old Town Fort Collins. What a joy and honor to play in such a beautiful establishment, with a great staff and wonderful clientele! Here's to everyone who has played or listened, and/or encouraged and/or contributed to this bodacious Bistro of fine food, drink & jazz! Here's to 20 more years...oh my gosh...that would put me in the vintage elder years of Brubeck, McPartland & Ahmad Jamal...I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be! Thank You for Listening! We've got some extraordinary jazz this week...let's celebrate!

Wednesday 11/20 (7-10) features the ONE-&-ONLY Mark Raynes/drums (we are into our 29th year of music-making together), Braun Khan/bass (soon he'll be a Dr. of Jazz which makes affordable-jazz-care just what the Dr. ordered) and Mark Sloniker/piano - a "degreed" Music Therapist (take two sonatas - what sonata with you anyway? - and call me in the morning. And stay away from suites!). This trio will be like triage to your ears.

Thursday 11/21 (6:30-10:30) Jay's Bistro finds Mark Sloniker just for starters at the piano, playing so low (woops, I mean, playing solo) until around 8pm, when Patrick Atwater joins in on bass and the two of them welcome, from Budapest Hungary, a wonderfully talented guitarist, whose forte is Brazilian music and whose name is Balint Petz! They'll sink their teeth (cuz they are Hungary for creating some great music) into some bossa novas and sambas, and low and behold, the flautista Judita Lucero will appear, as if from everywhere, to join in song, flute and voice with MORE great Brazilian Jazz. And if that weren't enough, our multi-talented, multi-instrumentalist friend Monty Hogan will jump out-of-nowhere and join in, in a Latin version of "Out of Nowhere" or NOT, until we get to where we're going...

Friday 11/22 Jay's (Bistro) welcomes back trumpeter, Jordan Skomal (who's lyrical and melodious playing, will WOW you), and bassist, Zack Teran, who's got the "low-down" on everything south of middle C - and even when he's north of middle C, it's never "treblesome". Mark Raynes drums up some business-as-usual on the drums while Mark Sloniker (piano's his forte, though diminishing returns won't make him go baroque) tickles the ivories until Elephants-Gerald starts channeling Bar Talk! This will actually be a most amazing night of jazz (8:30-11:30). Even if you're not an elephant, you'll remember this night forever!

Saturday 11/23 (8:30-11:30) Jay's features a glowing trio, with the dazzling drumming of Alwyn Robinson, the very brilliant bass work of Zack Teran, and the priceless piano playing of Mark Sloniker. This is a great weekend for a jazz-C-voyage - we'll play on all the seven Cs (a version of Wave that will cast-away All Blues). All hands on deck! Thanks for listening (listing)!

Oh, and speaking of thanks - a HUGE ONE to all who came out to support the Riley's Roundup event at Hodi's last Sunday. With the help of all in attendance and all who donated silent auction items (and bid on them!), the benefit raised just shy of $20,000!!! In one day!! Gratitude abounds.....

Looking ahead, November 30th features Colleen Crosson/vocals and Braun Khan/bass! Happy Thanksgiving!
Mark

jazznovember/cold turkey

11/14/2013

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

jazz @ jay's welcomes new friends and old friends this week. Then over to Hodi's Half Note on Sunday for the Riley's (Rangers) Roundup Event!

Even though Plymouth Rocks, late November often leaves us out-in-the-cold in fowl weather, going cold turkey against the elements, with little or NO thanks - giving way to a ruffling of feathers which we must buckle down for. And even if you do not relish the rough, miles-stand-OFF-ishness of the season - this IS THEE season to count our blessings and smile at the abundance of yet another great bountiful crop. Every harvest must be marked by how much jazz has grown on you! Well, enough of my puntificating.....(or not - and I hope that won't leave you with an axe to grind....)

Wednesday 11/13 (7-10) Jay's welcomes back seasoned Bistro veteran Mark Raynes/drums with Patrick Atwater/bass! Mark Sloniker rounds out the trio on piano & piano bench...if he falls off the bench and sees his own shadow, then we have 6 more weeks of Puritanically cold weather followed by an early winter and a late spring.....???

Thursday 11/14 (6:30-10:30) Jay's Bistro again features Patrick Atwater on bass and Me, Myself, and I on piano. Why, I've just created a quartet at half the price! I bet a flock of other folks will drop by to sit in - let's see how many musicians we can stuff-in on the stage!

Friday 11/15 Sound the trumpets! After my solo set from 6-8 pm, Jon Gray will be tooting his horns and pipes (i.e. vocals) with us, along with Ian Hutchison on bass (8:30-11:30).

Saturday 11/16 Braun Kahn joins me at Jay's on bass (8:30-11:30), while Karen Holloway graces us with a vocal guest set at around 9 pm. You will gobble this up! As always, I'll play a solo piano set from 6-8 pm.

Sunday 11/17 Colleen Crosson and I will be participating in a very worthy fundraiser dubbed "Riley's Roundup". Riley Harness has been at Children's Hospital since mid-September when doctors discovered he had a serious liver disease. He is now awaiting a liver transplant and a benefit will take place this Sunday afternoon, November 17th, from 4-8 pm to help Riley and his family with their mounting medical costs not covered by insurance. We, along with Julie Hoest and Ellen Audley will be providing music for the event at Hodi's Half Note in Fort Collins. Tickets are just $10. Heavy appetizers will be provided and there will be a cash bar and a silent auction. This family has been through so much already and will have a long haul ahead of them. Your attendance and generous support is much appreciated! If you cannot make it to the event, but are moved to donate, you can do that online at www.COTAforRileyScottH.com. Hope to see you there, though!

Thanks for your support of live jazz music this year and Happy Thanksgiving!
Mark

Jazz Going to New Depths!

11/6/2013

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

jazz @ jay's welcomes new friends and old friends this week.

Wednesday 11/6 (7-10) features a formative and savvy rhythm section in Brian Claxton/drums & Braun Khan/bass! Mark Sloniker rounds out the trio on piano & piano bench..."You may approach the bench" but please, no objections regarding the circle of fifths - after all, the fifths are perfect.

Thursday 11/7 (6:30-10:30) Jay's Bistro finds Mark Sloniker behind the piano (like-totally) (solo) until aRound 8pm, when Braun Khan gets behind the bass, finds the lowest common denominator at a fraction of the cost and starts giving away C notes for the price of a song (literally)?!

Friday 11/8 Jay's (Bistro) welcomes back Ryan Fourt/guitar (who makes more than 6 Gs a night), Zack Teran/bass, who will hit many high notes without causing too much treble, & Mark Raynes/drums & Mark Sloniker/piano, who will try to earn scale (the devil mode me do it). This will be a very fine night of jazz quartet tunes (four-midable, in fact) (8:30-11:30). We'll meet you in the midable!?

Saturday 11/9 (8:30-11:30) Jay's features the vocal magic of Billy Hundley with Patrick Atwater's fine (A+) bass work, Matt Carroll's creative drumming & Mark (middle C) Sloniker/piano!

This is a great weekend for a jazz-C-voyage - we'll play on all the seven Cs (a version of Wave that will cast-away All Blues). All hands on deck!

Thanks for listening (listing)!
Mark

No-Vember = Yes-Jazz

11/1/2013

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

It's NOvember! No leaves, no sun (well, less sun) no flowers...except for the JAZZmine, which blooms perennially, ubiquitously, luxuriously, nocturnally (jazz loves the dark AND is not afraid of the light) and dances, "notably" into November! Mirthfully renaming it Yesvember and embracing the shorter day AND the longer night (as a jazz musician, I've been in the dark most of my life), it's just another excuse to make light of the situation! And if that weren't enough, scientists have once again figured out the exact day that the Sun will come up one hour later (would you believe it's on a Sunday AGAIN this year?), so that we may save the daylights out of this time (I think that's what it means?!). After all (at this point, hum Cole Porter's "Night & Day" at a soft volume that will not bring undue attention to yourself), it makes a world of difference to those "Whos" who ride on the little blue ball around the bright yellow one.

Friday, Nov. 1st, Jay's (Bistro) welcomes back (for the first time - in a long time) guitarist, Steve Kovalcheck, bassist Erik Applegate, and drummer, Shilo Stroman with the zany, if not oft-times-perplexing, Mark Sloniker/piano. This will be a very fine night of tunes indeed (8:30-11:30)!

Saturday, Nov. 2nd (8:30-11:30) Jay's features a fine iteration of the Monster Trux Trio with Brian Claxton/drums, Zach Teran/bass and Mark Sloniker/piano. Wear your Halloween disguise to this gig and remember, disguise da-limit!

Make light of this Yes-vember and Autumn-atically things will shine through (like Jazz@Jay's)! Remember photons have never been cheaper, so lighten' UP!

Thanks for listening!
Mark

PS: Bistro Jazz features Ryan Fourt & Zach Teran Friday, Nov. 8 AND THEN Billy Hundley & Patrick Atwater Saturday. Nov. 9. Whose bright idea was that?

Autumn-attic-jazz

10/22/2013

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear Friends,

I always read the last chapter of a "self help" book first to see if I got helped in the end (saves a lot of time). Unfortunately, jazz doesn't work that way - even Autumn-attic-Jazz. We can never know how jazz will end until it does. The last chord may be a happy chord (Cmajor 7 #11) or a sad one (Cminor 7) or a mysterious chord (Cminor (major7) - think James Bond movie sound track). But because jazz is improvisational in nature, anything can happen - and usually does! Earth must be a jazz musician, because we won't know how it ends 'til it does (although we have a pretty good idea that it has something to do with the sun running out of gas - literally!). If you want to see/hear what happens when jazz musicians run out of gas, on a smaller scale (although still a major scale), I know this place where jazz is spoken (and there's even a great staff waiting, to make sure you get helped)...

Wednesday Oct. 23rd Jay's Bistro has a heaping helping of jazz that serves you right (and left) with Mark Raynes/drums, Roger Barnhart/bass and Mark Sloniker/piano. Will it ever end?! (7-10 pm)

Thursday Oct. 24 Jay's Bistro takes Autumn-Attic-Jazz right to the top (it will floor you) with Patrick Atwater/bass & Mark Sloniker/piano, with a special cameo appearance of Monty Hogan/guitar and Judi Lucero/flute & voice on some sweet Brazilian songs. 6:30-10:30 pm.

Friday, Oct. 25th Jay's welcomes back saxophonist, Briana Carrisquillo with Ian Hutchison/bass, Mark Raynes/drums & Mark Sloniker/piano. You'll hope it never ends...and it never will...until we find a good chord...which may take some time! (8:30-11:30 pm). Solo piano set from 6-8 with yours truly....

Saturday, Oct. 26th (8:30-11:30) Jay's features Braun Kahn/bass and Mark Sloniker/piano, with more to be revealed!
Solo piano set from 6-8 pm.

Thanks for listening!
Mark

10/18/2013

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear Friends,

snow biz like jazz bliz... and we'll be playing up a storm this week end (sno-joke)...

Friday, Oct. 18th Jay's (Bistro) welcomes back Andrew Vogt/sax with Zach Teran/bass, Mark Raynes/drums & Mark Sloniker/piano. (8:30-11:30).

Saturday, Oct. 19th (8:30-11:30) Jay's features vocalist, Colleen Crosson with Zach Teran/bass and Mark Sloniker/piano!

A great week end for chillin' in a warm spot with some hot jazz. Cool!

Thanks for listening!
Mark

Fall for Jazz

10/9/2013

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

The best time to fall for jazz is October. It almost happens autumn-matically despite government shut-downs or daylight savings (currently earning 2.5%). Falling for jazz actually involves "Night-light savings" because Jazz does to the night what the Sun does to the day...makes light of it all. Falling for jazz is best done with the help of seasoned veterans. Summer better than others, especially if they know when to spring into action. Why, here are some now...ta-da!

Wednesday, Oct. 9 - Jay's Bistro will make falling for jazz a push over (7-10) with the likes of Braun Khan/bass, Mark Raynes/drums & Mark Sloniker who all take equal-knocks (say it fast) for the team.

Thursday, Oct. 10 - Jay's Bistro sheds a little (night) light on jazz with Patrick Atwater/bass and Mark Sloniker/piano( 6:30-10:30). The jazz flautista Judita and guitarista Monty Hogan make a cameoista appearance-ista around 8ish-ista. Others may fall in line too!

Friday, Oct 11 - Jay's (Bistro) welcomes back Peter Sommer/sax with Zach Teran/bass, Mark Raynes/drums & Mark Sloniker/piano. If you haven't fallen by now, we'll give you a nice trip (8:30-11:30).

Oct. 12 "Falls" on a Saturday at Jay's and even if the days are getting shorter, the nights are getting Wayne Shorter (tunes) and Mark Sloniker & Friends are longing to play more jazz for YOU! (8:30-11:30)

So let the chips FALL where they May! And make sure you fall for jazz at a bistro near you! Thanks for Listening,
Mark

Fall for Jazz

9/19/2013

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

Seasons come and seasons go (Everything in its own Thyme has always served as Sage council to me) and as seasons go - summer longer than others...but i never fail to fall for autumn (maybe it's the warm light of these late days...maybe the crisp mornings) I care less about how Autumn Leaves than about how Fall Arrives like an old friend, like a full bodied and seasoned grape (no sour grapes here) like a jazz perennial, easy on the ears yet full of adventure AND sentiment. Here's to the harvest of this solar cycle...it possibly, veritably (TOTALLY) gives a soul a reason to sing (not that it needs one)!

Thursday (tonight) Sept. 19 (6:30-10:30) Jay's Bistro: Patrick Atwater/bass with Mark Sloniker/piano with some well seasoned guests in cameo appearances.

Friday, Sept. 20 Jay's (Bistro) welcomes locally grown saxophonist Ben Strauss, regionally cultivated bassist Ian Hutchison, domestically imported drummer, Mark Raynes & free-range phalanges fumbler, Mark Sloniker. These guys have never played together (in this universe). So how far can they FALL (8:30-11:30)?

Saturday, Sept. 21 (8:30-11:30) Jay's features another fine "new-ish" ensemble with Colleen Crosson/vocals, Ted (brand new at the bistro) Olson/bass, Matt (newer at the bistro) Carroll & Mark (father-thymes-father-in-law) Sloniker/piano!

Seasons' Greetings (and thanks for listening),
Mark

BUT WAIT, that's not all... 9/27 features Joel Harris/sax. 10/4 features Jon Gray/trumpet!

8/27/2013

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

As some of you already know, my brother was born on Labor Day (which happened to be our mom's birthday that year) which explains why I have forever been searching for a pun that could have a more gifted delivery than that one. Why DO they call it Labor Day then give you the day off (works for me). We shall be working our way right up to it...but to play it safe...one should work in a little play time...and the way it works is to go to a place where jazz is playing...work your way right up to the front and play it by ear...hey here's a spot that I ear works very well...

Wednesday, Aug 28th Jay's Bistro offers you the works (or most of the works - for happy hour prices/all night...and apps that have nothing to do with your phone) with some fine music by Monster Trux Trio featuring Mark Raynes/drums, Patrick Atwater/bass & Mark Sloniker/piano (7-10).

Thursday, Aug. 29th Jay's Bistro "plays" faves: Bassist, Braun Khan is back from cruise ship cruising with "land lover" Mark Sloniker/piano 7:30-10:30. This duo is the essence of "surf & turf" so don't be making any waves here or i'll land a punch on ya!

Friday, Aug. 30th Jay's (Bistro) welcomes back the saxsational, Briana Carrisquillo/sax with a very new jazz talent, Zach Teran/bass, Mark Raynes/drums & Mark Sloniker/piano. These cats have never quarteted together but I guarantee this "work in progress" will bring you a very fine night of tunes (8:30-11:30).

Saturday, Aug. 31st (8:30-11:30) Jay's features a fine iteration of the Monster Trux Trio with Shilo Stroman/drums, Braun Khan/bass and Mark Sloniker/piano! They will welcome up some special guests and really PLAY it up.

If you are doing the Fort C hang this week/weekend and want to relax to some way-cool music...Jay's is the Plays!

Thanks for listening!
Mark

NYC Myles Ahead

8/23/2013

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

We drove & drove...Sunday 8/18 delivered Myles to NYC...caught a concert an amazing concert by OWL at Saint Peter's...read in the program that Myles Slonik will be performing in Sapt. with Hugh Ragin and David Amram (cool)...Monday hanging at the High Line and pilgrimage almost to Brooklyn Bridge with childhood friend Nina then onto The Jazz Standard for Mingus Orchestra show (WOW) Hanging with trumpeter Greg Gisbert and company was grand! Myles went to next gig (late night) where he sat in and made new friends (back to hotel by 3am)...Tuesday said a heart felt, "chow for now" and successfully escaped the formidable NYC gravitational "tractor beam" attraction! Left a new New Yorker who is in the exact right place at the exact right time (he's totally digging it...and so are WE!). This ship has a new home port and we're so excited to see/hear what happens next!!! Oh...before leaving for the east coast, Myles and I did some sessions over at the UNC studio. Something should be coming from those later this fall. Now what!!!???...

Friday, Aug. 23rd Jay's (Bistro) welcomes back local talent/hero Ben Strauss/hot sax with Hunter Roberts/bass, Mark Raynes/drums & Mark Sloniker/piano. Ben and Hunter bring brilliant new energy to our sweet soulful Bistro...Cheers (8:30-11:30).

Saturday, Aug. 24th (8:30-11:30) Jay's features a fine iteration of the Monster Trux Trio PLUS: with Matt Carroll/drums (another fine new presence on the scene), Roger Barnhart/bass and Mark Sloniker/piano WITH a swinging guest set by jazz vocalman Brian (Scat-Man) Hull who will scat without ever leaving the premises! Should be a premising night!

This is a great weekend for a jazz-voyage...in with the new...steady as she goes...AND just relaxin' into the heart of the summer!

Thanks for listening!
Mark

Three Myles to go…

8/8/2013

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

There are three more Myles to go before he goes to The City (NYC) and they are as follows:

Thursday (tonight) Aug. 8 Jay's Bistro: Myles Sloniker/bass with Mark Sloniker 7:30-10:30.

Friday, Aug. 9 Jay's (Bistro) welcomes (for the first time) trumpeter Greg Gisbert with Myles Sloniker/bass, Mark Raynes/drums & Mark Sloniker/piano. This will be a very fine night of tunes (8:30-11:30).

Saturday, Aug. 10th (8:30-11:30) Jay's features a fine iteration of the Monster Trux Trio with Shilo Stroman/drums, Myles Sloniker/bass and Mark Sloniker/piano!

This is a great weekend for a jazz-voyage, a bon voyage and a stellar sail to far off "sounds"...or just relaxin' into the heart of the summer!

Thanks for listening!
Mark

7/31/2013

Slonjazz Newsletter

Just a quick note to tell you about the jazz line-up at Jay's Bistro this week:

Tonight, Wed. July 31st (yikes!) we feature Mark Raynes on drums and Kenny Jones on bass. Jazz hours are 7-10 pm and it's happy hour all night!
Thursday, Aug.1st (can you believe it?!), Roger Barnhart joins me on bass and we'll have various guests throughout the night. 6:30-10:30 pm.
Friday, Aug. 2nd, I play a solo set from 6-8 and then I'll be joined by Mark Raynes on drums, Zach Teran on bass, and Jon Gray on trumpet and vocals (you gotta hear this guy!) from 8:30-11:30 pm.
Sat., Aug 3rd, I again play a solo set from 6-8, with the band joining me at 8:30 (till 11:30) featuring Shilo Stroman on drums and Hunter Roberts on bass.

Also wanted to let you know about a very special event on Sunday night! Unity of Fort Collins presents, “Beyond the Harbor”, a concert celebrating Myles Sloniker’s departure from Fort Collins to new adventures and schooling in New York City! This Sunday, August 4th, 7 p.m., please join Colleen and Mark and the Unity community in giving Myles a warm send-off. Myles has put together a band of his regional mentors and contemporaries to play for us! Here's the amazing line-up:

Brad Goode-Trumpet
Briana Carrasquillo-Alto Saxophone
Mark Sloniker-Piano
Jim White-Drums
Myles Sloniker-Bass
plus several special guests

After the concert, we will gather in the Rumi Room to share memories and well wishes. Potluck desserts or finger foods are most welcome. Love offerings will be accepted, with all of the proceeds benefiting Unity of Fort Collins. Hope to see you there!

Thanks for listening!
Mark

6/27/2013

Summer Slonjazz

Dear E-Friends,

Jazz @ Jay's Bistro and I play host to some wonderful friends, both new and old this week! I feel lucky AND blessed to get to make music with these fine musicians. AND my lifelong motto, "surround yourself with brilliance and try to blend in" will be put to the test once more (can he do it?)! Join our hero (that's the nicest thing he's ever said about myself) as Mark attempts to blend in on...

Wednesday, June 26th, with the likes of Myles Sloniker/bass and DOCTOR/Drummer Chris Smith - can he cure my arrhythmia and give my blues the "brush-off"? (7-10)
Whoops - this already happened, so disregard - unless you have a time machine!

Thursday, June 27th, (Mark attempts the blending-in-thing) with bassist, Erik Applegate and quite possibly some special guests, by and by (6:30-10:30).

Friday, June 28th - Tonight's the night for Boulder guitarist, Mike Robinson (currently a student at The New School in NYC, where Myles will be attending this Fall), bassist, Myles Sloniker, and drummer, Mark Raynes, to cook up some fresh jazz (8:30-11:30).

Saturday, June 29th (8:30-11:30) - Jay's features the same trio from Wednesday night (Sloniker, Sloniker & Smith) with a very special guest set by Kalli VanderTopp (around 10pm).

These are some great players, so by all means join us for some truly inspired music, and a chance to see "yours truly" try the blending-in-with-brilliance thing in a new and ever-more challenging setting! It'll be a treat, "weather" you're listening from the beautiful front patio or relaxing in the cool jazz lounge....

A couple other summer gigs worth noting:

Wed., July 10th, the Mark Sloniker Group will perform for the Lagoon Concert series on the CSU campus (6:30-8:30 pm)

Tues., July 30th, the Crosson/Sloniker Duo (or will it be a trio? Stay tuned!) will be at Oak Street Plaza for "Noontime Notes" (11:30 am- 1 pm)

Thanks for listening!
Mark

6/18/2013

Dear E-Friends,

Jazz @ Jay's celebrates thee Summer Solstice...We're gonna play the daylights out of this music! They say at the Equinox (even hours of day & night) you can stand an egg on its end...WELL "they also say" at summer solstice "you can stand three jazz musicians up on the band stand and none of them will fall (for anything)"!? For at least a few seconds. But, let's not make light of the longest day of the year (there are plenty of orbits to go around) and speaking of the moon...life is at its fullest when good jazz is on the rise. The skies the limit!

Wednesday, June 19, Jay's welcomes back an original Monster Trux member, bassist, Erik Applegate with (also original MTs drummer), Mark Raynes & Mark (piano's his forte) Sloniker (rounding out the cast of the Monster Trux Trio). The Truck-Stops-Here! 7-10.

Thursday, June 20th, Jazz @ Jay's is in full swing with a solo (swing) set from Sloniker (the piano man) followed by Sloniker (the bass man...Myles) with some cameo appearances from various guests, including the Jazzista Flautista (aka Judi Lucero), and Monty Hogan on guitar (6:30-10:30).

Friday, June 21st is the first full day of Summer and we know summer-better than others. This one's superb! A fine saxophonist, Ben Strauss, will shine his way into the night, while bassist, Myles Sloniker covers ALL the basses, Mark Raynes drums up more business, and pianist, Mark Sloniker makes a few key remarks. (8:30-11:30).

Saturday, June 22 (8:30-11:30) Jay's features Shilo Stroman/drums with Myles Sloniker/bass & Mark Sloniker/piano.

There is some great jazz@Jay's Bistro this weekend, "weather" you're listening from the beautiful patio or relaxing in the cool jazz lounge.

A couple other summer gigs worth noting:

Wed., July 10th, the Mark Sloniker Group will perform for the Lagoon Concert series on the CSU campus (6:30-8:30 pm)

Tues., July 30th, the Crosson/Sloniker Duo (or will it be a trio? Stay tuned!) will be at Oak Street Plaza for "Noontime Notes" (11:30 am- 1 pm)

Thanks for listening!
Mark

6/1/2013

Dear E-Friends,

We are MOST Happy to jazz up your June with some very talented players this week. As I mentioned last week: catch Myles Sloniker while you can, as he will be moving to New York City in August to study at The New School. As we see it, we're not losing a bass player, we're gaining a place (albeit a very small place) to sleep on the floor in NYC! As our poet friend Rumi reminds us: "we did not build these ships to sail around the harbor!" So stop by, catch the jazz catch of the day and wish Myles a bon voyage soon, before his ship sails. He's at Jay's Bistro this weekend...

Friday, June 7th Jay's (Bistro) is the marina-arena with Jon Gray/trumpet, Myles Sloniker/bass, Mark Raynes/drums & Mark Sloniker/piano. This music will take you by storm! (8:30-11:30). There's more than one way to tuna fish!

Saturday, June 8th (8:30-11:30) welcomes for the first time, drummer Ed Brezeale (coming up from Boulder to play), with Myles Sloniker/bass & Mark Sloniker/piano!

This is a great weekend for a jazz-voyage, a bon voyage and a stellar sail to far off sounds...or just relaxin' into the warmth of June! Colleen Crosson will be performing on Saturday, June 15th (8:30-11:30).

Thanks for listening!
Mark

3/15/2013

Dear E-Friends,

How DO those scientists figure out thee VERY morning when the sun rises exactly one hour later – then they inform us with plenty of time to reset our clocks. Is that what Stonehenge is for? Is that why it happens near St. Patty’s Day??? Well the luck of the Irish is with us this week. Fine jazz (jazz is Irish…kinda) is happening at Jay’s Bistro-Jazz-Lounge-&-Irish-Pub (kinda). BYO- Blarney. Or I seem to have plenty for everyone.

Tonight (Fri. 3/15) Jonathan Campbell/sax, Myles Sloniker/bass & Mark(s) Raynes & Sloniker/drums & piano. We will sham-ROCK YOU! (8:30-11:30)

Sat. (3/16) Colleen (her b-day IS St. Patty’s Day!) Crosson/voice, Myles (son-of-an-Irishwoman) Sloniker/bass and Mark O’Sloniker/piano (8:30-11:30).

By the way, next week there will be no jazz at jay’s (3/20-23) because of spring break – jazzers-gone-wild! So set your clocks up a week when jazz is back at Jay’s (3/27-30) with:

Monster Trux Jazz Wednesday (3/27), Duo Jazz Thurs. (3/28), Friday 3/29 features Mike Robinson/guitar, Myles Sloniker/bass and Raynes & Sloniker/drums & piano, and Sat. 3/30 features Billy Hundley/voice, Myles & Mark Sloniker/bass & drums.

Thanks for Listening,
Mark

2/13/2013

Dear E-Friends,

We are featuring some great jazz this week at Jay’s (see insert below for the full line-up)! Friday 2/15 welcomes back the very talented, Briana Carrisquillo on sax and bassist, Myles Sloniker (or just Myles, if you’re on a 1st name bassist) as well as Mark(s) Raynes & Sloniker on drums & piano respectively (or disrespectively). Jazz 8:30-11:30.

Saturday 2/16 (8:30-11:30) A fine trio featuring an excellent bassist Braun Khan (originally from Michigan, who is currently pursuing his doctorate at UNC) with Mark Sloniker/piano and a special guest set by a fine new(er) singer in our very midst, Kalli VanderTopp.

Wednesday 2/13 features the Bistro’s very own Monster Trux Trio with Raynes/Sloniker & Patrick Atwater/bass Thursday 2/14 features mostly Mark Sloniker/piano, playing every song he knows with the words, Valentine, Love, Heart or Pick-up Truck in it!

This Sunday, 2/17, Colleen Crosson and I will be hosting our annual JOY concert at Unity of Fort Collins, 1401 W. Vine Dr. The concert starts at 7 and will have numerous guests, including Cory Carroll on bass, Oscar DeZoto on drums, and Terry Meyer on harmony vocals. Please bring a potluck dessert or finger food to share after the concert. All love offering proceeds go to our Unity home. Hope to see you there!

Happy Heart Day to Everyone! Thanks for Listening,
Mark

1/30/2013

Howdy E-Friends,

Only three more shopping days until Groundhog Day! It’s my favorite (religious) holiday of the year (if you are, that is, a practicing Groundhog). If you’re not, you can still celebrate from a secular hoganist point of view. And, you can still go whole-hog on the grounds that spring comes to everyone sooner or later – without a shadow of a doubt. In mystical jazz circles, the mysterious “Jazzhog” comes out of his crib, long after sunset, not with a five o’clock shadow but more likely a 7:30 or 8 o’clock shadow! On his way to the gig, if he sees his barber, then it’s a close shave before he springs into a syncopated (or in this case spring-copated) swinging (springing) rhythm towards the club. If he makes it to the gig on time, than we have 8 more weeks of jazz winter (more dark than light – less day, more night). If he’s late to the gig then the jazzhog gets fired and the club owner hires a country western band. So if you like jazz, pray for a close shave and a “springcopated” paved deliverance of at least 8 more weeks of jazz. Not to make light of the equinox or anything. Why look, here’s a place to observe jazzhogs in their natural environment…

Wednesday 30th Jay’s (Jazzhog) Bistro presents Mark Raynes/drums, Patrick Atwater/bass and Mark Sloniker/piano (7-10). Why, I’ve never seen a shadier bunch!

Thursday 31st Patrick Atwater/bass and Mark Sloniker/piano hog the stage despite grounds to break it up! (6:30-10:30)

Friday Feb. 1st (8:30-11:30) Myles Sloniker/bass, David Moore/trumpet, Mark Raynes/drums and Mark Sloniker/piano “dig” themselves into a jazz hole and then right back out again! Seriously folks, David Moore is one fine lyrical trumpeter and Myles Sloniker is a bassist you can seriously dig! AND it’s Groundhog Day Eve. Try the Groundhog Stew!

Saturday Feb. 2 Happy Groundhog Day! (we’ll be playing Groundhog carols all night…Happy Hour specials include 2 for 1 on all ground water) Brian Claxton drums up rhythms that any groundhog OR jazzhog alike can “like”, Myles Sloniker hits a grounder to first base…because he’s ON first bass…we’ll keep the hits coming. Mark Sloniker climbs out of his piano long enough to get keyed up and scaled down on the whole, AND Groundhog Claus makes a special guest appearance. All in all, a magical night for everyhog!

As always, Thanks for Listening!
Mark