Hip Holiday Happenings!

12/16/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

The "Holiday Season" is in full swing, and we'll continue to swing it at Jay's Bistro and elsewhere throughout the coming weeks and into the New Year! Here's this week's happenings (and beyond):

Wednesday, December 17th (6-9 pm) - Jay's features Patrick Atwater/bass, Keller Paulson/drums, and Mark Sloniker/piano.

Thursday, December 18th (6:30-10 pm) - Jay's welcomes Braun Khan/bass with Mark Sloniker/piano.

Friday, December 19th (8-11 pm) - Following my solo piano set at Jay's (6-8 pm), I'll be joined by Mark Raynes/drums, Braun Khan/bass, Andrew Vogt/sax .

Saturday, December 20th - I'm grateful to have another "family night" @ Jay's with Colleen Crosson and Emma Sloniker on vocals, Braun Khan/bass (and adopted son-for-the-night) and Mark Sloniker/piano (8-11 pm). As always, I'll do a solo set starting at 6....

I'm excited to be starting a new tradition on Sunday nights, starting this Sunday, December 21st, at Ace Gillet's Lounge at The Armstrong Hotel, 239 S. College Ave., Fort Collins! I'll play solo piano from 7-11 pm, and occasionally be joined by other guests (like Myles Sloniker on bass, Dec. 28th and Jan. 4th!!). Ace's offers "delightful dishes and classy cocktails" as well as an extensive beer and wine list for your listening pleasure. Come on down (literally) to this basement hide-away for a fine evening of jazz!

On Christmas Eve night, Colleen Crosson, Myles Sloniker, and I (and other musical guests) are pleased to present an intimate "Season of Peace" house concert, starting at 6:30 pm. We'll play for just over an hour or so, with a sprinkling of poetry here and there , as we know you still might have some wrapping of presents and family to attend to! But we'd love to have you join us on this magical night, so let us know if you can make it (directions will be provided with your RSVP).

New Year's Eve, December 31st, we'll be celebrating with music at Jay's Bistro, as always! Details are in the works, but you might want to make your reservations soon (970-482-1876). We DO know Myles Sloniker and Colleen Crosson will be part of the band!

Happy Holidays to all, however you celebrate this time of year!

Hope to see you out and about and thanks for listening,
Mark

Gratitude....

12/11/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

Oh my goodness...it's December already. How did that happen? Whirled Peas (say it fast) is high on my Christmas list this year, as I have a feeling it's high on yours as well. Gandhi said: be the change you want to see in the world - so we will be playing music that is peaceful as well as joyful, kind and sweet (suite) this week (and beyond)!

The where is Jay's Bistro. The when and who is:

Wednesday 12/10 (6-9pm) Mark Raynes/drums, Patrick Atwater/bass & Mark Sloniker/piano. We will be channeling a little Schroeder tonight!

Thursday 12/11 (6:30-10pm) I'll begin things solo (so low you can hardly hear me) and by 7pm, David Becher/bass joins in! By and by our musical friend Chris Dale dons the drums and dazzles us with suite cymbal-ism and raucous rum-pum-pum-pum. Others will join this merry band. I'm sure of it!

Friday 12/12 It's a solo-Slon-set at 6pm! At 8pm Bard Hoff/guitar, Zachary Teran/bass & Mark Raynes/drums join me until 11pm.

Saturday 12/13 It's Billy Hundley/vocals, Ted Olsen/bass, Matt Carroll/drums & Mark S./piano (8-11pm). I'll do a solo-slon-set starting at 6pm tonight as well!

On Saturday 12/20 at Jay's Bistro (8-11pm) Colleen Crosson/voice & Braun Khan/bass join me for some musical magic with a hint of happy holiday hip-ness happening!

Also coming up: I'm playing at Ace Gillette's on Sunday(s) December 21st & 28th from 7 to 11pm. Myles Sloniker will be joining me 12/28!

On Christmas Eve, Colleen and I will hold a "Season of Peace" concert at our home, starting at 6:30 pm. We will keep it short (1 - 1 1/2 hours), as we know this is a busy time for all of us, but we hope you can join us on this special night. Myles will be here for this one, too, along with many other musical guests, and we'll do some sing-a-longs! There'll be a beautiful smattering of poetry as well....

>From our hearts to yours, we wish you peace and love and joy, this season, and always!
And as always, thanks for listening!
Mark

'Tis the Season!....

12/2/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

Here's the line-up for this week at Jay's Bistro, 135 W. Oak St. in downtown Fort Collins. Hope you can join us as we ring in the season of good cheer (and good jazz)!

Wednesday, Dec 3rd (6-9 pm):
Ted Olsen/bass
Mark Raynes/drums
Mark Sloniker/piano

Thursday, Dec. 4th (6:30-10 pm):
Patrick Atwater/bass
Mark Sloniker/piano

Friday, Dec. 5th (solo set 6-8 pm, Band hours 8-11 pm):
Peter Sommer/sax
Zach Teran/bass
Mark Raynes/drums
Mark Sloniker/piano

Saturday, Dec. 6th:
Jay's lounge is closed for a private party.

Thanks for listening, Mark

Gratitude....

11/26/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

I am absolutely excited to spend this Thanksgiving week creating some new traditions while appreciating some past ones. Last year we were in New York with Myles and spending Turkey Day with Colleen's Dad, Dave and other friends/family. This year we will be with our Jay's Bistro family, serving up T-Day dinner and spirited music (including the jazziest version of "Over the River and Through the Woods" you've ever heard) from 4-8 pm. In years past, we cross country skied around Rabbit Ears Pass or ascended to the top of "Mount Woop-Ass " in these amazing Rocky Mountains. This year it'll be a 22 mile "gizzard-grind-bike-bivouac" before donning my Miles Standish-full-pilgrim-regalia for our Jay's Bistro Feast (a veritable Feastro of fine cuisine and tuneage) playing some tunes with Colleen Crosson and Emma Sloniker! The rest of the week is pretty festive, TOO!

Wednesday, 26th (6-9) - The long awaited return of the Monster Trux Trio with Mark Raynes, Braun Khan, and Mark Sloniker. Rumor has it, our friend Andrew Vogt might pop in for some tunes!

Thursday, 27th - Turkey-Day is stuffed full of fine folks winging it and sticking their necks out (without totally losing their heads) (or crying fowl) to bring some inspired music to this Thanksgiving Bistro Feast (4-8)! Colleen Crosson & Emma Sloniker are singing & winging it!

Friday, 28th welcomes Andrew Vogt/sax back to the Bistro with Mark Raynes/drums, Braun Khan/bass & Mark Sloniker/piano. You may just hear a smattering of those Charlie Brown Christmas tunes along with some toasty hot jazz! Solo piano at 6 pm joined by the band at 8 pm until 11 pm!

Saturday, 29th - Jay's stays hip and happening with the Debonair Trio - Ted Olsen/bass, Matt Carroll/drums, and yours truly/piano (8-11 pm, with a solo set starting at 6).

Hope to see you and thanks for listening!
Mark

Gratitude....

11/21/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

As we head into Thanksgiving week, I wanted to take a moment to tell you how much I appreciate you, my friends and music fans, who come out (some, week after week!) to hear us play....sticking our necks out to create some jazz...on a wing and a prayer and a drum stick as we thighs things up to keep everyone stuffed to the max with jazz at Jay's and elsewhere.... Really - we couldn't do it without you, so thank you for the support and encouragement! This time of year can get pretty crazy busy, so it's nice to take a moment here and think of all I am grateful for. My family (and that includes my "music family"!) and friends are at the top of that list....

Oooops...I spent so much time in appreciation that 2 days of this week's Jay's gigs went by already, so I'll have to just tell you about Friday and Saturday coming up!

Friday, 11/21 - Following my solo piano set at 6, I'll be joined by Mark Raynes/drums, Braun Khan/bass, and Brianna Harris/sax (8-11 pm).

Saturday, 11/22 - I'm grateful to have another "family night" with Colleen Crosson and Emma Sloniker on vocals, Patrick Atwater/bass (and adopted son-for-the-night) and Mark Sloniker/piano (8-11 pm). As always, I'll do a solo set starting at 6....

I do want to mention that Jay's is open for Thanksgiving dinner this year, so, in addition to playing my regular hours on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday next week, I'll also play on Thursday from 4-8 pm for your dining pleasure! Colleen will sit in some and I hope Emma will, too!

Hope to see you and thanks for listening!
Mark

Warm up with some cool jazz!

11/13/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

We knew that our unbelievably long, beautiful fall weather would have to come to an end sometime, but did it have to be this drastic? Well, as they say, drastic weather calls for drastic measures (bar none), so we are pulling out all the stops (accelerato!) to bring you the best in jazz this week at Jay's Bistro!

We had a great time on Wednesday (last night) , but my computer keys were unfortunately frozen (better than my piano keys!), so I wasn't able to inform you of the way cool Patrick Atwater/bass, Matt Carroll/drums & Mark Sloniker/piano Trio that stormed in. We had an (arctic) blast! However, the great music continues tonight.....

Thursday, 11/13 - as Jay's plays host to Patrick Atwater/bass & Mark Sloniker/piano, in turn playing host to some special guests like Judi Lucero, Monty Hogan, Leslie Parreco, George Washington & Thomas Jefferson...to set a few presidents (woops).... (6:30-10:00 pm)

Friday, 11/14 - Following my solo piano set at 6, I'll be joined by Mark Raynes/ drums, Zach Teran/bass, and the ever exuberant Billy Hundley/vocals (8-11 pm)!

Saturday, 11/15 - Jay's welcomes Chuck Landgraf/drums, Braun Khan/bass and Mark Sloniker/piano (8-11 pm). As always, I'll do a solo set starting at 6....

Hope to see you, thanks for listening, and stay warm out there!
Mark

Halloween with Hugh!

10/27/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

There are some Hugh-mongous happenings happening at Jay's this week (and beyond). Howl be scaring up some frighteningly good jazz this Friday, October 31st with long-time friend & trumpeter-supreme Hugh Ragin (8-11pm)! Old and new friends will also be returning to old haunts to wax the whimsical in musical metaphor. Metaphors be with you (say it slowly) as we journey into one of thee-coolest-(warmest)-Colorado falls ever! Here's the full line-up for this week:

Wednesday, 10/29 - Jazz@Jay's on Wednesdays finds a NEW TIME: 6-9pm. This week features Darryl Cozzi/drums, Patrick Atwater/bass & Mark Sloniker/piano. They say the triangle is the strongest shape...? Well, the trio may be the strongest combo! What's our angle on this?...Come and find out...although the proof may be obtuse, it certainly isn't one-sided.

Thursday, 10/29 - It appears that the better part of the bar at Jay's will be closed for a private function. But if you are out after 9pm, I'll be chillin' on some piano between 9 and 10 pm.

Halloween Friday, 10/31 - Following my solo piano set at 6, we'll treat you to Hugh Ragin/trumpet, Braun Khan/bass, Shilo Stroman/drums and me/ in costume!

Saturday, 11/01 - Jay's plays host to David Becher/bass, Matt Carroll/drums and Mark Sloniker/piano (8-11 pm). As always, I'll do a solo set starting at 6....

Hope to see you and thanks for listening!
Mark

It's a family affair...

10/23/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

After an amazing recent trip to NYC to hear (and sit in with!) our son, Myles, I am happy to have our daughter, Emma Sloniker, join us at Jay's Bistro this Saturday night (along with her mom, Colleen Crosson)! But first....

Thursday, 10/23 - Jay's finds me starting things off solo at 6:30, with bassist, Braun Khan joining in at 7:00 and other guests popping in throughout the night.

Friday, 10/24 - I start off the night at 6 with a solo piano set, followed by "The Band" at 8 pm: Andrew Vogt/saxophones and clarinet, Braun Khan/bass, Mark Raynes/drums and Me on piano bench....

Saturday, 10/25 - Jay's brings back vocalists Colleen Crosson AND Emma Sloniker singing together and alone with Braun Khan/bass and Mark Sloniker/piano (8-11 pm). As always, I'll do a solo set starting at 6....

Hope to see you and thanks for listening!
Mark

Cool nights, warm songs

10/01/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

Happy October! Last week, summer weather - this week, sweater weather. Cooler nights call for warmer tunes! Maybe even some HOT Jazz!

Wednesday, 10/01 (tonight) - Jay's Bistro welcomes back bassist, Matt Smiley for his first Bistro appearance in many a moon! Mark Raynes/drums & Mark Sloniker/piano round out this "all for one, and one for all" fall-fun-trio (7-10)!

Thursday, 10/02 - Jay's finds me starting things solo at 6:30, with bassist, David Becher joining in at 7:30 and other guests warming things up by and by. Last week we almost had an Octet by our 10 pm finish time. Perhaps this week it just might be an "Octobertet"!

Friday, 10/03 - Jay's plays host to some new chemistry with vocalist, Billy Hundley and saxophonist, Joel Harris joining up with Zach Teran/ bass and Mark(s) Raynes & Sloniker/drums & keys from 8pm until 11 o'clock.

Saturday, 10/04 - Jay's finds more new chemistry with vocalists Colleen Crosson and Emma Sloniker singing together and alone with David Becher/bass and Mark Sloniker/piano (8-11pm).

As always, I play a solo piano set on Fri. & Sat. from 6-8pm!

Thanks for listening!
Mark

Falling for Jazz....

9/24/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

Happy Autumn (day 2.5)! While not wanting to fall for this equinox thing (days & nights of equal length) they did appear pretty even. So the scientists that built Stonehenge were probably seasoned veterans even then. A recent article sites that these folks selected some of their stones because of a melodious sound they created when struck. Some say that this was perhaps the dawn of rock music. And while not wanting to take that for granite...we do have some good tunes emanating from the edge of the Rockies right here in Fort Collins! How's that strike you?

Wednesday, September 24th - Jay's is the place to rock out with our power (jazz) trio, including Mark Raynes/drums, Patrick Atwater/bass & Mark Sloniker/piano from 7-10 featuring variations on Beethoven's rock hit: Geode to Joy!

Thursday, Sept. 25th, I'll start on solo piano at 6:30, with David Becher/bass joining in around 7:30pm and Chris Dale drumming up serious repercussions soon after, with various other special guests throughout the night till 10:00 pm (including Judi Lucero/flute and Monty Hogan/guitar doing a bit of Bossa, and Colleen Crosson singing a few standards and such!).

Friday, Sept. 19th, Jay's welcomes Ryan Fourt/guitar, with Zach Teran/bass, Mark Raynes/drums & Mark Sloniker/piano (8-11). Billy Hundley will drop in and sing a couple too! As always, I'll begin the night at 6 pm with solo piano.

Saturday, Sept. 27th, Jay's features vocalist Kalli VanderTop with Braun Khan/bass, Matt Carroll/drums and Mark Sloniker/piano (8-11/band, 6 pm solo piano).

Thanks for listening!
Mark

Summer-set

9/18/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

While all seasons are beautiful (especially in Colorado) Summer sweeter than others! And speaking of summer, this is our last week end to summer in the Rockies before we Fall for Autumn and Autumn Leaves us chillin'. But there's still some chillin' to be done at Jay's before the chill sets in (and then we'll be snugglin') so here's the line-up for your chillin' pleasure (I think it got over 90 today - doesn't a cold beer sound good?).

Thursday, Sept. 18th, I'll start on solo piano at 6:30, with David Becher/bass joining in around 7:30pm. Colleen Crosson will join us around 8 pm, with various other special guests throughout the night till 10:00 pm.

Friday, Sept. 19th, Jay's welcomes Jon Gray/trumpet, with Braun Khan/bass, Shilo Stroman/drums & Mark Sloniker/piano (8-11). As always, I'll begin the night at 6 pm with solo piano.

Saturday, Sept. 20th Jay's features Patrick Atwater/bass, Matt Carroll/drums, Brian Hull/voice and Mark Sloniker/piano (8-11/band, 6 pm solo piano).

Thanks for listening!
Mark

Let it snow??

9/10/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

I'm thinking it's not quite fall yet, right? But I hear tell some of the white stuff is headed our way (albeit no real accumulation...). Still, it's a rude way to end the summer, don'tcha think? Well, jazz goes on, no matter what the season, so come on down to Jay's and we'll play you whatever tunes the weather calls for! Here's what's on tap (beside some really good beers) this week at the Bistro (135 W. Oak St. in downtown Fort Collins).

Tonight, Wednesday, Sept. 10th, 7-10 pm the trio will consist of Keller Paulson/drums, Braun Khan/bass, and me, myself, and I on piano (whoa, we just became a quintet!)

Thursday, Sept. 11th, I'll start on solo piano at 6:30, with David Becker/bass and Chris Dale/drums joining in around 7:30pm. We'll then have various other special guests throughout the night till 10:00 pm.

Friday, Sept. 12th, Jay's welcomes Andrew Vogt/sax with Patrick Atwater/bass, Brian Claxton/drums & Mark Sloniker/piano (8-11). As always, I'll begin the night at 6 pm with solo piano.

Saturday, Sept. 13th Jay's features Ted Olsen/bass, Matt Carroll/drums and Mark Sloniker/piano (8-11/band, 6 pm solo piano).

Thanks for listening!
Mark

The times they are a changin'....

8/28/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

There's an old saying that goes something like, "the more things change the more they stay the same". And while there's a big change happening at Jay's Bistro, there's also some sameness in the midst of great transition. As many of you know by now, Jay & Jacki are selling the Bistro with new ownership beginning in September. After 20 years of working with these two amazing people, a change of hands is no small thing. I look back on all those years with fondness and gratitude and feel deeply blessed to be a part of a very successful and close knit family. We worked so diligently together to create a space of great food & drink and music & friendliness and excellence!

Colleen and I wish Jay and Jacki all the best in their new adventures and we look forward to spending time with them outside the Bistro (imagine that?!). The Bistro's new owners want to keep the name and the staff and the JAZZ. And that speaks volumes for our efforts over these last 20 years. So, while the "volume's" turned up, here's what we have this weekend for jazz@jay's. We hope you can stop by, catch some tunes, and help us send Jay & Jacki on their way with the best of wishes!

Thursday, Aug. 28th (tonight) I'll start on solo piano at 6:30 and Patrick Atwater will join in around 7pm. By and by we will be joined by some special guests.

Friday, Aug. 29th Jay's welcomes the wonderful sax duo Briana & Joel Harris with Zach Teran/bass, Mark Raynes/drums & Mark Sloniker/piano (8-11).

Saturday, Aug. 30th Jay's features vocalist Colleen Crosson with Patrick Atwater/bass and Mark Sloniker/piano.

Next week features saxophonist, Kenyon Brenner and bassist, Braun Khan on Friday, September 5th and Billy Hundley and Braun Khan on Saturday, Sept. 6th.

Thanks for listening!
Mark

Jazz reigns!..or is that rains.. (or Raynes?)

7/30/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

In the words of Cole Porter,

"Like the drip, drip, drip of the raindrops
When the summer shower (monsoon?) is through
So a voice within me keeps repeating
You, you, you"......

might want to come on down to Jay's and get outta the rain! You can tell me I'm all wet on this one, but jazz truly does reign when it's raining (think Gene Kelly ...). Okay, I'm through with the song and dance, but I will give you this week's line-up, and you can decide weather to drop in or not.

TONIGHT, Wednesday night, July 30th, 7-10 pm, is simply flooded with talent - featuring Patrick AtWATER/bass, Mark RAYNES/drums, and me, Slonnie (or is that Sloshie?), on keys (also a watery term...).

Thursday night, July 31st, 6:30-10 pm, I'll be joined by David Becher on bass, as well as other special guests throughout the night, including the Jazzista Flautista, Judi Lucero, who will shower us with some Brazilian tunes!

Friday night, August 1st (what???) features Patrick Atwater/bass, Brian Claxton/drums, Ryan Fourt/guitar, and myself (solo set starting at 6, with the band joining me at 8 till 11 pm).

Saturday night, August 2nd, features Roger Barnhart/bass, Matt Carroll/drums (8-11 pm), with a guest set by Ms. Emma Sloniker/vocals somewhere in there (or somewhere over the rainbow!). We'll see what precipitates....
I'll start off with that solo set on piano at 6.

As Led Zeppelin sang, "Upon us all, a little rain must fall."

Hope to see you float on into Jay's, and thanks for listening!
Mark

Lagoon cancelled, but we're moving the party to Jay's!

7/16/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

I write this as the sun shines through my window, but direct from the Lagoon Concert organizers:

"Due to consistent rain and predicted thunderstorms throughout the day today, we have decided to call the concert now – there will be no concert tonight. We are always concerned about lightning, even more so after the incidents that happened at Rocky Mountain National Park recently, but we are so very concerned about the ground being too wet for heavy equipment and for hosting the concert."

Well darn it! We totally understand the concerns, but we were SO looking forward to playing for you on that beautiful lawn. SO the next best thing is to just move the party to Jay's Bistro! We'll play our regular hours there (7-10 pm, so you get a bonus hour, over the concert!) AND it's HAPPY HOUR ALL NIGHT! So, let's make the best of this situation, shall we? Meet us at Jay's and we'll do our concert for you there! Remember, it's your last chance to hear Myles for awhile (he's back on a plane to NYC tomorrow), and Emma has some great tunes planned for you (as well as some harmonies with her mom!).

And here's the schedule for the rest of the week at Jay's:

Thursday 7/17 I'm back at Jay's, playing host to more happening music, starting with solo piano at 6:30. Then bassist, David Becher joins me (around 7:30) until 10:00 with special guests sitting in by and by. Thursdays are full of sweet cameo appearances and you never know just who might show up and jump up!

Friday 7/18 as July heats up, join us at Jay's for some way cool jazz with trumpeter/vocalist, Jon Gray, bassist, Zack Teran, drummer/Mark Raynes and Mark Sloniker/piano. This is one (like) totally swinging quartet!!!

Saturday 7/19 Jay's keeps things hopping with some fine vocals by Billy Hundley, along with Mark Sloniker/piano and Lowen Soulful/bass.

These Mid-Summer's-Night's-Dream-Bands will play into these mid-summer's nights with flair and finesse!

Thanks for listening!
Mark

One more Myles!

7/15/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

This Wednesday (July 16th) should be one sweet, seaworthy celebration! Come on down to the CSU Lagoon Concert (corner of North Dr. and Meridian Ave.) from 6:30-8:30 for a soulful-heartfelt bon voyage to Myles Sloniker heading back to the Big City on Thursday. We've had a month of wonderful gigs and hangs, with Mike Robinson, Bri & Joel Harris, David Moore, Billy Hundley, Mark Raynes and many more.

Wednesday's concert will feature the whole family, with both Colleen Crosson & Emma Sloniker on vocals and Myles on bass. Mark Raynes will be our drummer extraordinaire. You can read an article about us and our upcoming concert here: http://www.today.colostate.edu/story.aspx?id=10245

Thursday 7/17 I'm back at Jay's, playing host to more happening music, starting with solo piano at 6:30. Then bassist, David Becher joins me (around 7:30) until 10:00 with special guests sitting in by and by. Thursdays are full of sweet cameo appearances and you never know just who might show up and jump up!

Friday 7/18 as July heats up, join us at Jay's for some way cool jazz with trumpeter/vocalist, Jon Gray, bassist, Zack Teran, drummer/Mark Raynes and Mark Sloniker/piano. This is one (like) totally swinging quartet!!!

Saturday 7/19 Jay's keeps things hopping with some fine vocals by Billy Hundley, along with Mark Sloniker/piano and Lowen Soulful/bass.

These Mid-Summer's-Night's-Dream-Bands will play into these mid-summer's nights with flair and finesse!

Thanks for listening!
Mark

myles away...

7/11/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

What an absolute joy it has been to have Myles Sloniker with us this past month! And as time flies, especially summertime, we find ourselves coming to the end of his Colorado hang. BUT!!! before he takes his leave of us, in order to go back to that "Big Apple" and find some work for his dad (and he)...we/you have a couple more chances to catch this fine bass man in the act of creative jazzing (aka "jazzticulating")! So whatever you do...don't miss these bebopportunities to catch a truly unique Colorado native in his native habitat, cooking up some great music in the good old summertime. Also, this Saturday features some fine cats at Jay's who will wow you too (or is that who will wow U2)...who knows???

Friday, July 11 (why that's today) Jay's Bistro features THE NEWLY WEDS, Joel & Briana Harris (you formerly knew her as Briana Carrisquillo) on alto and tenor saxes along with Myles Sloniker/bass, Mark Raynes/drums & Mark Sloniker/piano. This will be such a wonderful performance of 5 musicians who love to play together (Myles and I had the honor of playing Bri & Joel "down the aisle" on the summer solstice). This is a jazz gig not-to-be-missed (8-11)!

Saturday, July 12 Jay's features a very fine jazz trio, namely Patrick Atwater/bass, Darryll Cozzi/drums & Mark Sloniker/piano with a special guest or two sitting in, by and by...

Wednesday, July 16 (the last and final Summer of 2014 Colorado appearance of NYC's finest) Myles Sloniker/bass along with Mark Raynes/drums, Colleen Crosson/voice, Emma Sloniker/voice and Mark Sloniker/piano at the CSU Lagoon Concert Series (6:30-8:30). This is one of my most favorite oudoor venues anywhere, anywhen, anywho!!! Anyway, if you only catch one concert this century, catch this one!

Hope to see ya at Jay's and CSU and as always, thanks for listening!
Mark

Myles in the house!

6/26/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

For a limited time only, we have frequent flyer Myles in the house (Jay's Bistro & Our House). Frequent flyer Myles just flew back from NYC and Bern Switzerland to hip his old man on the latest hip haps in The City and in the Alps (where he was Bern-in it up with Mike Robinson...who will perform with us at Jay's tomorrow-Fri.). Hop on here for the hip-haps with hops and hopes of hearing some high falootin' jazz music!

Thursday, June 26th Jay's displays the ways the phase of the latest craze plaze out these days...dynamic duos of dads and dudes who play(s) d'bass: Myles Sloniker/bass & Mark Sloniker/piano (6:30-10:00). Friends and family may just sit in...if they know what's good for them!

Friday, June 27th Jay's features NYC's finest Mike Robinson/guitar, Myles Sloniker/bass with the front range finery of Mark(s) Raynes & Sloniker (drums/piano). It's always a joy to play with Mike & Myles when they are back for a visit! (8-11pm). This will be a very wonderful night of music (I guarantee it!)!

Saturday, June 28th vocalist Colleen Crosson joins in the fun with Myles & Mark for a family affair...a fare of fairly fantastic frequencies, funneled fabulously from our family to f'yours.

Hope to see ya at Jay's and thanks for listening!
Mark

Return of the bassman......

6/19/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

Guess who arrived late last night, just in time to finish out the week at Jay's with me? Well, it's none other than Myles Crosson Sloniker, home for a month after a successful year at the New School in NYC and recently returned from a 4 night stint at the Bern Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Catch him while you can!

Thursday night, June 19th, 6:30-10 pm, Myles and I will be joined by various special guests throughout the night.

Friday night, June 20th features Myles Sloniker/bass, Mark Raynes/drums, David Moore/trumpet and myself (solo set starting at 6, with the band joining me at 8 till 11 pm).

Saturday night , Myles and I will be playing at a private wedding gig, so won't be at the Bistro.

Hope you can join us at Jay's and thanks for listening!
Mark

June know it's June??

6/6/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

No - it can't be....June?? How did that happen? Wasn't it Ground Hog Day just "yesterday"?!? Wasn't it Ground Hog Day just yester?...Wasn't it...??? Well...I guess it happened the same way the week got away from me, so I'm finally getting around to sending you the (rest of the) schedule for this week (end). We had some great fun on Wednesday and Thursday, (Andie McDowell and Bill Murray were there) and I expect the same on:

Friday, with Mark Raynes on drums, Braun Khan on bass and the incomparable Ryan Fourt on jazz guitar...what a joy to have this group of cats to hang with!

and Saturday, I feel equally blessed to be in the presence of some very fine talents(!)...with Darryl Cozzi/drums, Patrick Atwater/bass and another guest appearance by Emma Sloniker/vocals!

I will, of course, be playing piano with these jazz cats (and kittens?) , starting with a solo set at 6 pm, with the band joining me from 8-11 each night.

Hope you can join us at Jay's and thanks for listening!
Happy Ground Hog Day!?!
Mark

5/28/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

Here's the line-up for Jay's this week - an exciting variety of players for your listening pleasure!

Wednesday night, May 28th, 7-10 pm, features Patrick Atwater/bass, Mark Raynes/drums, with me on keys.

Thursday night, May 29th, 6:30-10 pm, I'll be joined by Daniel Smith on bass, as well as other special guests throughout the night!

Friday night, May 30th features Braun Khan/bass, Mark Raynes/drums, Billy Hundley/voice and myself (solo set starting at 6, with the band joining me at 8 till 11 pm).

Saturday night, May 31st, I start out with a solo set at 6, followed by the band at 8 pm, when I'll be joined by Ted Olsen/bass, Keller Paulson/drums and a guest set with Kalli VanderTop on vocals.

Hope you can make it down to Jay's, 135 West Oak St. in downtown Fort Collins, to celebrate the summer season (now that it's almost June - yikes!). The patio is fine, we "pipe" the music out there...so it's the same great jazz on the patio, just a little more outside!? And so are the drinks and food!

Also wanted to let you know that, with the summer season approaching, Colleen Crosson and I will be doing our annual appearances at Noontime Notes (July 8th) and the Lagoon (July 16th) Summer Concert Series. Mark your calendars - it'll be here before we know it!

Thanks for listening!
Mark

May-be Jazz?

5/21/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

May is sure a fickle month. It just can't make up it's mind to settle down already! Be prepared for wind and hail and a tornado warning or two - oh, what the hail, come on down to Jay's where the jazz reigns and, like the weather, is never "predictable"!

Wednesday night, May 21st, 7-10 pm, features Ted Olsen on booming bass, Mark Raynes on thunderous drums, with me, Slonnie, on lightning fast keys (i'd better update my accidental insurance).

Thursday night, May 22nd, 6:30-10 pm, I'll be joined by Drew Miller/bass, Matt Carroll/drums, as well as other special guests scattered throughout the night and clearing out by 11.

Friday night, May 23rd features Patrick Atwater/bass, Mark Raynes/drums, Andrew Vogt/saxophone and clarinet, and myself (solo set starting at 6, with the band joining me at 8 till 11 pm).

Saturday night, May 24th, Patrick Atwater is back on bass, and the lovely, young talent, Emma La Rue Sloniker will join us for a guest set on vocals! (8-11 pm). I start off with that solo set on piano at 6.

May-de-force be with YOU!

Hope to see ya at Jay's and thanks for listening!
Mark

'sno more snow!

5/14/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

I've had it with this snow business! I was just getting a spring in my step when I slipped on an icy patch and went down - a whole step, mind you; landing flat on a bad note. It was purely accidental (don't get sharp with me...)! Now, we all know "gettin' down" is part of making music, but that isn't exactly what I had in mind....So, glad to see the sun (AND the moon) are in FULL swing again, and so are WE...swinging for the fence (without meaning any offence...Noah Fence to anyone at the Bistro this week...) Come on in and get down with us!

Wednesday night, May 14th, 7-10 pm, features Ted Olsen/bass, Mark Raynes/drums, with me, Slonnie, on keys.

Thursday night, May 15th, 6:30-10 pm, I'll be joined by Patrick Atwater (that's Patwater for short, though he definitely is not) on bass, as well as other special guests throughout the night.

Friday night, May 16th features Zach Teran/bass, Mark Raynes/drums, and myself (solo set starting at 6, with the band joining me at 8 till 11 pm).

Saturday night, May 17th, features Colleen Crosson on vocals (8-11 pm), while I start off with that solo set on piano at 6.

Hope to see ya at Jay's and thanks for listening!
Mark

May Jazz (be with you)!

5/9/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

Well Spring certainly has sprung (a leak)! And this rainy wet May is A-Okay with me! Having lived in Oregon, California, Boston and Ohio...May showers are the quintessential sign of spring. I'm so glad that they are rain showers this year, rather than the snow showers we had last May!?! Mother nature sure is a wild and colorful cowgirl "out west"! She never fails to keep things exciting and interesting around here! Well, we will be raining, exciting and sweet jazz @ Jay's bistro this week end and every tune will be dedicated to Mom! After all, it's where we (all) got our start! Happiest of all Mother's Days to all the Mothers and Children in this zany universe! And May Showers, be with you...and metaphors be with you too! Here's what's bloomin' at Jay's this week end...

Friday, May 9th: Solo piano springs eternal from 6 to about 8, when Joel Harris/sax, Braun Khan/bass & Mark "Raynes"/drums storm in and flood the place with sound (perhaps even Peugeot Sound)("bay" if you love jazz). We play until 11 so make like rain and drop in!

Saturday May 10th: I will drizzle, sprinkle and tinkle some solo stuff and wet your appetite for the likes of Bruan Khan who will shower you with pizzicato-pitter-patter-pluckiness, precipitating Billy Hundley's reign as the "front" man who can move in and go singing in the rain always to the sound of thunderous applause?! What the hail? We're all wet anywho! And if that's not enough...after our version of "What a Wonderful World"...there won't be a dry eye in the house. We will finish up around a bit early on this night as our Jay's staff will be readying the Bistro for our wonderful Mother's Day Brunch on Sunday!

Saturday, May17th, Colleen Crosson (an amazing mother and singer in her own right, joins us!

As always, thanks for listening!
Mark

This week's line up will blow you away!

5/1/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

I just had to make sure you got wind of this weekend's schedule! We'll be playing with great gusto, so brace yourself for a howling good time at Jay's Bistro, 135 W. Oak St. in downtown Fort Collins.

Thursday, May 1st, I'll begin the evening with solo Jazz piano at 6:30 pm. Braun Khan will be breezing in around 7 to play bass, along with Sam Goldring, drumming up quite a storm. The music continues until around 10:00 pm, with special guests, including Sally Lee/voice, and Glen Foster/trombone.

Friday night, May 2nd, features Sam Williams (blowing hard on sax), Braun Khan/bass, Mark Raynes/drums, and myself (the solo set starting at 6, with the band joining me at 8 till 11 pm).

Saturday, May 3rd, features Ted Olsen/bass, Matt Carroll/drums with yours truly at the keys (the Florida Keys??)

So, batten down the hatches, mates and head down to Jay's before these unique sessions are "gone with the wind". After all, tomorrow is another day! See you at Jay's!

Thanks for listing; I mean, listening!
Mark

True Nature Reunion!

4/22/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

It's an exciting week at the Bistro, as this Wednesday, the talented saxophonist, Michael Cox is flying in from Ohio and joining us at Jay's on Wednesday night (April 23rd). Michael played on my "True Nature" CD (which I re-released last year for its 25th anniversary!) so we'll hopefully be playing some tunes from that recording. The original True Nature tour led us to a capacity crowd performance in San Francisco's Great American Music Hall and another at the Siddha Yoga Ashram in upstate New York for several thousand Siddha Yogis and Yoginis! It's always an honor and a pleasure to play with such great players as Michael, as well as Mark Raynes/drums (who also played on that record and will be with us on Wed.) and Patrick Atwater/bass (who didn't play on that record, 'cuz I'm not sure he was even born yet...HA!) but we'll fill him in that night....

Thursday, April 24th, I'll begin the evening with solo Jazz piano at 6:30 pm. Ted Olson shows up on bass around 7. The music continues until around 10:00 pm, with some guest singers most likely joining in before the night is through.

Still working on booking some players for the weekend, but so far -

Friday night, April 25th features Zach Teran/bass, Mark Raynes/drums, and myself (solo set starting at 6, with the band joining me at 8 till 11 pm).

Saturday, April 26th features Colleen Crosson on vocals (8-11 pm)

Hope to see ya at Jay's and thanks for listening!
Mark

A cause for celebration!

4/10/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

I don't know if you were aware of this, but the world almost ended day-before-yesterday when Facebook almost did a virtual face-plant into Twitter (I twitter to think of it). Fortunately, moi saved planet earth et al by throwing a broken garage door opener into the path of the two-about-to-collide. YOU'RE WELCOME! Now let's celebrate with some jazz!

Here's what's happening at the Bistro, starting....

TONIGHT - Thursday, April 10th, I'll begin the evening with solo jazz piano at 6:30 pm. Patrick Atwater adds his bass stylings soon after. Then around 8:30, the Flautista Jazzista and Guitarista Brasileiro Monty Hogan will join in for a cameo of some of your favorite Bossa Novas, featuring the hauntingly beautiful Berimbau! The music continues until around 10:00 pm, so we hope you will join us for the fun!

Friday night, April 11th features Ryan Fourt/guitar, Braun Khan/bass, Mark Raynes/drums, and moi/piano (solo set starting at 6, with the band joining me at 8 till 11 pm).

Saturday, April 12th - after my solo piano set at 6, I'll be joined by Ted Olson/bass, Brian Claxton/drums and Denver guitar legend, Mitch Chmara! (8 -11 pm)

And remember, coming up next Thursday is "The Taste". I've been donating my time and music to this worthy event since its inception 19 years ago! Other musicians helping the cause this year are Patrick Atwater and Braun Khan (trading basses!), Colleen Crosson and Billy Hundley (trading voices!) and Chuck Landgraf and Matt Carroll (trading off on drums!). Here's some info from the web: The TASTE is one of Larimer County’s premier events featuring delicious samplings of many of our finest locally owned restaurants, wineries and breweries, along with an incredible silent auction and dynamic live music. The TASTE is an annual charity event benefiting The Food Bank for Larimer County. Your ticket purchase will help continue vital services to reduce hunger in our community.

The TASTE
April 17, 2014 Hilton Fort Collins
425 W Prospect Road, Fort Collins CO
5:00 – VIP Entry
6:00 – General Admission Entry
www.tastebenefit.org

Thanks for listening!
Mark

A tweak in the schedule....

3/29/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

Sorry for one more e-mail, but there's been a change in the schedule for tonight. Colleen is feeling under the weather, so we're going to have Billy Hundley with us tonight and Colleen will take his spot next week. Thanks to Billy for agreeing to this last minute switch! Come on down for some soulful tunes!

Thanks for listening!
Mark

Jay's this weekend!

3/28/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

Here's a quick update on this weekend's music highlights at Jay's.

TONIGHT - Friday, March 28th (6 pm, solo piano set; 8-11 band) - I'll be jammin' on piano with Braun Khan on bass, Mark Raynes on drums, and the soulful Jon Gray on trumpet!

Saturday, March 29th (6 pm solo piano; 8-11 band) I'm joined by Braun Khan/bass and Colleen Crosson/voice.

Hope you'll join us for some tunes. Looking ahead, Billy Hundley will be with me next Sat. night.

Thanks for listening!
Mark

Storming in.....

3/22/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

A zany jazz (warm) front stormed in from the east coast last night (on flight 2606 direct from LaGuardia) and it's fronting a trio (this is snow lie) at 8pm that just might blow you away (in a good away), but before the trio "springs" into action at 8:00...a 6 o'clock solo set will be both heart warming, low key, and re-vitalizing (put the spring back in your step)! So step up to - and into Jay's Bistro on this very night...and counter act a little snow business with a little jazz business...because there's (s)no(w) business like a little night music! We promise to melt your hearts and anything else that gets in the way of spring!

TONIGHT - Saturday, March 22nd (6 pm, solo piano set; 8-11 band) - Roger Barnhart (on bass-icly all the low notes) and Matt Carroll drum up some jazz bizz for our enJOYment along side that zany (warm) front man, Mark Sloniker/keys.

Thanks for listening!
Mark

Next week welcomes Mark Raynes back from his NYC trek, on Wed. 3/26 & Fri. (3/27) and Colleen (back from the Big Apple) Crosson on Sat. (3/28) with Braun Khan/bass.

In Like a Lion?

3/11/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

The wind is blowing fiercely again and I am reminded of the old March saying, "In like a lion and out like a lamb". Since I am a Leo, I can relate to this roar; however I'd prefer to get back to the kind of weather we experienced yesterday...... Still, the mane reason I'm writing ewe today is to tell you about the ferocious jazz we'll be playing this week at Jay's. It really can't be bleat (I would not pull the wool over your eyes on this one!). So, I hope you'll take a big paws from your busy week to switch gears (if not your tail) and come on down! Please note - we've changed our "band hours" to 8-11 pm on the weekends. I start playing a solo set at 6 pm on both Fridays and Saturdays.

Wednesday, March 12th (7-10:00 pm) - I'll be joined by Patrick Atwater/b-a-a-a-s-s and Mark Raynes/drums...no cat nappin' here!

Thursday, March 13th (6:30-10:00) - Starting out on solo piano, I am joined first by Patrick Atwater on bass, and then around 8:00 pm the Big Game Hunt continues with the Bossa Nova brilliance of Monty Hogan on Brazilian guitar and the "Jazzista Flautista" (aka Judi Lucero!) on flute and vocals. They play "somethin' fierce" (I ain't lion....)

Friday, March 14th (6 pm, solo piano set; 8-11 pm for the band) - Shilo Stroman tames the beat, with Patrick Atwater/bass and the dynamic sax duo of Briana Carrisquillo and Joel Harris.

Saturday, March 15th (6 pm, solo piano set; 8-11 band) - Patrick Atwater continues his bass marathon with us, as Matt Carroll/drums, snares a trap for any cats lion around on the job.

I'd beg you to come on down, but as a Leo, I've got my Pride! If you don't show up, we may suspect that you're on the lamb!? What did the Pun-full Lion sing to Dorthy in the Wizard of Oz?..."If I were King of Thesaurus!"

Thanks for listening!
Mark

This weekend at Jay's!

2/21/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

I'm a little late on the uptake again, getting my schedule out. Life remains joyously full! Here's the skinny (maybe we'll talk about the fat next week, as Mardi Gras approaches!). Please note - we've changed our "band hours" to 8-11 pm on the weekends. I start playing a solo set at 6 pm on both Fridays and Saturdays.

Friday, February 21st (8:00-11:00 pm) - Jay's Bistro welcomes back saxophonist, Briana Carrasquillo with Braun Khan/bass, and Mark(s) Raynes & Sloniker/drums & piano.

Saturday, February 22nd (8:00-11:00) - Colleen Crosson returns to Jay's for her monthly appearance on jazzy vocals! We're also excited for the return of Erik Applegate (UNC Jazz Faculty great and one of Myles Sloniker's mentors) on bass. I round out the trio on piano.

We hope you "get wind of this" (northern CO residents will relate......) in time to enjoy some jazz@jay's this weekend!

Thanks for listening!
Mark

Feb. Jazz 2/4/14

2/4/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

Welcome to Jazz@Jay's...The February Edition (or in the Jazz calendar it's known as "Febjazzary")! Now in "February" the "r" is sometimes silent, whereas in "Febjazzary" the "jazz" NEVER is! It will be warm and vibrant, sometimes HOT, sometimes "cool" but never cold! This music always emanates from the heart of the soul, laughs, cries and loves to joyfully embrace every ear in the house with light and song...how else should we March into the Spring? Even IF February is the l-o-n-g-e-s-t month of the year with the fewest number of days...Febjazzary is the shortest month of the year with the longest nights! Which is a great time to find some jazz (that's the when) and here's the where!

Wednesday Feb. 5th (7-10) Jay's Bistro, 135 W. Oak St. in downtown Fort Collins features the Febjazzary Edition of the "Monster Trux Trio" with Braun Khan/bass, Mark Raynes/drums & Mark Sloniker/piano. I'm warming you! This band is hot (more BTUs per square-tune than any in its class)!

Thursday Feb. 6th (6:30-10:00) Jay's Bistro features bassist, Patrick (Global Warming) Atwater and pianist, Mark (Global Weirding) Sloniker. They're their own "warm-up" act! Their vortex is Tropical and they'll warm your hearts and your toes (tapping is encouraged).

Friday Feb. 7th (8-11) Jay's Bistro welcomes guitarist, Bard Hoff, with Kenny Jones/bass, and Mark(s) Raynes & Sloniker/drums & piano. If the guitar is to the bandstand what the oven is to the kitchen...well we're certainly cookin' with gas and pre-heating the place to Nth degree!

Saturday Feb. 8th (8-11) Jay's plays host to a new and fired up trio...called "The Heat's on NOW" with Kenny Jones/Hot bass, Derf Green/hot congas and Mark Sloniker/hot tamales & wicked hot piano (don't burn your fingers, Mark!). These guys will give you the 3rd degree (an honorary doctorate in heated debate) I'm telling you the whole week is a heat wave of wacky-hot jazz!

What a joy it is to play for you anytime, anywhere! And this week Jay's is cookin' on all burners!

Thanks for listening!
Mark

jazz hog day...

1/29/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

If you are getting this e-mail AND you can see your shadow, then you can join us for the pre-jazz hog day festivities at Jay's this week/week end. Jazz Hog Day is THEE day when Jazz Hogs (aka jazz musicians) come out of their cribs (residences) and if they can see the light, by staying in the shadows then everyone gets a shady deal on some very cool jazz. Check it out...

Wednesday Jan. 29th (7-10) Jay's Bistro, 135 W. Oak St. in downtown Fort Collins features Mark (Denver's Finest) Raynes on jazz hog drums, Braun (A Michigander by birth) Khan on bass and Mark (hogging all the "lime-dark") Sloniker/piano. This trio may prove to be where all the dark matter in the universe is hiding, even though they make light of it all...especially during jazz hog season!

Thursday Jan. 30th (7-10:30) Jay's Bistro features Sloniker the Hogster/piano and Braun Khan/bass, first in the duo manner...then joined by Monty Hogan/guitar and Judi Lucero/vocals & flute for a cameo appearance of Brazilian Jazz...the jazz hogs down there in Brazil are identical - just upside down!

Friday Jan. 31st (8:30-11:30) Jay's Bistro welcomes trumpeter, Jordan Skomal with Zack Teran/bass, and Mark(s) Raynes & Sloniker/drums & piano. If you've been down in any way so far, this is a great way to get outa-the-hole and into a whole-lotta-hog-notes (whatever those are?)!

Saturday Feb 1st (8:30-11:30) Jay's plays host to some jazz gone hog-wild with bassist, Braun Khan, drummer, Matt Carroll & Mark Sloniker on keys AND a special guest set around 9pm featuring vocalist Kalli VanderTopp, a new and bright light springing out into the scene!

What a joy it is to play for you anytime, anywhere! And this week is a pretty cool week for jazz@jay's...once you've got your Jazz Hog Day shopping done!

Thanks for listening!
Happy Ground Hog Day to all and to all a good night!
Mark

Last minute weekend update

1/24/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

Where did the week go? I'm off to Jay's so no clever puns, but here's what's happening this weekend:

Tonight at Jay's (Fri., Jan. 24th, 8:30-11:30) I'll be joined by Mark Raynes on drums, Ben Strauss on sax, and Zach Teran on bass.

Tomorrow night (Sat., Jan 25th, 8:30-11:30) Colleen Crosson will be joining me on vocals, with Ted Olson on bass.

Hope you can make it down one or both nights!

Thanks for listening!
Mark

Slon & dad Jazzuary notes

1/14/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

"Sloniker & dad" performs this week at Jay's Bistro. It's your last chance to catch this act (final act) for a long time, as the "Sloniker" half (as opposed to the "dad" half) is heading back to the The Big Apple (aka:NYC aka:Jazz Capital Of The World) where he walks a fine-line (bass line that is) between his gigs and his studies. We are FINISHING strong with some very wonderful guests this week. Please join us if you can. We love playing for you! Thanks so much to all of you who made it out to the Jazz @ Unity Concert Sunday night. A "Standing O" performance was given by some very fine players, some of which you'll have another chance to catch this Friday.

Wednesday, Jan. 15th (7-10 pm) Jay's Bistro, 135 W. Oak St. in downtown Fort Collins features (from New York City) Myles Sloniker/bass, (from Denver CO) Mark Raynes/drums & (from planet Zolton) Mark (Nanoo-Nanoo) Sloniker/piano. This trio is sometimes referred to as "Sloniker, dad, & Uncle Mark" and performs like an Italian sports car on the German Autobahn, Roman around for fresh Greece while never Russian to conclusions (that's covering some wide terrain for a band that claims to play almost no "Country"). Sorry to border on the absurd!

Thursday, Jan. 16th (7-10:30 pm) Jay's Bistro features Sloniker & dad starting out in their duo formation, then passing the ball to some here-to-fore un-named (to be named later, in a future draft pick) guests for a hail-Mary reception adapted from the original "score"!

Friday, Jan. 17th (8:30-11:30 pm) Jay's Bistro welcomes saxophonists, Briana Carrasquillo & Joel Harris, with Myles Sloniker/bass, and Mark(s) Raynes & Sloniker/drums & piano. Bri & Joel are arranging some special music for this occasion and the night promises (pinky-swear) to hand each listener a two-thumbs-up performance - hands down (we're takin' the gloves off for this one...what does that mean anyway?). Truly, this should be an amazing night of presto-digital-whimsy (I can't wait)!

Saturday, Jan. 18th (8:30-11:30 pm) Jay's plays host to Myles (his last Bistro gig for now) Sloniker and amazing young drummer, Alwyn Robinson (the word is, that he's heading for the Big Apple soon, too). So you can save a bundle on air fare (if you're a Coloradan) and pop down to Jay's on this night and catch some fine young players, alongside a well-seasoned (it's about thyme) veteran, moi (at the piano).

What a joy it is to play for you anytime, anywhere! And this week is a pretty cool week for jazz@jay's!

Thanks for listening!
Mark

Sloniker and Dad in concert!

1/10/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

No time for puntificating, as I am, as you can see, way behind in the week, with Myles to go before I sleep!

Tonight, this very Friday, Jan. 10th (8:30-11:30), Jay's Bistro, 135 W. Oak St. in downtown Fort Collins features (from New York City) Mike Robinson/guitar, Myles Sloniker/bass (also in from NYC), Mark Raynes/drums & Mark Sloniker/piano. This will be an exciting night of jazz quartet quirkiness!

Saturday 1/11 (8:30-11:30) Jay's welcomes Ted Olson's fine bass work, Matt Carroll's creative drumming & Mark Sloniker's slinky piano, with a guest set featuring Brian Hull on vocals and vocalese!

Sunday, 1/12 we have planned a "sloniker and dad" concert at Unity of Fort Collins, 1401 W. Vine Dr. which will feature Myles Sloniker (and his lesser known dad, Mark), as well as Brianna Carrisquillo and Joel Harris on saxophones and Shilo Stroman on drums. It'll be an evening of eclectic, joyful sounds with a little commentary by the musicians on the making of improvisational music. We expect some cameo appearances from Colleen Crosson and Emma Sloniker, too. A real family affair! Admission is on a "love offering" basis, with all proceeds going to Unity FC. The concert will start at 7 (ish)...you know those jazz musicians....

Thanks for listening!
Mark

Jazzuary @ Jay's Bistro

1/2/2014

Slonjazz Newsletter

Dear E-Friends,

Jazzuary (the Goddess of Syncopation and Levity) is honored all this month at Jay's Bistro! Ancient folk lore attributes the shorter days of autumn to the Goddess Jazzuary being trapped by ice flows and global weirding at the south pole. When things look darkest and dimmest (not to mention dumbest), a wise old elf from the north pole makes a trek down under and sleighs the ice flows with warmth and kindness (and a few good/bad puns)...Rudolph nose where the light(ness) comes from. The skies rain deer and Jazzuary is free to create more light, levity, warmth and upbeat syncopation to those here-to-for trapped in darkness. It's an old spin and a new tilt and explains the origin of axis-tential-ism (to even the seasoned veteran). I may have slanted it a bit to the left...who doesn't have an angle on this one? So come by Jay's, where all month we'll be tilting our heads, winking and making (more) light of everything under the sun. Happy Jazzuary & God/Goddess bless us everyone!

Thursday 1/2/14 (6:30-10:30) Jay's Bistro finds Mark (Song Cycle) Sloniker behind the piano (like-totally) (solo) until aRound 7:30pm, when Myles Sloniker gets behind the bass, and lo(w) and behold, strings us along for good measure.

Friday 1/3/14 Jay's welcomes back saxist, Peter Sommer, bassist, Myles Sloniker , who will hit many high notes without causing too much treble, Mark Raynes/drums & Mark Sloniker/piano who holds the keys to the city, accidentally at best. 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 1/4/14 (8:30-11:30) Jay's features the vocal magic of Billy Hundley with Myles Sloniker - A sharp bassist, in tune with everything from the bottom up...and he'll stick his neck out for you! And Mark (middle C) Sloniker/piano!

Happy Jazzuary to All and to all a good night!
Thanks for listening!
Mark