Jazz for the Soul/Jerry Donato, Nicole Pesce, & Friends

We welcome the New Year with the always sparkling and spontaneous Jerry Donato and Nicole Pesce Show! Join at Spirit of Hope United Methodist Church for JAZZ for the SOUL featuring the spectacular talents and antics of sax-man Jerry Donato, the surprising and always energetic Nicole Pesce on piano, Valley favorite rhythm aces, bassist Jon Murray and drummer, Todd Chuba.  

Jerry Donato-tenor sax is a multi-talented jazz man, playing the  soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone sax with equivalent skill. In  addition to covering all the bases with the sax, he plays the flute,  alto flute, and bass clarinet. Jerry has both an extensive recording  history and discography. He has recorded everything from TV shows to  made for TV movies. His discography, well over 75 CD's, include  recordings with Pete Jolly , Steve Ferrone and Nils Lofgren. You can check out samples of his recording work on his website. jerrydonato.com

Nicole Pesce-piano, Nicole’s “Happy Birthday Variations” video has over six million views on YouTube and over eight

million shares on Facebook. Recognized by the Arizona Republic as one of the “top ten musicians to hear in Phoenix”, Nicole has performed for Muhammad Ali, Ricky Martin, George Benson, Waylon Jennings, Shaquille O’Neal, The Gypsy Kings, and Brian Setzer.

Nicole enjoyed a residency as the house pianist at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Phoenix, AZ for over a decade...entertaining audiences with everything from Bach to Lady Gaga. With additional performances at such venues as the Tempe Center for the Arts, Herberger Theater, Desert Ridge Marriott, ASU Kerr Cultural Center, Mesa Arts Center, Phoenician Resort, Wrigley Mansion, & The Princess Hotel. 

At age 14, Nicole played for Debbie Reynolds at Debbie’s Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. That same year, Nicole appeared on the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon (which aired to over 65 million viewers) – and toured the USA with Jerry.

Additional appearances include performances with American Idol contestant David Hernandez, The Moscow Ballet, Zowie Bowie, The Cast of Mary Poppins, Young Frankenstein, Mamma Mia, and White Christmas.

Jon Murray-bass returned to the Phoenix five years ago with his family after  19 years teaching and performing music in Southern California. Mr.  Murray has held several teaching positions, including most recently as  orchestra and jazz director at Arizona School for the Arts and Music  Theory professor at Grand Canyon University. In addition Jon held the  position of Jazz Director at Arizona Christian University, as orchestra  and jazz director at Flintridge Prep School in the L.A. area, and other  teaching positions at Arizona State University, Grand Canyon University,  California State University Northridge, the Master’s College, and the  Colburn School of Performing Arts.  He performs regularly  as a bassist in various jazz ensembles and orchestras in the Phoenix and  Los Angeles music communities.

Todd Chuba is originally from rural Michigan but moved to Arizona to study music at ASU. He has been a professional drummer and percussionist, specializing in a variety of musical genres and styles, for over 35 years.

"Todd Chuba’s career is a rare thirty-year success story that includes recordings, performances and national and international tours with the likes of:  Nils Lofgren (“Old School 2012”), Paul Rogers (“Abandon Love ~ Amnesty International Tribute To Bob Dylan 2012”), Eric Burden, Glen Campbell, Joey DeFrancesco, David Griesman, David Garfield, Eric Marienthal, Neil Stubenhaus, Lenny Castro, Steve Gadd, Steve Ferrone, Ray Herndon, Tom Booth, Al Casey, Alice Tatum, Annie Sellick, Khani Cole, Bob Friedman, Stevie Nicks. A True testament to a musician's approach to drums and percussion." — TJS Custom Drums

ALL JFTS CONCERTS ARE FREE and open to the public and all donations received will benefit local and international humanitarian causes.

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