Bands for Hire

John Damberg Latin Jazz Quintet

Let your body move and your mind travel to the warm, sunny islands of the Caribbean, where the music is rich with exotic, fiery melodies and the exciting rhythms that are the musical Pastiche of the John Damberg Latin Jazz Quintet!

The group features the original music of noted Alaska composers/performers, and educators John Damberg and Mark Manners. Their musical compositions, influenced by American Jazz and the Latin music of Brazil, Cuba, Trinidad, Mexico and Puerto Rico, will take you on a delightful musical journey through America and down to the Caribbean Islands and the countries of Latin and South America.

The Ensemble’s tight, swinging arrangements highlight the musical artistry Alaska Master percussionist John Damberg on marimba, vibes and steel drum, Laura Koenig on flute, and Alaskan guitar artist Mark Manners.  Adding heat to the band’s Musical Salsa is the ever Hot groove of the band’s rhythm section, which includes Bob Andrews on bass and Cameron Cartland on drum set and Latin percussion.

The John Damberg Latin Jazz Quintet, founded in 1995, has been well received  by Alaskan audiences in concerts, clinics, workshops,  and corporate functions in a wide variety of venues including: the Valdez Convention Center, the Sheldon Theater in Talkeetna, the Homer Jazz Festival, the Cordova Copper River Salmon Festival, the Spenard Jazz Festivals, the UAA Jazz Week Festival Series, the Alaska Day of Percussion Festivals at UAA and UAF, the Anchorage Museum of History and Art,  the Wilda Marston Theatre, the 2000 APRN Song of the Year Concert, the Alaska Sea life Center, Anchorage Lutheran Church, Anchorage Concerts in the Park, the Girdwood Forest Fair, the Alyeska Blueberry Festival, Seward High School, the Seaview Cafe in Hope, the Organic Oasis, and the Vagabond Blues Coffee House in Palmer.

The ensemble members are ardent supporters of jazz education in Alaska. They frequently perform at benefit concerts for the Alaska Jazz Workshop and the UAA Jazz Week Festival. The ensemble also regularly presents educational concerts, clinics, and workshops at many schools throughout Alaska.

The Ensemble’s Happy Dance CD (2023) showcases the original songs by John Damberg, JoMaLa Jazz Azure CD (2005) features a mix of original jazz, Latin, and funk style songs by noted Alaskan composers John Damberg and Mark Manners. The group’s debut CD Angie’s Samba (1998) features the original compositions of John Damberg. The CDs and individual songs are available for purchase on the web at all the major retailers including cdbaby.com, I-tunes, amazon.com, and Spotify.

The John Damberg Latin Jazz Quintet is available for concerts, clinics and workshops and corporate functions.

For more information contact:

John Damberg
Phone: 907-332-3234
Email: jbdamberg@gmail.com
JohnDamberg.com

Solar Flair

Solar Flair is an eclectic group of folks with deep Alaska roots who fell in together to play and savor jazz. The group includes Paul Paslay who plays guitar and sings; Monica Jenicek holds down the keyboard; Craig Condie on alto and soprano sax,  Mark Woelber plays the electric bass; and Sandy Ford is on drums.

Alaska Jazz Workshop’s mentor and coach John Damberg has led Solar Flair through many performances at Organic Oasis, the Hotel Captain Cook, Spenard Jazz Festivals 2016-17, private parties, Arts in the Park, Anchorage Folk Festival, Alaska State Fair, and local weekly jam sessions.

They perform straight up jazz, Blues, Latin and a little funk, from Miles Davis to Antonio Carlos Jobim and beyond. The members of Solar Flair have played together many years, some with a long history in bluegrass, some cutting their chops on classical and church music. One has busked on the streets of Paris and another plays rock and roll with another band. They are available to play wherever jazz is appreciated!

For more information contact:

John Damberg
Phone: 907-332-3234
Email: jbdamberg@gmail.com