This Week at Ace’s – October 10-14, 2018 – The Music, The Artists & More
Ace Gillett’s Musical Happenings – Week of 10.10.18
Greetings, Jazz Fans! Ace Gillett’s Music Director John Olson here to let you know what we have cued up for your listening pleasure this week. Come join us for live jazz in Fort Collins…
Ryan Fourt & Katie Harris
Wednesday, 10/10 – 7:30 to 11:00
We’re happy to feature popular regulars Ryan Fourt (guitar) and Katie Harris (vocals), who bill their Duo as “Even Still.” Ryan has been a fixture on the Fort Collins jazz scene since moving to Colorado in 2004 (we played our first Trio gig together at a pizza joint in Longmont shortly thereafter). He has been performing at Ace Gillett’s as a regular guest since we opened eight and a half years ago. Katie and Ryan perform an eclectic mix of jazz standards and pop hits done in a “jazzy” style – the perfect soundtrack for a relaxing Wednesday evening at Ace.
The Subterraneans feat. Steve Kovalcheck & Eric Gunnison
Thursday, 10/11 – 8:00 to Midnight
House bassist Seth Lewis and myself will be joined by a couple of Colorado’s top jazz musicians – Steve Kovalcheck (guitar) and Eric Gunnison (piano) for an incredible night of Subterranean jazz! Steve is well-known to most Ace Gillett’s regulars, as he performs with the Subterraneans a couple of times a month. We’ve only had the opportunity to feature Eric a few times in the past, but when you have a chance to hear him play you’ll see why I’m hoping to make it happen more often. The first time I heard Eric play was on a Bravo Channel televised concert when he was part of legendary vocalist Carmen McRae’s group in the late 80’s. Eric has been based in Denver since 1980, and has played with a “who’s who” of top jazz artists in addition to Carmen, including Rare Silk, Ron Miles, Nelson Rangell, and Roberta Gambarini among many others. In addition to leading his own groups, Eric teaches at the Lamont School of Music and is also on the faculty of the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts. This will be the first time the four of us have played together as a quartet – don’t miss it!
The Subterraneans feat. Ben Markley & Peter Sommer
Friday, 10/12 – 8:00 to Midnight
Seth and I will be joined by Ben Markley (piano) and Peter Sommer (tenor sax). Ben and Peter play together frequently in a variety of different settings, including their recent 9/17 concert at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola in NYC, with Ben’s Big Band tribute to Cedar Walton. In addition to being great players, Ben and Peter are also outstanding jazz educators. Ben is the Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Wyoming and Peter holds the same position at Colorado State. This is always one of my favorite quartets to play with, as Ben and Peter share a remarkable musical chemistry. I also highly recommend that you pick up their new CD Releases while you’re here for the music.
Saturday, 10/13 – Ace Gillett’s will be closed for a Private Event – (If you’re interested in hosting a future private event at Ace, please reach out to Kelley Black at the Armstrong Hotel).
Mark Sloniker
Sunday, 10/14 – 7:00 to 11:00
‘Fort Collins’ longtime favorite pianist Mark Sloniker joins us for his regular Sunday slot. If you haven’t heard Mark before, you must be new to the area as he has probably performed more times in Fort Collins than any other musician this town has known. I first met Mark over 35 years ago, when he moved to Fort Collins to join the fusion band Kinesis. After Kinesis disbanded, Mark became a fixture on the Fort Collins jazz scene playing for many years at the now-defunct Wine Cellar Restaurant and later for a long-time run at Jay’s Bistro. Mark is currently the Music Director at the Sunset Lounge – fortunately for us, they’re not open on Sunday nights so we get to enjoy his signature jazz sound every week. Mark is often joined by his wife Colleen Crosson and daughter Emma Sloniker on vocals, making Sunday nights a special family night of music. In addition to performing a broad selection of jazz standards, Mark has a wide range of original music. With a little prodding, he might play one of my personal favorite compositions of his, “Speaking Without Words” for you on Sunday.
As always, Thank you for supporting live jazz at Ace Gillett’s – I hope to see you there soon!
John Olson
Music Director
Ace Gillett’s Lounge
