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Duo Session Episode four brought another dynamic by asking a Percussionist, Keith Farny. Mr. Farny is currently in his 16th year of public school teaching. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Music in Music Education in 2001 from the University of Evansville. Keith Farny has continued to be an active performer throughout the Evansville Tri-State Area. You can see him playing with the Evansville Symphonic Band, Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, and many other local Evansville groups. Outside of music Mr. Farny enjoys spending time with his wife and their two dogs. I asked Keith to think outside of the box on this one. We did a take on "Oh Shenandoah" with Saxophone and Drum Set. Written by Jonathan Hogan 3-3-2018
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In the Third Episode of the Duo Session series I invited Shawn Needham. Shawn Needham describes himself as a Progressive Jazz fusion guitarist. He started playing guitar at age 8 and continues to be a student of the instrument today and an insatiable music theorist. His past teachers include: Alan Hagar, Fred Fried, and the late Charlie Banacos. Shawn is currently working on his third studio album which will be released on Rhombus records. He moved to Southern Indiana in 2003. Shawn can be seen playing in countless musical groups throughout the Evansville as well as many solo projects. When he is not exploring the far outreaches of the musical realm, Shawn is a devoted husband and father to his young son, Dorian. He enjoys working on his classic Camaro, studying space exploration, and spending time with his family. Check out Shawn's Facebook linked below. Here we did a take on Victor Young's "Stella by Starlight" Written by Jonathan Hogan 2.25.2018 In Episode two I invited Michael Gray to play duo. Michael Gray has been playing in the Evansville Tri-State Area for over 30 years. Michael founded the prevalent Jazz Ensemble, After Hours. His original instrument was guitar but he picked up the upright bass as you can see in the video. Michael Gray is probably most know for his Photography Studio work. However in the last couple years he has put together a unique boutique in front of his Photography studio called "Rare Bird Uncommon Gifts." You can check both out in links below. Here we did a Saxophone and Bass take on Clifford Brown's Joy Spring Written by Jonathan Hogan 2-17-2018 I've always loved the duo session set up. One of my new years goals in 2018 was to get together with as many people as possible and play duos. I would record the session with a simple set up and if anything turned out good I would probably post it online. My first session was with Matt Kincaid. Matt Kincaid has been the "go to" guitar player for any style in the Evansville Tri-State for over 30 years. He has studied music at University of Evansville, Indiana University, and Ball State University. Matt has played in many different ensembles and settings in the Evansville. Some most notably are Executive Inn Orchestra, Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, Evansville Symphonic Band, and After Hours. Matt Kincaid was a founding member of the Evansville Classical Guitar Society. He has preformed various classical guitar recitals in the Evansville Area. In addition to performing, Matt composes and arranges solo and ensemble pieces for classical guitar. His arrangements have been published in Acoustic Guitar Magazine, and have been performed locally and across the country. It has been a pleasure to play with Matt Kincaid over the years. He is a short clip of "Nature Boy" Written by Jonathan Hogan 2-10-2017 Three years at Harry and Linda House Concerts have been great to look back at. I have grown so much as a person and as a musician the past 4 years. After Hours has been a prevalent jazz group in Evansville, Indiana for the past 30 years. The members of After Hours are Manager/Bass: Michael Gray, Vocals: Cary Gray, Guitar: Matt Kincaid, Drums: Gregg Martin, Tenor Sax/Flute/Clarinet: Jonathan Hogan. I am so grateful for having been adopted into this group back in the beginning of 2012. Through the past 4 years I have learned much from these fellow band mates; sometimes it has not been directly but indirectly through their actions. It also helps that not only are they great musicians, but they are also amazing people  After Hours House Concert 2012 Beginning the journey with After Hours in February 2012 was scary, I guess. The first performance I did with them was a house concert where the bell of my saxophone was a couple inches from the person sitting in front of me. Harry George always mentions how timid I played during the first tune at that concert. Well I was feeling quite timid, but after I got into just making music with great musicians, I forgot how timid I was. Remembering back at preparing for this first performance with After Hours was just getting used to the way they did things. Learning special arrangements of tunes and vocal tunes unique to After Hours just took a little time. From the interesting double time feel of Angel Eyes to the refreshing arrangement of Wichita Lineman.  After Hours Concert 2014 After two years of countless performances throughout the Evansville area we started to become a cohesive group. We began to reinvent many Beatles tunes and pop tunes that people know. The unique thing about After Hours is we all take part in leading the group. We approached this concert in 2014 in that manner. Each of us had a feature tune that we discussed with the audience and performed. It turned out to be a great concert where we brought lots of diversity to all of our music selections.  After Hours Concert 2015 The most recent concert was a huge success. As a group we did not have much time to prepare because of many life events. I think this lack of preparation gave us a fresh and unique approach. Greg Martin, our drummer, mentioned to me prior to the concert that most of the tunes we did were new. Looking back a good amount was added in the last four years. This concert really did click and we made great music for a great audience.
After Hours is very much alive. We continue to bring music alive for public and private events throughout Evansville, Indiana and beyond. Although we are considered a jazz group, we continue to reinvent many selections in different styles. This leads us to be much more than just a jazz group but a unique ensemble able to bring any tune to life in any style required at the moment. I am proud to be a member of such an exceptional ensemble that continues to challenge itself in the current age. Written by Jonathan Hogan 4.5.2015 The 80th Annual Hadi Shrine Circus was this past Thanksgiving and this time both of us were invited to perform with the Circus Band. My father has been performing for the Circus for about thirty-seven years, and this was my seventh year joining him. It was truly a family event with the addition of my husband Jon playing alto sax. Director Clement Toca is a legend both in the Circus circuit, as well as in the music industry. Getting to be under his direction throughout the years has been truly amazing. He has so many stories and experiences to share. This year along with Clement Toca, we were joined by his son Emile on percussion and his wife Elizabeth on keyboard. We took a "family photo" pictured below. Besides sharing this with the "family," this Circus was unique for multiple other reasons. This year the Circus invited back the Chicago Boyz, as well as The Human Fuse. The most interesting of the acts was Johnny Rocket who interrupted the ringmaster by playing his trombone. Johnny Rocket was told that nobody wants to hear him play trombone and was escorted away by security. Trombonists are always under-appreciated... You can see all of the trombone players of the Circus below.  Until the 81st Annual Hadi Shrine Circus! We'll be practicing, Johnny Rocket! Looking forward to it! Written by Krista Hogan 12.1 |
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