Young Jazz Sensations to Perform at The Nash

The Nash announces its "Catch A Rising Star" Summer Concert Series featuring performances by young Arizona jazz artists. The musicians range from high school to recent college graduates between ages of 18 - 24, who either are based or were raised in Arizona. Curated by The Nash, this series provides a platform for these emerging artists to gain prominence in the jazz community.

All "Catch a Rising Star" musicians are offered a clinic by an experienced local jazz educator in advance of their performance at The Nash. This concert series melds the educational mission of The Nash to develop jazz musicians for the future along with providing an entertaining concert series for the summer. Tickets are $15 for general admission/$5 for students. More information is available at www.thenash.org. The Nash is located at 110 E. Roosevelt St on Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix.

Nash Website THE NASH CATCH A RISING STAR SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
CHRIS CLEMENTS, trombone FRIDAY JUNE 23 AT 7:30 PM Tickets: $15 adults/$5 students The Nash 110 E. Roosevelt Road, Phoenix, AZ 85004 www.thenash.org 602-795-0464
Alex Yuwen-tenor saxophone, Chris Clements-trombone, Ross Lewicki-piano, Eric Nakamoto-bass, Ryan Anthony-drums

A past member of the Thunderbird High School Jazz I Big Band and the Young Sounds of Arizona, trombonist Chris Clements is currently attending William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ, as a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies under the tutelage of John Mosca, Bill Charlap, and Dr. David Demsey. While in high school, Chris earned outstanding soloist awards at jazz festivals across the state as well as a full-ride scholarship to the Berklee Global Jazz Workshop at the Newport Jazz Festival where he studied under Danilo Perez, George Garzone, and Terri Lyne Carrington. Chris has performed at the Newport Jazz Festival, Vanderbilt Mansion, Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, and various venues in the New York City/New Jersey area. In addition to performing at The Nash, Chris will be working as a Teacher's Assistant to both Vincent Gardner and James Burton III at the Juilliard School this summer.

CONNOR SAMPLE, drums FRIDAY JUNE 30 AT 7:30 PM Tickets: $15 adults/$5 students The Nash 110 E. Roosevelt Road, Phoenix, AZ 85004 www.thenash.org 602-795-0464

Connor Sample is a jazz drummer and composer based out of Phoenix, Arizona. His experience includes ten years of formal music education and six years as a professional musician working around the Phoenix area. Sample's love for music began with the drums at the age of ten and at age twelve, Connor started playing piano as well as classical percussion repertoire.

He first took an interest in jazz at the age of sixteen upon joining a jazz combo class at Paradise Valley Community College. There he began to draw inspiration from jazz composers such as Wayne Shorter, Dave Holland, and David Binney, who continue to be among Sample's favorite composers. Moving forward, Connor was admitted to the Arizona State University Jazz Studies Department, where he is currently finishing his bachelor's degree in Jazz Performance under the mentorship of drummers Dom Moio and Lewis Nash.

Connor has also been a member of the Nash's very own Nash Composers Coalition since 2016.

ERIC NAKAMOTO, bass THURSDAY JULY 14 AT 7:30 PM Tickets: $15 adults/$8 students The Nash 110 E. Roosevelt Road, Phoenix, AZ 85004 www.thenash.org 602-795-0464
Alex Price-trumpet, Joe Thomas-saxophone, Greg Hasson-guitar, Ben Cortez-piano, Eric Nakamoto-bass, Sam Russo-drums

Eric Nakamoto is a bass player from Phoenix, Arizona who has been an active participant in the local scene since he was 15. Formerly a guitar player, Eric started playing the violin in elementary school. Shortly after, he switched to the double bass, primarily studying classical music. Eric discovered jazz during his sophomore year of high school. Since then, he has participated combos at Scottsdale community college, the Young Sounds of Arizona, The Nash Legacy Ensemble Blue, and the All-State jazz bands. Eric has studied and been mentored by many Phoenix musicians such as Eric Rasmussen, Will Goble, Dr. Ben Hedquist, Andrew Gross, and Chris Finet. Currently, Eric studies classical bass with Dr. John Ebinger of the Phoenix Symphony. This fall, he will continue his studies at Northern Arizona University as a music major. Eric's musical influences include Ray Brown, Charles Mingus, Jaco Pastorius, and James Jamerson.

About The Nash Recognized by Downbeat Magazine as one of the top jazz venues in the United States, The Nash is named for "the most valuable player" in jazz (Modern Drummer Magazine), Phoenix native Lewis Nash.
Located in the heart of downtown Phoenix on "Roosevelt Row, The Nash brings a full calendar of live performances and ensures the future of the iconic art of jazz through its educational and outreach programs.

The Nash hosts classic jazz and new music concerts; performances by student musicians, local pros and touring artists; weekly jazz jam sessions; workshops; master classes; and clinics. Educational programs are offered ranging from one-on-one private lessons to combo labs, guided listening, jazz in film, jazz camps and more.

About Lewis Nash Internationally acclaimed jazz drummer Lewis Nash, named the most valuable player in jazz by Modern Drummer Magazine, was described by Ira Gitler of The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz as "Perhaps the most talented drummer of his generation." Lewis grew up in south Phoenix and by the early age of 10 years old began playing drums. At age 21 he moved to New York City, where he became the drummer of choice for an incredible array of artists - from jazz masters to the hottest young players of today. His 30-year career includes performance on 10 Grammy award-winning albums and an impressive discography of over 400 recordings with jazz legends such as BetTy Carter, Tommy Flanagan, Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, McCoy Tyner, Hank Jones, Joe Henderson, Sonny Rollins, Ron Carter and Clark Terry, as well as such contemporary jazz artists as Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Diana Krall, Joe Lovano and Roy Hargrove.

A highly respected educator and clinician, Lewis joined the faculty of the ASU School of Music in January 2017 as the Bob and Gretchen Ravenscroft Professor of Practice in Jazz.

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