JOSA
Held at the Center at Eastman in Grantham, NH, Wightsteeple Productions' JOSA or "Jazz On a Sunday Afternoon" was the brain child of Bill Wightman and the late Rink Mann. It's a jazz music series intended to replicate those "jazz sessions" of the 1930s and 40s in New York and Chicago where renowned players like Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis would come together, sit-in and jam for hours on end.
Now in its 17th year, the JOSA formula is tried and true. From December to April, every other Sunday afternoon from 4 to 7, JOSA director and pianist, Bill Wightman both produces and performs with the JOSA Ensemble. They get behind each of the featured JOSA performers, often internationally acclaimed, for a wonderful afternoon of good food, drink and incredibly spontaneous musical magic! Of course it's never long before many of the familiar jazz musicians from the audience are invited to join the group on stage as the afternoon quickly becomes a full fledged "jam session!"
THE JOSA ENSEMBLE
The JOSA Ensemble that backs up each of JOSA's featured jazz performers are some of the top free lance side men in the New England jazz scene. They include Bill Wightman (piano), John Hunter (bass), Tim Gilmore (drums), and Richard Gardzina (multiple saxes and flutes). Other session musicians can include Jeff Hoyt (trumpet), Matt Langley (saxes), Roger Kimball (bass), Don Williams (bass) and can sometimes include young student musicians from area schools. Sit-In Musicians are always welcome and encouraged to just show up, let their presence be known, and join the frenzy.
BILL WIGHTMAN
Pianist, Bill Wightman, from Sunapee, NH, is the Instrumental Music and Music Technology Director at Proctor Academy. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston and, since the mid 1970s, has been performing, teaching, directing and producing in music and theatre both in education and for the public throughout New England and New York.
JOHN HUNTER
Bassist, John Hunter from the Portsmouth, NH area has performed from coast to coast accompanying such jazz greats as Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry, Art Farmer, Milt Jackson and Joe Williams to name a few. His playing is always highly intuitive, his repertoire extensive, and he's a great listener and all around human. The Rockingham Gazette says, "[John is] fast emerging as one of the most respected bass soloists in the country."
TIM GILMORE
Percussionist, Tim Gilmore from Lebanon, NH, attended Berklee College of Music, and studied with both drum legends Max Roach and Alan Dawson. Having performed with such jazz greats as Mary McPartland, Dick Johnson, and Warren Vache among others, Tim is a recipient of the Presidential Arts Scholarship. He brings to JOSA an up-beat and delightful attitude, and is known for his occasional, intricate and sometimes epic (never to be missed) drum solos.
RICHARD GARDZINA
Reedman and flutist, Richard Gardzina from Barnstead, NH, and has a B.A and M.A. in music composition from both the University of North Texas and UNH. His performances include dates in Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco and New England with such jazz greats as Red Garland, David "Fathead" Newman, Little Feat, and "Blue" Lou Marini to name a few. With two CD releases to his credit, Richard brings consistent freshness and innovation to JOSA with solos that support and compliment the performance of each featured artist.
Held at the Center at Eastman in Grantham, NH, Wightsteeple Productions' JOSA or "Jazz On a Sunday Afternoon" was the brain child of Bill Wightman and the late Rink Mann. It's a jazz music series intended to replicate those "jazz sessions" of the 1930s and 40s in New York and Chicago where renowned players like Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis would come together, sit-in and jam for hours on end.
Now in its 17th year, the JOSA formula is tried and true. From December to April, every other Sunday afternoon from 4 to 7, JOSA director and pianist, Bill Wightman both produces and performs with the JOSA Ensemble. They get behind each of the featured JOSA performers, often internationally acclaimed, for a wonderful afternoon of good food, drink and incredibly spontaneous musical magic! Of course it's never long before many of the familiar jazz musicians from the audience are invited to join the group on stage as the afternoon quickly becomes a full fledged "jam session!"
THE JOSA ENSEMBLE
The JOSA Ensemble that backs up each of JOSA's featured jazz performers are some of the top free lance side men in the New England jazz scene. They include Bill Wightman (piano), John Hunter (bass), Tim Gilmore (drums), and Richard Gardzina (multiple saxes and flutes). Other session musicians can include Jeff Hoyt (trumpet), Matt Langley (saxes), Roger Kimball (bass), Don Williams (bass) and can sometimes include young student musicians from area schools. Sit-In Musicians are always welcome and encouraged to just show up, let their presence be known, and join the frenzy.
BILL WIGHTMANPianist, Bill Wightman, from Sunapee, NH, is the Instrumental Music and Music Technology Director at Proctor Academy. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston and, since the mid 1970s, has been performing, teaching, directing and producing in music and theatre both in education and for the public throughout New England and New York.
JOHN HUNTERBassist, John Hunter from the Portsmouth, NH area has performed from coast to coast accompanying such jazz greats as Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry, Art Farmer, Milt Jackson and Joe Williams to name a few. His playing is always highly intuitive, his repertoire extensive, and he's a great listener and all around human. The Rockingham Gazette says, "[John is] fast emerging as one of the most respected bass soloists in the country."
TIM GILMOREPercussionist, Tim Gilmore from Lebanon, NH, attended Berklee College of Music, and studied with both drum legends Max Roach and Alan Dawson. Having performed with such jazz greats as Mary McPartland, Dick Johnson, and Warren Vache among others, Tim is a recipient of the Presidential Arts Scholarship. He brings to JOSA an up-beat and delightful attitude, and is known for his occasional, intricate and sometimes epic (never to be missed) drum solos.
RICHARD GARDZINAReedman and flutist, Richard Gardzina from Barnstead, NH, and has a B.A and M.A. in music composition from both the University of North Texas and UNH. His performances include dates in Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco and New England with such jazz greats as Red Garland, David "Fathead" Newman, Little Feat, and "Blue" Lou Marini to name a few. With two CD releases to his credit, Richard brings consistent freshness and innovation to JOSA with solos that support and compliment the performance of each featured artist.