2022-2023 Music Series Archive
AGAR AMHERST JAVA & JAZZ 2022-2023 Series Second Stage | Amherst 194 2nd Street, Amherst VA 24521 434-941-0997 |
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FIRST J&J CONCERT
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Gus Miller. with Vince Lewis on Guitar, John Jenson on Trombone and Bob Peckman on Drums
Saturday, August 27, 2022 6-8 pm Live at Second Stage | Amherst 194 2nd Street, Amherst, VA 24521 Beloved Lynchburg crooner Gus Miller invites you to help him welcome virtuoso guitarist Vince Lewis back to Virginia. Gus and Vince will be joined on stage by John Jensen on trombone and Bob Peckman on drums. The group will perform selections from the Great American Songbook. 
MCGUSTAVUS (GUS) MILLER is a native of Lynchburg, Va. His linear sequence of rich melodic, timeless, and refined music is a poet’s voice as he sings the music we have come to know as, “The American Song Book.” Though it may be his favorite genre, it does not preclude him form singing others. A local favorite in the tri state area, Gus has performed at numerous venues for a variety of occasions with a many talented musicians including Royce Campbell, Flip Shoemaker, Hod O’Brien, Charlie Perkinson, Lew Taylor, Larry Scott, Karl Kimmel, Tom Artwick, Bob Bowen, Glenn Buck, and Dwight Spencer, to name a few. VINCE LEWIS is a veteran jazz performer, composer and recording artist. He has been a headliner on Jazz Festivals with Dave Brubeck, B.B King, Ellis Marsalis, Lou Rawls, Mundell Lowe, John Pizzarelli and Melissa Manchester. Vince has been a featured performer in concert at The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, as well as two performances at the Smithsonian Institute Jazz Bar. He also has served as Staff Guitarist at the Ritz-Carlton Resort Palm Beach, FL, and at The Greenbrier Resort in WV. According to Jim Carlton, in Conversations with Great Jazz and Studio Guitarists, “His playing is indicative of the rarified air of true mastery. He routinely creates engaging and excellent music.” Vince was the cover picture and feature interview in the Feb 2014 issue of Just Jazz Guitar Magazine and has been noted as One of the leading active Jazz Artists in the Jazz Guitar category each year since 2002 by Jazz Improv Magazine. He is also currently “In the Wings” category and has been notified of his future induction into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame. Vince is included in the 2014 Scott Yanow book “The Great Jazz Guitarists…The Ultimate Guide.” He has recorded 20 CDs as a leader and sideman, and each has received excellent critical acclaim in virtually every major jazz publication. In addition, he is a Heritage Guitar Inc, Benedetto Guitar, Eastman Guitar, Breedlove Guitar, SIT Strings and Redstone Audio performing Artist, and has a Vince Lewis signature archtop guitar available built by Richard Ralston, a noted New Zealand luthier. Vince also developed and directed the Classical and Jazz Guitar programs at University of Charleston, Marshall University, Palm Beach University, Liberty University and Bluefield College. He has taught at the post-secondary level for 48 years, conducted jazz Guitar workshops, and created courses in improvisation and other jazz related subjects at the University level. His chord melody arrangements for solo guitar appeared regularly in Just Jazz Guitar Magazine. Vince currently serves as Adjunct Professor of Music and Guitar at Bluefield College in Bluefield, VA, and is a regular educational contributor to Jazz Guitar Today online magazine. JOHN JENSEN was lead trombonist and a featured soloist with the United States Navy band, Commodores, until he retired in 1996. Since then, he has stayed active as a player and teacher in and around the Washington, DC, area. He has been a featured performer at the White House, the Corcoran Art Gallery, and the Kennedy Center. John has performed at Blues Alley with the McCoy Tyner Big Band, and he has been featured alongside Urbie Green, Milt Hinton, Stephanie Nakasian, Hod O’Brien and Danny Gatton. BOB PECKMAN grew up near New York City, listening to Art Blakey Shelley Manne and Max Roach and played at Les Paul’s House with son Russ. By age 17 Bob was imitating the great jazz drummers and booking gigs with professionals in the area. He played jazz while earning a BS, MS, and PhD in Physics. For some years he was a jazz playing physics professor. Eventually his love of jazz led him to give up his “day job” for Music, specializing in Latin Jazz. He has performed in the mid-Atlantic states with bands including Lenny Marcus. Lou Morrison joins the band on bass. Presented by AGAR with Second Stage | Amherst and Baine’s Books & Coffee Series Curated by Ernest Deane |
