Bassist Zirque Bonner and pianist Les Czimber came together for an afternoon of extraordinary jazz here at Saint Luke’s Church, Sedona. Although Zirque and Les have played together in other venues, this event was the first time they’ve performed together in a full concert setting.

Prior to moving to Sedona in 1992, Zirque Bonner studied with bassist Rufus Reid and worked extensively in the New York City area, performing with many of the young jazz artists of that time, such as pianist Brad Mehldau, Eric Alexander, Jessie Davis, Jo Farnsworth and others. He has also worked and recorded with saxophonist Lee Konitz, Guitarists Stanley Jordan, Ralf Illenberger and Chris Spheeris.

The concert was a “must see” for fans of Zirque, as he will soon leave Sedona for an extended time at California Institute of the Arts, where he will be working on a graduate degree and studying under famed jazz bassist Charlie Hayden.

Les Czimber is an outstanding pianist and a native of Hungary. During the Hungarian Revolution he escaped to freedom by walking all night through the snow to Yugoslavia, and then immigrated to the United States and landed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he played gigs for several years and introduced a local singer named Al Jarreau to jazz music. Throughout the next decade, Les’s trio and Al Jarreau often shared gigs throughout Wisconsin, Nevada and California.

Les eventually settled in Southern California, playing with a myriad of local jazz musicians, including bassists John Patitucci and Bruce Lett, trumpeters Ron Stout and Conte Candoli, saxophonists Chuck Manning and Bob Cooper, drummers Joe La Barbera and Arnie Rios. Les retired and moved to Prescott Valley a few years ago, and we are now blessed by his presence in our midst.

 

Saint Luke's Episcopal Church
2895 State Route 179
Sedona AZ 86336

Telephone:
1-928-282-7366

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