John Funkhouser, pianist and band leader, is bringing his jazz trio to Placitas Sunday, March 17. Funkhouser has led the trio for 20 years in Boston before moving to Albuquerque in 2021. The musicians are Funkhouser on keys, Greg Loughman on bass, and Mike Connors on drums; presents an afternoon of modern jazz, including reimagined standards and Funkhouser’s expansive original music.
The group; known for music that is full of empathy, fire, groove, breathtaking technique, profound intimacy, joy, and playfulness; are forward-thinking jazz musicians who “play with grace and sweetness”
Funkhouser has played with a wealth of musicians in the Boston and New York areas, as well as many of New Mexico’s most beloved musicians, including Glenn Kostur, Hillary Smith, Bobby Shew, Alex Murzyn, Tracey Whitney, John Trentacosta, and the Albuquerque Jazz Orchestra. He has toured extensively throughout the world and has appeared on ABC’s “20/20,” NBC’s “Today Show,” and National Public Radio.
Since 2014, Greg Loughman has toured extensively with “Hot-Club”-inspired jazz group the
Rhythm Future Quartet and has made a name for himself in that genre. Mike Connors has
played on national Broadway tours, including “Bye Bye Birdie” and “Anything Goes,” as well as for multiple television shows, and on soundtracks for the films “Inspector Gadget,” “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” and “Four Rooms.”
One common bond between these “brothers” is the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Their musical selections will be announced from the stage.
A monthly artists reception opens at 2 p.m. Fellowship Hall at Las Placitas Presbyterian Church. On exhibit will be the works of Lyndia Radice, digitally crafted photography; Allen Bourne, photography and Roger Preston, photography.
The exhibit is open to the public during church gallery hours, Tuesday-Friday, 9:00-1:00 and by appointment, leesmall0@gmail.com. These artists are on exhibit from March 8, 2024 through April 12. All artwork on display is available for purchase.
Individual tickets can be purchased at PlacitasArts.org. K-12 students accompanied by an adult ticket holder can attend for free.