Jazz in the vineyard

EJon Pemberton, Minneapolis/St. Paul-based jazz musician, enjoying an active career as trumpeter, pianist, teacher and composer, will perform in concert from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12, at the Alexis Bailly Vineyard.

He began his musical studies with piano lessons at 6, guitar lessons followed at 10, and trumpet studies began at 11.

In these early years, Pemberton also sang and acted in local college productions. At 12, his parents arranged auditions with local university piano professors. While only in the seventh grade, Pemberton began traveling two hours round trip for weekly one-hour piano lessons. During these early years, he also continued playing trumpet in the school band. In addition, he formed his first jazz combo with high school friends.

Upon graduating from high school, Pemberton moved to St. Paul to continue his musical studies at Macalester College. At Macalester, he was trumpet soloist and arranger for the Mac Jazz big band and section leader for the Macalester Symphony orchestra.

In addition, Pemberton was a member of various jazz combos as well as pianist for the Macalester Dance Troupe. He graduated from Macalester with a degree in trumpet performance.

After graduating from college, Pemberton began a career in private teaching (brass and piano) which continues. He has taught thousands of students, many of whom perform in the area’s top youth orchestras, and some of whom have gone on to their own professional careers.

He also began his performance career after graduating from college. In these years he focused on the trumpet, landing sideman gigs with many of the area’s top bands and musicians.

In addition, Pemberton formed his own jazz quintets, The PemberTones and Tribute to Lee Morgan, both heard regularly at the Artist’s Quarter, a top St. Paul jazz club.

In his quintet, The PemberTones, Pemberton alternated on trumpet and piano. He has had regular piano gigs at the Zander Cafe and the Loring Pasta Bar.

In 2006, he was hired as music director for Mercy Seat Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. During his two and a half year tenure, he composed three original jazz liturgies. He was also in charge of hiring the best local jazz talent for the weekly services. Over the years, Jon has been featured as sideman on many recordings, including: George Avaloz “The Highest Mountain,” John Devine “A Little o’ That,” Mike Olson “Incidental,” SkaTet “Skarmegeddon” and “American Ska-thic,” Recessive Traits “Sex Cells,” Paul Renz “Everlasting,” Natalie Lovejoy “Wish I could Fall,” and John David “Letters from America.”

Pemberton released his debut CD in 2010. Entitled On the Edge, it is a piano trio featuring eight original compositions, two Bobby Peterson tunes, and a Monk classic.

The remainder of the Jazz in the Vineyard schedule is as follows:

Aug. 19: Pavel Jany, Trio Bossa Nova. Formed by members of larger ensemble Ticket To Brasil, Trio Bossa Nova offers everything that the term bossa nova itself promises. Lidia Berman is on vocals and percussion, Pavel Jany is on guitar, and Andrew Foreman is on bass.

Aug. 26: Gondwana returns to play the finale of the Sunday Jazz in the Vineyard series for 2012.

The Alexis Bailly Winery is located at 18200 Kirby Ave. Take Highway 61 south from Hastings to 170th Street, turn to the right. Drive two miles; as the road curves, it becomes Kirby Avenue. The winery is on the left side.

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