The power of a big band in the package that allows for these great improvisers some space to play: this septet features many of the region's top jazz musicians, including Nate Sparks, Steve Charlson, Zane Gedler, Dave Rezek, Jim Romain, & the music director of the group, Damani Phillips. Phillips writes the arrangements with assistance from Wellman, choosing from some of the vocalist's favorite standards.
––––––––––
Vocalist Max Wellman is enticing music lovers throughout the region. With a sound evoking the likes of Sinatra and Connick, Wellman’s recordings & performances promise that the Great American Songbook is alive & well for a new generation of listeners.
Wellman co-founded Noce, a state-of-the-art jazz club in the Western Gateway neighborhood of downtown Des Moines. Additionally, Wellman has appeared at some of the great clubs throughout the country, from Dizzy's Club Coca Cola at Lincoln Center to Andy's Jazz Club in Chicago to Dazzle in Denver & many in between. Performances alongside vocalist Rose Colella & pianist Annie Booth have been met with rave reviews.
––––––––––
Dr. Damani Philips currently serves as Associate Professor of Jazz Studies and African-American Studies at the University of Iowa, where he teaches applied jazz saxophone, directs jazz combos and teaches courses in African-American music, African-American culture, jazz education and improvisation.
An active performer, pedagogue and composer, Phillips has taught and performed throughout the United States, Europe and South America. As a lecturer, Phillips has presented on a variety of topics on jazz and Black music’s association with American culture at venues such as The African-American Museum of Iowa, the Deutschebank Kunsthalle of (Berlin) and well over a dozen colleges/universities within the United States.
–––––––––
None of us at Noce are taking your health and safety lightly. We are taking a very carefully curated approach to this new process, & promise to keep a diligent eye on our operations as we continue down this road.
Whether it's with the strict mask policy or spaced out tables, it may feel incredibly different than before all of this began. The good news is that once you're in your seat with a cocktail in hand & a great band on the stage, you'll have everything you need for another great night at Noce.
View our full policy at nocedsm.com/reopening
––––––––––
In addition to our live audience performance in Noce Jazz & Cabaret, this show will be streamed live via Facebook and Youtube beginning at 7PM on the night of the show.
Noce is gladly accepting contributions in lieu of our usual cover for shows through the following portals - https://cash.app/$nocedsm - https://paypal.me/nocedsm - 1326 Walnut St, DSM, IA 50309