JAZZ FOR THE SOUL: Denny Monce & Dave Schmidt Quintet

WHAT TO EXPECT

Experience the powerful sounds of the Denny Monce/Dave Schmidt Quintet as they bring Hard Bop & Beyond to life with soul, swing, and sophistication. Featuring top-tier jazz talent—this dynamic group pays homage to the roots of hard bop while pushing its boundaries with inventive harmonies and fresh interpretations. With deep experience on national stages and in the classroom, Monce and Schmidt lead a performance filled with high-energy classics, bluesy grooves, and modern flair for jazz lovers of all kinds!

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Denny Monce — is a free-lance trumpet player in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Having traveled much of the Western Hemisphere playing on cruise ships, he also spent several years studying and playing on the Los Angeles music scene. Over the years, Denny has performed with numerous headlining acts such as Mel Torme, Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, Gladys Knight, Johnny Mathis, and The Temptations. Additionally, he has played in the pit for numerous off-Broadway musicals. His passion is jazz music, and given the opportunity, that’s where you’ll find him, as a leader or a side-man, playing the music he loves. Denny also teaches trumpet privately, and is on the jazz studies faculty at Arizona State University.

Dave Schmidt — is an esteemed jazz musician and educator based in Phoenix, Arizona. With a career spanning over three decades, Dave has dedicated his life to the mastery and teaching of jazz music. He held a prominent position as a music professor at Glendale Community College (GCC) where he imparted his knowledge and passion for jazz to aspiring young musicians. Dave’s musical journey began in his early childhood, and by his teenage years, he was already a recognized talent in local music circles. After completing his formal schooling in Music Education at IU and Music Performance at ASU under the tutelage of Dr. Eugene Rousseau and Dr. Joseph Wytko respectively, Dave has been performing extensively with various local and national touring groups, enriching his experience and honing his skills. His repertoire ranges from classic standards to contemporary fusion, making his performances a delightful experience for a variety of jazz aficionados. At GCC, Dave was not just a teacher but a mentor who encouraged his students to explore and express their musical creativity. His teaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of both technique and emotional depth in music, which has inspired many of his students to pursue successful careers in the music industry.

ARTIST LINE-UP

Dave Henning – piano

Ben Hedquist – bass

John Lewis – drums

JAZZ FOR THE SOUL INFORMATION

All JFTS Concerts are FREE and open to the public. Doors open at 4:45pm and seating is first come, first served. Music on a Mission is pleased to contribute 100% of all donations from this concert to Deep Within. Learn more at their website here https://deepwithinrehab.com/

You do not need to register for this event, but if you haven’t done so, please join MSW’s mailing list so you can stay in the loop with Jazz for the Soul updates and reminders.