Benefit Concert for Laurie Riley

Benefit Concert for Laurie Riley

Internationally acclaimed harp virtuoso and Sedona resident, Laurie Riley, has recently been diagnosed with a debilitating chronic disease. It has left her virtually bedridden and unable to take care of basic living expenses and medical bills. Laurie's community of friends and supporters have initiated several fundraising and support campaigns.

A Benefit Concert for Laurie will be held in the Great Room on Friday, May 16th, 2008, at 7 pm. See bios of participating musicians below. Suggested Donation is $15 per ticket and a silent auction with refreshments will follow the concert. All proceeds from this evening’s activities will go directly to aid Laurie Riley. All expenses, services, and products have been donated or met by various organizations and individuals. For further information contact www.sedonacreativelife.com or call 300-2117 or 274-1444.

Laurie Riley

Among her many credits, Laurie Riley has appeared in concert as harpist to The Chieftains (2003), in a tribute to the late Derek Bell. She was also the first American harpist to be invited to judge and perform for the prestigious International O'Carolan Festival in County Roscommon, Ireland, in 1997, and has toured throughout the US and in Canada since 1985.

She plays traditional, ethnic, and contemporary selections from around the world, as well as compositions of her own, on three types of harps: the Celtic harp, the rare double-strung harp, and the historical wire-strung harp. Each harp has a unique sound and personality, offering a wide range of musical styles.

Laurie has recorded twelve albums of harp music, authored numerous books, and made five instructional videos. Her music has been featured on American Airlines and on the Narada Collections, and she has appeared on NPR's All Things Considered. She also judges harp competitions and teaches in the US and abroad. In Laurie's words: "As a musician, I am gratefully aware that I hold in my hands the experience of music as a metaphor for life, which is offered as a gift to all who gather to listen."

John Conway, Master of Ceremonies

John Conway is a long-time Sedona resident, moving here with his family in 1963. John "retired" from the Sedona Fire District in 1999 as the Assistant Fire Chief to spend more time with his family and pursue a dream. He and his associates built a digital recording studio where John records voiceovers for commercials, websites, phone systems and narration for videos. Never one to allow himself to get bored, John went to massage school in 2002 and became a nationally certified massage therapist. He now teaches Kinesiology at the Clarkdale Campus of the renown ASIS Massage School. He's been married to the love of his life, Anne, for over 27 years. They have three children - Ben, 19, and Jessie & Jerry, 17.

Jazz a'la mode

Jazz a’la mode

Rosemary and Frankie Chavez are gifted performers from Los Angeles with years of professional experience in the club, concert, studio and performance arena. Upon moving to Sedona they formed the group Jazz a’la mode.

Gifted with a bold, beautiful voice, Rosemary Chavez is the featured female vocalist on their latest CD “Sweet Jazz a’la mode” as well as the movie soundtrack CD, ROAR, starring actresses Tippi Hedren and Melanie Griffith and the American Voices CD written by gold record, award winning composer and arranger, Terence P. Minogue.

Frankie Chavez is an extraordinary drummer and percussionist. He has performed and recorded with numerous artists including Lionel Hampton, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Gerald Wilson, Larry Carlton, Dee Dee Bridgewater and toured with Pat Boone, Vicki Carr and Bobby Gentry to name a few.

Complementing the group on keyboards is the wonderfully talented Steve Sandner. Steve has appeared as a solo act or with combos in numerous Chicago and Midwestern clubs and has had several performances at the Sutton Bay Jazz Festival in Michigan. His international tours include Singapore, Casablanca, Morocco, Africa and Paris, France. He has six self produced CDs with his latest release recorded in Paris.

Teri Bays

Teri Bays serves as Director of Liturgy and Music at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Sedona. A graduate of the Hartt School of Music in CT, Teri has performed with the Light Opera of Manhattan company, and has starred as Anita in West Side Story on Cape Cod, and Maria in the Sound of Music in the Poconos, PA. Teri performed her own cabaret shows in New York City and was the National Anthem soloist for the NJ Devils before she left her home state for CA, where she performed with the Moonlight Theatre. Here in Sedona she was in Godspell and last year was seen at Canyon Moon Theatre in Suburbs: The Musical and Taffetas. Teri has two solo CDs: Spark of Creation and Sacred Songs, Sacred Space.

Scott Beck

"A modern-day troubadour, Scott Beck writes and performs inspirational songs that touch your heart and heal your spirit, bringing you a sense of peace and a reminder that you are not alone on this journey. A songwriter who was raised on the folk-rock of the 60's and 70's, Scott offers his songs to those who enjoy heartfelt messages, beautiful melodies, and sweet vocals. His latest CD, "I've Seen The Light," features 12 uplifting songs that take you on a journey of self-discovery and present a new way of viewing the world." To learn more about Scott, the stories behind the songs, and hear his music, please visit his website at www.scottbeckmusic.com.

Jim Buchanan

Multi-talented Jim Buchanan is a pianist, organist, composer, recording artist, director, and accompanist who has resided in Sedona for 16 years. He is Minister of Music and Office Administrator for Christ Lutheran Church in Sedona. He has recorded eight CDs which are available at www.jimbuchanan.com.

Jim is a professional member of American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), American Guild of Organists (AGO), American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR), Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM) and owns and operates his own promotion/publishing company, Jim Buchanan MUSIC. He has arranged and recorded three video soundtracks for presentations given by internationally known and award-winning Sedona artist, Curt Walters.

Anthony Flesch

Anthony Flesch has been playing flute for more than four decades. Born in Cape Town, South Africa, he studied at the South African Conservatory of Music, and at Berklee College of Music in Boston. He plays in a wide variety of styles, from classical to jazz, rock, and world music, and is committed to using music as an inspirational agent – a force for peace and joy.

Katherine LaTorraca

Katherine LaTorraca is an international award-winning singer, composer and voice teacher with extensive credits in opera, musical theater, and inspirational music. She has made guest appearances with the Rome Festival Opera, The Washington Opera, the United States Army Field Band & Soldiers' Chorus, and is winner of the prestigious Jenny Lind Competition.

Ms. LaTorraca has served as music director and soloist for many churches and children's musical theater groups, and is accompanist at St. John Vianney Church. She teaches voice at Yavapai College and personal development through singing in her private studio. Click Here to hear a musical sample.

Jon Michael

Jon Michael is the Music Minister at Sedona Interfaith Fellowship and has conducted weekly services there for the past nine years. He has been a multi-instrumental musician, songwriter, recording artist, and audio engineer/producer for over forty years. At church he usually plays guitar, piano, and sings his own compositions as well as church program music.

For further information please contact
Sedona Creative Life Center 928-282-9300