"From the moment I laid eyes on the cover of the Reader's Digest Treasury of Short Stories with Louis Armstrong on the cover,   I knew that trumpet playing was what I would do for the rest of my life. For a shy kid, the thought of going anywhere in the world and having people understand me through music was intoxicating.
​ I’ve been playing ever since then."
 John L. Worley Jr
 
John L Worley Jr. is a well known jazz musician, trumpeter and teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area. His love for jazz and in particular, the trumpet, permeates his work and life. Find out more about his musical contributions and upcoming shows here. ​​
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Upcoming Events
Hi Friends
This concert is just around the corner and I'm excited to share the stage with the one and only, Mike Vax.  

Thursday, March 23, 2023; 7:00 PM
The Sound Room, 3022 Broadway. Oakland, CA
The Mike Vax-John Worley Quintet
Mike Vax and John Worley have been performing together for over 30 years. They have worked together in the TRPTS group, The Mike Vax Big Band, The Stan Kenton Legacy Orchestra, backing up shows, and with other big bands. While their styles are a bit different, their musical compatibility is always prevalent. Their on-stage communication is remarkable.
For more info and tickets, go to:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-mike-vax-john-worley-quintet-tickets-534104229127

​Mike is a product of Oakland High School and has been performing professionally for over 60 years. He was the lead trumpet and road manager of the Stan Kenton Orchestra in the early 1970’s and has been leading the Stan Kenton Legacy Orchestra for over 30 years. He has performed with many of the top jazz musicians including Louie Bellson, Freddy Hubbard, Art Pepper, Don Ellis, Gene Krupa, June Christy, Anita O’Day, Joe Williams, The Dukes of Dixieland in New Orleans and The Beverly Hills Unlisted Jazz Band. He has also performed on the “ghost” bands of Harry James, Glenn Miller, and Jimmy Dorsey. As an educator, Mike has done over 3000 workshops in schools all over the world, and taught at University of the Pacific, Loyola University in New Orleans and the University of New Orleans. He is a Warburton Performing Artist.
John is a Yamaha Performing Artist who has performed with the SJZ Collective, touring the USA and Asia; most of the “name” big bands in the Bay Area, and worked with the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Dave Pell, Wayne Shorter, Pete Escovedo, Malo, Carla Bley, and Steve Swallow. He leads the groups: Mo-Chi Ensemble, WorlView, and Bari Bari. As an accomplished music educator, he is on the faculty of Stanford University and The San Jose Summer Jazz Camp and has done workshops in schools all over the USA and beyond.
In this group, they play music from the rich history of trumpet in the jazz idiom, plus the great American songbook, and original music written by both. Their music attains a great swinging feel, whether playing from the early history of jazz music or the music of today.
The rhythm section is from John’s Mo-Chi Ensemble.
Murray Low – Piano
Ken Okada – Bass
Wally Schnalle - Drums





 
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​John Worley and the Mo-Chi Ensemble
Winds of Change/Last Tango in Delano
Brought to you by  Music In Place
https://youtu.be/92wkOvl4UdQ

 
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People Speak...
"Finally the world gets a chance to experience the music of one Bay Area's best kept secrets... Whether playing lead, or soloing in the bop style or sharing his vast knowledge with his numerous students, John brings a fresh approach to it all. Worley's music is from the heart..."
Ray Vega, The Bronx, 2002
"Telling a story, making a musical statement is something to often forgotten by artist, as they are too concerned only with their playing. Thank you John for reminding me, once again, what making music is all about." 
Tom E. Politzer, Lead Tenor, Tower of Power
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Meet the Band
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Members of the Mo Chi Ensemble
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Sirens of the Pacific L-R Top: Kat Parra, Morning Nichols L-R Bottom: Wendy Waller, Amy Dabalos

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