An Afternoon of Jazz with James Zellar and Friends at the Morris Graves Museum of Art!

James Zeller and Friends will fill the Rotunda with their tunes during An Afternoon of Jazz at the Morris Graves Museum of Art, Sunday, September 18th, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. (Please note that this is a different time than is typical for this event). 

James Zeller (trombone, vocals, piano, guitar), Katie Belknap (vocals, clarinet, guitar), Britt Smith (guitar), and Lee Phillips (upright bass), comprise this talented group of local musicians. James Zeller's musical performance spans many genres, defying categorization... James and Katie Belknap perform under the smile-inducing moniker the Ponies of Harmony. They sing sweet, heartwarming harmonies, accompanying themselves on guitars, trombone and clarinet. They are excited to present original material from their upcoming album, as well as several even newer works not yet performed in public. James will then be joined by Britt Smith and Lee Phillips (of The James Zeller Trio) for a few classic songs in the trio's style that has made them a steadily working group for over a decade. They will be joined by Katie and other special guests for more unique arrangements of classics and original songs. Finally, members of the community music group OnSomeBall (directed by James) will be invited to perform a "comprovisation", a piece combining composed and improvised elements that James has composed specifically for the Morris Graves gallery.

For James, creativity and music is a spiritual pursuit, central to life. "Live performance is a way of connecting with where you are, the space you are in and the people in it. From that perspective it's a kind of awareness practice, a way to experience togetherness. I'm honored by every audience member at every performance I give, and shows like the Morris Graves series are particularly special. The audience is there to listen, and I'm truly honored. I always put a lot of thought into these shows, and I really am looking forward to it."

Please join us at the Morris Graves Museum of Art for a "tragic, joyfully ebullient and silly," Afternoon of Jazz,  with James Zeller and Friends on Sunday, September 18th at 4:00 p.m.!

The Morris Graves Museum of Art, located at 636 F Street, Eureka is open to the public noon- 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is (normally) $5 for adults; $2 for seniors (age 65 and over), military veterans, and students with ID; children 17 and under free; Families with an EBT Card and valid ID receive free admission through the Museums for All initiative, Museum members are free. Admission is always free for everyone on the first Saturday of every month, including First Saturday Night Arts Alive!, 6-9 p.m.