Johnson County Community College
Press Release

College Information and Publications
913-469-8500
Julie Haas, Associate Vice President, Marketing Communications, ext. 3120
Peggy Graham, Writer, ext. 3425
Tyler Cundith, Sports Information Director, ext. 3122

9/14/09
Story by Peggy Graham

Beach Nuts add fun and pun to Jazz Series
  

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Guitarist Rod Fleeman, keyboardist Walter Bryant and drummer Jürgen Welge perform as the Beach Nuts at noon Tuesday, Oct. 13, in the Recital Hall of the Carlsen Center, Johnson County Community College, as part of the free fall Jazz Series featuring local musicians.

The three have been working together for the last decade and a half, performing songs from the late ’50s-mid ’70s, mostly instrumentals that include songs recorded by The Ventures, Dick Dale, Cannonball Adderly, Mason Williams, Ramsey Lewis, The Beach Boys, Fats Domino, Santo and Johnny, The Monkees, The Surfaris, Chuck Berry, The Beatles, Booker T and the MGs, Quincy Jones and Henry Mancini.

Fleeman, one of Kansas City's most noted jazz guitarists, is in constant demand. He currently records and tours the world with jazz vocalists Karrin Allyson and Diane Schuur. He also serves as an adjunct educator for the University of Missouri-Kansas City and Kansas City Kansas Community College.

German-born drummer Welge graduated in 1989 from the Hilversum Jazz Conservatory in the Netherlands before he came to Kansas City on an invitation from KC's late blues and jazz singer Richard Ross in 1992. He quickly became a well-respected member of the Kansas City jazz community and currently performs with Dave Stephens, The Wild Women, Lynn Zimmer, Tim Whitmer, Bram Wijnands, Don Accurso Orchestrina and Beach Nuts. Welge also teaches applied percussion and band classes at KCK Community College.

Bryant, keyboards, is a graduate of the UMKC Conservatory of Music. He composes and produces music for TV and radio commercials and has served as musical director for Worlds of Fun in Kansas City since 1976  He plays a number of different instruments with a variety of ensembles in musical styles ranging from classical to rock.

The Jazz Series continues at noon Tuesday in the Recital Hall unless otherwise noted:

The series is cosponsored by the JCCC music departments, Community Services and the Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts. Seating is available first-come, first-served.

For information, call 913-469-8500, ext. 3605.

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