Jazz pianist Angelo Versace, a native of Indiana, Pennsylvania, has been the Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Arizona since 2014. He attended William Paterson University from 2004-2008, studying with Mulgrew Miller, a seminal figure in jazz and a man whom Versace cites as being a main musical influence. He subsequently earned his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Miami, studying jazz piano, jazz pedagogy, composition and arranging. During his time in Miami, Versace was on faculty at the Superior Academy of Music – an award-winning institution backed by the Royal Conservatory Music Development Program. He also was on faculty at the CGCC Community Arts Program and Dillard High School – high school jazz band programs that found success at the prestigious Essentially Ellington competition. He began to work for the Tucson Jazz Institute (the two-time winner of the Essentially Ellington competition) after his move to Arizona in July of 2014.

 

Versace has performed on twelve studio albums: two as a leader and ten as a sideman, including Jazz Hymns with guitarist Jerry Hahn and Kristian 3.0 with Take-6 vocalist, Khristian Dentley. He has also had the privilege of working as a sideman with several internationally recognized artists: Lewis Nash, Warren Wolf, Terell Stafford, Brice Winston, Joe Saylor, Troy Roberts, Dave Stryker, Roxy Coss and Chuck Israels. Versace travels yearly to Taipei, Taiwan where he is on faculty at the Fu Jen University Jazz – a camp which coordinates with the American Institute of Taiwan Jazz Outreach Program. Most recently, he has been a member and appointed board director of the newly minted Tucson Jazz Collective (TJC). The group, which has performed for the SAACA Jazz Legends Concert with vocalist, Becca Stevens, continues to perform in and around Southern Arizona.

Can you believe it’s December already?  We all gathered on this beautiful Wednesday for another great luncheon and wonderful fellowship.  PRESIDENT MARK IRVIN rang the bell to begin the meeting at Noon. 

 

We were led in the pledge by JON HARNED then the song for today was “America The Beautiful”.  The inspirational moment was given by MITCH PISIK who shared a few Holiday inspired poems.

   

PRESIDENT MARK IRVIN asked all those in attendance for a moment of silence for TOM BROWNING who passed away on 11/24.  He was a long-time member of our club since 1965.  He was 82 years old.  MARK also gave an update on JOHN STROBECK.  We then broke for lunch and fellowship.

 

SERGEANT AT ARMS, KHRIS DODGE, introduced our guests and visiting Rotarians; welcome all to Downtown.

 

Then PRESIDENT MARK IRVIN introduced our speaker for today, from Visit Tucson, Interim President/CEO Felipe Garcia whose presentation was “Tucson’s Tourism Recovery”.  An introduction video was shown about Felipe who then asked for a copy to show at his staff meetings.  Felipe spoke of how the pandemic hit Tucson’s tourism and the impact it had on our local economy.  Visit Tucson saw this as an opportunity to change its goals.  They redefined their goals.

 

1^st -  Grow Visitation

2^nd – Community Recovery

3^rd – Regional Collaborations and Visitor Experience

4^th – Reshape Visit Tucson’s Organization / Visit Tucson Operations

 

Felipe went over each point detailing how the organization has adapted to grow despite the pandemic.  It was a great and informative presentation.   The book “What’s Great About Arizona” was given to Felipe to sign for our Make Way for Books Library. 

 

Birthday announcements: PAUL HALLUMS (11/12), a member since 2013, BOBBY LARSON (12/6) a member since 2009 and, HOOT GIBSON (12/24) a member since 1995.  Each member spoke briefly at the podium to share some additional thoughts.  A very happy birthday to all of you!

 

CHAR HARRIS then gave the Paul Harris Presentation which was presented to ED COLE’s Family.  A wonderful picture was shown of the family and a brief update on what they are each doing today.  Congratulations on your Paul Harris ED COLE. 

 

Next was another milestone award presented by JO DECHATELET: The Legacy Society.  Awards were presented to LARRY ADAMSON and DAVE GALLAHER.  LARRY formed the Foundation in 1975 and DAVE is the current President.  There is a total of 28 members of The Legacy Society.  Both spoke briefly and thanked each member of the club. 

 

The History Moment was presented by BOB SHAFF.  A slide was up on the screen and short video was played honoring PAST PRESIDENT EMERY BARKER.  Then EMERY shared a few final thoughts on his accomplishments during his presidency.

 

Next is the always anticipated Raffle and King of Clubs Game presented by SERGEANT AT ARMS KHRIS DODGE.  PRESIDENT MARK had the winning ticket!  He donated the funds to the Fishing Fund.  The King of Clubs was not drawn, better luck next week! 

 

Announcements:

PRESIDENT MARK IRVIN gave an update on #Irv’s Fly-Fishing Fund and showed a picture of FRANK DAHL with a fish he recently caught. 

KHRIS DODGE urged everyone to sign up for the Salvation Army Bell Ringing.  A link to the sign up is available in our email via the bulletin and on the website. 

BRUCE JACOBS reminded everyone of the Holiday Mixer on December 14^th from 5:30pm-8pm.  There is no lunch meeting on December 15^th. 

JOE DANISZEWSKI announced the Toy Drive by the U of A Rotaract Club.  Flyers are available and there will be an email that will go out with all the information. 

ROGER HARWELL then announced we also need people to sign up for the Beer Booth at the 4^th Ave. Street Fair. 

 

PRESIDENT MARK IRVIN closed with a final thank you to all our members, guests, and virtual attendees.  The scholarship cups are on the table if you’d like to donate.  Happy Birthday to PAUL, BOBBY and HOOT.   If you have not signed one of the Car Show banners in the hallway, please be sure to do so on your way out.  Next week our presentation will be Jazzy!  We will hear from Angelo Versace from The Jazz Festival.  PRESIDENT MARK gave the final toast before ringing the bell to adjourn the meeting.

The season for giving is here and we are all set for our Tucson Rotary Club Salvation Army Bell Ringing Day where you can give just a few hours of your time on Saturday, December 11^th.

 

We have five locations and shifts are set in 2 and 3 hour increments from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

 

Please go online, www.tucsonrotary.org and look down the left side to Upcoming Events and click to register for your Bell Ringing slot.

 

Thank you!

 

Kurtis Dawson

 

Sunday December 19, 2021. Musselman Honda Circuit.  Continuous lapping with a passing zone.  The most track time for a one day event.  

 

For additional information please contact Lee Olitzky - 520 444 4109 Lee@wit2tucson.com 

To view videos on the RCOT YouTube channel go to our Home Page of the Club website and click on the YouTube link on the right hand side of the page.  Or, go to YouTube and type in Rotary Club Of Tucson.  You will be able to click on the video you wish to watch once they are posted.  Here is the link to do this: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=rotary+club+of+tucson