My 23-year run at VTSU/NVU/JSC has come to an end with this weekend’s final performance of the Funk Fusion Ensemble, as the performing arts have sunset at the Johnson campus. Many thanks to the incredible students, faculty, and staff that I crossed paths with along the way. A special shout out to Steve Blair for giving me the opportunity way back in 2002. It was a fun ride. On to new things.. aaaannd scene~
Tag Archives Johnson State College
Northern Vermont University / Johnson State College: Guitar & Funk-Fusion Ensembles
- Elijah Berry, Katelyn Shaw (12-8-21)
- NVU-Johnson Funk Fusion Ensemble (4-28-23)
- We gots to have that Funk (12-9-22)
- Funk Fusion (5-4-22)
- w/ Makenzi Edwards & Luke Melamede (12-8-21)
- Katelyn Shaw, Taylor Michaud, Luke Melamede, Makayla Jones (12-8-21)
- soundcheck (12-8-21)
- JSC Funk Fusion Ensemble (4-26-17)
- Funkaliciously Groovy (4-30-14)
- Brandon Stevens ..
- Stronger Than Me
- JSC Funk-Fusion Ensemble (12-12-12)
- Greg, Benj Spound & Justin Casey lay down the funk
- FunkStars Bryanna Bertrand, Mike Saya, Liz Thompson and Justin Casey (2012)
- Funk-Fusion history lesson
- bass is the place ..
- funky ghosts ..
- holding court..
- Funk-Fusion rehearsal circa 2012
- JSC Guitar Ensemble (4-29-09)
- Johnson State College Guitar Ensemble (4-30-08)
- Jacob Lane, Jessica Albright, David Hudson, & David Dillon play Bach
- w/ Andrew Morris
- JSC Guitar Ensemble (4-30-08)
- Javan DeGraff & Jacob Lane
All-Star JAMboree II – Steep (3/13/14)
Dibden Center For the Arts, Johnson VT
from the second All-Star Jamboree at Dibden Center for the Arts, Johnson (VT) State College on 3/13/14 ~ a wicked Nor’easter, a shuttered campus, and stranded cars & gear couldn’t keep us down..!
Ray Paczkowski (keys) … Jon Fishman (drums)
Gabe Jarrett (drums) … Rob Morse (bass) … Greg Matses (guitar)
“Steep” by Greg Matses
JSC Funk/Fusion Ensemble
Johnson VT
I will once again be directing the Johnson State College Funk/Fusion Ensemble for the Jazz/Contemporary concert on Wednesday 5/2/18 at 7pm .. Dibden Center for the Arts, Johnson State College, Johnson Vermont .. Open to all.. info at www.jsc.edu .. Here’s our set:
I Feel the Earth Move (Carole King)
Ex’s & Oh’s (Elle King – Dave Bassett)
Geek in the Pink (Jason Mraz/Ian Sheridan/Kevin Kadish)
Try (Janis Joplin – Jerry Ragovoy/Chip Taylor)
Gone Under (Snarky Puppy – Shayna Steele/David Cook)
#W W C (The Main Squeeze)
with: Michaela Dube (vocals, tenor sax), James Isaac (guitar, vocals), Gwendolyn Campus (vocals), James Douglas (drums, percussion), Anna Sargent (vocals), Brittney Malik (trumpet, vocals), Travis Bruyette (drums, percussion), Julia Simons (vibes, tenor sax, vocals), Timothy Pinckney (bass), Rebecca Flieder (vocals), Makayla Jones (baritone sax, alto sax), Spencer Perry (drums, guitar, keyboards)..
JSC Funk/Fusion Ensemble
Johnson VT
I will once again be directing the Johnson State College Funk/Fusion Ensemble for the Jazz/Contemporary concert on Wednesday 12/13/17 at 7pm .. Dibden Center for the Arts, Johnson State College, Johnson Vermont .. Free and open to all.. info at www.jsc.edu .. here’s the set:
Doo Wop (That Thing) (Lauryn Hill)
Bang Bang (Monophonics – Sonny Bono)
How Good It Feels (Lake Street Dive – Bridget Kearney)
Jungle Boogie (Kool & the Gang)
Dr. Funk (The Main Squeeze)
with: Spencer Perry (drums, vocals, guitar), Lucas Holmes (trumpet, vocals), Janea Hudson (vocals, keyboards), James Douglas (drums), Timothy Pinckney (bass), Brittney Malik (trumpet, vocals, keyboards), Makayla Jones (alto sax, baritone sax), Katelyn Shaw (alto sax, vocals) ..
Spencer Perry’s senior recital
Johnson VT
I’ll be performing 21st Century Schizoid Man (King Crimson) and Whipping Post (Allman Brothers Band) as part of Spencer Perry’s senior recital on Sunday 12/10/17 @ 5pm, Dibden Center for the Arts, Johnson State College, Johnson VT .. Free & open to the public ..
Fall 2017 courses at Johnson State College ~
I will be directing the Funk/Fusion Ensemble as well as teaching guitar lessons at Johnson (VT) State College for the Fall 2017 semester .. info / registration at www.jsc.edu .. If you have problems registering online please email me, I can fix it ~
JSC Funk/Fusion Ensemble
Johnson VT
I will once again be directing the Johnson State College Funk/Fusion Ensemble for the Jazz/Contemporary concert on Wednesday 4/26/17 at 7pm .. Dibden Center for the Arts, Johnson State College, Johnson Vermont .. Free and open to all.. info at www.jsc.edu .. here’s the set:
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell – Nickolas Ashford/Valerie Simpson)
Right Place Wrong Time (Dr. John – Mac Rebennack)
Respect (Aretha Franklin – Otis Redding)
Scatterbrain (Jeff Beck – Max Middleton)
Borderline (Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds – Arleigh Kincheloe)
with: Spencer Perry (drums, percussion), Nathaniel Garland (guitar), Jack Snow (guitar), Michaela Dube (vocals), Randall Ingalls (vocals), Janea Hudson (vocals), Brandon Stevens (drums), Justin Burgess (bass), Brittney Malik (trumpet, vocals), Makayla Jones (alto sax, baritone sax), Julia Simons (tenor sax, vocals) ..
Brandon Stevens’ senior recital
Johnson VT
I’ll be performing two tunes as part of Brandon Stevens‘ senior recital on Thursday 4/13 @ 8pm, Dibden Center for the Arts, Johnson State College, Johnson VT .. Free & open to the public ..
Peaches en Regalia (Frank Zappa)
Indiscipline (King Crimson)
with: Justin Burgess (bass), Tim Melville (guitar), and Brandon Stevens (drums).
I need to practice.. now!~
JSC Ensemble Performances
Johnson VT
I will once again be directing the Johnson State College Funk/Fusion Ensemble for the Jazz/Contemporary concert on Wednesday 12/7/16 at 7pm .. Dibden Center for the Arts, Johnson State College, Johnson Vermont .. Free and open to all.. info at www.jsc.edu .. here’s the set:
Brother, I’m Hungry (Jon Cleary)
Black Horse and the Cherry Tree (KT Tunstall)
You Know I’m No Good (Amy Winehouse)
The Last Suppit (Lettuce – Adam Deitch/Neal Evans)
Nothing From Nothing (Billie Preston/Bruce Fisher)
with: Quincy Walter (drums), Nathaniel Garland (guitar), Jack Snow (guitar), Michaela Dube (vocals, tenor sax), Randall Ingalls (vocals), Laurel Hubbert-Severance (vocals), Brandon Stevens (drums), Justin Burgess (bass, keyboards), Ian Bowen (bass), Makayla Jones (alto sax, baritone sax), Benjamin Steele (guitar), Matthew Brown (guitar) ..
JSC Ensemble Performances
Johnson VT
I’ll be directing the Johnson State College Funk/Fusion Ensemble for the Jazz/Contemporary concert on Wednesday 4/27/16 at 7pm .. Dibden Center for the Arts, Johnson State College, Johnson Vermont .. Free and open to all.. info at www.jsc.edu ..
here’s the set:
If I Go (Ella Eyre)
While You’re Out Looking For Sugar (Ronald Dunbar, Edyth Wayne – Joss Stone)
Peaches en Regalia (Frank Zappa)
365 Days (ZZ Ward)
Freddie’s Dead (Curtis Mayfield)
with: Quincy Walter (drums), Kelly Shaw (vocals), Jack Snow (guitar), Rachele Funk (vocals, flute), Charles Munroe (vocals), Laurel Hubbert-Severance (vocals), Brandon Stevens (drums), Justin Burgess (bass, keyboards), Ian Bowen (bass, percussion), Brittney Malik (trumpet, vocals) ..
JSC Ensemble Performances
Johnson VT
I’ll be directing the Johnson State College Funk/Fusion Ensemble for the Jazz/Contemporary concert on Wed 12/9/15 at 7pm .. Dibden Center for the Arts, Johnson State College, Johnson Vermont .. Free and open to all.. info at www.jsc.edu ..
here’s the set:
Say My Name (Destiny’s Child)
Valerie (Mark Ronson / Amy Winehouse)
Jeep On 35 (John Scofield)
Piece of My Heart (Janis Joplin / Jerry Ragovoy / Bert Berns)
Echo (The Dear Hunter / Casey Crescenzo)
with Quincy Walter (drums), Kim Anetsberger (vocals), Jack Snow (guitar), Rachele Funk (vocals, flute, percussion), Miranda Morris (alto sax, vocals, percussion), Timothy Melville (guitar), Brandon Stevens (drums), Justin Burgess (bass, keyboards), Ian Bowen (bass, percussion), Nicholas Melwood (guitar, vocals), Brittney Malik (trumpet, vocals, percussion) ..
JSC Ensemble Performances
Johnson VT
I’ll be directing the Johnson State College Funk/Fusion Ensemble for the Jazz/Contemporary concert on Wed 5/6/15 at 7pm .. Dibden Center for the Arts, Johnson State College, Johnson Vermont .. Free and open to all.. info at www.jsc.edu ..
here’s the set:
It’s Your Thing (the Isley Brothers)
Mercy (Duffy)
Sexy and I know It (LMFAO)
Indiscipline (King Crimson)
Higher Ground (Stevie Wonder)
Gimme Shelter (the Rolling Stones)
with Benjamin Spound (drums/percussion), Kemal Onor (vocals), Jack Snow (guitar), Rachele Funk (vocals), Charles Munroe (vocals), Timothy Melville (guitar/keyboards), Brandon Stevens (drums/percussion), Justin Burgess (bass), Caleb Boardman (guitar) ..
JSC Funk Fusion Ensemble – Stronger Than Me
the Johnson State College Funk Fusion Ensemble performing Stronger Than Me by Amy Winehouse on 4/30/14 at Dibden Center for the Arts, Johnson VT ..
Directed & Arranged by Greg Matses ..
with: Bryanna Bertrand (voice), Angela Hunt (voice), Rachele Funk (voice), Timothy Melville (lead guitar), Jolton Carruth (guitar), Tomohiro Ushida (keys), Brandon Stevens (drums), Nick Melwood (percussion), Henry Clark (mandolin), Keegan Farara (bass), Ben Steele (bass), Jack Snow (guitar), John Coughlin (guitar)
JSC Ensemble Performances
Johnson VT
I’ll be directing the Johnson State College Funk/Fusion Ensemble and Guitar Ensemble for the Jazz/Contemporary concert on Wed 12/10/14 at 7pm .. Dibden Center for the Arts, Johnson State College, Johnson Vermont .. Free and open to all.. info at www.jsc.edu ..
JSC Ensemble Performances
Johnson VT
I’ll be directing the Johnson State College Funk/Fusion Ensemble and Guitar Ensemble for the Jazz/Contemporary concert on Wed 4/30/14 at 7pm – come hear us play tunes by Muddy Waters, the Meters, Bach, Led Zeppelin, Amy Winehouse, Mahavishnu Orchestra and others .. Dibden Center for the Arts, Johnson State College, Johnson Vermont .. Free and open to all.. info at www.jsc.edu ..
All-Star Jamboree II (3/13/14)
photos by Nicole Bachand
- JAMboree II (2014)
- rehearsal (3/9/14)
- Rob, Ray, Greg, Gabe, Jon
- Ray Paczkowski, Jon Fishman, Rob Morse, Greg Matses, Gabe Jarrett
- Rob
- evil bass..
- Jon
- a JAMboree..
- ~
- ~
- Gabe
- Fish
- ..
- samurai guitar ..
- ..
- ..
All-Star JAMboree – A Day in the Life (3-28-13)
Dibden Center for the Arts, Johnson VT
the All-Star JAMboree performing the Beatles’ A Day in the Life at Dibden Center for the Arts, Johnson State College, Johnson VT on 3/28/13 ..
by Lennon-McCartney
Greg Matses (guitar) … Ray Paczkowski (keys)
Russ Lawton (drums) … Rob Morse (bass)
All-Star JAMboree (3/28/13)
Dibden Center for the Arts, Johnson VT
- All-Star JAMboree (3/28/13)
- Ray Paczkowski, Russ Lawton, Rob Morse, Greg Matses
- GM
- Rob
- ~
- a JAMboree..
- Russ, Rob & Greg





































































