ASMAC Hang Social Mixer at The Mayflower Club, 2 July 2025

Last Month, First Wednesday, 2 July 2025, 7–10pm PDT, ASMAC Vice Presidents Milton Nelson and Jeff Kellem co-hosted an ASMAC Hang Social Mixer during Flight 584 Big Band’s rehearsal night. We provided 12 large pizza pies from Victorio’s Ristorante. Some highlights:

• Great to see the room full with our ASMAC community.
• Milton Nelson played piano, including on his fun new arrangements of The Star-Spangled Banner and Stars & Stripes. Look forward to seeing those published and available for big bands to play, soon.
• A few chart read-downs with our ASMAC community leading, including:
  • Bill A. Jones sung one of his charts.
  • Richie “LaBamba” Rosenberg sung and led one of his charts.
  • Samson Trinh went through a fun chart.
  • Annette Johnson had her first big band conducting experience premiering an original jazz waltz, Beautiful Day.
  • J. Ryan Kern brought down a lovely arrangement of In My Room, in honor of Brian Wilson. His singer was unexpectedly unavailable, so he sang the piece, too.
  • I think I might’ve missed a new chart or two.

Fun to hear all these wonderful arrangements and for the arrangers to hear how they sound with musicians during the rehearsal night.

We’re hosting these ASMAC Hang social mixers more regularly, first Wednesday of the month. Next one will be Wednesday, 6 August 2025, 7–10pm PDT with Milton Nelson and Board member Evita Wagner co-hosting as Jeff Kellem will be attending the type design conference TypeCon in Portland, Oregon. Keep an eye on our mailing list and upcoming events.

—Jeff Kellem