Jazz Speak - Communication, expression, passion
Published: March 2001 Story: Ashley M. Burkholder – Fly Magazine
Drummer Brock Woerner of Lancaster has enlisted the help of a rotating lineup of talented musicians to create Jazz Speak. Woerner further defines Jazz Speak as "a label given to describe too broad a form of communication, expression, and passion known as music."
He says using a different lineup every week in Lancaster gives a more jazz "in the moment" feel to the band. But also adds, "I'm working towards having a steady lineup ... the hard part is, there are so many phenomenal musicians, but they're usually already working!" Joining Woerner for Jazz Speak's March dates are Art Lumsden on guitar, Doug Hill on sax, Mike Vitale on bass, and Nick Burcher on upright bass.
Expect jazz pieces from the group - from Charlie Parker to Miles Davis and everything in between. "I've played any music genre you can think of," says Woerner, "rock, funk, jazz - I even played square dance already. The cool thing is, I can pull from each genre and make it my own."
Woerner is currently signed to and works with Tom Reese's Wynd Fall Records, with plans to record an album in the next month or so. He's also the youngest band on the bill for the Berks County Jazz Fest this month, plays with the local band Saucey, hosts open jazz jam nights on Sundays at Ellingtons in Lancaster, and teaches drum lessons. "I don't sleep much," laughs Woerner.