Join us for an evening of JAZZ in July at the Amana Performing Arts Center! This special event is for ONE NIGHT ONLY!
Confluence, as the name suggests, is a blending of musicians with many years of experience playing melodic jazz and the soulful music of such artists as Bill Evans, Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Lyle Mays, Christian McBride and Chick Corea, along with a number of our original tunes. The result is music that both engages and entertains our audience.
Denny Redmond-Keyboards
Pat Smith-Guitar
Peter Hart-Sax
John Hall-Bass
John O’Connell-Drums
ABOUT THE BAND
Denny Redmond received his bachelor’s degree in music composition and theory from Coe College in 1976 and his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accounting from Coe in 1988. His musical career started in high school with a band called Change of Pace in 1968 and he spent a good portion of his formative years playing at a bar called Polly's Penthouse. He played with Gage Memorial, a nine-piece brass band, from 1972 to 1974 and with Websterjon from 1974-1976. Then, on a full-time basis, he played with Source until late 1978. He is a retired partner/principal of the CPA firm Latta Harris, LLP, and plays on a regular basis with The C.R. Jazz Big Band and B.T.A. - Brass Transit Authority, a Chicago/Blood Sweat & Tears tribute band, Soul Sacrifice, a Santana Tribute band and Confluence, a jazz-based band.
Pat Smith grew up in Evanston, IL and has played guitar in many styles over the years. Pat is a member of the Music Faculty at Grinnell College and provides private guitar lessons. When not playing with Confluence, Pat plays jazz with the Roots of Rhythm, the Smith/Wagor Duo, and Classic Rock & Blues with Fork in the Road. A graduate of Cornell College concentrating in composition, Pat has composed music for Red Cedar Chamber Music and the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival. He lives contentedly in Cedar Rapids with his cat.
Peter Hart MM Eastman School of Music Saxophone, BM University Wisconsin Madison saxophone. Played professionally with Louis Bellson, Roberta Flack, Lional Hampton, Clark Terry, Buddy De Franko, and Rita Moreno. Played touring Broadway shows such as Chorus Line, Chicago, Grease, and The Fantasticks.
John Hall came to Iowa after completing coursework for the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Bass Performance from the University of Memphis in 1997. He holds a Master of Music degree in Bass Performance from the University of Georgia. John's younger years were spent playing rock and roll and R&B on the Southeastern gulf coast circuit, touring with bands through Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. A return to school led him to a career of teaching and performing orchestral music and jazz study. His background in education involves twenty-two years as an orchestra director in the Cedar Rapids Community Schools, as well as visiting artist appointments in bass at the University of Northern Iowa, Augustana College, Cornell College and Coe College, where he currently teaches. John has appeared on recordings with Craig Erickson, Billy Lee Janey, Al Naylor, Orchestra Iowa and the Corridor Jazz Project. He currently performs locally in Eastern Iowa with Confluence, The Invisible Band, Funkstop and Soul Sacrifice.
John O’Connell Born and raised in Cedar Rapids, John was attracted to the drums at an early age. John was a child of 60’s rock and roll and Motown. John’s first legitimate drum set was given to him by his parents with the hope that playing would become a lifelong passion. It did. Playing in local bands honed his playing and listening skills as well as his confidence. In high school, John was introduced to jazz and new opportunities opened up. At the crossroads of rock and jazz, John waited impatiently. Playing in horn bands was a joy throughout high school and college. After a ten-year absence to get married and raise a family, the drums beckoned. An empty nest doesn’t mean a quiet one. John still plays in bands, and his 10 grandchildren regard him as the “cool grandpa”.
TICKETS: FREE WILL DONATION
Questions & Info: 319.899.3799
2025-06-24 21:00:00 -0500
Come celebrate "Christmas in July" on Saturday, July 26th, 2025, with Nashville Recording Artist Faye Dudley and family, at the Amana Performing Arts Center (formerly The Old Creamery Theater) for a Branson style Christmas show!
This heartwarming show blends the timeless charm of traditional Christmas classics, country, and the excitement of modern holiday hits. All wrapped up with a dash of hilarious comedy that will leave you laughing and singing along. It's the perfect mix of joy, nostalgia, and festive fun — a show the whole family will treasure!
"Christmas in July", celebrated in many places around the world is a nostalgic relic originating in 1933 at Keystone Camp by co-founder Fannie Holt in Brevard, North Carolina. Her goal was to help the girls overcome home sickness by making crafts for secret santa, playing other games and making treats! It is celebrated every year on or around July 25th, the halfway point to the beloved December 25th holiday!
2025-05-06 16:00:00 -0500
Come celebrate "Christmas in July" on Saturday, July 26th, 2025, with Nashville Recording Artist Faye Dudley and family, at the Amana Performing Arts Center (formerly The Old Creamery Theater) for a Branson style Christmas show!
This heartwarming show blends the timeless charm of traditional Christmas classics, country, and the excitement of modern holiday hits. All wrapped up with a dash of hilarious comedy that will leave you laughing and singing along. It's the perfect mix of joy, nostalgia, and festive fun — a show the whole family will treasure!
"Christmas in July", celebrated in many places around the world is a nostalgic relic originating in 1933 at Keystone Camp by co-founder Fannie Holt in Brevard, North Carolina. Her goal was to help the girls overcome home sickness by making crafts for secret santa, playing other games and making treats! It is celebrated every year on or around July 25th, the halfway point to the beloved December 25th holiday!
2025-05-06 21:00:00 -0500
Join us August 22-24 for PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES: A Musical Comedy!
A smash hit on and off-Broadway, this crowd-pleasing country-western musical features Prudie and Rhetta Cupp, from the Double Cupp Diner, singing and performing along with the talented boys from the gas station next door.
The “Pump Boys” sell high octane on Highway 57 in Grand Ole Opry country and the “Dinettes,” Prudie and Rhetta Cupp, run the Double Cupp Diner next door. Together they fashion an evening of country western songs that received unanimous raves on and off Broadway. With heartbreak and hilarity, they perform on guitars, piano, bass and, yes, kitchen utensils.
Reviews:
“Both musically and theatrically, a triumph of ensemble playing. It doesn't merely celebrate the value of friendship and life's simple pleasures, it embodies them.” – The New York Times
“Totally terrific... It is such fun.” – The New York Post
“A gasser, with buoyant, earthy humor.” – New York Daily News
“When the inevitable ‘closing time’ comes along, you'll wish you could stay a while longer.” – Christian Science Monitor
SPONSORED BY: Ox Yoke Inn
MEDIA SPONSORS: Tidbits
Thank you!
LOCATION: The Amana Performing Arts Center
39 38th Ave, Amana, IA 52203
DATES/TIMES:
Aug 22-24
Fri & Sat at 7:30 pm
Sunday at 3:00 pm
TICKETS: $25
GROUP RATES & INFO: 319.899.3799
2025-06-24 21:30:00 -0500
Join us August 22-24 for PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES: A Musical Comedy!
A smash hit on and off-Broadway, this crowd-pleasing country-western musical features Prudie and Rhetta Cupp, from the Double Cupp Diner, singing and performing along with the talented boys from the gas station next door.
The “Pump Boys” sell high octane on Highway 57 in Grand Ole Opry country and the “Dinettes,” Prudie and Rhetta Cupp, run the Double Cupp Diner next door. Together they fashion an evening of country western songs that received unanimous raves on and off Broadway. With heartbreak and hilarity, they perform on guitars, piano, bass and, yes, kitchen utensils.
Reviews:
“Both musically and theatrically, a triumph of ensemble playing. It doesn't merely celebrate the value of friendship and life's simple pleasures, it embodies them.” – The New York Times
“Totally terrific... It is such fun.” – The New York Post
“A gasser, with buoyant, earthy humor.” – New York Daily News
“When the inevitable ‘closing time’ comes along, you'll wish you could stay a while longer.” – Christian Science Monitor
SPONSORED BY: Ox Yoke Inn
MEDIA SPONSORS: Tidbits
Thank you!
LOCATION: The Amana Performing Arts Center
39 38th Ave, Amana, IA 52203
DATES/TIMES:
Aug 22-24
Fri & Sat at 7:30 pm
Sunday at 3:00 pm
TICKETS: $25
GROUP RATES & INFO: 319.899.3799
2025-06-24 17:00:00 -0500