FORT THOMAS - With influences like Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis, Fort Thomas trumpet player John Lake is providing jazz patrons with original contemporary jazz music.
His self-titled jazz group, The John Lake Ensemble, is a mix of professional musicians from the tri-state.
Playing all original compositions, the ensemble has performed at coffee shops and clubs in the area and is now playing twice a month at The Greenwich in Cincinnati.
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The ensemble's keyboard player Mike Darrah said the main focus of the group's work is Lake's compositions.
"John's writing is terrific," Darrah said. "He has a natural ability to lead the group.
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Lake recently added guitar parts to his compositions and brought in Carl Kerfoot to play with the ensemble.
"I am really privileged to play with these guys," Kerfoot said. "No one else our age in the Cincinnati area does anything like this.
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In August, Lake said he is moving to Colorado to study with one of his major influences as a trumpeter, Brad Goode.
As for the ensemble, Lake said he doesn't know what will happened when he moves .
He said he's had some discussions with band members about joining him in Colorado, but nothing definite.
"Since it's my group, it goes where I go," Lake said. "I enjoy what we have now, but my number one concern is my studies.
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