Clare Church, drums
playing music with passion and artistry
About Clare
Clare Church
Clare played her very first gigs with Tony Bennett, the Temptations and the Four Tops. In her 30-plus years as a professional musician, she has performed all different styles and genres of music. On the jazz side, she was a regular with the Joe Henderson Big Band,and performed with Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Carter, Nancy Wilson, Mel Torme, Doc Severinsen, and many more. A versatile musician, she also could be heard in the pit orchestras of the Buell, Arvada Center, or Boulder Dinner Theater, as well as in the horn sections of traveling artists such as Tito Puente Jr., Natalie Cole, The Temptations, the Four Tops, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Frankie Vallee and the Four Seasons, etc. She has been a member of the sax section of the Colorado Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Oakland Symphony, and the Boulder Philharmonic.
Clare performs on drums in the Denver metro area with her jazz trio or quartet, with her bands Lewis and Church Expeditions and Yo Momma, and with local artists such as Art Lande, Jeff Jenkins, Ellyn Rucker, Justin Adams, Carmen Sandim, Tenia Nelson, Victor Mestas, Matt Fuller, James Barela, Marylynn Gillespie, Janine Gastineau, and Jerry Weiss.
Upcoming Dates
Expeditions Trio at La Cour Art Bar
Friday December 20th, 7-10 p.m.
Adam Revell, piano; Jason Malmberg, bass, Clare Church, drums
Plus special surprise guest!
1643 S. Broadway, Denver
Jazz Christmas Eve with Robert Johnson
December 24th, 9 p.m.
Pete Lewis, sax; Victor Mestas, piano; Jason Malmberg, bass; Clare Church, drums; Robert Johnson, vocals
First United Methodist Church of Boulder
1421 Spruce, Boulder
Expeditions Plus One
featuring Ron Miles
Friday, January 3rd, 7 p.m.
Ron Miles, trumpet; Pete Lewis, sax; Eric Gunnison, piano; Jason Malmberg, bass; Clare Church, drums
Muse Performance Space
200 E. South Boulder Rd, Lafayette
Expeditions at La Cour Art Bar
Friday, January 10th, 7-10 p.m.
Pete Lewis, saxes; Adam Revell, piano; Jason Malmberg, bass; Clare Church, drums
1643 S. Broadway, Denver
Expeditions
Expeditions plays fresh arrangements of familiar songs, everything from traditional jazz to folk to Motown, along with some tasty originals. Expeditions has performed at the best venues in Denver, and drawn large and enthusiastic audiences. Co-leaders Pete Lewis and Clare Church are consummate professionals, having shared the stage with Joe Henderson, Dizzy Gillespie, Nancy Wilson, Natalie Cole, and many more.
​
Listen to our CD, I'll Fly Away, below!
Yo Momma
Yo Momma is comprised of three of Denver's best and brightest musicians, along with some stellar guests, all of whom just happen to be women!
Yo Momma plays originals penned by everyone in the group, along with some tasty arrangements of standard jazz tunes. The core of the band features Clare Church on drums, Annie Booth on piano, and Kim Bird on bass. Guest artists have included saxophonist Anisha Rush and trumpeter Dawn Kramer.
​
Check out our videos below!
Clare Church Trio
Clare Church Quartet
These ensembles are collaborations between Clare Church and the top professionals in the Denver area, including Matt Fuller, Victor Mestas, Doug Walter, Adam Revell, Jerry Weiss, Justin Adams, Carmen Sandim, Tenia Nelson, Ellyn Rucker, Andrew Rose, Pete Lewis, James Barela, John Gunther, and more.
​
Check out videos below!
Clare Church Music
Clare Church Trio /Quartet
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
 |
Expeditions Live at KUVO
Pete Lewis, saxes; Adam Revell. piano; Jason Malmberg, bass; Clare Church, drums
West Coast Blues
Matt Fuller, guitar; Brian Knott, bass
La Reine de Mon Coeur
Doug Walter, vibes; Brian Knott, bass
A Foggy Day, arr. by Jerry Weiss
Pete Lewis, sax; Victor Mestas-Perez, piano; Brian Knott, bass
Blue Monk
with Victor Mestas-Perez, piano and Brian Knott, bass
"Kindred Spirits" performed by
Yo Momma
composed by Clare Church
Annie Booth, piano; Dawn Kramer, trumpet; Kim Bird, bass; Clare Church, drums
"Simple" performed by
Yo Momma
Composed by Clare Church
Annie Booth, piano; Kim Bird, bass, Dawn Kramer, trumpet; Clare Church, drums
Booking
Clare is available for hire as a freelance drummer for all types of music. She has years of experience as a professional musician, and can also put together any size ensemble for the occasion, from a trio to a big band.
Contact
Contact Clare with any questions or to check on availability
(303)974-8387