Jazz Vespers
Jazz Vespers is a unique, meditative worship service that features some of New Mexico’s best professional jazz musicians. Jazz Vespers occurs on the 2nd Saturday of each month at 5pm in the St. John’s United Methodist Church sanctuary.
Meet the Band
Robert Lah
Music Director, Piano
Robert Lah started his professional music career at age 13, playing in Chicago area dance bands. A self-
taught jazz musician, he also formally studied piano, bass, and cello through college and graduate school
at Chicago Musical College, and performed with symphonies, experimental jazz orchestras, and combos.
As arranger and composer, Robert has written combo and big band charts, choral arrangements, and
symphonic orchestrations. As piano soloist and accompanist, he has performed jazz, classical, rock,
blues, gospel, country, music-theater, and liturgical music. A lifelong educator, he taught music from
kindergarten through college level. Robert is the music director for Jazz Vespers.
Julia Manganaro
Vocals
Julia Manganaro is a native New Mexican and lifelong musician. The daughter of a classical pianist and a
rock and roller, Julia grew up appreciating all kinds of music, choir being her favorite. Julia has been a
choir director for 14 years working for Santa Fe Public Schools, Albuquerque Public Schools, and has
been at Bosque School for the last 5 years. She teaches choir, drama, and recently was promoted to
Dean of 7th Grade. She is also the Director of Music at St Chad’s Episcopal Church. It has been a joy to
play with such talented musicians and grow her repertoire with Jazz Vespers.
Linda Davidson
Flute
Albuquerque native Linda Davidson started flute at age eight, studying with Frank Bowen and
Tadeu Coelho at UNM, and Michael Stone at Texas Tech. She attended masterclasses with Jean-
Pierre Rampal, William Bennett, James Galway, and Marcel Moyse, and earned her bachelor and
master degrees in flute performance from UNM. Besides solo work and teaching, she’s
performed in various woodwind ensembles, did three performances as principal flutist with the
MAV Symphony Orchestra, Hungary, and directed music at a local United Methodist church.
Beginning 2014, she studied jazz with Ali Ryerson, Kanoa Kaluhiwa, and Alex Murzyn. Her
combo, “Jazz To Go,” performs in the Albuquerque area.
Cal Haines
Percussion
Cal Haines and his Quartet recently swept the jazz category in the 2023 New Mexico Music Awards. Cal
began his drumming career at an early age, then toured with the USO, and attended Memphis State
University. He’s had a diverse career, appearing with Diahann Carol, Bob Hope, and Danny Thomas (with
the St. Jude’s Telethon,) Clark Terry, Yul Brynner in “The King and I,” and with local jazz notables Michael
Anthony and Bobby Shew. He has led several award-winning jazz groups, and is restarting his SuperSax
NM 9-piece band. Cal also teaches drums privately, and mentors public school percussionists.
David Parlato
Bassist
David Parlato, (bassist, composer, educator) comes from a musical family in Los Angeles. Starting on
trumpet, at age 19 he switched to bass, studying both classical and jazz styles. In Los Angeles he was
active in recording, television, concerts and club dates, performing with popular artists including Barbra
Streisand, Henry Mancini, Burt Bacharach, Frank Zappa, and with numerous jazz artists including Don
Ellis, Lee Konitz, James Moody, Buddy Rich, and Bobby Shew. He also taught private students on both
electric and acoustic bass. After moving to New Mexico in 1990, David continues to teach and perform
in a wide variety of musical settings.
Michael Anthony
Guitar
Michael Anthony worked for decades as a first-call session guitarist in West Coast studios, performing
on TV shows and several hit records, working with people like Quincy Jones, Barbra Streisand, Frank
Sinatra, Henry Mancini and many others. He performed with notable jazz artists, including Bobby Shew,
Gill Evans, Groove Holmes, Frank Rosolino. He worked with Diana Ross, performed in concert alongside
Miles Davis, and accompanied Luciano Pavoratti. When Michael elected to leave the studio life, he was
feted with a retirement party chronicled in Guitar Player Magazine. Michael brought his performing
talents to New Mexico, establishing himself as a premier jazz guitarist.
