The second Local Artist Series at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts in Langley will headline popular island musicians Nancy Nolan and Maureen Rorex in concert Nov. 2, when they will be joined by bassist Clipper Anderson on bass, Brian Kirk on drums and percussion, and Jim Knodle, trumpet and flugelhorn. Local saxophonist Chris Harshman and trombonist Brent Purvis will play with the quartets on selected pieces. The program will include jazz, blues and Latin as well as ballads from The American Songbook.

Nolan, a Northwest native, is a seasoned vocalist and pianist, has played the club and cabaret circuit, at Seattle’s ACT Theatre, in New York City, around the country and in Japan and Europe. Several of Nolan’s performances at Seattle’s Jazz Alley were with the late Steve Allen, who described her as “a wonderful singer of particular interest…her own original style is thoughtful and emotional.” Nolan also records commercial jingles, and through her Vocal Arts Studio in Langley, she is an active voice teacher and coach working with both professional and amateur singers.

Pianist Rorex is a noted teacher and performer who has made numerous appearances throughout the Northwest, performing jazz as well as classical music. An alumna of Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Rorex maintains a full teaching studio in Langley and is past president of the Whidbey Island Chapter of the Washington State Music Teachers Association.

Rorex plays both jazz and classical music, and is known in the music world as “a reader and an improviser”

Seattle bassist Clipper Anderson, one of the musicians joining the duo on stage, was described in Seattle’s jazz magazine Earshot, as “a player for the connoisseur to savor.”

“Clipper has wonderful ears,” Nolan said. “He can follow me through any musical maze.”

Anderson has toured and performed with numerous jazz greats, including Paul Horn, Dianne Schurr, and Maria Muldaur.

Brian Kirk, drums and percussion, is currently the instructor of jazz and music theory at Seattle Central Community College and has a master’s in jazz contemporary music studies from New York University. He has performed with Dizzy Gillespie and the Pointer Sisters and was first call on New York’s Broadway scene, performing in “Ain’t Misbehavin,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Les Miserables” and “Jelly’s Last Jam.” His soundtrack recordings include “Philadelphia,” starring Tom Hanks.

Jim Knodle, who will play trumpet and flugelhorn, was the subject of a cover story and photos in the July issue of Earshot Jazz magazine.

“As a trumpet player he has a reputation for eclecticism and originality springing from a desire to play the trumpet in a definitely ‘un-trumpetish’ fashion,” the magazine wrote. Knodle has played on numerous soundtracks including an upcoming PBS documentary and a recent Sundance film now in national release.

“It’s such a joy to work and play with such supportive and exciting musicians,” Nolan said.