Concert will get you in the mood for love

An afternoon of jazz with the Mike Ning Ensemble initiates the 2012 Music at St. John’s concert series.

“The concert is two days before Valentine’s Day, so I suggested love songs,” Ning, a pianist, said in a phone interview from his home in Kansas City, Mo.

“There are a lot of jazz standards that have to do with love.”

	If you go WHAT: Mike Ning Ensemble WHEN: 2 p.m. Feb. 12 WHERE: St. John’s United Methodist Church, 2626 Arizona NE HOW MUCH: Free, but free-will offering received

He said the ensemble will play “What Is This Thing Called Love,” a two-song medley with “Love Walked In” and “Easy to Love.”

The group also will play a medley of movie themes that are related to romance. For example, they’ll present a medley that includes the theme of “The Bad and the Beautiful,” the song “I’ll Never Stop Loving You” from the film “Love Me or Leave Me,” the theme song of “An Affair to Remember,” the song “A Time for Love” from the movie “An American Dream” and “The Shadow of Your Smile” from “The Sandpipers.”

“And of course we’re doing ‘My Funny Valentine,’ ” Ning said.

Performing with Ning will be reed player Arlen Asher, bassist Milo Jaramillo, drummer Aaron Neal Stone and vocalist Patty Stephens.

A native of Shanghai, China, Ning moved with his family to Albuquerque. He graduated from the Menaul School in 1958.

A self-taught pianist, Ning studied art at the University of New Mexico and moved to Kansas City to work for Hallmark Cards in graphic arts.

Still an active musician at age 71, he also works with members of the jazz choir at Kansas City (Kan.) Community College.

These are the other concerts in the Music at St. John’s series:

♦ April 15, The Enchantment Brass.

♦ June 10, Tenor Javier Gonzalez.

♦ Sept. 23, Violinist Guillermo Figueroa leads a chamber ensemble.

♦ Nov. 4, Pianist/composer Joseph Martin and the St. John’s Chancel Choir.