Gem City performs at St. Xavier High School
Walter C. Deye, S.J. Performance Center
February 7, 2015
Doors open at 6:45 P.M. 

Gem City is an eight-piece band with a distinctive sound: a mix of funk, rock and jazz. The band includes bass guitarist Peter Mills (’09) and keyboardist David Watanabe (’09). Peter and David were members of the St. Xavier High School Jazz Band when they were students at St. X. Gem City played at the prestigious Rochester International Jazz Festival in 2013 and 2014, the Exit O Jazz Festival in Cape May, New Jersey, and the Dayton Revival Festival. The band released the EP Highlights in 2013, which was recorded at the University of Dayton Art Street Studio. This year the band released Redux, a full length CD containing 14 original songs. Gem City recorded Redux at the historic Sound Emporium Studio in Nashville.

Gem City started in 2011 while David and Peter were juniors at the University of Dayton. The original band, called Customer Service and the Gem City Horns, included students who met while performing in UD’s Dayton Jazz Ensemble. The newly formed band, under the leadership of frontman and UD classmate Wil Morris, won a contest and the chance to open for a Lupe Fiasco concert at UD Arena. Since graduation, Peter, David, Wil and UD classmates Mike Francis (trumpet), Matt Schroeder (tenor sax) and Dillon Corrigan (drums) have worked low wage day jobs which allow them to rehearse and play concert and club dates. Gem City has added Terry Staten (baritone sax) and Zack Lemons (guitar).

The band jumped at Play It Forward’s invitation to be the featured act at Play it Forward's first concert at St. Xavier High School on February 7, 2015. Wil Morris said, “Play It Forward is a great cause – helping musicians in need. As young musicians, it’s great to have the chance to help older people who for years made the music for us and our parents. And, we get to do it at Peter and Dave’s high school in a tremendous concert theater. We can’t wait.” When Peter and David played in the St. Xavier Jazz Band—under the direction of David Thomas—during their senior year at St. Xavier and were roommates during their first two years at UD. Both were involved in many music ensembles and projects throughout their four years at St. Xavier.

The band did not play many dates following UD’s 2013 graduation since they spent a lot of time writing and arranging the new songs for Redux. Since the release of Redux, the band has concentrated on live dates in the Midwest to increase visibility and their following.

The 2008-2009 St. X Jazz Band Performing at the St. X Open House

Play It Forward was founded by local celebrity Gary Burbank in 2008. Play It Forward has provided thousands of dollars to local musicians and their families to deal with health, injury and accident issues. Play It Forward raises money principally through benefit concerts.