March 18 Jazz Club - Strathcona Little Big Band
March 25 Jazz Club - Jenn Forsland Group
March 28 Sunday Concert - The Big Bossa, a Tribute to Jobim MORE >>

Jazz Club - Thursdays 7:30 pm, Elk's Hall, 231 6th St. Courtenay MAP
No cover (donations welcome). 3rd set is a jam - bring your instruments!

The Little Big Band will be appearing in a much anticipated return to the Elks "Thursday Night Jazz Club" on March 18 at 7:30. After making their stunning one hour appearance as one of the contributing bands at the fundraising concert last month for children of Haiti, the Georgia Straight Jazz Society has received many requests for a return engagement. This is your chance for a whole evening of their great music.

A little more than a year old, the band has quickly built a solid reputation for its big band sounds: 14 accomplished musicians from Cortes to Comox who play with a spirit that is very refreshing. 

The Little Big Band consists of a full sax section: 2 altos 2 tenors and 1 baritone, who will be tackling a few wicked solo sections;  a brass section of 3 trumpets and 2 trombones as well as a full rhythm section; piano, guitar, bass and drums. Promising an eclectic program covering a span of almost 100 years The Little Big Band will be performing tunes ranging between the Glenn Miller classic "In the Mood" to a "Tribute to Miles Davis", as well as more contemporary compositions.  Some very lively solos are to be expected from the many talented members of the band.

The band exists as a legacy to trumpeter Liam Grimm who was one of the founding members. It is in his memory that this group performs in such a positive and inspired manner.  Musical Director Don MacKay and leader Phil Cassidy ensure that the band always has as much fun as possible while performing a challenging repertoire.

You too are guaranteed a wonderful time with The Little Big Band, so why not come down and sample the lounge atmosphere that has become a liveliest place in Comox Valley every Thursday evening? Great ambience; great jazz of all genres; great company and wonderful Mediterranean appies.

Georgia Straight Jazz Society is committed to giving everyone an opportunity to experience and appreciate live jazz. Admission is by donation.

A Reminded that the next professional Sunday Night Concert will be performed by The Big Bossa on March 28. Tickets, $12 for members and $16 for non members, are available at Bop City or from the Society during the Thursday evening show.

Antonio Carlos Jobim has had enormous influence on the shape and direction of jazz music over the last 50 years.  Marrying traditional Brazilian samba with African rhythms, Jobim fathered the “Bossa Nova” sound that came to be embraced by audiences world-wide, and recorded by countless jazz greats including Stan Getz, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald. 

On Sunday, March 28th the Georgia Straight Jazz Society presents “The Big Bossa” at the Elk’s Hall at 7:30 pm.  Nanaimo-area drummer and bandleader James McRae has assembled eight leading jazz players to perform a tribute to the Brazilian heart and soul of Jobim. 

Dan Craven, saxophonist, is a perennial favourite at the jazz club, with his deft phrasing and muscular rhythms.  He’ll be joined on the front line by Darren Nilsson, trombone, and Phil Hamelin, trumpet and piano.   Nilsson has performed with the Dal Richards Combo and with Bryan Stovell’s award-winning group The Windjammers.  Hamelin performs and arranges for the Bananafish Orchestra, as well as appearing with McRae in another tribute project, to Horace Silver.

The rhythm section is absolutely key to the Jobim sound, and the Brazilian heartbeat is in great hands with James McRae on drums, Brad Shipley on guitar, and Nick Sheasgreen on bass.  McRae is also an engaging and natural story-teller who will weave stories of Jobim’s life into the evening’s presentation.  Shipley and Sheasgreen are both involved in multiple musical projects, while completing the Jazz Studies program at Vancouver Island University. 

Vocalists Andrew Osborne and Gillian Stone complete The Big Bossa sound.  No Jobim tribute could be complete without the inclusion of his passionate lyrics and playful vocal lines, historically exemplified by Astrud Gilberto, Elis Regina, and Jobim himself.  Osborne and Stone have the talent and emotional immediacy needed to deliver this material in a beautiful and compelling way.

Advance tickets are sold weekly at Thursday Jazz At The Elks, and are also available at Bop City Records.  Tickets are $12 for society members and $16 for non-members.

Thanks to Anne Lagueux and Flamenco! Natural Fine Foods for the fine Turkish food available at the Thursday Jazz Club. Turkish Mezes, thin crust pizza, cheese plates, Halva and more - a real treat.

You can learn more on the web at www.FlamencoAnna.com.

Photographer? Videographer?

Enjoy photography or shooting videos? Enjoy great music? Combine the two - we're looking for a volunteer to help archive the great events at the Jazz Club and Sunday Conerts.

If you would like to 'shoot the musicians' on Thursday evenings, email us, fill in the on-line volunteer form, or talk to any board member or volunteer at the Thursday Jazz Club.