April 2011
Welcome to the Georgia Straight Jazz Society Newsletter, keeping you up to date on the local and Vancouver Island jazz scene and informed about your Society.
AT THE JAZZ CLUB
Elizabeth Shepherd
Sunday March 27
7:30 pm
Elks' Hall, Courtenay
Tickets:
$12 members, $16 non-members
Available at:
- Thursday Jazz Club
- Bop City, Courtenay
- Comox Videos 'N More
- at the door
All About Jazz called her music “mesmerizing.” “Subtle and captivating,” says Montreal’s Mirror of her latest CD, while Detroit’s Real Weekly labels it “superb.” On Sunday, March 27, you’ll be able to add your own superlatives when Elizabeth Shepherd performs in Courtenay. Presented by the Georgia Straight Jazz Society and exclaim.ca, the singer/songwriter/pianist is touring to celebrate the release of her ‘Heavy Falls the Night’ CD. With 20 stops in her 23-day tour, we're fortunate to have her here.
Elizabeth Shepherd is among Canada's most promising young talents and she has the widespread critical acclaim to prove it. She arrived on the international scene when her debut album was voted one of the top 3 jazz albums of 2007 by the listeners of The Gilles Peterson Show on BBC Radio 3. Rave reviews greeted her first two studio albums and her performances at prestigious venues like Tokyo’s Cotton Club, London's Jazz Café and the Hollywood Bowl.
Shepherd’s debut recording ‘Start To Move ‘(2006) and follow-up ‘Parkdale’ (2008) were both JUNO nominated and described as “pushing the boundaries of jazz”. With the release of her stunning third album ‘Heavy Falls the Night’, she pushes well past those boundaries to carve out her own niche of smart, sophisticated and adventurous music.
Shepherd’s explorations are as successful as they are unexpected. “I’m proud of this recording because it’s honest and the one that comes closest to my voice, to my heart,” she says.
Produced by Elizabeth herself, ‘Heavy Falls the Night’ features some of Canada’s finest players, including long-time collaborators bassist Scott Kemp and drummer Colin Kingsmore, both of whom will appear with her in Courtenay.
Elizabeth’s music takes the listener on a dynamic musical ride. Jazz, souljazz, popjazz, it’s hard to give it a single label. From the energetic Seven Bucks to the 11/8 time of The Taking or the supremely soulful reworking of Anne Murray's 70s soft-rock radio staple Danny's Song, she’s sure to surprise and please.
The Indies, for their 11th annual Independent Music Awards, have nominated Elizabeth Shepherd for Jazz Artist of the Year. The Indies have become a media flashpoint and major trolling ground for music fans and tastemakers searching for the next wave of music superstars.
Elizabeth Shepherd will appear in concert, Sunday, March 27, 7:30 pm at the Elks’ Hall, 6th Street in Courtenay. Don’t miss it.
Tickets are $12 for Jazz Society members, $16 for non-members
Available in advance at
Bop City
(211 Simms, Courtenay),
Comox Videos 'N More
(Comox Road at Anderton),
Thursday Jazz Club at the Elks
Thursday Jazz in April
7:30 pm Thursday evenings at the Courtenay's Elk's Hall, September through June. No cover. Musicians welcome to sit in on the final set jam.
- Apr 7 - Anderson Jazz Syndicate
- Apr 14 - Jennifer Scott and Rene Worst
- Apr 21 - Just In Time Vocal Jazz Choirs
- Apr 28 - A Step Above
Schedule subject to change.
SOCIETY NEWS
The Jam Rules
As promised, Thursday Jazz at the Elks has a new set of jam rules to help make the third set run smoother and be more enjoyable for all involved. Please read them over if you plan on joining the jam as a singer or instrumentalist. You'll find information on charts (sheet music) requirements, what makes for an acceptable chart, how many tunes you can perform, how to join the jam and more.
We've also produced a "jam etiquette" guide, compiled from jazz and other clubs around North America. While not rules, the guide items will help both new-comers and experienced jammers get the most out of the evening.
Dale Graham or Rick Husband will be please to help you if you have any questions or need help with charts. You can find links to the jam rules anytime on the home page of the Jazz Society web site, georgiastraightjazz.com.
The jam is about meeting musicians, challenging youself, and showing what you can do, but above all it's about having fun.
New Society Logo
No instrument is more identified with jazz as the sax, so it's fitting our new logo features a tenor player.
JAZZ NEWS
Quotes
The Jazz Wax web site (jazzwax.com) has a lot of interesting articles. Among them is a selection of quotes by jazzers about jazzers. A sampling:
"Dave Brubeck's Time Out—with Take Five, Strange Meadowlark and Blue Rondo a la Turk—was recorded in July 1959 but not released until 1961. That was because the executives at Columbia hated the idea of an album of originals with strange time signatures. They were convinced it wouldn’t sell and wanted another collection of standards. So they held up the release. When it finally came out, Take Five quickly became the first million-selling jazz single." - Doug Ramsey, jazz author and columnist.
"In 1946, Buddy was still thinking in terms of swing. He liked Benny Goodman’s sound. When I’d play bop in Buddy's band, Buddy would pound me on the chest with his finger and say, 'I hate bebop, I hate Charlie Parker.' " - Johnny Mandel, composer and arranger