December 15th at 7:30pm

B3 Kings

Ticketed event - sold out

The band is composed of four Canadian jazz greats: Denzel Sinclaire, vocals and drums; Bill Coon, guitar; Cory Weeds, tenor saxophone, and Chris Gestrin, Hammond B3 Organ. We are honoured to have these wonderful musicians on stage after a two-year absence.

Toronto-born vocalist/pianist/composer, Denzal Sinclaire has earned his reputation as Canada's most popular male jazz vocalist. Sinclaire is a graduate of Montreal's McGill University where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Performance. His vocal timbre is similar to some of the great singers: Nat King Cole, Johnny Hartman and there are even glimpses of Johnny Mathis' jazz days. However, Denzal does have what every artist strives for. After singing just a few notes you know it is him. His trademark is the joyfulness in his voice and a special approach to phrasing a lyric or pushing or laying back on a beat. He is blessed with exquisite delivery, sensitivity to melody and a lyrical imagination. For Denzal, singing is as natural as breathing. In 2005, Denzal was inducted into the British Columbia Entertainment Hall of Fame.

Bill Coon is one of Canada's most highly respected and sought after musicians. Juno nominated guitarist/ composer /arrange, he has been performing professionally for over twenty-five years and has worked with numerous jazz artists including Jimmy Heath, Louis Stewart, Chuck Israels, Eddie Daniels, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Campbell Ryga, Brad Turner, PJ Perry, Fred Stride, Denzal Sinclaire, Karin Plato and Dee Daniels. His quartet performed at the Orpheum, opening for Dave Brubeck during the Vancouver International Jazz Festival. Bill's performing and writing has been documented on over two-dozen CDs to date, while big bands and orchestras throughout the world have performed his arrangements. Among them, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, the VSO, the Woody Herman Jazz Band, the CBC Radio Orchestra, the Dal Richards Orchestra and John Korsrud's Hard Rubber Orchestra.

Cory Weeds has been a mainstay on Vancouver's jazz scene for some 20 years; known for his intense funkiness and easy sense of swing. he is most known for his collaboration with Hammond B3 organ legend Dr. Lonnie Smith. The friendship has produced one CD "The Dr. Is In" on Cellar Live, 5 tours and a wonderful musical chemistry. Calvin Daniels (Yorkton This Week) said of Weeds: "When you put a saxophone in the hands of Cory Weeds and have him performing live at a club, you're in for a jazz experience."

Vancouver native Chris Gestrin is high in demand on the Canadian music scene. A graduate of Boston's prestigious Berklee College of Music, he's a versatile keyboardist, composer, producer and engineer, Chris has worked with a wide range of Canadian, British and American artists. He has been nominated for 'musician of the year' in the Western Canadian Music Awards and his recording, 'Stillpoint', on the Songlines label was listed as one of the best albums in Downbeat magazine. Chris's original music has been featured in numerous television shows including The Dead Zone, Dark Angel, The L-Word, The Outer Limits, Crash Test Mommy, and Rob Feenie's New Classics.

Jazz supporters are reminded that the Society will not be hosting jazz on December 22 and 29. Regular weekly shows will continue January 5th. For more information about the Georgia Straight Jazz Society and its exciting calendar of Thursday night events at The Avalanche Bar & Grill, please browse the Calendar page or follow us on Facebook.

GSJS showcases jazz live in the Comox Valley, giving music lovers an opportunity to enjoys local, regional and internationally-known jazz musicians.