A few of the musicians performing in the Comox Valley - Campbell River area
Georgia Straight Big Band
The Georgia Straight Jazz Society's flagship ensemble is the Georgia Straight Big Band. The Big Band was established last July 2006 under the musical direction of Don MacKay and managerial guidance of Ray Griffiths and consists of twenty Comox Valley musicians who love jazz.
Their inaugural performance was at the Comox Valley Canada Day Celebrations and most recently they kicked off the 2006 Telethon with an exciting performance featuring Dale Graham, Jen Kelly and Charlotte Harvey. Watch a video of the Telethon perfomance
The band covers a varied repertoire consisting of the greatest melodies written during the twentieth century. From the Count to the Duke, from Miller to Gillespie, this big band entertains with contagious excitement.
Member of Larry Ho's Blues Show, Larry Ho's Jive Five with Marki Nickerson, and 2jive
Born in Montreal in 1954, Larry has been playing music most of his life. Clapton, Hendrix and Paul Butterfield were all early influences, but he developed a love for Chicago blues (Little Walter) and harmonica became his first instrument.
Soon Larry started listening to Jazz greats like Fats Waller, Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young and then Bebop with Bird and Miles. He played a bit of piano and trumpet before settling on the guitar as his main instrument.
Larry studied Jazz theory and performance at York University in Toronto (1975-77). He then moved to Vancouver in 1980 and started gigging in the 1980's working throughout the Lower Mainland and on the road in B.C. and Alberta, playing R&B, Blues, Rockabilly, Swing, Latin, and even some C&W when required. One notable original rock band was The Bing Jensen Band .
After studying mainstream jazz and playing too much Rock n' Roll, Larry slowly began to explore Latin styles, including South American classical music. He formally studied classical guitar at the Victoria Conservatory while developing his current favourite jazz styles that include Brazilian bossa novas and sambas.
Larry teaches guitar, bass & harmonica. All styles, all ages and all levels welcome.
Member of The Joanna Finch Band, Norbury & Finch, Madame JoJo's Cabaret, and Littlestarbird
Theatrical and expressive, Joanna Finch shines on stage. This eclectic Comox Valley singer /songwriter is a versatile and prolific composer. Evocative, stirring lyrics and catchy melodies, Joanna writes songs that have been described as tender, saucy, and timeless. From her home in Cumberland, Joanna has been honing her musical and theatrical talents for over a decade while raising a family, working with children with special needs and being an active member of her community.
'In The Arms of Morpheus'', Joanna's debut solo album, was released in December 2005. It has been awarded Best Album of the Year by the Comox Valley Record, and has garnered two nominations in The Vancouver Island Independent Music Awards.
Joseph Blake, freelance reviewer for Victoria Times Colonist, Coda, Boulevard Magazine, (etc.) says about her debut CD:
"A team of Vancouver's elite jazz masters back Joanna Finch's expressive vocal's on the singer's stunning, eclectic debut. an impressive collection of wise, well-crafted songs brilliantly arranged and produced by veteran guitarist Pat Coleman."
With her cabaret persona, Madame Jojo, and the satirical comedy troupe, The Ms. Adventures, Joanna has gained recognition for her wild and wacky character creations. In her urban folk/ jazz dance band kitschinsynch, she enjoyed the satisfaction of making people dance. She continues to work on new dance material for an upcoming album. Joanna is best known for Norbury & Finch, the eclectic folk duo who has recorded two CDs and played at in schools, at festivals, benefit concerts, and international conventions for twelve years.
Member of Jazz Noir & Island Voices Choir (1st Alto)
Charlotte Harvey is the School District #71 (Comox Valley) Fine Arts Coordinator. She has always enjoyed Fine Arts Project Management but, most of all, loves to create opportunities for young people to discover their inner gifts through music.
Charlotte has been singing, dancing and acting since the age of two when she became an ardent fan of the Jack Parr and the Ed Sullivan shows. As a Jazz vocalist, Charlotte is constantly trying to find unique material to share with the Comox Valley audiences. She conducts school and Church choirs and sings for Island Voices Chamber Choir.
She adores teaching Drama (her biggest passion), and has recently been selected as a finalist in the Distinguished Thesis Award for the American Alliance of Theatre Educators.
Charlotte flew to Washington, DC in July to present her research, along with her life-time roadie, bodyguard, manager, psychiatrist, and husband, Dave Harvey.
Charlotte recently won the Distinguished Thesis of the Year Award from the AATE (American Alliance of Theatre Education).
Her greatest joy, along with her husband, is embodied in their three children Kirsten, Olivia and Niall.
Her favourite line to Niall is "Good Lord, child who is your Mother?"
Indigo Jazz features Dale Graham on vocals, Rick Husband on guitar and Al West on acoustic bass. These veteran musicians come together to play engaging and expressive jazz, their intimate sound focusing on strong melodies and rhythmic nuance.
Dale Graham draws listeners in with her personable style and smooth, warm voice. She moves right in to the heart of a song, fully committing to a poignant ballad like Blame It On My Youth, then switching up to the playful swing of Cole Porter’s It’s DeLovely, or a light-hearted Brazilian samba like O Pato.
Rick Husband plays guitar with harmonic insight and strong rhythmic command. In this trio setting, his fidelity to the feel of each tune shapes the arrangements beautifully. Rick introduced the trio to the rarely-heard bossa nova tune Poinciana, originally written in the 1930’s with Spanish lyrics, popularized in an English version in 1944 by Bing Crosby.
On bass, Al West ranges easily from a fast driving swing to the light touch of a ballad. He expertly holds the tricky line between grounding the trio in the structure of a tune while adding harmonic and rhythmic interest. Al was inspired to bring the extraordinary ballad But Beautiful into the group’s repertoire after hearing Nancy Wilson’s moving recording of the tune.
Each member of this ensemble is well known to local jazz aficionados, from regular and guest appearances with Jazz Noir, Jazztet, Blue Monks, Sixth Street Jazz, CureAll Dance Band, Velvet Swing, Georgia Straight Big Band, and Just in Time Vocal Jazz Choirs.
Comox Valley Record article
For more information contact Dale at 250-334-8838
Dave Harvey - guitar, vocals
Member of Jazz Noir & Island Voices Choir
Dave Harvey spent the first part of his life running away from musical experiences, like the time he faked to the teacher, he couldn't sing "O Canada"-then she kicked him out of the choir! Then one day, an old friend picked up a guitar and said "Hey Dave, wanna learn a song?" Well the rest is history and Harvey has been playing that guitar ever since.
With his wife, Charlotte Harvey, and Mr. Billy "Swing" Street, Dave formed Jazz Noir in 2000 and collectively they have delivered engaging Jazz to the Comox Valley ever since. Watch of video of Jazz Noir in concert
Harvey has managed Noir as well and under his direction has always invited other musicians to participate in the creative process. Personnel come and go, but the band has had a solid core with Street, Harvey and Harvey. Dave Harvey is a founding member of the Georgia Straight Jazz Society.
Since the age of one, Niall Harvey has been feeling the music. Niall started on piano when he was five and participated in musical theatre with his family. In Grade 7, his parents gave him one option: "play the trumpet because your sister used to play it and we can't afford a new instrument!" Niall picked up that horn and he's been playing ever since.
Niall has been taught by Sean Mooney, Liam Grimm and Ross Robinson, to name a few notable musicians in the Valley, while his playing has been influenced by Chet Baker and Clifford Brown. Niall has attended Comox Valley Youth Music Camp's Pacific Jazz program for three years working with some of Canada 's finest jazz elite including Mike Harriet, Bill Clarke and Brad Turner. Niall has jammed with Nick McGowan, Tony Wilson, and Marc Atkinson at the Hornby Jazz Evenings and has also sat in with Marty Franklin. He is a regular at the Underground Jazz Jam. He has also quickly learned the bass with the help of Don MacKay and Graeme Edwards.
In a nutshell, this kid knows how to create music: who knows where he might end up?
Member of Streetlife, Jazztet, Jazz Noir & Deja Blu
Bill, born in London England, was influenced by the family record collection of swing bands and crooners from the age of three. At the age of eight, he won a piano competition but by fourteen he was captivated by the drums after seeing a big band concert in central London.
His first band, The Scepters, was formed at school and on leaving school at eighteen he traveled to Vancouver where he lived for two years and played regularly at The Espresso with Vancouver's top jazz musicians and visiting Americans including the Duke Ellington Orchestra.
Upon returning to London, Bill was to be found in the Soho jazz scene of the day and worked regularly all over southern England. Since returning to Canada in 1974, Bill has worked in Vancouver and on Vancouver Island continuously as well as having a career as a probation officer. Since the late nineties, Bill has been with Jazz Noir and several other bands. In January 2006 he spent three months in Mexico with his band Deja Blu and worked with some of Mexico's best modern jazz players.
In 2007 Bill established, with singer Armi Grano, The Viva Jazz Trio. This combo of piano bass and drums plays with Armi in Mexico from December thru Easter annually and is much in demand in Puerto Vallarta.
Just in Time Vocal Jazz Choirs are adult community choirs comprised of 3 different groups.
Unplugged is an SATB group of 55 singers ranging from beginner to professional musicians.
Jazzy Gems is an auditioned group of 10 women.
Vocal Minority is an SATB auditioned group of up to 16 singers.
Wendy Nixon Stothert, the director and founder of the new choirs, has dreamed of leading fun-loving high quality vocal jazz since she was a student of Janet Warren's and Frances Roberts' in high school. The choirs are thrilled to be accompanied by the talented Sean Mooney, pianist extraordinaire. The choirs' repertoire consists of a wide variety of musical styles including blues, swing, ballads, pop, latin and Motown.
Listen to This is Your Life featureing Don on bass
Don was born sometime in the last century and has spent the past 25 years raising his family, playing jazz, teaching and composing.
Don has been a part of the Victoria Jazz scene for many years and has played with some of the best. His jazz bands have performed in places as diverse as Barbados, Cuba, Hawaii and Japan. He has also been Musical Director for many musicals performed at the McPherson Theater in Victoria including The Wiz, Pirates of Penzance and Grease.
He has recently quasi-retired to the valley and has become quite active in the community music scene including being Musical Director for Rainbow Theater's production of Cats.
Don loves playing Jazz Bass and has been an integral part of the developing jazz scene in the Comox Valley. He has played locally with Jazz Noir, Hale Bop, JonEric and JazzTown as well as many of those fine singers and players who come out for Thursday Jazz at The Elks. Don's latest band is "Jazztet". A very creative ensemble!
He holds Master's Degrees in Jazz Studies and in Education and is an avid writer/teacher and MIDI maniac. Several of his works have been published.
Don loves the Comox Valley and is looking forward to a continuing positive rapport amongst all the jazzers. It's all about the Music!
Liam developed a taste for jazz from age 10, quickly becoming a fan of Harry James and infatuated with the harmonies and trumpet power of the "Maynard Ferguson" versions of the Stan Kenton band. He obtained his Bachelor of Music on trumpet at the University of Idaho (where he instigated jazz activites that ultimately became the internationally renown Lionel Hampton School of Music), and went on to acquire his M.A. in trumpet from Denver University as well as taking graduate studies in composition.
Liam is primarily an improvisor in the casual "West Coast" style, influenced by Pete Candoli with the Henry Mancini band and Don Fagerquist and Shorty Rogers with the Dave Pell Octet. Others include the intimate styles of Jack Sheldon and Chet Baker and the "bop" sounds of early Miles and Kenny Dorham.
His favourite group setting is the mid-sized 8 to 12 piece 'small band' that allows for tasty arrangements and plent of solo space. He greatly enjoys backing vocalists.
Now resident in Campbell River, Liam's been busy on the local jazz scene, playing with Jazztown, The Blue Monks, First Pressing, Jazzberry Jam, Annie Siegel and Jazz Noir. His trumpet playing is a highlight of the Georgia Straight Big Band.
Georgia Straight Big Band 
The Georgia Straight Jazz Society's flagship ensemble is the Georgia Straight Big Band. The Big Band was established last July 2006 under the musical direction of Don MacKay and managerial guidance of Ray Griffiths and consists of twenty Comox Valley musicians who love jazz. 
Larry Ayre - guitar, bass, harmonica 
Listen to Latinese
Joanna Finch - vocals 
Theatrical and expressive, Joanna Finch shines on stage. This eclectic Comox Valley singer /songwriter is a versatile and prolific composer. Evocative, stirring lyrics and catchy melodies, Joanna writes songs that have been described as tender, saucy, and timeless. From her home in Cumberland, Joanna has been honing her musical and theatrical talents for over a decade while raising a family, working with children with special needs and being an active member of her community. 
Charlotte Harvey - vocals 
Charlotte Harvey is the School District #71 (Comox Valley) Fine Arts Coordinator. She has always enjoyed Fine Arts Project Management but, most of all, loves to create opportunities for young people to discover their inner gifts through music. 
Indigo Jazz - Dale Graham, Al West, Rick Husband 
Indigo Jazz features Dale Graham on vocals, Rick Husband on guitar and Al West on acoustic bass. These veteran musicians come together to play engaging and expressive jazz, their intimate sound focusing on strong melodies and rhythmic nuance. 
Dave Harvey - guitar, vocals
Dave Harvey spent the first part of his life running away from musical experiences, like the time he faked to the teacher, he couldn't sing "O Canada"-then she kicked him out of the choir! Then one day, an old friend picked up a guitar and said "Hey Dave, wanna learn a song?" Well the rest is history and Harvey has been playing that guitar ever since. 
Niall Harvey - trumpet, bass 
Since the age of one, Niall Harvey has been feeling the music. Niall started on piano when he was five and participated in musical theatre with his family. In Grade 7, his parents gave him one option: "play the trumpet because your sister used to play it and we can't afford a new instrument!" Niall picked up that horn and he's been playing ever since.
Bill Street - drums 
Bill, born in London England, was influenced by the family record collection of swing bands and crooners from the age of three. At the age of eight, he won a piano competition but by fourteen he was captivated by the drums after seeing a big band concert in central London.
Just in Time Vocal Jazz Choirs 
Just in Time Vocal Jazz Choirs are adult community choirs comprised of 3 different groups.
Don Mackay - bass 
Don was born sometime in the last century and has spent the past 25 years raising his family, playing jazz, teaching and composing. 
Liam Grimm - trumpet 
Liam developed a taste for jazz from age 10, quickly becoming a fan of Harry James and infatuated with the harmonies and trumpet power of the "Maynard Ferguson" versions of the Stan Kenton band. He obtained his Bachelor of Music on trumpet at the University of Idaho (where he instigated jazz activites that ultimately became the internationally renown Lionel Hampton School of Music), and went on to acquire his M.A. in trumpet from Denver University as well as taking graduate studies in composition.