Barbara Blair concert, Georgia Straight Jazz Society

The Georgia Straight Jazz Society is proud to host
Barbara Blair and JazzAffair
Sunday April 13th, 2008
Elks Hall, 6th Street, Coutenay

The Show begins at 7:30 and the seating is limited in this intimate comfortable setting.

Tickets are available at Bop City and the Thursday evening Jazz Club at the Elks.

Raised in the Comox Valley, vocalist, educator and jazz messenger Barbara Blair counts herself among the fortunate few who spend their life following their passion. With a deep, rich voice, her interpretive approach comes from the giants and innovators of mainstream jazz including Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and Carmen McRae.

Following a career in the classical music scene, Barbara returned to her first love – jazz – studying with luminaries Kurt Elling, Ellis Marsalis, Sheila Jordan, Paul Horn, Nancy King and Jay Clayton. Two decades of performing and touring add polish and depth to her performances.

Barbara’s latest recording, playing on CBC, NPR and radio stations worldwide, features Joe Pass protégé Brian Nova, Count Basie bassist Buddy Catlett and Stan Kenton drummer Greg Williamson.

Barbara’s education program, The School of Cool – An Introduction to Jazz, has played to more than 40,000 students in primary and secondary schools. Dividing her time between concert and educational tours throughout western Canada and the Pacific Northwest, a recent tour took Barbara to Australia.

Joining Brass Tower at age 19, Paul began his professional career on the road 52-weeks a year for five years. In 1981, Paul formed The Big Band Trio, a highly successful vocal swing group touring and recording for over twenty years and ultimately landing a role in Spectacular Days of Radio, an Atlantic City Radio City Music Hall production. An original member of the retro dance band Timebenders, Paul co-wrote the script that launched the group’s career and subsequent performances throughout North America. Paul has backed Kenny Loggins, Stevie Nicks, Michael Bublé, Martha Reeves, Jim Byrnes, Donny Walsh (Mr Downchild), Vic Damone, Gene Hardy, and opened for Herbie Hancock, Manhattan Transfer, Etta James, k.d. lang, Melissa Etheridge, The Great Guitars (Ellis, Kessel and Byrd), and The Rippingtons. The newest member of Barbara Blair’s JazzAffair, Paul has played in the Las Vegas and Sacramento jazz festivals. Paul is a keen mountain climber and, in his other life, a notable graphic designer. top

Barbara Blair’s musical director and accompanist for 18 years, Tom formed his first big band in high school, playing dances around his home town of Halifax Nova Scotia. Tom’s career with Canadian Armed Forces Military Bands included numerous overseas tours and Royal performances, ultimately bringing him to Victoria as Band Master, Royal Roads College. Victoria’s most-loved pianist, Tommy counts more than 20 years as Hermann’s Jazz Club in-house band, plays in the renowned Empress Hotel and tours internationally with Barbara Blair’s JazzAffair and Victoria’s Dixieland Express. In celebration of his 50 years as a professional musician, a recent tour to his hometown of Halifax saw Tommy on stage with his identical-twin brother Don and original members of The Tommy Vickery Orchestra. Following in the footsteps of his librarian grandfather, Tommy is an voracious reader, an addicted prowler of used-book stores and a collector of jazz publications. top

A native of Port Alberni BC and protégé of master teacher Barry Miller, Don played with local bands throughout high school before becoming a career musician with the Canadian Forces Military Bands. Don’s musical talent and conducting aptitude was quickly recognized and he rose to the position of Musical Director, Ottawa RCAF Stage Band before coming to Victoria as Naden Band’s Assistant Conductor. An active and versatile performer, Don played on countless concerts and recordings and performed with jazz and pop personalities from across North America. A longtime member of the Empress Hotel’s Bengal Lounge house trio, Don tours with Barbara Blair’s Jazz Affair and Victoria’s Dixieland Express. Nationally well known as a bass and tuba clinician, Don mentors youngsters in Victoria’s Civic Orchestra. Don is equally at home with a fishing rod in his hand or turning out highly crafted wooden objects d’art. top

After more than twenty years playing in the Montreal jazz scene, Scotland-born Lou moved west with Canada’s Naden Band, finishing his military career as Music Director, Fifth Field Artillery Band in Victoria. With an international reputation as an outstanding show drummer, Lou has played with many jazz stars including Houston Person, Bill Watrous, Paquito D’Riviera, and Ranee Lee. A featured soloist with Vancouver’s Arts Club “Swing” big band era production, Lou also toured to symphony halls nationally as “Gene Krupa” in the Benny Goodman Tribute Concert with Senator Tommy Banks Orchestra. Now in his 12th year touring and concertizing with Barbara Blair’s JazzAffair, Lou also travels with Victoria’s Dixieland Express and Alberta’s New Orleans Connection. Lou’s versatility as a legit percussionist is in much demand with the Victoria Symphony, Pacific Opera and local Broadway productions. A multitalented musician, Lou is an excellent jazz vibes player, presenting a number of concerts each year. An international internet chess player, Lou has a passion for stargazing and likes to perform feats of prestidigitation. top

Barbara Blair and Jazz Affair