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Mark Atkinson Trio
Apr 20 2006
The recently formed Georgia Straight Jazz Society proudly presented the Marc Atkinson Trio in the intimate atmosphere of the Underground. The trio has some of Canada's finest JUNO nominated musicians including Marc on lead guitar, Chris Fry on rhythm and Joey Smith on Stand up bass.
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Phil Dwyer Quartet
Mar 4 2007
The quartet consists of Phil Dwyer on sax and piano, guitarist Pat Coleman, bassist Ken Lister and drummer Kelby MacNayr. The multi-talented Phil Dwyer, described by the Winnipeg Free Press as "a monster of musicianship", has recently returned to work out of Qualicum Beach, after years of building his career out of Toronto. A stellar saxophonist, he is also a pianist, composer and arranger.
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Jodi Proznick with PJ Perry
Apr 1 2007
P.J. Perry and Jodi Proznick Trio are sure to create even a greater stir amongst hibernating jazzers. This GSJS presentation consists of the fabulous PJ Perry on Sax, Jodi on stand-up bass, Tilden Webb on Piano and Jesse Cahill on drums. P.J. Perry has become recognized by critics, colleagues and listeners as being one of North America's premier saxophonists.
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The Mix with 16 Strings
May 27 2007
While “The Mix” has only been in existence a short while they are receiving accolades. They have been guest artists at The Pender Harbour Jazz Festival, Jazz on the Rocks, Vocal Summit XII and many other regional and local events. They were honored to share the stage and perform with Dee Daniels last year and were equally honored to share the stage with “Vocal Jazz I” from Central Washington University under the direction of Vijay Singh.
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Armi Grano
Oct 28 2007
Armi Grano is one of the finest jazz vocalists on the contemporary jazz music scene today. Originally from the Philippines, she expands her performances to international shores. She has been known to grace stages throughout Asia, including Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Manila. Adding to her appeal and diversity, she is able to captivate audiences by singing in five different languages including Spanish, English, Japanese, Portuguese, Italian and Filipino.
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Miranda Sage
Nov 18 2007
The Times Colonist once wrote that her "horn-like phrasing is a delight." She's performed with his Hugh Fraser Big Band and with the Port Townsend Jazz Festival Big Band. Other performance highlights include the Ile of Wight Jazz Divas Festival and Scotland's Mid Argyle Annual Gala. Sage performs regularly around Victoria with the Swiftsure Big Band and smaller ensembles. She's also performed several times at the Victoria International Jazz Fest.
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Dan Craven
Nov 30 2007
Woodwind player and saxophone specialist, Dan Craven teaches music at Qualicum Secondary School, and brings the benefit of extensive performance experience to his students. He has had the honour of sharing the stage with Phil Dwyer, Don Thompson, John McDermott, P.J. Perry, Campbell Ryga, Ken Lister, Jodi Proznick, Mike Herriott, Arnie Chycoski, Miranda Sage, Armi Grano and many others.
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Jennifer Scott / Kristen Strom
Feb 5 2008
Crossing Borders is a new international jazz group led by the heralded Canadian jazz vocalist/pianist Jennifer Scott and San Francisco - Bay Area saxophonist Kristen Strom who is well–known for her melodic, engaging style. The band includes guitarist Scott Sorkin (Count Basie Orchestra, Steve Turre & Michael Turre, Smith Dobson, Louie Bellson), bassist Rene Worst (Chet Baker, Joe Pass, Paul Horn, Freddie Hubbard), and drummer Bernie Aria.
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John Burgess
Mar 2 2008
John has toured in Spain, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Italy, Czech Republic, north Africa and the Middle East. In 1989 John's trio won the NFMS Special Concert Artist Award. John studied 1994 at Berklee School of Music, Boston, mass where his tutor was George Garzone and also privately with Jerry Bergonzi (Boston), Joe Henderson (San Francisco) and Don Lamphere (Seattle).
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Barbara Blair and JazzAffair
Apr 13 2008
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.
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Armi Grano
July 18 2008
"Armi is a pianist/arranger’s dream to work with because she knows what she is after and yet is open to try new ideas. Her flexibility makes the musical task, fun, inventive and in the end, rewarding for the listener”, says world-renowned jazz pianist Ron Johnston. Her albums include “Latin Color” and “Satin Dreams” and “Feelin’ Fine”. All albums are currently enjoying airplay in Mexico, Asia, USA and Canadian radio stations such as 600 AM, 96.1 World FM, CKUA-Alberta and CBC radio.
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Desperation Jazz Band
Sept 28 2008
Put on your dancing shoes as the Desperation Jazz Band kicks off the Georgia Straight Jazz Society monthly concert series on Sunday, September 28th. The Desperation Jazz Band is a septet that offers an irresistible, toe-tapping repertoire rooted in Dixieland and seasoned with some swing and blues. The group was formed 24 years ago with the express intent to “just have fun” with the traditional jazz compositions of the 1920s and 1930s.
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Sharon Minemoto Quartet with Laura Crema
Oct 19 2008
Since the age of sixteen, Vancouver-based jazz pianist and composer Sharon Minemoto has been performing to audiences around the world. Her 1997 album “Side A” spent eight weeks at the top of the jazz and blues charts. In the decade since that stunning debut she has gone from strength to strength, arranging and performing and teaching jazz internationally.
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The Message - A Tribute to the Music of Horace Silver
Nov 2 2008
Horace Silver is one of jazz music’s unsung heroes. Nanaimo musician James McRae aims to do something about that. An octet of veteran jazz performers has coalesced around McRae’s concept of a Horace Silver Tribute evening. The concert will be an entire evening of Silver’s evocative compositions, featuring arrangements by several different members of the group.
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A Tribute to Freddie Hubbard
Feb 15 2009
Freddie Hubbard'd death on December 29, 2008 prompted many spoken and written tributes, among them Herbie Hancock’s comment that “Freddie Hubbard was, in my opinion, the greatest jazz trumpet stylist of my generation.” Hubbard’s death last month also inspired Qualicum-based trumpeter and bandleader Dave Stewart to review the performer’s huge recorded output (in the 1960s alone, Hubbard cut 45 records) and craft a tribute evening.
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Jennifer Hodge - Four Eyes Quartet
Mar 22 2009
The Four Eyes Quartet played last year’s Vancouver International Jazz Festival and was nominated for the 2008 Galaxie Rising Stars Award. They bring a compelling mix of musical sophistication and playfulness, drawing on influences as diverse as Ahmad Jamal, Bela Fleck and The Beatles. Each member contributes original tunes and arrangements to the band’s repertoire.
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Saul Berson Quartet
Apr 19 2009
In over ten years together, the Saul Berson Quartet have grown a unique sound melding Middle-eastern overtones, Argentinian tango and jazz improvisation. Their 2008 CD “Intricacy” was nominated in the Outstanding Jazz Recording category for the Western Canadian Music Awards.
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Diane Lines Quartet
May 24 2009
Lines is not only a finely-tuned singer capable of torchy blues or nimble scatting, she is also a piano player in demand as an accompanist. The Diane Lines Quartet features Diane on keyboards and vocals, Tim Porter on guitar, Tim Stacey on bass, and Rob Ferguson on drums and percussion.
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Eli Bennet Quartet
June 7, 2009
Grab the chance to hear Eli Bennett now – in the future you’ll tell your friends “I saw him back when he still played the small clubs”. Bennett has just been awarded the 2009 CBC Galaxie Rising Star award, after last year’s notable win of the Yamaha Young Performing Artist Award, for best North American saxophonist under 21. MORE |
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Brandi Disterheft Quartet
Sep 27, 2009
When Oscar Peterson says of a young musician, “she is what we call serious”, people pay attention. Canadian jazz bassist and composer Brandi Disterheft is the musician in question, and she proved Peterson right when she won the 2008 Juno Award for Best Traditional Jazz Recording.
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Bill Coon Trio
Oct 25, 2009
The National Jazz Awards dubbed him 2009 Guitarist of the Year. His live recording Two Much Guitar with Oliver Gannon heads the list of Top Canadian Releases for 2008. This intimate concert will feature Bill in the company of fellow Vancouverites Darren Radtke on bass and Bernie Arai on drums.
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Company B Jazz Band
Feb 28, 2010
Don’t sit under the apple tree with anyone else but Company B! The Georgia Straight Jazz Society presents Company B Swing Band in concert Sunday February 28th, 7:30 pm at the Elks’ Hall. This Vancouver-based sextet delivers a light-hearted, hard-swinging take on 30’s and 40’s-era acts like the Andrews Sisters and the Boswell Sisters.
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The Big Bossa
Mar 28 2010
Marrying traditional Brazilian samba with African rhythms, Antonio Carlos 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. 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.
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The Hornby Thatch Band
Apr 28 2010
Can you name the longest-running weekly jazz venue in the area? The Thatch Pub on Hornby Island has boasted Friday Jazz for twenty years, with a stellar cast of host and guest musicians. The Georgia Straight Jazz Society presents the Hornby Thatch Band in concert, with Tony Wilson (guitar), Nick McGowan (tenor sax), Annie Siegel (piano/vocals), Darryl Bohn (drums), and Dana Inglis (acoustic bass).
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