The Stittuation: Revisiting the Fire and Finesse of Sonny Stitt’s Hard Bop Legacy
Since forming in 2023, Vancouver Island quartet The Stittuation has been quietly building momentum with a sound rooted in the golden era of hard bop — drawing inspiration from the electrifying style and repertoire of saxophone master Sonny Stitt while bringing a distinctly contemporary sensibility to the bandstand.
Rather than leaning solely on familiar standards, the ensemble digs deeper into the jazz canon, exploring lesser-known repertoire from the 1950s through the 1970s. The result is a program that feels both historically grounded and freshly alive — driven by rhythmic intensity, melodic sophistication, and the fearless improvisation that defined the era.
At the centre of the group’s sound is a decade-long musical rapport among its members. Each musician is a respected figure in Vancouver Island’s jazz community, and their shared history translates into a performance marked by intuitive communication, spontaneity, and deep listening — hallmarks of the classic quartet tradition.
The Stittuation features:
- Cayleigh Borsboom — saxophones
- James Darling — keys
- Kosma Busheikin — upright bass
- Graham Villette — drums
Tickets are available on Eventbrite: $25 for members, $30 non-members, or at the door for $30 members, $35 non-members and $10 for students