Thursday April 18th 2019 at 7:30pm

Arrowsmith Big Band

Featuring John Lee

Members $10, non-members $12

After several weeks of duos, trios and quartets, jazz at the Avalanche this Thursday features a total change of performance. Bring out the extended stage and fill it with the 16-piece Arrowsmith Big Band!

Each year, after their blockbuster concert, we tell these great musicians, "Don't forget to book a date in next year's calendar!" Well, this is their week - they're back with a performance at 7:30 pm on April 18. The band has created another exciting, eclectic selection of Swing, Latin and Contemporary arrangements that are sure to please the Jazz Band listener.

Arrowsmith Big Band attracts some of Vancouver Island's finest jazz players from five Vancouver Island communities. The concert will feature many great soloists, including Claudio Fantinato, Alto Sax; Dan Craven, Tenor Sax and Greg Bush on Trumpet. The band has had a student mentorship program since its inception in 1976; its past notables include Phil Dwyer, Pat Collins, and many others who have gone on to play professionally in Vancouver, Toronto, New York, Los Angeles, and Internationally across the globe. The tradition continues and the band's evening concert will include performances by two extremely talented young players: Trumpeter Lachlan Craven and Saxophonist Steve Carson.

So, if you love big band music, this is the week for you! Arrowsmith always wows us with new material and performances that just get better every time they take the stage. Come on down and discover just how exciting the quality of the jazz music has become, and why Courtenay has become the not-to-be-missed jazz venue on a western Canadian tour.

It is all rush seating, there are no reservations.

Browse the Calendar page of our website for information about the remaining 6 shows scheduled this season and see the amazing line-up of performers already booked over the forthcoming year. You will quickly realize why Courtenay has become a significant performance destination on the Canadian jazz scene.

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