Thursday April 25th 2019 at 7:30pm

Hub Organ Trio

Members $10, non-members $12

In contrast to last week's tremendous Arrowsmith Big Band performance, Thursday Night Jazz at The Avalanche Bar, presented by the Georgia Straight Jazz Society, features an amazing trio. Dynamic Nanaimo drummer James McRae, teams up with keyboardist extraordinaire Nico Rhodes and guitarist par excellence Brad Shipley in The Hub Organ Trio for an evening of entertaining jazz.

Said McRae in a recent interview about this upcoming show, "We improvise on original songs, with some popular movie-themed songs thrown in that are sure to engage and intrigue the audience. Our group goes in a different direction musically while being a voice that also includes some humour in the music."

These three musicians have been playing music together in some context for more than a decade and were part of the back-up band for a few of the Chemainus Theatre shows in the past few years including Twist and Shout and Rock Legends.

Rhode's blistering technique and floating touch on the keyboard has been described as "bombastic," "acrobatic" and "heartbreakingly sensitive." A pianist, composer, woodwind player, arranger, symphony orchestrator, studio musician, film composer, music director and conductor who has made his mark in almost every musical context, Rhodes has performed across Canada, the western U.S., Central America and East Africa in funk bands, jazz trios, cabaret acts, chamber ensembles and as a soloist.

McRae, a composer, multi-instrumentalist and band leader, has played with many renowned musicians across the musical spectrum, with Marty Steele, Patrick Courtin; Miles Black's Count Basie/Duke Ellington Tribute; boogie-woogie bluesman David Vest; bassists John Hyde and Ken Lister; Victoria's Latin dance band Kumbia; Connor Stewart, and "5 Note" Soul Jazz group.

Gabriola Island's Brad Shipley is known for his guitar prowess and mandolin skills. He plays dobro and pedal steel and has been a sideman for some of Canada's finest musicians including Ed Robertson of the Barenaked Ladies, Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo, Jimmy Rankin, Sue Medley and Brad Turner.

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.