Georgia Straight Jazz Society jazz at the High Tide pub in Courtenay

Thursday February 22nd 2024, 7:00pm at the High Tide on 5th St, Courtenay

Centrepiece

Georgia Straight Jazz Society is pleased to provide a two-hour jazz performance by Centerpiece. Already well known in other music genres, the quartet-plus-vocalist is stepping up from Blues and Rock to Jazz. The show is a superb illustration of how a successful jazz scene in Comox Valley has attracted and nurtured new musicians to rise to the higher musical challenge.

Vocalist Mel McCutcheon aka "Caramelle" has been in a not-so-discreet love affair with music since moving to the island 3 years ago. After years of trying to hide her secret crush, this former east coaster is finally pursuing her passion of delivering smooth vocals in a variety of musical genres. Influenced by Nina Simone, Etta James, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, Caramelle will serve up a delicious menu of well-known jazz and blues classics with Centerpiece

Michelle Draper has been studying, playing, and performing music on Vancouver Island her whole life. Classically trained in piano and French Horn, Michelle's jam these days is teaching piano and accompanying choirs and vocal students - jazz piano is a brand-new adventure and the only greats she has played with are the ones on the stage with her!

Greg Hill has been the driving force behind bands too numerous to mention over 50 years. His drumming genres include Classic Rock, Country to Jazz. He now is back to his primary love of performing jazz. He has performed with greats such: Art Ellefson, Pat Coleman, Myron Makepeace and Roy Reynolds.

Dave Stevenson, bassist, has been in the Comox Valley since 2014. Dave has also lived in many B.C. cities but performed a lot when living in Vancouver and Victoria. Dave has played in duos, trios, many rock bands and has played in big bands performing jazz and musical theatre. His love for playing jazz comes out in Centerpiece, where he lays the foundation and groove of the tunes. Dave has performed with greats, including P.J. Perry, Phil Dwyer, and Louise Rose.

Doug Anderson, Comox based guitarist has played with a number of groups during his years in the Comox Valley. He studied improvisation with Lee Ellefson and later with Bill Coon and cites guitarist Peter Bernstein as well as the Bill Evan trio as major influences.

Meals will be served from the pub menu for most of the evening, and drinks will be served during the entire show. Admission is $15 for members, $20 for non-members. 2024 memberships will be for sale at the door.

Become a GSJS Member

Reduced ticket prices for our GSJS-sponsored events, recouping the cost of membership
Weekly emails to inform you of the next performance and a bi-monthly Newsletter to keep you up to date on the jazz scene
Your opportunity to interact and personally influence the music and arts activities in your area!
Belong to an organization of like minded people and enjoy a great social network
From January 2024, annual membership, expiring 31st December each year, is $25 per Adult.

If you are using PayPal please print your PayPal receipt or capture the receipt on your phone and bring it as proof of payment to the Membership person at Thursday night jazz.

Use this print-and-mail 2024 Membership Application Form or pay directly via cash, cheque or credit card to the Membership person in attendance at a GSJS performance night.

About Us

Formed in 2006, the Georgia Straight Jazz Society is a non-profit society based in the Comox Valley. Its vision is to develop and sustain a healthy and vibrant jazz community in the Vancouver Island region.

The Georgia Straight Jazz Society is getting a name for itself in the Vancouver Island jazz scene, and beyond. Since its origin in 2006, the society has developed a popular weekly jazz club and offers some ticketed events with top-notch players from Vancouver, Victoria and abroad.

The GSJS is most proud of the high calibre of jazz now being played and appreciated by local musicians and audiences. With a regular venue and opportunities to play, veteran and emerging jazz musicians have supported and challenged each other to grow their skills and develop their chops.

Players and singers of all ages regularly appear on the jazz club stage, before engaged audiences that continue to show their support and interest and musical know-how as the months have passed. A committed group of volunteers keep the sounds happening and the audiences happy.

The goals of the Georgia Straight Jazz Society are:

To increase public awareness of and to nurture an appreciation for all forms of jazz;
To present performances by a wide variety of musicians representing all forms of jazz;
To stimulate the local jazz communities by producing events and activities in which artists can interact creatively;
To provide opportunities for school aged musicians to create jazz for a public audience;
To augment the educational instruction of school aged musicians in jazz performance, improvisation and composition;
To establish and strengthen the jazz music community on Vancouver Island.

Board Meetings

Board Meetings are usually held once a month. GSJS Members are welcome to attend if they wish.

Contact the President at Genevieve Huchulak if you would like to know the date, time and location.

Board
President	Vice President	Treasurer	Secretary	Website, social media	Booking, Scheduling	Volunteer Co-ordinator	Membership	Director at large
Genevieve Huchulak	Malcolm Holt	Pat Zellinsky	Monica Mooney	Yvonne Higgs	Malcolm Holt	Genevieve Huchulak	Robert Reid	Jackie Holt

The Liam Grimm Bursary

Founded in 2008, the Liam Grimm Music Bursary is awarded to a deserving student who meets the following criteria:

Is currently enrolled in Grade 12 in Campbell River, Qualicum or Comox Valley School District or is a Grade 12 graduate from one of these same school districts.
Has a letter of recommendation from a school or private music teacher, and
Has a letter of recommendation from a community music contact.
Will attend a college or university jazz music programme in the same calendar year or the year thereafter, or will enrol in the Jazz Programme at the summer Courtenay Youth Music Centre
For applicants attending Grade 12, bursary application and all pertinent documentation should be submitted to school counseling office by April 30th of the student's Grade 12 year. Application is then forwarded to the Georgia Straight Jazz Society for consideration. For applicants who have already graduated from high school, application and documentation should be forwarded directly to the Georgia Straight Jazz Society no later than April 30th.
The applicant should submit a letter demonstrating his/her personal qualities that exemplify the following attributes of Liam Grimm:
The joy of studying and playing music in school and in turn, sharing one's personal music talents with community organizations i.e. community bands/choirs/pit orchestras/church choirs. The applicant should also describe his/her musical accomplishments and future plans in continuing to study in the jazz genre.

Funding of the Bursary is by a percentage of funds raised at events hosted by the Georgia Straight Jazz Society. Depending on funds raised, more than one student may be awarded a bursary.

For more information on the Bursary please contact georgiastraightjazz@gmail.com

Bursary Recipients:

2008/2009 - Nicolas Sieber, attending VIU jazz studies on trombone.
2009/2010 - Danielle Fortin, from Highland Secondary, Comox, also a trombonist.
2010/2011 - Annaleesa Leach, Highalnd Secondary, Comox, baritone sax, piano and vocals.
2010/2011 - Josh Dieleman, Ballenas Secondary, Parksville, drums
2012/2013 - Tyson Foster
2016/2017 - Evie Kinney and Aidan Reimer
2018/2019 - Lachlan Craven and Towa Syewart

About Liam Grimm

The jazz community lost a great friend and musician with the passing in March 2009 of Liam Grimm. A gentleman, always supportive, great fun to perform with, he will be missed.

Liam developed a taste for jazz from age 10, quickly becoming a fan of Harry James and infatuated with the harmonies and trumpet power of the "Maynard Ferguson" versions of the Stan Kenton band. He obtained his Bachelor of Music on trumpet at the University of Idaho (where he instigated jazz activities that ultimately became the internationally renown Lionel Hampton School of Music), and went on to acquire his M.A. in trumpet from Denver University as well as taking graduate studies in composition.

An improviser in the casual "West Coast" style, he was influenced by Pete Candoli with the Henry Mancini band and Don Fagerquist and Shorty Rogers with the Dave Pell Octet. Others influences included the intimate styles of Jack Sheldon and Chet Baker and the "bop" sounds of early Miles and Kenny Dorham.

His favourite group setting was the mid-sized 8 to 12 piece 'small band', allowing for tasty arrangements and plenty of solo space. He greatly enjoyed backing vocalists.

Resident in Campbell River, Liam was busy on the local jazz scene, playing with Jazztown, The Blue Monks, First Pressing, Jazzberry Jam, Annie Siegel and Jazz Noir. His trumpet playing was a highlight of the Georgia Straight and Campbell River Big Bands.

Photographers

See the GSJS performances through the lens of several photographers

Bob Ell	Katie Hubberstey	Judy Johnston	Bruce Johnstone	Bill Jorgensen	Sean O'Connel	Norm Prince	Wink Richardson	Don Tait	Laura Tait	List of films
Click here	Click here	Click here	Click here	Click here	Click here	Click here	Click here	Click here	Click here	List of Jazz Films

Business Sponsors and Assocciations

Comox Valley Record Newsaper	Performing Arts Comox Valley	Britiish Columbia Arts Council
765 McPhee Ave, Courtenay 250-338-581 comoxvalleyrecord.com		We do not receive funding from this organization

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