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This is the exciting week when Georgia Straight Jazz Society brings you Ella Fitzgerald's vocal improvisations, swing feel and melodic phrasing. If you love Ella's style, you're going to be amazed at Teighan Couch's performance. She not only sings in Ella's style but she can also scat like her.
Originally from Ottawa, Teighan moved to Nanaimo with dreams of becoming a vocalist under the inspiration of her favourite jazz artists Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie and the Oscar Peterson Trio. She is a powerful, soulful vocalist with a devoted love for the healing power of song.
As Teighan told me, "I first performed for the Georgia Straight Jazz Society with the Marty Steele Quartet in February 2022 and I'm excited to be returning to Comox Valley with a trio under my own leadership. I'm deeply inspired by recordings released in the 1950s under Verve Records".
Teighan's biggest inspiration is Ella Fitzgerald. "I have taken to studying Ella's vocal improvisations, swing feel and melodic phrasing".
Teighan, accompamied by Jesse Marshall on guitar and Drake Shoemaker on bass will do reimagined arrangements of standards taken from her favourite recordings, composers, and instrumentalists, including Jerome Kern, George Gershwin, Ahmad Jamal, Bud Powell, Barney Kessel, Oscar Peterson, and Charlie Parker.
Jesse Marshall is an established guitarist based in Nanaimo. His album Small Talk released in 2016 was nominated for a Julian award and was featured on The University of Toronto Jazz Orchestra's 2020 album Embargo, which received four stars from All About Jazz.
Drake Shoemaker is versatile bassist. A graduate from Vancouver Island University's Jazz Program, Drake has been featured in many different bands playing a variety of musical styles from rock and roll and pop to bebop and free jazz.
Downbeat is at 7:00 pm. Admission is $15 for members, $20 for non-members. 2024 memberships will be available at the door. Food from the pub menu and drinks from the bar will be sold at the concert.
For more information about forthcoming events in our 2023 calendar, and the summer "Jazz in the Vineyard" concert series at 40 Knots Winery , please check the Calendat tab.
| * | 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. |
| Membership Type |
| 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. |
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 | ||||||||
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| 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 |
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
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
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.
| See the GSJS performances through the lens of several photographers | ||||||||||
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| 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 |
| 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 |