Gig Postings at Island Jazz
Time constraints mean that I can’t write about all the jazz gigs happening on the Island. I’ll continue to cover as many as I can that seem noteworthy. However, musicians and promoters can now post their own jazz events on the site by clicking on “Calendars and Upcoming Gigs” (above) where jazz fans can view them. Easy peasey.
Jennifer Scott and Rene Worst Tour South Island in June
Vocalist/pianist Jennifer Scott and bassist Rene Worst, two of the west coast’s most acclaimed musicians, will tour the south Island in June supported by James McRae on drums and Monik Nordine on sax . Check the Calendars and Upcoming Gigs page (above) for details and click on the following links to learn more about these world class performers.
Four Saxophones Blow Into Colwood
Jazz Vespers fans might be interested in the upcoming concert this Sunday in Colwood at the Church of the Advent, featuring the Barracuda Saxophone Quartet. For more details check out the following article from the Goldstream Gazette.
More Jazz in May
Melinda Whitaker appears with guitarist Henry Young and the Brent Jarvis Trio at Hermann’s on May 24.
May always seems to be a good month for jazz on the Island. Here’s a few noteworthy upcoming shows:
The Crofton Hotel Pub continues its weekly series just a stone’s throw from the Salt Spring Island ferry terminal on Sunday, May 19 with an appearance by Courtenay-Comox vocalist Dale Graham backed by a quartet featuring Rick Husband on guitar, Mike Eddy on keyboards, Don McKay on electric bass and Ron Joiner on drums. (2-5 pm, $10).
Kelby MacNayr’s Art of the Trio series welcomes Juno-winners Phil Dwyer(sax/piano) and Ken Lister (bass) to Hermann’s on Friday, May 17. The trio will explore new selections from the Great American Songbook and the legacy of great saxophone and piano performers including John Coltrane, Bill Evans and more. (8pm,$20,$18, $15)
The Barracuda Saxophone Quartet (Monik Nordine, Tom Ackerman, Chris Watt and Rainer Roth) will be joined by Pablo Cardenas on piano and Petra Kixmoller doing spoken word to perform The Threepenny Opera at Merlin’s Sun Theater, 1983 Fairfield Road on Saturday, May 18th 7:30pm. $20/$22 contact saxgirl@gmail.com
Vocalist Melinda Whitaker appears on Friday, May 24th at Hermann’s with guitarist Henry Young. Young is a Vancouver guitarist well known for his work with Nina Simone. Joining Young and Whitaker will be the Brent Jarvis Trio. (8pm, $25).
There’s lots more great jazz going on. Check the calendars and upcoming gigs page (above) for more info.
Rhythm-a-ning Changes
In my previous story on the Ken Lister CHLY (Nanaimo) interview, I reported that Kerilee McDowall founded the CFUV (Victoria) show Rhythm-a-ning.
According to Arnold van Klaveren, the show’s host, that information is incorrect. Van Klaveren says he originated his show on CFUV in Victoria in April 1989 and at the time there was no other show of that name being broadcast by CFUV.
I’ve corrected the Lister story and apologize for any confusion.
Ken Lister Radio Interview on Rhythm’a'ning in Nanaimo
Ken Lister was interviewed by Keriie McDowall on CHLY.
I’ve been meaning for a long time to highlight Kerilie McDowall’s jazz radio show Rhythm’a'ning broadcast in Nanaimo on CHLY.
What better occasion than her two hour interview with bassist Ken Lister recorded on April 29. It’s a great interview with a wonderful mix of music. I encourage you to have a listen.
McDowall, a former jazz guitarist and composer, describes her show as an eclectic mix of new sounds with “fun ventures into the past.” You can tune in live on Mondays from 5-7 pm at 101.7 FM in Nanaimo or on the internet at www.chly.ca
Joel Miller, Christine Jensen, Wayne Kozak and More
There’s a lot of great jazz happening on the Island this weekend. Here’s a sample:
Acclaimed Montreal saxophonist Joel Miller brings his award-winning sound to Hermann’s in Victoria on Sunday night (8pm, $15 with a discount for VJS members), where he’ll feature tunes from Swim, which has just won an East Coast Music award for best jazz album of the year and a Juno for best contemporary jazz album. Christine Jensen, Miller’s wife, will also appear, playing tunes from her own Juno-winning album Treelines. Kelby MacNayr and Sean Drabitt complete the quartet. Don’t miss this one. More info here.
Speaking of saxophonists, Wayne Kozak, well known for his work with Powder Blues and an in-demand Vancouver session player since the 1970s (Tina Turner, Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight among others) brings his formidable jazz chops to the Crofton Hotel Pub and its newly-minted jazz series. Joining Kozak is a who’s who rhythm section that includes Ken Lister on bass, Buff Allen on drums and Thomas Kinzel on piano. This one happens on Sunday from 2-5 pm. $10 cover.
Hermann’s also hosts a tribute to Sonny Rollins Friday night with the Andrew Greenwood Quartet and a CD release concert on Saturday night featuring the Tim Johnson Quintet. More info here.
I’ll leave you with a video featuring Joel Miller in conversation and in the studio recording his latest album.
