The Players
These musicians are, in one way or another, a vital part of the jazz scene on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Most live here, some were born here, and a few are occasional visitors who have contributed to the scene in various ways.
Note: this list is not exhaustive and is being built gradually as I develop the site.
I encourage you to visit these websites and learn more about the wonderful musicians who are part of our world. Many of the sites contain biographies, tracks you can play, and, of course, recordings you can buy. Let’s do all we can to support local jazz, live and recorded.
Marc Atkinson: known as one of the best gypsy jazz guitarists anywhere, but his composing and playing transcend genre. www.marcatkinson.com
Bryn Badel: Victoria-based trumpet player and vocalist specializing in classical, baroque, latin and jazz. http://port-renfrew.ca/brynbadel/
Noah Becker: saxman, artist, art magazine publisher – a truly original voice on the Victoria scene. www.myspace.com/noahbeckerquartet
Barbara Blair: Highly regarded Victoria jazz vocalist and educator who has studied with Kurt Elling, Sheila Jordan and Ellis Marsalis, among others. http://www.jazzaffair.com/
Emily Braden: an original, exciting, big-voiced vocalist influenced by powerhouse singers like Ella Fitzgerald and Aretha Franklin. http://www.emilybraden.net/
Gordon Clements: an innovative jazz educator responsible for the programs at the Victoria Conservatory of Music and a fine reed player . www.gordclements.com
Pat Coleman: other guitarists consider this man to be one of the very best exponents of the jazz guitar and his Roadhouse Records label features a whole host of great artists. http://members.shaw.ca/patman50/index.html http://roadhouserecords.ca/
Joe Coughlin: a National Jazz award-winning vocalist who has been compared to Sinatra and Torme and is considered by many the best male jazz singer in the country. http://www.joecoughlinjazz.com/
Sean Drabitt: a respected bassist whose years in New Orleans and New York make him one of the most versatile players on the scene today. http://www.myspace.com/seandrabitt
Phil Dwyer: saxophonist, pianist, composer, educator, Juno award winner. He’s one of the most respected names in Canadian jazz and he’s back home on the Island after many years in Toronto. http://www.phildwyer.com/
Hugh Fraser: pianist, trombonist, composer, bandleader, educator – a Canadian treasure and a giant of jazz here and internationally. www.hughfraser.com
Ron Hadley: a remarkable pianist and composer for whom music is a cultural bridge. www.harmonichatchery.com
Marty Howe: jazz chromatic harmonica player based in Nanaimo with a particular interest in Latin music and swing. http://myspace.com/martyhowe
Brent Jarvis: a highly expressive and lyrical pianist whose technique and innovative approach have won him accolades from reviewers and fellow musicians alike. www.brentjarvis.com
Christine Jensen: one of the finest jazz composers and sax players in the country bar none. www.christinejensenmusic.com
Ingrid Jensen: a trumpet and flugelhorn player whose original voice and profound dedication have carried her to the highest levels of the international jazz scene. www.ingridjensen.com
Nick La Riviere: Trombonist with Trombone Mayhem and a number of other groups, both jazz and other genres. http://www.nicklariviere.com/NickLaRiviere/Home.html
Ken Lister: Vancouver Island’s busiest bassist, a valued jazz educator, and a key member of some of the best groups on the west coast. www.kenlister.com
James McRae: Nanaimo-based drummer, composer and teacher very much at the heart of the central Island jazz scene, with his multiple projects including The Big Bossa, The Message, and Brio Trio. www.theiconoclast.ca
Ian McDougall: has long been one of Canada’s premier jazz musicians. His work as a trombonist, composer, band leader and educator has earned him national and international recognition, including the Order of Canada. http://www.ianmcdougall.com/
Kelby MacNayr: one of the busiest and most respected drummers in Victoria, whose Art of the Trio series and other projects explore all aspects of the jazz universe and more.
Turiya Mareya: a vibrant and vivacious Latin jazz pianist originally from Mexico and a major organizer and promoter of Latin and worldbeat music on the Island. http://myspace.com/mareya
Brooke Maxwell: Versatile Victoria-based vocalist/pianist/saxophonist working in a wide variety of bands. http://brookemaxwell.com/
Jon Miller: a highly skilled drummer with broad and deep international experience who favours an engaging modal sound in his own writing. http://jonmillerquartet.com/
Monik Nordine: a dynamic sax player and an active community organizer who founded the Salt Spring Jazz Festival. www.moniknordine.com
Karel Roessingh: a composer and pianist with a truly golden touch on the keys who produces some of the best piano jazz around. www.roessong.com
Miranda Sage: one of the Island’s highly regarded jazz vocalists – has recorded with the likes of the great Don Thompson. http://www.mirandasage.ca
Chris Sartisohn: Lead guitarist for the Cold Cut Combo, a Victoria-based gypsy jazz group. Also artist, poet, novelist… http://www.sartisohn.com
Anne Schaefer: a highly original jazz and world-beat influenced singer/songwriter/instrumentalist whose remarkable debut album garnered critical acclaim across the country. http://www.anneschaefer.com/
Cory Weeds: Vancouver’s jazz impresario extraordinaire whose Cellar jazz club and Cellar Live label often feature Island musicians. www.coryweeds.com
James Young: Victoria bass player who works with a number of groups including the Jon Miller Quartet http://www.myspace.com/jamesmyoung
