After last week’s terrific show by Toronto-based musicians in the Ethan Ardelli Quartet, the Georgia Straight Jazz Society is set to showcase more of our young regional jazz performers when Patrick Courtin brings his trio to The Avalanche Bar and Grill this Nov.22 at 7:30 p.m. for his CD release concert.
The Nanaimo-based group (with Marisha Devoin, bass and James McRae, drums) will play their much-loved jazz standards and original tunes. Devoin and McRae are two of Courtin’s favourite Vancouver Island jazz musicians.
Most recently in August, Courtin invited them up to his second home of Wells, B.C. to perform a trio concert at the Sunset Theatres, where he works as musical director at Barkerville’s Theatre Royal.
Back in January, they recorded Courtin’s debut album in Nanaimo with Rick Salt recording, mixing and mastering. Courtin is proud to have produced the entire album locally. Nanaimo-based artist Nicholas May did the artwork and cover design, and Nanaimo-based vinyl record guru did the CD pressing.
The band has performed dozens of shows together, not just as a trio but in musical theatre (including Chemainus) as well as part of various rhythm sections for many different groups.
Their sound is an exciting exploration of the tradition of the jazz piano trio, with roots in swing jazz but with hints of blues and Latin as well. They play their own exciting arrangements of songs from all facets of jazz combining old and new together in a joyful celebration of musical communication.
Thursday’s show will feature special guest vocalist and tapper Lindsay Sterk - a Courtney local - and Courtin is looking forward to bringing him to the line-up to add extra excitement to the evening.
Admission to this Thursday’s show is $10 for members, $12 for non-members.
For more information about the full calendar of performances between now and the end of May, visit www.georgiastraightjazz.com.