By Malcolm Holt
Special to the Record
Now for something completely Latin at The High Tide on Thursday, March 14, when the Georgia Straight Jazz Society presents Noedy Hechavarria Duharte from Santiago de Cuba, a city Cubans affectionately call “la tierra caliente” (the warm land).
Noedy began studying classical saxophone at the age of 11, at the Lauro Fuentes music school in Santiago de Cuba. His first work as a saxophonist was at the age of 15, playing during carnival parties. At 17, Noedy moved to Havana where he began to work in popular dance orchestras and continued his studies at the Albaro Barriel professional school of music. In 2008 , he moved to Montreal where he completed a jazz music performance bachelor program at the School of Music at the University of Sherbrooke, Quebec. In 2014, he moved permanently to Victoria, where he now has established himself as a unique and original upcoming jazz musician.
Noedy has also had the opportunity to study with internationally renowned musicians, including the pianists Danilo Pérez and Aruan Ortiz in New York City, and the saxophonists Chad Lefkowitz-Brown, René Bolduc, Frank Lozano and Ralph Bowen. He also performed with jazz musicians, including John Pizzarelli, Alexander Brown, and Rafael Zaldivar.
“I compose original music that is often described as highly poetic and complex with strong harmonies,” he said, in a recent interview. “Equally important, my music is influenced by contemporary jazz music, Afro-Cuban, and Latin rhythms.
“We are going to play standards and Afro-Latin jazz, together with some original music from our new album - Monday Morning - coming up in May 2024.”
Noedy heads up an amazingly talented quartet, accompanied by Sean Duhaime (guitar), Brock Meades (bass), and Hans Verhoeven (drums).
The two-hour show, including a 15-minute intermission, begins at 7 p.m. Come early for the best seats. Admission is $15 for members, $20 for non-members.
Meals served until 8:15 p.m. Drinks are served until 8:45 p.m.
Visit www.georgiastraightjazz.com to see the lineup of upcoming events, including the May 9 Thursday night season closer “Stealing Dan” Tribute Concert at the Filberg Centre, and the exciting summer evening concerts at 40-Knots Winery (June-September).
Malcolm Holt is the vice-president of the Georgia Straight Jazz Society