Larry Ayre is the featured performer at the next 1st Tuesday Fundraiser event on Oct. 4 at the Mex Pub.
Joined by David Stevenson on bass, Ayre is inviting listeners to join him on a musical journey from Bach to the blues. The evening concert will feature several styles of acoustic guitar music including classical, bossa nova, jazz, swing, and of course blues. Admission is by donation, and Ayre has chosen the Comox Valley Adult Learning Centre to receive the proceeds.
Larry Ayre is an accomplished and versatile guitarist and music teacher who has been performing in the Comox Valley for over 25 years.
As a solo performer, his classical guitar music provides a beautiful ambience to wedding ceremonies and special occasions. As the “Larry Ayre Trio”, his music gets people up on the dance floor with blues, swing, R&B, and authentic music from the ’50s and ’60s.
Born in Montreal, Ayre learned the basics of jazz guitar playing while attending the York University jazz program in Toronto during the late-1970s. He lived in Vancouver for a decade, playing many gigs in different styles and honing his musical skills on guitar, bass and harmonica. Larry moved to the Comox Valley in 1990 where he formed the “The Larry Ho Blues Show”.
He went on to lead “Larry Ho’s Jive Five” with his wife, vocalist and award-winning songwriter Marki Nickerson. As “2Jive” Marki and Larry went on to produce an EP of original material which is available at www.larryayreguitarist.com. You can find “Larry Ayre” on Facebook, as well as his trio band page “Larry Ayre Blues.”
The 1st Tuesday Fundraiser monthly concert series, now in its eighth year, is sponsored by the Mex Pub and provides an opportunity for local performers to support a non-profit group or charity of their choice.
The Comox Valley Adult Learning Centre supports lifelong learning and literacy. The centre provides one-to-one tutoring to adults who want to upgrade or refresh their high school learning, take adult basic education courses, or improve their skills in order to qualify for post-secondary education at North Island College and other institutions.
The CVALC carefully matches volunteer tutors with learners to improve the basic literacy skills of reading, writing, and math.
Adults can also come to the centre to learn English as a second language, become more comfortable using computers, or improve their understanding of basic finances. Improving literacy skills enhances self-esteem and can open up a whole new range of employment opportunities. This benefits everyone – the individual, their family and society at large.
“My wife Marki and I recognize the importance of literacy and the social benefits that if offers to individuals and families,” says Ayre. “Marki has been a volunteer at CVALC for many years so we know what a difference it makes to have this kind of support available in the community. It provides people with the tools they need to be able to help themselves.”
The evening of music starts at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4 with an opening set by event organizers and hosts Judy and Bruce Wing, joined by violinist Blaine Dunaway. For more info visit Facebook.com/1stTuesdayFundraisers