The regular monthly meeting of the Vancouver Island Gravel Fanciers will take place 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, at Zocalo's Cafe, the corner of Fifth and Cliffe.
The band Loose Gravel will perform as usual, and will report on the annual Christmas Gravel Count held last June.
"It takes time to tally a gravel count," said Loose Gravel bassist James Lithgow, explaining the delay between the count and the result.
The band has surprised themselves and audiences by accidentally arriving at the instrument line up of the famous Gerry Mulligan Quartet of 1952-53. That popular quartet was the first small jazz combo to dispense with a piano or chording instrument. Loose Gravel is not as popular but mines the same harmonic freedom sax man Mulligan and trumpeter Chet Baker did. That freedom here is exploited by Tony Morrison on saxophones and flute, and Jay Havelaar on trumpet.
Undermining it all, in true Loose Gravel fashion, is Lithgow on bass and Oscar Robles, drums and percussion. The pair have not been playing together long, but share a love of gravel enough to provide a solid surface for the horns to lie.
Come down to Zocalo's on Saturday Jan. 10, 7 p.m. enjoy dinner and music and become a Gravel Fancier.
FORBIDDEN FRIDAY
The Zo's weekend jazz lineup starts Friday evening, when Forbidden Jazz Trio returns. Featuring Jake Masri on trumpet, flugelhorn and vocals, Mike Eddy on keyboards, Grahame Edwards on bass, and Jeff Agopsowicz on trombone, they appeal to audiences of all ages by performing a wide variety of timeless jazz standards & original compositions. Representing more than four decades of experience, their unique blend of voice, brass and strings will weave their collective magic through two sets of entertaining music.
We invite you to join us for a casual, entertaining evening of jazz. Music commences at 7 p.m. and admission is by donation. For more info on either show, and/or reservations, contact Zocalo Café & Gallery at 250 331 0933.