The NightCrawlers, who played at the Avalanche on March 2 is a tough act to follow, but local group Forbidden Jazz is up to the task.
Forbidden Jazz are the headliners at the Avalanche Bar & Grill in downtown Courtenay on March 6.
Featuring Jake Masri on trumpet, flugelhorn, and vocals; Michael Eddy on keyboard; Grahame Edwards on bass, and Neil Clark on drums, Forbidden Jazz will strive to reach audiences of all ages by performing a wide mix of timeless standards plus original charts. The band members represent more than four decades of experience and with their unique blend of voice, brass, and strings, will weave their collective magic through two sets of entertaining music.
• Joining the combo is Victoria-born drummer Neil Clark, who spent many years collaborating with some of the best local musicians as an active member of the jazz community.
For much of the 1980s, Neil performed on cruise ships touring the world while backing many well-known groups and entertainers. Since relocating to the Comox Valley in 1996, he has performed as often as possible (around his demanding work life), with musicians such as the Annie Siegel Band, Jazztet, DMN, and others.
• Keyboard master Michael Eddy is a recent addition to the trio, replacing Jim Chew on guitar.
Although relatively new to the Valley, Mike has been fortunate enough to collaborate with many fantastic musicians over the past few years, including those in the Lensmen, Jazztet, DMN, and the Campbell River based Little Big Band.
• Talented multi-instrumentalist Grahame Edwards studied music at the University of B.C. and holds a Diploma in Fine Arts from the University of Calgary. Aside from acoustic and electric bass, Grahame also plays percussion and trumpet. He has appeared with countless local ensembles and productions in every genre from choral to musical theatre, big band jazz to classical.
• No stranger to the local music scene, bandleader Jake Masri draws his inspiration from classical repertoire to musical theatre to Afro-Cuban/New Orleans, and Bebop styles. Since moving here in 2002, Jake has appeared with Quintessence Brass, 6th Street, Jazztown, and Jazz Noir combos, Sounds of 17, the Georgia Straight, Arrowsmith, and Little Big Bands, Zandhunga Latin Combo, Strathcona Symphony Orchestra, and Just in Time Jazz Choir.
Music commences Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
For more information, browse the Georgia Straight Jazz Society website (www.georgiastraightjazz.com) or find us on Facebook.
— Georgia Straight Jazz Society