Jazz fans will flock to the Filberg Festival in Comox on Aug. 6 as boogie-woogie pianist Michael Kaeshammer and multi-instrumentalist Phil Dwyer will play two back-to-back sets during the afternoon.
As well, the Flora Scott Trio will perform Saturday and Sunday, and the guitar/bass duo Drummond and Hyde will play Saturday and Monday.
Phil Dwyer
The multi-instrumentalist and composer/arranger burst on the jazz scene in Canada, as well as internationally, in his late teens, and by his early 20s was, to quote Globe & Mail journalist Mark Miller, “startling jazz audiences with his unprecedented command of both tenor saxophone and piano.”
Originally from Canada’s West Coast, Phil sought out the action and excitement of New York City when he was just 17, moving there in 1983 to study with Steve Grossman and David Liebman. While there Phil also had the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the true jazz legends that were still on the scene at that time.
Phil’s full-time music career started in the summer 1985 at age 19, as a member of Hugh Fraser’s award-winning quintet, and the big band VEJI from 1985-90, and also with the David Friesen Trio from 1987-90, in addition to much freelance work on the Vancouver scene.
Phil will present his Canadian Songbook Project at the Filberg Festival on Monday afternoon. Featuring wonderful vocal and piano contributions from Jillian Lebeck, and a crack band of West Coast jazz and session greats, the Canadian Songbook Project puts a jazzy spin on the music of some of the best songwriters Canada has to offer.
Michael Kaeshammer
After studying classical piano for seven years in his German homeland, 13-year-old Michael discovered boogie-woogie and stride piano as played by Albert Ammons, Meade Lux Lewis, Pete Johnson, Pinetop Smith and Fats Waller. In three years, he was playing boogie-woogie piano in clubs, concerts, and festivals all over Germany.
He attracted attention almost immediately after the family moved to the west coast of Canada, performing at blues and jazz festivals across the country during the summer of 1996. Besides playing the piano, he sings blues and jazz.
Michael continues to perform and tour extensively throughout Canada, the US, and Europe, and has lived in Germany, Vancouver Island, Toronto and New York City.
Flora Scott
One of Victoria’s most notable jazz treasures, this guitarist and vocalist is the real deal. Her early studies with artists such as Jay Clayton, Brian Nova and Oliver Gannon have helped shape her talent into something special.
Flora is a lyrical performer and deft improviser who can hold an audience spellbound. Flora is not only blessed with a voice that has been described as voluptuous and exquisite, she is also an accomplished musician, songwriter, arranger, and bandleader.
Flora’s wide-ranging repertoire of jazz standards, bluesy ballads, seductive Latin rhythms, swing and bebop has earned her an enthusiastic following.
Drummond & Hyde
Jeff Drummond is an accomplished jazz guitar player with 20 years of performing, touring and recording experience. Influenced by pop and rock from the '80s, Jeff spent 12 years performing all over Canada and the U.K. with artists such as Ground, Tariq, Cam Penner and Karl Roth.
John has been a freelance bassist since 1972 with numerous recording, arranging and producing credits.
Together, Drummond and Hyde achieve a timeless, lush sound, incorporating influences from old style jazz to folk to funk.
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The family-friendly Filberg Festival in Comox celebrates excellence in all forms of arts and crafts and music with over 100 juried crafts booths, plus music on two stages, a Kids Area and concession booths. The objective of the festival is to raise the money needed to restore and maintain the beautiful nine-acre Filberg property and heritage lodge.
Tickets cost $15 daily or $40 for a weekend pass. For more information, go to www.filbergfestival.com.
— Filberg Festival