Recently formed Forbidden Jazz Trio returns to Zocalo Café this Saturday.
The group, consisting of Jake Masri on trumpet and vocals, Jeff Drummond on guitar, and Tim Croft on upright bass, hope to reach audiences of all ages by performing jazz standards from the Great American Songbook. Together they represent more than four decades of experience, both domestically and outside the country.
Their unique blend of voice, brass and strings, which impressed capacity crowds at the Zocalo on Feb. 11 and March 17, will continue to weave its collective magic through two sets of entertaining music.
A recent addition to the Comox Valley, Drummond obtained his Diploma in Jazz Performance in 1995. He went on to perform throughout Canada and the U.K., touring with many different artists in a variety of musical genres.
Drummond has also appeared on national radio and television programs, produced and engineered countless albums, and played with many well-known artists. In total, he has accumulated more than 20 years as a music educator, which contributes towards a high demand for his skills and services.
He performs and tours with a Calgary-based band called Sinistrio. To sample their music, browse the Web at www.sinistriomusic.com.
Croft, also new on the local scene, has quickly gained recognition as a strong and creative player. His jazz studies at Humber College in Toronto allowed him the amazing opportunity to learn from such Canadian icons as Mike Downes, Pat Collins, Pat Labarbera, and Don Thompson.
Croft teaches music at L’École au Coeur d’Ile in Comox.
No stranger to the local music scene, Masri draws his inspiration from classical repertoire to musical theatre to Afro-Cuban/New Orleans and bebop styles. His passion for jazz is directly linked to artists such as Harry James, Miles Davis, Chet Baker, and Arturo Sandoval.
Among his favourite vocal instructors are Ann Mortifee, Rhiannon, Ysaye Barnwell and Wendy Nixon Stothert. Since moving to Comox in 2002, Masri has appeared with Quintessence Brass; Sixth Street, Jazztown, and Jazz Noir combos; Sounds of 17, Georgia Straight, Arrowsmith, and CR Big Bands; Strathcona Symphony Orchestra; and Just in Time Jazz Choir.
Music commences Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and admission is by donation.
For more information, contact Zocalo Café and Gallery at 250-331-0933, or simply drop by the corner of Fifth Street and Cliffe Avenue in downtown Courtenay (www.zocalocafe.ca.).
— Forbidden Jazz Trio