The Forbidden Jazz Trio returns to Zocalo Café this Friday.
Jake Masri on trumpet and vocals, Jeff Drummond on guitar and Grahame Edwards on upright bass hope to reach audiences of all ages by performing a wide variety of favourite jazz standards.
Representing more than four decades of experience, their unique blend of voice, brass and strings promise to weave their collective magic through two sets of entertaining music.
A recent addition to the Comox Valley, Drummond obtained his Diploma in Jazz Performance from Mount Royal College 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 over 20 years as a music educator, which contributes towards a high demand for his skills and services.
Talented multi-instrumentalist Edwards studied music at the University of B.C. and he holds a Diploma in Fine Arts from the University of Calgary. Aside from electric and acoustic bass, Grahame also plays percussion & trumpet.
He has appeared with countless local ensembles and productions in every genre from choral to musical theatre, big band jazz to classical. His first musical love, however, lies with improvised music and he enjoys playing and composing his own jazz tunes.
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.
Since moving to Comox in 2002, Jake has appeared with Quintessence Brass; 6th 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 Friday at 7:30 and admission is by donation. For more information, contact Zocalo Café and Gallery at 250-331-0933, browse www.zocalocafe.ca or simply drop by the corner of Fifth Street and Cliffe Avenue in downtown Courtenay.
— Forbidden Jazz Trio