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Juicy jazz harmonies' on display

Swing Set celebrates Christmas a little early this year!
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MICHELLE WECKESSER

Swing Set celebrates Christmas a little early this year!

The popular a cappella jazz quartet, featuring Jenn Forsland, Wendy Nixon Stothert, Michelle Weckesser and Dale Graham, performs two shows on Friday at the Zocalo Café.

Come at 6 or at 8 p.m. to enjoy Christmas favourites done up with juicy jazz harmonies.

With special guests Rick Husband on guitar and John Hyde on bass, the women of Swing Set will perform solo features in addition to their exquisite four-part harmony. Take the opportunity to pick up one of the quartet’s new Christmas CDs, and to enjoy the wonderful food and drink on offer at the Zocalo Café.

Forsland fronts the Jenn Forsland Group, directs the Celebration Singers, teaches music privately and in the schools, and is an in-demand adjudicator for music festivals. Jenn’s strong technical skills are beautifully complemented by her playful interpretations.

Stothert is a well-loved music leader in the Comox Valley, directing the Just In Time Vocal Jazz choirs as well as performing solo with her quartet SynInTonic. Wendy’s trademark passion and commitment will leave you spellbound.

Weckesser is a stunning soloist with classical as well as jazz credentials. She performs regularly with several Vancouver Island choirs and maintains a private teaching studio. Michelle turns her talents to jazz with the Swing Set repertoire.

Graham is best-known for her solo vocals with local group Indigo Jazz, and for her previous work in the folk and Celtic genres. Dale is equally at home in the open space of a jazz ballad and the exciting twists and turns of up-tempo swing.

Hyde is a compellingly rhythmic and lyrical bassist, and pairs strongly with Rick Husband’s conversational guitar style. Combine them with any one of the Swing Set solo vocalists, and the room really swings.

Admission is by donation.

— Swing Set