Skip to content

Modern jazz graces stage

Amar’s polyrhythmic drumming style results from the musical form as taught by his great world renowned teacher, Jim Blackley.

After two weeks of stunning performances, playing to packed houses, in which jazz fans were treated to the Herb Alpert Tribute, and Jenn Forsland wowed us with her romantic style, this week’s show presents the Aaron Amar Quartet and a return to modern jazz.

Aaron Amar, drums; Dan Craven, tenor sax; John Hyde, upright bass, and Chad Geekie on piano will offer “many Miles Davis tunes and ones which we have come to enjoy over the years,” says Amar. “We play high-energy bop style and modern jazz with room for expression, freedom, and rhythmical interpretation. The four of us playing together is a treat, and it allows us to play at a higher level: there is a ‘no fear’ approach to our playing as a whole.”

Amar’s polyrhythmic drumming style results from the musical form as taught by his great world renowned teacher, Jim Blackley.

“Much of what I do is an extension of his tutelage,” says Amar. His technique is highly entertaining and his talent has graced stages across Canada. His musical career began in Toronto, and we are very fortunate that it has continued here on Vancouver Island.

Craven teaches at Kwalikum Secondary School, and brings the benefit of extensive performance experience to his students. 2001 recipient of the Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence,  he is an educator who has also had the honour of sharing the stage with top musicians, including Don Thompson, Phil Dwyer, Ian McDougall, P.J. Perry and Campbell Ryga.

Geekie is a top-class musician with multiple Juno nominations to his recording credit. He has performed around the world with, among others, Benny Golson, Jamie Aebersold, Phil Dwyer, Ingrid Jensen and Christine Jensen, and recorded most recently with Marc Atkinson, Damian Graham and the Kerplunks.

Hyde needs no introduction in the Comox Valley. In his short time on Vancouver Island, he has played just about everywhere and with everyone, which incidentally can be said about him OFF the island as well. His performance credits are so extensive and his experience so diverse, you’ll have to read about them at  www.johnhyde.com.

For more information, visit www.georgiastraightjazz.com or see them on Facebook.

— Georgia Straight Jazz Society