Skip to content

Musicians pay tribute to Herb Alpert at Elks

FANS OF HERB Alpert and the Tijuana Brass will want to catch this Thursday's show at the Elks.

It will be a night with a difference when a group of well-established local musicians combine to perform the much-anticipated tribute to Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass at the Elks Lounge this Thursday, April 12.

Spanning a musical career of over 50 years, Alpert built a solid reputation as one of the most successful performing artists of the 20th century. Back in 1962, while attending a bullfight in Tijuana, Mexico, (which featured a local mariachi band), he felt inspired to co-write his first of many hit singles “The Lonely Bull.” Their music has been featured in advertising, TV specials, game shows, and movies - including the title song from Casino Royale. The Tijuana Brass eventually disbanded in 1984, after which Alpert enjoyed a successful solo career in R&B for many years.

The “Brass”

Jeff Drummond (lead guitar) obtained his Diploma in Jazz Performance from Mount Royal College in 1995. He went on to perform throughout Canada & the UK., 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.

Mike Eddy is new to the valley and has had the opportunity to play with many great musicians over the past year. His degree in classical piano performance has greatly enhanced his love for jazz. He has performed in a multitude of groups from Dixie to rock and was musical director for Keyano College Theatre in Fort McMurray for 10 years. Mike was the recipient of the Alberta Band Director of the Year and of the Alberta Excellence in Teaching Award.

Jacob Gregory has been drumming for 27 years in many varied styles, from orchestral percussion and jazz, to punk, death metal and progressive rock. He began his training in Medicine Hat, moving to Vancouver to obtain his B.Mus Ed at Trinity Western University. He has been teaching drums for 22 years, and bass guitar for 15. Jacob and his family moved to the Comox Valley in the fall of 2009, where he set up his studio. Teaching, recording and playing as often as possible have always been his passion. With a thriving arts and music community such as the Comox Valley, Jacob hopes to be here for a very long time indeed.

Bassist Don MacKay moved to the Valley after 30 years of playing, directing, writing and teaching music in Victoria. During his tenure there he played with nearly everyone in the local jazz scene. Don holds a Master's degree in jazz studies and has written his own composition and arranging method. He has also travelled extensively with his jazz bands to countries as diverse as Cuba and Japan. Don is an avid supporter of the local jazz scene and currently an active board

Jake Masri was first attracted by the music of Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass before taking up the trumpet at age 11. He also draws his inspiration from classical repertoire to musical theatre to Afro-Cuban/New Orleans, and Bebop styles. Since moving to Comox in 2002, Jake has appeared with Quintessence Brass; 6th Street, Jazztown, Jazz Noir, & Forbidden Jazz combos; Sounds of 17, Georgia Straight, Arrowsmith, and CR Big Bands; Strathcona Symphony Orchestra, and more recently the local Latin group Zandhunga.

Ross Robinson began his musical studies on trumpet at age 11, taking private lessons from George Laverock. He played in the New Westminster Community Band for two years, before joining the school band program in South Burnaby. He also performed with the UBC Orchestra, National Youth Orchestra of Canada and as an extra with the Vancouver Symphony while completing his Bachelor of Music Degree at UBC. More recently, Ross has played in the pit orchestra for many musicals in the Comox Valley and was a founding member of the Quintessence Brass Quintet.

If you love Herb Alpert’s sound and the happy music of the '60s, then this is the night for you. Don’t come late if you want good seats together with friends. For more information about Georgia Straight Jazz Society and its forthcoming events, visit www.georgiastraightjazz.com or check them out on Facebook.