Hot on the heels of Elizabeth Shepherd’s Sunday night performance on the Elks’ stage, the Georgia Straight Jazz Society delivers another stunning show.
Wendy Nixon Stothert is making her debut solo vocalist appearance Thursday with her latest musical venture: her jazz quartet called SynInTonic.
Nixon Stothert has loved playing and teaching music all her life, and is recognized as a leading songstress in this part of the world. Directing the NIC Glee Club and the Just in Time Vocal Jazz Choirs, currently in their sixth year, is one musical passion. Nixon Stothert loves the vibrant interactions with the singers and instrumentalists and the thrill of hearing jazz harmonies come together.
Just in Time is busy polishing up songs for its Fly! concert on April 16 and 17. Nixon Stothert also feels privileged to be singing with Swing Set, a women’s jazz quartet, with Dale Graham, Jenn Forsland and Michelle Weckesser.
Enter SynInTonic.
The jazz quartet has been excitedly preparing for its first performance at the Elks on Thursday. Nixon Stothert is singing with a fantastic rhythm section featuring Aaron Amar on drums, John Hyde on bass and Sean Mooney on piano.
The group has been experimenting with fresh arrangements of familiar to rarely heard jazz standards, such as My Funny Valentine and I Walk With Music. A couple of their tunes, such as Saga of Harrison Crabfeathers and Inner Urge are more frequently heard as instrumentals and adding the lyrics gives them different dimensions.
Mooney and Nixon Stothert have been working together as a team for six years with Just in Time and have been excited to find a little time to play together this year. Amar is a rhythmic and colourful percussionist with a magic musical sensitivity to vocalists.
Following up on a tip from a fellow jazz camper last summer, Nixon Stothert jumped at the chance to play with bassist extraordinaire, John Hyde. Hyde’s playing speaks to the heart with its resonance and melodic weavings.
Nixon Stothert’s performances always draw a full house, whether with Just In Time Choirs or Swing Set. This show will be no exception, so come down early to the Elks’ on Sixth for the 7:30 p.m. showtime if you want the best seats, or plan on meeting a group of friends.
For more information about the society, and forthcoming events, visit www.georgiastraightjazz.com.
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Rose’s fine Mediterranean foods will be available on Thursday evenings to accompany the music: pizza, hummus, spinach pie, etc.
— Georgia Straight Jazz Society