Georgia Straight Jazz Society and the Anderton Therapeutic Gardens Society are once again jointly presenting a Summer Jazz Concert Series at the Gardens on Anderton.
The first show is this Sunday, July 26, starting at 2:30 p.m., featuring bilingual jazz vocalist Heather Keizur and pianist Steve Christofferson in concert, direct from Portland, Ore.
There’s great excitement about this event on account of Heather’s absolutely stunning performance in Courtenay last April, when she wowed the Jazz Society audience with a whole new level of sultry, expressive, soothing, and romantic classic ballads, jazz standards and authentic French chansons.
She combined these with her expressive stage presentation, and interplay with pianist and vocal accompanist Christofferson. For many, it was the jazz highlight of the 2014-15 season.
Don’t let the fear of sunburn and heat stroke in the open air garden setting deter you from this concert; there’s heaps of shade under large marquees, and loads of adjacent lawn areas for dancing and creating your own family and friends picnic grouping.
This year, the marquees have been moved closer to the stage to create a more intimate, live atmosphere; a perfect setting to hear Heather perform her signature song Avec le Temps. For a broad range of Heather’s music, visit YouTube.
Keizur’s performances showcase a mature talent that is equally at ease with jazz standards and French chansons. Christofferson’s piano, melodica, and vocals add a powerful depth to the duo’s music. One observer said he had never seen a vocalist and pianist more in tune with one another.
Christofferson is a renowned pianist, composer, and arranger. In a career spanning more than three decades, he has performed in music festivals around the world, and toured with Nancy King and the Alan Jones Sextet.
Keizur and Christofferson have performed together for over six years. Keizur recently released a new CD, Under My Skin, and copies will be for sale on Sunday.
Heather added, “Steve and I are so excited to be returning to Comox Valley and its vibrant jazz scene. We’ll never forget the attentive audience at our April performance, and the calls for an encore.”
Admission is $10 (children under 14, free). Parking is available but you are asked to car pool.
Refreshments and snacks will be available, but you’re invited to make a complete afternoon of it by bringing your favourite food and drinks, celebrate the summer, and stroll around the gardens before or after the show.