The Swing Street Band will be recognizing International Jazz Day at the Avalanche Bar this Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
At Georgia Straight Jazz Society, all we aspired for was to have fun, promote live jazz, and provide talented musicians with an opportunity to perform their art in front of a discerning audience. Clearly, we have become part of something global, and we’re proud to be contributing in our own way to making the world a nicer place.
“We will be presenting the very essence of jazz music in acknowledging some of the great standards that have become so much of jazz for many decades, together with some fine originals by our fine trombonist Jeff Agopsowicz,” said Swing Street drummer, Bill Street.
“Jeff’s compositions are ‘fantastic’ in the words of keyboard player Mike Eddy: They are difficult to play, possess rich harmonies as well as being very catchy.”
Swing Street is honoured to present Agopsowicz, who is relatively new to the Comox Valley. He brings with him a life of musical experience as well as being a fine trombonist. Audiences across Canada love his playing and fine technique.
“Alongside Jeff will be the Valley favourite Jay Havlaar on trumpet and flugelhorn; a well-known face with our regular jazz audience,” Street continued.
“Added to these treats will be our very own local male vocalist super star Ralph Barrat, who will swing like the proverbial clappers and likely will put a smile on Frank Sinatra’s face up above, in celebration of the 100 years since Frank was born.”
Eddy will be on keys displaying his great technique and taste which has caused him to become a favourite among musicians and jazz fans in the Comox Valley scene.
“Professor” Don McKay, bass, returns at last from his Mexican adventures refreshed and ready to provide the fine playing for which he is renowned.
Street will be in the “kitchen” playing the pots and pans he has been thrashing since he was 12.
This will be an evening of tribute to jazz on a day that the jazz world will be in accord. (Paris is officially designated the capital jazz city this year.)
The Comox Valley has become a jazz haven over the last 10 years, and is now riding the crest of a popular wave since word’s out that this is the community with the jazz scene second-to-none in British Columbia, so you’re invited to join regular jazz aficionados at the Avalanche for this special evening of fine music.
Admission is $10 for members, $12 for non-members.
For more information about the jazz society, visit them at georgia straightjazz.com or follow them on Facebook.