For those who missed their sold-out debut performance in April, the much-anticipated tribute to Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass is back by popular demand to headline the Elks Lounge this Thursday.
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. He felt inspired to co-write his first of many hit singles The Lonely Bull back in 1962 while attending a bullfight (featuring a local mariachi band) in Tijuana, Mexico.
Due to a growing demand for live appearances, the Brass, consisting of the best LA session musicians, were formed in 1964 and they soon became one of the highest paid acts in show business.
Tijuana Brass awards and honours include five No. 1 Hits, 28 albums on the Billboard charts, eight Grammy Awards, 14 platinum albums, 15 gold albums and, as of 1996, a total of 72 million albums sold worldwide.
They also hold a Guinness world record for placing five albums in the top 20 during 1966 (outselling the Beatles). Their music has been featured in advertising, TV specials, game shows, and movies — including the title song from Casino Royale.
Since disbanding the Tijuana Brass in 1984, Alpert has enjoyed a successful solo career in R&B.
The Comox Valley Brass:
• Jim Chew (lead guitar) has explored all areas of music over the past 35 years, from trios to show bands, both live and in the studio. Jim resides in Campbell River and performs with the Forbidden Jazz Trio and the CR Little Big Band.
• Mike Eddy is new to the Comox Valley and has had the opportunity to play with many fantastic musicians over the past year, including those in the Lensmen and Jazztet. His music degree in classical piano performance has greatly enhanced his love for jazz. 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, eventually relocating to Vancouver to obtain his B.Mus Ed at Trinity Western University. Since then, he has taught drums for 22 years, and bass guitar for 15.
• Trumpeter Greg Bush is a professor of music at Vancouver Island University, teaching jazz improvisation, jazz composition, instrumental conducting and pedagogy, and music history. He is also the conductor of the VIU Wind Ensemble and the music director of the Georgia Straight Big Band as well as performing regularly with the Arrowsmith Big Band.
• Bassist Don MacKay moved to the Valley after 30 years of performing, directing, writing, and teaching music in Victoria. During his tenure there he played with nearly everyone in the local jazz scene. Don has also travelled extensively with his jazz bands to countries as diverse as Cuba, Japan, and everywhere in between. He is an avid supporter of the local jazz scene and is an active board member of the Georgia Straight Jazz Society.
• 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, & CR Big Bands; Strathcona Symphony Orchestra, and more recently the local Latin dance band Zandhunga.
It's a casual evening of live music Thursday from 7:30 to 9:30 in the upper Elks Lounge at 231 Sixth St. in downtown Courtenay. An early arrival is recommended to guarantee seating.
For more information, call 250-334-2512.