Last week’s captivating Thursday Night Jazz performance by the Jenn Forsland Group, attended by about 140 people, was one of a series of great acts as the 2010-11 season draws towards its close.
This Thursday, be prepared for another big turnout as the Georgia Strait Big Band (GSBB) takes the stage.
During the past three years, under the direction of Greg Bush from VIU, the band has undergone a resurgence in terms of its repertoire, confidence, reputation and technical skill to the point that it now commands respect wherever it performs.
Far from being a local band, GSBB has been continuing a more than 40 year big band tradition in the Comox Valley, and during the year since GSBB last performed at Thursday Night Jazz its name today has become known much farther afield as its gigs extended to venues between Southern Gulf Islands and North Vancouver Island.
Now is your chance to witness what this renaissance is all about. A class act with big band music from all eras of the 20th century.
In addition to the 19 fine musicians in the band, the evening will be made very special with great vocal work by two male singers.
Ralph Barrat, well-known to local jazz aficionados, will croon in his wonderfully distinctive style Sunny Side Of The Street, Blue Skies, September In The Rain, The Way You Look Tonight and All Of Me.
As an additional feature, well-known Courtenay-based dancer, actor and singer Lindsay Sterk will perform three numbers in his premier appearance with GSBB.
This is bound to be a busy night, so if you plan on sitting together with friends as part of a larger group, plan on arriving early to get seats.
The Georgia Straight Jazz Society is committed to exposing Comox Valley residents to a wide variety of jazz genres, providing live performances to local jazz ensembles, and providing exceptionally gifted students entering post secondary institutions, planning a career in jazz, with support through the Liam Grimm Bursary program.
Admission to all Thursday Night Jazz performances at the Elks Club in downtown Courtenay at 7:30 p.m. is by donation.
— Georgia Straight Jazz Society