Time for a wonderful diversity April 12 at Thursday Night Jazz at The Avalanche Bar & Grill when Centrepiece presents a variety of jazz genres.
Audiences will hear memorable melodies in swing, ballads, Latin and fusion. The band members bring their own distinct interpretation as soloists to the repertoire. The group comprises Charity Munro, vocals; Dave Stevenson, bass; Larry Ayre, guitar; Rachell Fuller, saxophone Clarinet and EWI and Mike Berman, drums.
Munro has proven herself to be a dynamic performer on any stage and in any style, including Celtic, R&B and jazz. She’s a member of Courtenay’s 12-piece R&B band Time Well Wasted and is known for covering everything from Kiki Dee and Donna Summers to Steely Dan and Michael Jackson.
Dave Stevenson, bassist, moved to the Comox Valley three years ago and brought with him a vast experience of performing music. He has played in small jazz trios to large big bands. He has performed with jazz greats P.J. Perry, Louis Rose, and Phil Dwyer. Dave has settled in Courtenay.
Larry Ayre is an accomplished guitarist and music teacher, well known and respected in the jazz community, who has been performing in the Comox Valley for over 25 years. He plays many styles and several instruments. Ayre lived in Vancouver for a decade, playing many gigs in many different styles, honing his musical skills on guitar and bass.
Fuller began her musical career at Cranleigh School in the U.K., before accelerating through her B.A. Hons. in Music from Southampton University. Her performance highlights include touring with Southampton University Orchestra to Croatia, Malta and Turkey as principal clarinetist. Since her arrival on Vancouver Island in 2010, she has worked as a freelance soloist and many local ensembles.
Mike Berman is becoming established on Vancouver Island, bringing a lifetime of drumming and percussion experience with him. Originally inspired by the rock movement of the ’60s, he toured extensively throughout Canada and the U.S., stopping in New Your to record the cult hit album Stone Circus.
Admission is $10 for members, $12 for non-members. More information about the jazz society may be found at georgiastraightjazz.com and on Facebook.