Skip to content

You're not forbidden to catch trio

The recently formed Forbidden Jazz Trio returns to Zocalo Café on March 17

The recently formed Forbidden Jazz Trio returns to Zocalo Café on March 17.

The group, consisting of Jake Masri on trumpet and vocals, Jeff Drummond on guitar, and Tim Croft on upright bass, hope to reach audiences of all ages by performing jazz standards from the Great American Songbook. Together they represent more than four decades of experience, both domestically and outside the country.

Their unique blend of voice, brass and strings, which impressed a capacity crowd here on Feb. 11, will continue to weave its collective magic through two sets of entertaining music.

A recent addition to the Comox Valley, Drummond obtained his Diploma in Jazz Performance in 1995. He went on to perform throughout Canada and the U.K.., touring with many different artists in a variety of musical genres.

Drummond has also appeared on national radio and television programs, produced and engineered countless albums, and played with many well-known artists. He has accumulated more than 20 years as a music educator, which contributes towards a high demand for his skills and services.

He tours and performs with a Calgary-based band called Sinistrio (www.sinistriomusic.com).

Croft, also new on the local scene, has quickly gained recognition as a strong and creative player. His jazz studies at Humber College in Toronto allowed him the opportunity to learn from such Canadian icons as Mike Downes, Pat Collins, Pat Labarbera, and Don Thompson.

Croft teaches music at L’Ecole au Coeur d’Ile in Comox.

No stranger to the local music scene, Masri draws his inspiration from classical repertoire to musical theatre to Afro-Cuban/New Orleans and bebop styles. His passion for jazz is directly linked to artists such as Harry James, Miles Davis, Chet Baker and Arturo Sandoval.

His studies in jazz allowed him to learn from pros such as Mike Herriot, Campbell Ryga and Bill Clarke during the local CYMC summer program. Among his favourite vocal instructors are Ann Mortifee, Rhiannon, Ysaye Barnwell and Wendy Nixon Stothert. Since moving to Comox in 2002, Masri has appeared with Sounds of 17, Quintessence Brass; 6th Street, Jazztown, and Jazz Noir combos; Georgia Straight, Arrowsmith, and CR Big Bands; Strathcona Symphony Orchestra, and Just in Time Jazz Choir.

A casual, fun-filled celebration in honour of St. Patrick’s Day commences at 7:30 p.m. and a special dinner menu will be offered from 5 to 9:30.

For more information, contact Zocalo Café and Gallery at 250-331-0933, or simply drop by the corner of Fifth Street and Cliffe Avenue in downtown Courtenay (www.zocalocafe.ca.).

— Forbidden Jazz Trio