jazz! - yardbird suite · jazz! edmonton jazz society’s board of directors. 2008•2009. paul...

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jazz!May/June 2009

Tara Davidson Quartet

The Thing

Karl Schwonik Trio

Kate Hammett-Vaughan/ Bill Coon Duo

Dave Babcock Group

The Strathcona Improv Collective

Jay Clayton

Simon Fisk Trio

Sharon Minemoto Trio

Ryan Oliver Quartet

Chris Whiteley and Dana Braithwaite

Joel Gray Sextet

Jay Clayton

jazz!Edmonton Jazz Society’s

Board of Directors2008•2009

Paul Wilde • PresidentAdrian Albert • Vice President

Murray Walford • TreasurerShelley Chebry • Secretary

Jasiek Poznanski • Past President

Board MembersDave Babcock • Craig Magill

Pam Josey • Dominique Roy • Garry Spotowski

Yardbird SuitePRoGRAMMinG • Adrian Albert, Julie King,

Craig Magill, Jasiek PoznanskiPRoDuCTion • Lisi Sommer

TuESDAY niGHT SESSionS • Dave BabcockLiTTLEBiRDS DiRECToR • Joel Gray

FinAnCE • Suzanne MorterPRESS RELEASES • Paul Wilde

TRAnSPoRTATion • Alan SpenceHouSE MAnAGER & VoLunTEER

CooRDinAToR • Pam Josey

our Volunteer House Managers• Luc Bouchard • Bill Hume • Judy Hume • Pam Josey • Tracy Kolenchuk • Trevor Moyer • Marilyn Rude • Suzanne Slade • Collette Slevinsky • Rhonda Smith • Karen Voller • Gail Wozny

Yardbird Suite newsletterThe Yardbird newsletter is published fivetimes per year by the EdmontonJazz Society.

EDiToRS • Adrian Albert, Jasiek Poznanski

ConTRiBuTiinG WRiTER • Don Buchanan

ADVERTiSinG • Shelley Chebry

GRAPHiC DESiGn • Kim Deley, Critical Path Marketing Communications

DiSTRiBuTion • Monique Bielech,Shelley Chebry, Bill Harper

PRinTinG • ion Print Solutions inc.

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May 5Dan Skakun Trio with special guest Audrey Ochoa (Dan Skakun - drums, John Taylor - bass, Peter Belec - guitar, Audrey Ochoa - trombone)

May 12Don Berner Quintet (Don Berner - alto saxophone, Doug Berner - trumpet, Marc Beaudin -bass, Chris Andrew - piano, Sandro Dominelli - drums)

May 19Mo Lefever Quartet (Mo Lefever - guitar, Ryan Timoffee - keyboards, Shantel Koenig - bass, Thom Bennett - drums)

May 26Brett Miles Quartet (Brett Miles - saxophone, Jamie Philp - guitar, Dwayne Hrynkiw - drums, Pierre-Paul Bugeaud - bass)

June 2nuSteps (Stuart Crosley - guitar, John Taylor - bass, Mike Gillespie - drums)

June 9Anna Beaumont/Rhonda Withnell Quartet(Anna Beaumont - vocals, Rhonda Withnell - vocals)

jammin’

tuesday night sessions

www. yardbirdsuite.com 3

TICKETS AT THE DOOR - MEMBERS & GUESTS $4DOORS 7:30 PM - SHOW 8 PM 5

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Talk about credentials! Tara Davidson is rapidly

earning a reputation as one of the leading

lights in the next generation of Canadian jazz

musicians. The Toronto-born saxophonist,

composer and bandleader has already

performed in a dozen or more countries, at such

prestigious venues as New York City’s Carnegie

Hall and The Sony Center in Pori, Finland.

Tara has released two CDs, including “Code

Breaking,” which was nominated for a 2007 Juno

award in the “Traditional Jazz Album” category.

Demonstrating an evolution in Davidson’s

sound and composing, Code Breaking features

original compositions that are arranged for

a new “electric” ensemble with saxophone,

Fender Rhodes piano, and drums. Tara’s debut

recording as a leader, “The Tara Davidson

Quartet,” was officially released in 2004.

Tara not only performs nationally with her

quartet, but also finds time to tour and play with

many other top-ranking Canadian jazz players.

In 2006, she toured nationally with saxman Mike

Murley and pianist David Braid as part of the

Murley/Braid Quartet. Following the success

of that tour, she officially joined the group

as a co-leader to form the Davidson/Murley/

Braid Quintet (DMBQ). The group released their

debut CD, “DMBQ Live,” in January 2008 and

toured officially as DMBQ in the summer and

fall of 2008 to rave reviews. The group has been

billed as “the best contemporary mainstream

jazz group in the country.”

Tara has also played and toured with the Mike

Murley Septet, the Paul Read Orchestra (PRO),

the Andy Ballantyne Large Ensemble (A.B.L.E.),

the Michael McClennan Octet, the Duncan

Hopkins Quintet, and the Chris Hunt Tentet.

Tara studied with Mike Murley for five years

and lists him as her most significant musical

influence. She is a graduate of the prestigious

University of Toronto Jazz Performance Program

where she studied with other prominent

Canadian musicians such as Phil Nimmons, Paul

Read, Alex Dean and Kirk MacDonald.

canadian jazz series

Tara Davidson Quartet

4 May/June 2009

Tara Davidson Quartet From Toronto

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2009TICKETS - MEMBERS $16, GUESTS $20DOORS 8 PM - SHOW 9 PM

Tara Davidson - sax Jamie Reynolds - keys Jon Maharaj - bass Ernesto Cervini - drums

Artist website:www.taradavidson.ca

when...

4 May/June 2009

Gear yourself up for a highly energetic night

of improvisation and jazz power, with the

Norwegian/Swedish improv trio “The Thing,”

featuring one of Europe’s leading sax players

Mats Gustavsson, and arguably one of the best

rhythm sections around: drummer Paal Nilssen

Love and bassist Ingebrigt Håker Flaten.

Gustafsson is one of Europe’s biggest names

on the free music scene. Through groups like

Gush, AALY trio and Peter Brötzmann`s Chicago

Tentet, he has established himself as a very

powerful saxophonist. Listeners can expect

inventiveness from Mats; some would even say

he is “reinventing” how to play sax.

In addition to being a frequent collaborator with

Sonic Youth, Gustafsson has also played widely

with musicians such as Paul Lovens, Barry Guy,

Derek Bailey, Magnus Broo, Evan Parker, Misha

Mengelberg and many others. Since the early

1990s, he has been a regular visitor to the

U.S., forming a particular affinity with Chicago

musicians such as Hamid Drake, Michael Zerang

and Ken Vandermark, and recording for the

Chicago-based OkkaDisk label.

Ingebrigt Håker Flaten and Paal Nilssen-Love

have become known as Norway’s “heaviest”

rhythm section. Their long-time collaboration

started in 1992 and includes work in several

groups, amongst them School Days with Ken

Vandermark, Scorch Trio, and the Swedish/

Norwegian jazz group Atomic.


The Thing

international jazz series

The Thing From Sweden/Norway

SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2009TICKETS - MEMBERS $18, GUESTS $22DOORS 8 PM - SHOW 9 PM

Mats Gustafsson - reedsIngebrigt H. Flaten - bassPaal Nilssen-Love - drums

when...

“The sheer power they generate from wood, metal, breath and muscle is stunning.” ~ BBC

Karl Schwonik Trio

Karl Schwonik TrioFrom Calgary


Karl Schwonik - drums Kodi Hutchinson - bass Brent Mah - sax

Artist website:www.karlschwonik.com

when...

A “homegrown” talent, now based in Wetaskiwin,

Alberta, blind drummer Karl Schwonik is

beginning to step into the national spotlight.

For this show, he is joined by two prominent

Calgary musician; bassist Kodi Hutchinson and

saxophonist Brent Mah.

Karl’s roots are in rural Alberta; as a child and

youth he was exposed to countless musical

situations, ranging from polka music to jazz.

Right after high school, Karl embarked on a tour

with four-time Canadian Country Music Award

nominee Heather Dawn. This was followed

by an invitation to study at the Banff Centre

where Schwonik was the youngest artist ever

to be a part of the long-term career residency

program.

The last two years have been especially

prosperous for Schwonik. For example, Karl

received a full scholarship to study at the Banff

Centre’s International Jazz and Creative Music

Workshop, among many other awards and

activities, including performances with the Jan

Jarczyk Trio (Montreal).

Some of Schwonik’s other performing credits

include Dave Douglas, Chucho Valdes, Dave

Liebman, Sonny Fortune, David Braid, Jens

Lindeman, P.J. Perry, Tommy Banks, Hugh Fraser

and Remi Bolduc. Karl has also performed with

Grammy-nominated guitarist Paul Bollenback

and Juno-nominated pianist Jeff Johnston.

In 2008, Karl received a Queen’s Jubilee Award

for Excellence in the Arts, and a Richard Cowie

Scholarship for Young Jazz Musicians. In 2007

he received the Royal Bank of Canada Youth

Excellence National Scholarship.

Schwonik has recently become the president of

the Wetaskiwin Jazz Society in Wetaskiwin, Alberta,

and Artistic Director of the Wetaskiwin Jazz Camp

which will hold its first session in July 2009.

6 May/June 2009


Kate Hammett-Vaughan/ Bill Coon Duo


Enjoy a wonderful evening with one of Canada’s

classiest and most creative jazz vocalists, Kate

Hammett-Vaughan, in the company of the

masterful Bill Coon.

Kate is a three-time Juno nominee and has

also received numerous nominations from the

Canadian Independent Music Awards, and from

the National Jazz Awards for Best Jazz Vocalist

and Best Jazz Vocal Recording.

With many recordings to her credit, Kate continues

to garner critical acclaim from across the country.

Her latest release to earn high praise was her duo

recording with Coon, entitled “Imagination: Live at

The Cellar (2008).”

Previous releases include So Lucky To Be Me

(2006), with Kate leading her trio, as well as

Eclipse (2004), Devil May Care (2002) and How

My Heart Sings (1999), all featuring Kate with

her long-time quintet of Vancouver-based

musicians.

In addition to her quintet and trio, Kate

has performed regularly over the years in a

bass/voice duo with André Lachance. In the

avant-garde realm, Kate performs with the

improvisational jazz trio, Garbo’s Hat. She

has also been the featured vocalist with the

acclaimed large ensemble, the NOW Orchestra.

Kate’s ease with all manner of material and her

improvisational instincts set her apart from many

of her contemporaries. Her highly personal and

expressive vocal style incorporates the breadth

of her musical interests, from straight-ahead

soulful ballads to hard-swinging grooves and

improvisational adventures. Kate’s approach is

always fresh and invigorating, paying tribute to

the jazz tradition while interacting, exploring

and always seeking to express herself in the

moment.

Apart from a long career as a respected

educator, Kate has also worked on film scores,

guest-hosted CBC television and radio shows,

and collaborated with modern dance artists

and performance artists.

Kate Hammett-Vaughan/ Bill Coon DuoFrom Vancouver


Kate Hammett-Vaughan - vocals Bill Coon - guitar

Artist website:www.katehv.com

when...

Over the last 20 years, Dave Babcock has built

a solid reputation as one of Canada’s finest

saxophonists.

In addition to his talent leading instrumental

jazz projects, Dave’s virtuosity and versatility

shine through in all kinds of musical settings.

On the Edmonton jazz scene, he performs

regularly with the Edmonton Jazz Orchestra and

the Yardbird Suite All-Stars. On the blues scene,

Dave is a long-time member of the Edmonton

Folk Music Festival house band. In addition, he

leads The Nightkeepers, a high-octane blues

outfit, and his well-established swing jazz band,

The Jump Orchestra.

As a truly dynamic horn man, Dave is well

respected by his musical peers in Edmonton

and across the country. As an accomplished

bandleader, sax player, singer and producer,

Dave’s playing is well-steeped in the living

traditions of jazz and blues. Dave has moved

with the times, keeping his finger on the pulse of

today’s music while never forgetting his roots.

Throughout his career, Dave has had the

opportunity to perform and record with many

great artists. He’s played alongside Edmonton

jazz legends Tommy Banks, PJ Perry and Big

Miller, keyboard master Doug Riley, Canadian

pop mainstays k.d. lang and Tom Cochrane, and

respected bluesmen Colin James, Tom Lavin, Amos

Garrett and Jack deKeyzer, among many others.

Dave’s long association with Edmonton’s Stony

Plain Records and the Edmonton Folk Music

Festival has enabled him to work with legendary

blues and roots artists like Long John Baldry,

Solomon Burke, Albert Collins, Floyd Dixon,

Cornell Dupree, Rosco Gordon, Flaco Jimenez,

Janiva Magness, Jimmy McCracklin, Taj Mahal,

Big Jay McShann, Maria Muldaur, Duke Robil

lard, Doug Sahm and Jimmy Witherspoon. Dave

has also warmed up for Willie Dixon, Dr. John,

Delbert McClinton, The Pointer Sisters, George

Thorogood and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Dave’s two previous albums include his 2004

solo release “Happenstance” and The Jump

Orchestra’s ARIA Award winning album entitled

“Both Feet.”

Dave Babcock Group

Dave Babcock GroupFrom Edmonton


Dave Babcock - tenor saxophoneDoug Organ - piano, organ, vibesJim Head - guitarJohn Taylor - bassJamie Cooper - drums

when...

8 May/June 2009


Are you intent on hearing some improv jazz? The

Strathcona Improv Collective offer up a great

evening of fiery and passionate improvisation,

including original works and a unique approach

to modern jazz standards.

Made up entirely of young musicians, this

quartet sets out to constantly push each other

musically, and take listeners along for the ride, to

the outer limits of jazz… and possibly beyond.

You be the judge.

Take note: this group is also not afraid to play

music with a solid groove that will get toes

tapping, fists pounding, and hearts swinging.

The Collective is led by Dan Davis on saxophone,

and is influenced by the music of the Dave

Holland Quintet, the Esbjorn Svenson Trio, Bill

Evans, and Metric.

The Strathcona Improv Collective

The Strathcona Improv CollectiveFrom Edmonton


Dan Davis - saxophoneTom King - pianoThom Bennett - drumsEvan Peter Hodgson Stewart - bass

when...

10 May/June 2009

Jay Clayton has gained worldwide attention

as both performer and teacher, and is held in

high regard by musicians from all over the jazz

world.

Jay has performed and recorded throughout

the U.S., Canada and Europe with a wide range

of leading jazz and new music artists, including:

Muhal Richard Abrams, Steve Reich, Julian

Priester, Stanley Cowell, Gary Bartz, George

Cables, Jane Ira Bloom, Jerry Granelli, the a

cappela group Vocal Summit, Urszula Dudziak,

Bobby McFerrin, Jeanne Lee, and Norma

Winstone.

Jay’s current projects, covering both standards

and original music, integrate poetry and

electronics into her music. Her projects reflect

the diversity of her art. Her live performances,

which range from duo to sextet, are unique

events that draw from all of these collaborations.

On this night, watch (and listen) for creativity

and substance in a quartet setting.

Jay has appeared at major venues and festivals,

including the North Sea and Montmartre

Festivals, the Lincoln Center, Sweet Basil, Town

Hall, the Kennedy Center, and Jazz Alley.

Jay Clayton

great vocalists

Jay ClaytonFrom New York/Edmonton/Calgary


Jay Clayton - vocalsAndrew Glover - pianoRubim De Toledo - bass Sandro Dominelli - drums

Artist website:www.jayclayton.com

when...

She has taught at Universitat fur Musik in

Austria, the Bud Shank Jazz Workshop, and at

City College and the New School in New York

City. She has co-taught with Sheila Jordan at the

Vermont Jazz Workshop, Jazz in July in Mass.,

and the Banff Centre for the Arts.

Jay was also on the jazz faculty of Cornish

College of the Arts for 20 years. Her book, “Sing

Your Story: a Practical Guide for Learning and

Teaching the Art of Jazz Singing,” was published

by Advance Music in 2001.

Come on down and join Simon Fisk’s trio for an

evening of full of jazz interpretations, musical

expressiveness and creative improvisation!

This evening celebrates the official release of

Simon’s newest CD, entitled “unless.” The album,

and this evening, features Simon on bass, along

with his long-time cohorts, Halifax-based Jerry

Granelli on drums and Vancouver-based Chris

Gestrin on piano.

Though he has been on the national jazz scene

since the ‘90s, Simon has been “extra busy”

since 2002, releasing five CDs since then on the

Plunge Records label.

In addition to “unless” (2009) and “Vague Hotels”

(2008), Simon’s other recordings since 2002

include “You and Yours” (2006), “Intent” (2005)

and “Trainwrecks” (2002). Simon has received

two WCMA nominations (in 2003 for Trainwrecks

& 2007 for You and Yours) for outstanding Jazz

Recording.

Simon’s trio recordings have topped jazz charts

across Canada, Australia and Europe, and

garnered very positive feedback from reviewers.

The Vague Hotels release helped take the Trio

to a new level, with strong airplay and sales in

Australia and Japan. In addition to Canadian

tour dates, the trio is gearing up for a tour of

Japan later in 2009.

Currently based in Calgary, Simon has been

active on the Alberta music scene of late, and

continues to have a national presence, including

his collaborations with many Vancouver-based

artists.

Simon has appeared on recordings with Gerry

Hebert (Constructive Interference, 2008),

The Throes (Vancouver), Keith Smith Trio

(Afterthought, 2009), Chris Gestrin (Poor Boy,

The Songs of Nick Drake, Songlines Recordings

2005), and Gordon Grdina (Grdina Trio, Plunge

Records 2003). He also appears on numerous

recordings by singer-songwriters, such as

Jennifer Lauren’s “One Trick Pony.”

Simon has performed around the world at a

steady pace since 2000, with Canadian pianist

Michael Kaeshammer, and with his own trio.

“This is one of the most beautifully-crafted jazz CD’s I have had the pleasure of receiving for some time. The musicians who feature on this work are among the most talented in

their field. Their superb arrangements and beautiful phrasing combine to present a stylish contemporary recording that is gold class. I long to hear more from this band and will feature tracks from this glorious recording on my national jazz program “A Jazz Hour” which is heard

nationally each week across Australia via the CBAA network.”

~ Barry O’Sullivan-Producer/Presenter, A Jazz Hour


Simon Fisk Trio CD Release

12 May/June 2009

Norma Winstone TrioFrom England/Europe

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2009TICKETS - MEMBERS $22, GUESTS $26DOORS 8 PM - SHOW 9 PM

Norma Winstone - vocalsGlauco Venier - pianoKlaus Gesing - bass clarinet, saxophone

Artist website:www.normawinstone.com

His performances convey a wide range of

expression, from an emotionally direct spiritual

hymn, to a dense, abstract, hard-driving groove.

Simon’s trio has attracted a sizeable following

over the years; one that has grown to expect an

emotional, intense performance from him and

his band mates.


Simon Fisk TrioFrom Calgary/Vancouver/Halifax


Simon Fisk - bass Chris Gestrin - piano Jerry Granelli – drums

Artist website:www.simonfisk.com

when...

“Simply superlative. World class. I’ll place this on the good-stuff CD shelf right next to Ron Carter and

Buster Williams. Sweet, soulful and spellbinding. When you play New York, let me know.” ~ Frank Matheis,

WKZE 98.1 FM in NY/CT/Mass.

Vancouver-based pianist, composer and

educator Sharon Minemoto has been

performing to audiences around the world for

over ten years. We are pleased to have her at the

Yardbird for the first time!

This evening will highlight Sharon’s

compositional talents and sparkling

arrangements of jazz standards. Listeners can

expect to hear many tracks from her trio’s 2008

debut CD entitled “You Can See the Ocean

From Here.” The album reached the top ten on

Canada’s Chartattack jazz and blues charts, and

includes a guest appearance by Brad Turner on

flugelhorn.

In 2002, Sharon released “Side A,” a beautiful and

swinging collection of eight originals captured

live at the Cellar Jazz Club in Vancouver. Side

A was in the top ten on Chartattack for eight

consecutive weeks. Side A features Sharon

fronting her own quintet, with Brad Turner on

trumpet, Ross Taggart on tenor saxophone,

Darren Radtke on bass and Bernie Arai on

drums. The band has also recorded four shows

for CBC Radio.

Sharon’s groups have been featured at the

Vancouver International Jazz Festival, The

Vernon Jazz Club, The Okanagan Jazz and Blues

Society, The Powell Street Festival, The Hornby

Island Arts Festival, Festival Vancouver, the Jazz

On The Wing series in Whitehorse, YT and also

at Club JZ in China.

Sharon holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz

Performance from Capilano College in North

Vancouver. While she was a student there, she

was selected from applicants across North

America as the pianist for the IAJE (International

Association of Jazz Educators) College All-

Star Band. After graduation, she studied with

pianist Geoff Keezer in 1999, and then received

a Canada Arts Council grant in 2000 to study

composition with Don Thompson in Toronto.

In addition to her quintet and trio, Sharon

has also performed in ensembles led by Alan

Matheson, Cory Weeds, Fred Stride, Dee Daniels,

Joani Taylor, Laura Crema, James Danderfer, Ali

Ryerson, Karin Plato, Jennie Emery and Steve

Maddock, as well as the Vancouver Symphony

Orchestra and the Phoenix Chamber Choir. In

March 2006, she toured Europe with Persian

pop legend Dariush. Sharon has also done some

arranging and recording for the ABC TV Series,

“Men In Trees,” and acted as piano coach for

“Vancouver pianist/composer leads one of the tightest and most exciting live jazz groups on the scene.” ~ Vancouver International Jazz Festival


Sharon Minemoto Trio

14 May/June 2009

Sharon Minemoto TrioFrom Vancouver


Sharon Minemoto - pianoPaul Rushka - bass Paul Townsend - drums

Artist website:www.sharonminemoto.com

the upcoming Hollywood film, “2012 - Farewell

Atlantis.”

Sharon is a faculty member in the School of

Music at Vancouver Community College. She has

also taught at workshops and master classes at

the UBC Summer Music Institute, the Shawnigan

Lake Music Workshop, Capilano College, the

Smithers Jazz Retreat, the Douglas College

Jazz Institute, and the Shanghai International

School. As an adjudicator she has worked at the

Vancouver School Board Jazz Festival and at the

Rotary Music Festival in Whitehorse, YT.

when...


“Vancouver jazz pianist, Sharon Minemoto is an exceptional player with great ideas and a sweet touch.” ~ John McLaughlin, The Vancouver Province.

Expect a high energy show on this night, featuring

the swinging style of Ryan Oliver, one of Canada’s

up and coming jazz saxophonists. Confident,

musically mature and consistently creative, Ryan

leads a strong quintet into the Yardbird for what is

sure to be an outstanding night of jazz.

Now based in New York, Ryan is still an active and

lively face on the Canadian jazz scene, especially

in Toronto where he has regularly played in many

jazz ensembles. With his 2007 debut recording,

entitled “Convergence,” Ryan gained additional

recognition, with CODA Magazine selecting the

album as one of the top 10 Canadian jazz releases

of 2007.

Ryan appreciates the rich history of the saxophone

and the players who came before, seeking to not

only honour the past but also carve out new

territory in the jazz world. Among others, Ryan

has worked in ensembles led by pianist Bernie

Senensky, guitarist Pat Coleman and bassist

Dave Young, who all appear on the Convergence

release.

Ryan has appeared as a leader and sideman at such

renowned venues as the Blue Note, Smalls, and

Garage. He has performed throughout Canada, the

United States, Holland, Belgium, France, Germany,

Switzerland and India. He is currently finishing his

Masters Degree at Rutgers University where he

directs the undergraduate big band.


Ryan Oliver Quartet

Ryan Oliver QuartetFrom New York/Toronto

SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2009TICKETS - MEMBERS $16 GUESTS $20DOORS 8 PM - SHOW 9 PMRyan Oliver - saxophone

Pat Coleman - guitarAlex Coleman - bassJoel Haynes – drums

when...

16 May/June 2009

17

yardbird suite blues

Chris Whiteley and Diana BraithwaiteOn this night, get ready for some dynamic blues,

some classic blues, some great guitar work and two

excellent “voices of the blues experience,” namely

the Toronto-based blues veteran Chris Whitely in

the soulful company of Diana Braithwaite.

In 2006, Chris and Diana released “Morning Sun”

(Electro-Fi, 2006), an acoustic CD of original songs

written in the classic ‘30s and ‘40s style. Response

was extraordinary and the album received rave

reviews across North America.

Now, in 2009, the raves keep rolling in, as Chris and

Diana pay further tribute to the classics with their

new release “Night Bird Blues” (Electro-Fi, 2009).

The new release includes not only the “BlueBird”

label sound so lovingly captured on Morning Sun,

but also pays tribute to some of the smoother

blues classics of the ‘30s and ‘40s.

Chris has been playing, writing and singing the

blues for over 30 years. He grew up in Toronto

where he met blues legend Lonnie Johnson, and

subsequently went on to share the stage with

many great blues artists, including Sunnyland

Slim, Taj Mahal and John Lee Hooker. Chris has also

performed and recorded with Blind John Davis,

the great Chicago musician, who was the house

piano player for Bluebird Records.

Proficient on guitar, harmonica, trumpet and

steel guitar, Whiteley has appeared on over 200

recordings. His own recordings have earned many

awards and accolades, including Jazz Report Blues

Album of the Year, four Maple Blues Awards for his

songwriting and horn playing, and six Juno


nominations. He has performed throughout North

America, including Saturday Night Live with Leon

Redbone, Nashville’s famed Bluebird Cafe, and a

featured concert at the prestigious Chicago Blues

Festival.

Diana is widely recognized as one of the most

dynamic blues singers in North America. In 1999,

she was chosen to open Lilith Fair where she

kicked off the show with a powerful concert in

front of 18,000 strong. In the early stages of her

career, Diana opened a show for John Lee Hooker

at the Brunswick House in Toronto, which led to

an invite from Albert Collins to join his tour as the

opening act. As they say, “the rest is history.”

A gifted performer, Diana captivates audiences

with her unique approach and finesse, whether

singing Delta blues standards, spiritual blues or

other blues styles. In addition to her work with

Chris, she has performed with many of the finest

electric and acoustic blues guitarists, including Mel

Brown, Model T Ford and Jeff Healey.

For this performance at the Yardbird Suite, Diana

and Chris will be backed up by well known

Edmonton jazz musicians Doug Organ on piano,

Dan Churchill on upright bass and Dan Skakun on

drums.

18 May/June 2009

Chris Whiteley and Diana BraithwaiteFrom Toronto/Edmonton

FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JUNE 5-6, 2009TICKETS - MEMBERS $18, GUESTS $22DOORS 8 PM - SHOW 9 PM

Chris Whiteley - trumpet, harmonica, guitarDiana Braithwaite - vocalsDoug Organ - keyboardsDan Churchill - bassDan Skakun – drums

Artist website:www.braithwaiteandwhiteley.comwww.chriswhiteley.com

when...

Joel Gray SextetFrom Edmonton

FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2009TICKETS - MEMBERS $12, GUESTS $16DOORS 8 PM - SHOW 9 PM

Joel Gray - trumpet, flugelhornDon Berner - clarinet, saxophoneAudrey Ochoa - tromboneBill Richards - pianoMatt Roberts - bassThom Bennett – drums

Joel Gray Sextet

when...


Settle in for a great night of traditional jazz and

swing, led by Edmonton-based trumpeter Joel

Gray in the company of an all-star group of local

jazz musicians.

Joel has been active on the Edmonton scene

for more than 15 years, establishing himself as

a versatile player who is well respected by his

musical peers. He is also a busy clinician and

educator, teaching at MacEwan College, Keyano

College and the University of Alberta.

Joel is the director of the Littlebirds Big Band,

and plays lead trumpet in the Edmonton Jazz

Orchestra. He has performed with many artists and

ensembles, including the Edmonton Symphony

Orchestra, Pro Coro, the Don Berner Sextet and the

Retrofitz. Joel has also worked on stage alongside

such greats as Tommy Banks, George Hayden, Kent

Sangster and PJ Perry, to name just a few.

may june

May 1Tara Davidson QuartetMembers $16, GUESTS $20Doors 8 pm - Show 9 pm

May 2The Thing Members $18, Guests $22 Doors 8 pm - Show 9 pm

May 5Dan Skakun Trio with special guest Audrey OchoaMembers/Guests $4Doors 7:30 pm - Show 8 pm

May 8Karl Schwonik TrioMembers $12, Guests $16Doors 8 pm - Show 9 pm

May 9Kate Hammett-Vaughan/Bill Coon Duo Members $14, Guests $18Doors 8 pm - Show 9 pm

May 12Don Berner Quintet Members/Guests $4Doors 7:30 pm - Show 8 pm

May 15Dave Babcock Group Members $14, Guests $18Doors 8 pm - Show 9 pm

May 16The Strathcona Improv CollectiveMembers $12, Guests $16Doors 8 pm - Show 9 pm

May 19 Mo Lefever Quartet Members $12, Guests $16Doors 8 pm - Show 9 pm

May 22Jay ClaytonMembers $20, Guests $24Doors 8 pm - Show 9 pm

May 23Simon Fisk Trio Members $14, Guests $18Doors 8 pm - Show 9 pm

May 26Brett Miles Quartet Members/Guests $4Doors 7:30 pm - Show 8 pm

May 29Sharon Minemoto TrioMembers $14, Guests $18Doors 8 pm - Show 9 pm

May 30Ryan Oliver Quartet Members $16, Guests $20Doors 8 pm - Show 9 pm

June 2nuStepsMembers/Guests $4Doors 7:30 pm - Show 8 pm

June 5 & 6Chris Whitely and Diana BraithwaiteMembers $18, Guests $22Doors 8 pm - Show 9 pm

June 9Anna Beaumont/Rhonda Withnell QuartetMembers/Guests $4Doors 7:30 pm - Show 8 pm

June 12Joel Gray SextetMembers $12, Guests $16Doors 8 pm - Show 9 pm

EDMONTON JAZZ SOCIETY11 TOMMY BANKS WAY(Corner of 102 St & 86 Ave)EDMONTON AB T6E 2M2

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jazz! - yardbird suite · jazz! edmonton jazz society’s board of directors. 2008•2009. paul...

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