January Jazz

In the summer of 2011 Brad Turner made his Victoria debut at the VCM Summer Jazz Workshop. He made such a marvellous impression that it was only natural he return for the VCM Presents series. He has been described as “a kind of Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Keith Jarrett all rolled in to one.” Over the last decade his National Jazz Awards include ‘Composer of the Year’, ‘Musician of the Year’, Trumpeter of the Year’ and ‘Producer of the Year’.

The program will feature a number of original compositions from Brad’s award winning recordings as well as some standards from the Jazz repertoire. He has a long history of collaboration with pianist George McFetridge and their work together promises to be telepathic. George’s recordings have been historically important and include many of Canada’s most celebrated jazz musicians.

Gord Clements, VCM Head of Jazz Studies, will be joining Brad on compositions and arrangements for two horns. Clements recently received much acclaim for “7 New Works”, a concert of recently commissioned solo works for bass clarinet and string orchestra. Before Victoria, Clements’ roots were in Vancouver and his first two music teachers were Brad’s father and grandfather.

Joey Smith and Damian Graham also have wide and diversified reputations. They regularly perform and record with many of Vancouver Island’s top musicians. They are both known for laying down irresistible grooves and infectiously delicious rhythmic foundations in all kinds of music.

To put it very simply, this will be a fantastic concert; five stellar musicians at the top of their game freely exploring music that has been written either by them or by icons from the 20th century Jazz tradition. The wonderful thing about improvisation, especially in Jazz, is that everyone plays a part in creating the music; composer, performers and, most importantly, the audience. Yes, the listeners in the audience will have a profound effect on what the improvisers choose to play. Be there and take part in a truly unique musical event!

• Wednesday – January 25, 2012
• 7:30pm (Doors at 7pm)
• Alix Goolden Performance Hall

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Tickets:
Call – 250.386.5311
In person – 900 Johnson St – VCM Front Desk or at the Alix Goolden Hall doors.
Single Concert: Adults $25 / Students & Seniors $15

*BONUS – Jazz Master Class

Join five jazz masters as they prepare and discuss their stellar VCM Presents – January Jazz program. This is a unique pre-concert (3:30pm) opportunity to interact and chat with these professional musicians. Have your musical questions answered while enjoying Brad Turner, Gordon Clements, Joey Smith, George McFetridge and Damian Graham in rehearsal.

Brad Turner, Trumpet

Brad Turner’s phenomenal talents as a trumpeter, pianist, drummer and composer make him one of Canada’s most in-demand and highly esteemed musicians. Brad’s groups have opened for McCoy Tyner, Diana Krall, Ahmad Jamal and Tony Bennett. Brad has released six albums, five as a trumpeter with his quartet, the most recent being the ’07 release Small Wonder, which was nominated for a Juno in the Traditional Jazz Album category.

What Is, released in ’05, won Best Jazz Album, at the ’06 Western Canadian Music Awards. As a pianist with his trio, the ’04 release Question the Answer was nominated for a Canadian Urban Music Award (’05), and a Canadian Indie Music Award (’06). In ’97 and ’98 he won Juno awards for Best Contemporary Jazz Album recognizing his work in the internationally established electric jazz group Metalwood. He was also nominated for a Juno award in 2009 for the Best Traditional Jazz Album.

Gordon Clements

Gordon Clements, Head of Jazz Studies, teaches clarinet, saxophone, flute and improvisation. He is Artistic Director of the VCM’s Summer Jazz Workshop, conductor of both the VCM Honour Winds & Percussion and VCM Honour Jazz Orchestra. Gordon founded the UVic Big Band, the VCM/Camosun Diploma in Jazz program and the VCM Summer Jazz Workshop. He regularly performs with the Victoria Symphony and a wide variety of jazz ensembles. In 2009 Gordon was inducted into the Victoria Music Hall of Fame.

Joey Smith

After touring for two and a half years with the Glenn Miller Orchestra as bassist and arranger, Joey pursued graduate studies at the Eastman School of Music in New York. Joey has written numerous arrangements for such groups as the Glenn Miller Orchestra and the Victoria Symphony, also arranging some of the music for the Commonwealth Games in 1994. Currently, several of his arrangements appear on recordings by The Bills and The Marc Atkinson Trio. He has been a faculty member at the VCM in the Jazz Studies Department since 2004 and has been involved with the Conservatory’s Summer Jazz program since 2006.

George McFetridge

A native Edmontonian and longtime mainstay of the Edmonton Jazz Scene, George went from the University of Alberta to Berklee School of Music in Boston and then a stint with the Buddy Rich Big Band touring the USA. He settled in Toronto for a time with TV gigs and a teaching position at Humber College (1985-92). He has performed with many well known artists such as Fraser MacPherson, Woody Shaw, Phil Woods and many more; and has toured Europe with Jacek Kochon and Mariusz Kwiatowski. A member of the VCM Jazz Faculty, George has been leading the quintet Strange Weather and the quartet YT.

Damian Graham

Having performed all across Canada, USA and Europe, Damian has been busy changing the way people think about the drums. Born in New Zealand and raised on the west coast of Canada, Damian’s musical diversity has led to performances with some of the finest musicians in the country and abroad. Damian maintains a busy live and studio schedule with his own ensemble and as an in demand freelance musician.

Performance highlights have included sharing the stage with Joshua Redman, Albert Collins, Cecil McBee, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Holly Cole, The Shuffle Demons, Buddy Guy, Metalwood, The Paladins, Colin James, The Odds, Junkhouse, Jane Bunnett, Dave Bartholemew, Joey DeFrancesco. Shows in Chicago, London, New York, San Francisco, Cologne, Stockholm and numerous festival appearances including the Montreal Jazz Festival, Toronto and Vancouver DuMarier Jazz Festivals, Beilefeld Jazz Festival (Germany), Hultsfred Festival (Sweden), High Sierra Music Festival (USA), Tuno Festival (Denmark).