Events Calendar

1531 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9

Ukrainian jazz and classical accordionist Taras Luka’s 2023 album Part of the Journey is a sharp and sparking fusion of contemporary jazz and pan-Latin styles for accordion and jazz sextet. In addition to leading his engaging and rhythmically-layered small combo, Luka has worked extensively as a composer, conductor, music director, and sound designer for theatre. His Choral of Freedom for symphony orchestra, choir, and soprano was dedicated to children who have died as a result of the war in Ukraine. It has been performed by Victoria Symphony Orchestra, and was conducted by Oksana Lyniv at its debut at Teatro Comunale di Bologna, Italy. A master’s graduate of Odessa National Music Academy, his works have been nominated for composition prizes in Ukraine, and he’s performed across Germany, Italy, Poland, Greece, Moldova and Romania. Now based in Vancouver, his sextet features fantastic local players John Nicholson saxophone, Dean Thiessen piano, Daniel Howard bass, Jamison Ko drums, and Liam Macdonald percussion.