Mon May 6
Jam Session w. Sharon Minemoto
Pat’s Pub (7:30pm)
Join multi-faceted Vancouver pianist Sharon for the city’s longest running jazz jam. Sessions at The Pat brings together many of the finest jazz musicians in the city. This week features Noah Gottfrit on bass and Davey Robbins on drums.
Bruno Hubert solo/John Korsrud Latin Band
The Libra Room (7:30pm)
Tue May 7
Call Mr. Robeson
Havana Theatre (various times)
A rollercoaster journey through African-American actor and singer Paul Robeson’s remarkable life, highlighting his pioneering and heroic political activism. Features Ol’ Man River and other famous songs, much fiery oratory, and a defiant testimony to the House Un-American Activities Committee.
Sawdust Collector Series: New Works #17
Gold Saucer (9:30pm)
Weekly performance series curated by Barbara Adler, Cole Schmidt & James Meger. This week it’s Julia Ulehla (with films by Vladimir Ulehla), Alex MacKenzie (with Stephen Wood), Experiments For A Single Projector, and Justin Devries.
Wed May 8
Jazz Evensong
Brentwood Presbyterian Church (8pm)
This week features stellar local talents Saul Berson, Sharon Minemoto, and André Lachance.
Oliver Gannon Trio
It’s Guitar Month! Only $10 cover.
Frankie’s Jazz Club (8pm)
“Fingers”—as guitarist Oliver Gannon is often referred to is fresh off the release of his third record as a bandleader. The critically acclaimed Easy Sailing on Cellar Live spent ten weeks on the Jazz Week Charts. Gannon cites Barney Kessel and Wes Montgomery as influences alongside the music of Art Blakey. His fluid swinging style is rooted in 50’s and 60’s bop. With Dave Say saxes and Paul Rushka bass.
RESERVE TABLE
Thu May 9
Satoko Fujii: Kira Kira
Western Front (7pm)
Master pianist and improviser Satoko Fujii, who in 2018 celebrated her 60th birthday by releasing an album every month, adding to her prolific discography of more than 80 recordings. Demonstrating “uncanny power and musicality” (Downbeat), she will be joined by trumpeter Natsuki Tamura, pianist Alister Spence and drummer Dylan van der Schyff.
Kelby MacNayr Quintet
Frankie’s Jazz Club (8pm)
For this special concert celebrating centennial of Art’s birth and the timeless spirit and of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, the renowned drummer MacNayr assembles an All-Star band featuring five of the West Coast’s top jazz musicians performing music spanning 50 years of music. With Brad Turner trumpet, Cory Weeds tenor saxophone, John Hansen piano, and Michael Glynn bass.
RESERVE TABLE
Bernie Arai/David Blake/Jon Bentley/Jeff Gammon
Tangent Cafe (8:30pm)
Fri May 10
Maya Rae & Terminal Station
2 nights! Also on Saturday, May 11.
Frankie’s Jazz Club (8pm)
Maya Rae is one of Canada’s Top 35 Jazz Artists Under 35 (CBC)…. “A supremely gifted artist who is able to phrase like Sarah Vaughan but write a lyric like Joni Mitchell.” Terminal Station is a blues-rock band in the best sense of the word, kicking the traditional blues sound into high gear. These local favourites join forces for 2 nights at Frankie’s.
RESERVE TABLE
Peggy Lee’s Echo Painting
8EAST (8pm)
Peggy’s ensemble featuring: Brad Turner-trumpet, Jeremy Berkman -trombone, Jon Bentley-saxophones, John Paton-tenor saxophone, Cole Schmidt-guitar, Wayne Horvitz- piano and electronics, James Meger-electric bass, Dylan van der Schyff- drums and Peggy Lee- cello.
Friday Jazz: Runaway Four
Tyrant Studios (9pm)
Beeps, sweeps and creeps bring you a cleverly acoustic night of video game music. Put on your best speakeasy outfit and reminisce about the good ol’ days of video games. Night will be filled with rare tunes, fresh instrumentation and special guests.
Vancouver Low Frequency Festival
Various Venues & Times
A 3 day experimental music festival located within walking distance across 4 venues in Mount Pleasant. Focused on experimental electronic and electro-acoustic instrument expression. Events include Live Performances, a Sound-Walk to capture Bats sonar, a free event for youth to try synths and a show + tell for adults and their gear!
Sat May 11
Sounds Unheard: Turning Point Ensemble w. Phantasmagoria
SFU Woodwards (2pm)
A portrait concert of the work of Canadian/Tajik composer Farangis Nurulla-Khoja. The rich in-depth program features the world premiere of her major new work, Phantasmagoria, inspired by José Saramago’s novel Blindness.
Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool
Vancity Theatre (7pm)
DOXA Documentary Film Festival screens Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool, which tracks the artist’s history from his affluent upbringing as the son of a prominent Illinois dentist, through his training at Julliard in New York, and on to the truly remarkable records and performances which defined his apex years of creativity from the mid 1950s to the late 1970s.
Jazz and Strings
Bell Centre for the Performing Arts – Surrey (7:30pm)
The Surrey City Orchestra presents Jazz and Strings, featuring the Miles Black Trio. Under the direction of Maestro Stuart Martin, the strings of the SCO will be playing with internationally acclaimed artists Miles Black (piano), Juno nominated Jodi Proznick (bass), Jesse Cahill (drums) and special guest, singer Julia Copeman-Haynes.
Maya Rae & Terminal Station
2 nights! Also on Friday, May 10.
Frankie’s Jazz Club (8pm)
Maya Rae is one of Canada’s Top 35 Jazz Artists Under 35 (CBC)…. “A supremely gifted artist who is able to phrase like Sarah Vaughan but write a lyric like Joni Mitchell.” Terminal Station is a blues-rock band in the best sense of the word, kicking the traditional blues sound into high gear. These local favourites join forces for 2 nights at Frankie’s.
RESERVE TABLE
Sun May 12
Mother’s Day Jazz Vespers: Karin Plato
St. Andrew’s-Wesley in exile at the First Baptist Church (4pm)
Karin Plato is an acclaimed Canadian Juno nominated Jazz vocalist and recording artist. Join for a lovely Mother’s Day performance.
Adam Thomas
Blue Martini Cafe (7pm)
Adam Thomas performs a diverse array of music from favourite radio hits of this year all the way back to music from the jazz and big band era, and a wide array of classics in between. His unique sound combines elements of soul, jazz, indie and top 40 music.
Geoff Claridge Quartet: Benny Goodman Tribute Gig
Frankie’s Jazz Club (8pm)
The Benny Goodman Quartet was one of the most electrifying small groups in the history of jazz, breaking the racial gap and somehow holding its own every night paired against a full big band in the height of the swing era. Tonight’s performance showcases the original quartet’s gorgeous ballads and unparalleled energy, whilst also encompassing the later talents of Charlie Christian and the distinctive arrangements of Benny’s Sextet. With Geoff Claridge clarinet, Josh Roberts guitar, Nick Peck piano, and Bernie Arai drums.
RESERVE TABLE
