Gig of the Week: February 10-16


Who: Vinny Golia & The Capilano University A Band, with Jared Burrows, Clyde Reed & Greg Campbell
Where: Presentation House (333 Chesterfield Ave, North Vancouver)
When: February 14th, 8:00 pm
Cost: $10 cash at the door

Vinny Golia has been one of the most important wind instrumentalists in West Coast jazz circles for as long as I can remember. He plays up and down the coast a lot, and has been coming to Vancouver for over 30 years. Local guitarist and educator Jared Burrows first connected with him in 2018, and that recording session and gig led to Golia coming back this month for a three-day residency at Capilano University, which will culminate in a gig at Presentation House on the 14th.

The first set will be a free-improv performance, featuring Burrows, Seattle drummer Greg Campbell, and local veteran Clyde Reed on bass. The second set will be Golia conducting the Capilano A Band (plus some special guests) through five new pieces composed specifically for this event. It’s the first time that Golia has presented original music for big band here in over 20 years.

“Vinny teaches at California Institute of the Arts and the students that play in his ensembles always talk about what a challenging and inspiring time they have working with him,” says Burrows. “I thought it would be exciting to have some of our Cap U Jazz students share in this experience.”

Golia is a living legend, and it’s a rare treat to get to see him in a big band context like this.

P.S. There will be a second opportunity to see Golia with this quartet on February 16th at 8EAST (8 East Pender Street) in a double bill with John Gross, James Meger & Kenton Loewen. Music starts at 6:30 p.m.

RSVP HERE


Tim Reinert is a Vancouver-based writer and broadcaster who worked in the music retail industry for over 15 years. 

He is the current president of the board of directors of the Vancouver Improvised Arts Society,  and has been emceeing various jazz and improvised music shows for Coastal Jazz and other organizations for 25 years. He also hosts the the weekly jazz internet show ‘The Infidels’, which can be found here every Monday afternoon.