jazz concerts, Canada

Sheila Jordan
Oct. 27 at 8:00 pm
Centre for Positive Living, Calgary

Jordan Marks 80th Birthday With Concert Performance

Considered one of the most consistently creative jazz artists of all time, vocalist Sheila Jordan appears in Calgary one night only on October 27th at the Centre for Positive Living.

Joining Ms. Jordan for the concert are Edmonton’s Andrew Glover (piano), Mike Lent (bass) and Sandro Dominelli (drums).

Critically acclaimed for her innovative interpretations and considerable improvisational talent, Sheila Jordan is often referred to as a “musician’s singer.” Renowned for her ability to reinvent melody, harmony and lyrics in her performances of standards as well as her own compositions, her adventurous, joyful performances are redolent with her two main inspirations, Charlie Parker and Billie Holiday and cover musical terrain that includes bebop, blues Tin Pan Alley, Hebraic and Native American chants.

Sheila Jordan’s performance and recording credits span nearly five decades, breaking jazz ground from the start. One of a handful of singers to be featured as a leader at the time on the Blue Note label (Portrait of Sheila - 1962), her collaborations include modern jazz master George Russell (The Outer Limits/You are My Sunshine); bassist Harvey Swartz, with whom she recorded and performed in a duo format; and such greats as Steve Kuhn, Roswell Rudd, Carla Bley, Cameron Brown and many others.

Born November 18, 1928 in Detroit and growing up in the coal mining are of Pennsylvania, Sheila returned to her native home during the early 40’s, appearing in local clubs with bassists Paul Chambers and Doug Watkins and as part of the vocalese trio, ‘Skeeter, Mitch and Jean’, who composed lyrics for and performed Charlie Parker arrangements.

She moved to New York in the late 40’s, where she studyied harmony and theory with Lennie Tristano and Warne Marsh. She formed musical friendships with Charles Mingus and her idol, Charlie Parker, whose band featured her future husband, pianist Duke Jordan. The marriage lasted ten years and produced a daughter, whom Sheila unfailingly acknowledges during every performance.

A sought-after teacher, Sheila inspires with her extensive experience and skill as a musician, but perhaps the greatest inspiration she offers students (and fans) is her selflessness, determination and gratitude, which she freely expresses in an article by Andrew Rowan (All About Jazz, December 2, 2005) “I think of myself as only a messenger - either by singing or teaching. I am full of gratitude and joy that I have had the determination to keep it in my life all these years. I am finally able to spread the word and help to keep this wonderful music alive: That is what I feel every time I walk on stage.”

Sheila Jordan
with Andrew Glover (piano), Mike Lent (bass), Sandro Dominelli (drums)
Monday, Oct. 27
Centre for Positive Living
103 - 17 Ave SE
Tix: $25 at www.jazzelements.com/store

for more info visit www.sheilajordanjazz.com

U of C Monday Night Jazz
presents Bomba!
Monday, Sept. 29
University Theatre, Calgary

Bomba! Launch Season with Sizzling Latin Jazz

The Department of Music at the University of Calgary kicks off its Monday Night Jazz Season 2008/09 with the music of Latin-Jazz ensemble, Bomba!

Formed by Emilio Rios (vocal, guitar), ‘Toto’ Bariel (vocals, Afro-Cuban percussion), Aldo Aguirre (violin), Rubim de Toledo (bass), Mario Allende (congas, percussion) and Raul Tabera (timbales, percussion), Bomba! will appear at the University Theatre on Monday, September 29 at 8:00 p.m.

Known for their energetic, highly danceable music, Bomba! performs an inventive and original mix that explores the musical roots of the member’s varied backgrounds, fusing traditional styles such as Cubop, Son, Danzon, Cha Cha, Bossa Nova, jazz & more, in a fresh, new voice.

Tickets: $18 (adults) / $12 (seniors/students) are available through Campus Ticket Centre at 403-220-7202 or at the door.

“The only problem I have with Bomba is as soon as everybody else realizes how sensationally good they are, they’ll be spending less time in Alberta”.
Senator Tom Banks

for more info visit www.bombaweb.com

jazz concerts, Canada

Senator Tom Banks & Campbell Ryga
Friday & Saturday, Sept. 26 & 27
Beat Niq, Calgary

Tom Banks, Campbell Ryga Lead All-Star Quintet

A rare gathering of legendary Canadian jazz musicians will take place on Friday & Saturday, September 26 & 27, when Senator Tom Banks, award-winning pianist, composer and arranger, along with Juno winning saxophonist Campbell Ryga lead a stellar quintet featuring Calgary trumpeter Al Muirhead, Toronto bassist George Koller and Vancouver drummer Blaine Wikjord.

Tom Banks “The Senator” is well-known to Canadians as one of our most accomplished and versatile entertainers and an international standard-bearer for Canadian culture.

A Juno Award-winning musician, Tom Banks has achieved international renown as Conductor and/or Music Director for his work with signature events such as The Royal Command Performance (1978), The Commonwealth Games (1978), the World University Games (1983), Opening Ceremonies for EXPO ‘86 and the XVth Olympic Winter Games (1988). He has also served as a guest conductor with symphony orchestras throughout Canada and in the United States.

As founding Chairman of the Alberta Foundation for the Performing Arts, Senator Banks has worked tirelessly to ensure that other promising musicians and performers receive the exposure they deserve right across the country.

The Senator received an Honourary Diploma of Music from Grant MacEwan College (1979) and later that same year, received a Juno Award and the Grand Prix du Disque-Canada. In 1987, he received an Honourary Doctor of Laws from the University of Alberta. In 1990, he received the Sir Frederick Haultain Prize.

In 1991, Tom Banks received the highest honour paid to a citizen of our nation when he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. In 1993, was awarded the Alberta Order of Excellence.

Saxophonist Campbell Ryga was honored with a Jazz Report Magazine Award for ‘Canada’s Alto Saxophonist of the Year’ (2000). Two former recipients of this award were Moe Koffman and PJ Perry.

Since 1987 Campbell has received 3 Juno Awards along with two additional nominations, a Grammy nomination and has twice received the Western Canadian Music Award in the Jazz category.

Campbell has toured internationally on 19 occasions, primarily to Western Europe and to Latin America, including the Havana International Jazz Festival, where he has performed for four consecutive years. Many of these tours were with the internationally acclaimed Hugh Fraser Quintet, of which he is a founding member (1981). Campbell has performed week long engagements at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in Soho, London on four separate occasions. Campbell has also been involved in cross country Canadian touring on 24 separate occasions.

for more info visit www.beatniq.com