Coastal Jazz and Blues with Western Front New Music spotlight the newest shakers and movers in the Jazz world with the Bright Moments Series.
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CONCERT
January 28, 8pm
Battle Trance
Tickets: $25 (includes all taxes & service fees)
Creators of the widely acclaimed Palace Of Wind (2014) and the stunning new album Blade Of Love (2016), these four brilliant saxophone players have “created a new repertoire of sounds and tools that [hint] at the shared space between sweat and metal.” JazzTimes. This unusual, yet enticing saxophone ensemble features Travis Laplante, Matthew Nelson, Jeremy Viner and Patrick Breiner as its elite members. Avant-garde violinist Joshua Zubot collaborates with West Coast gem, guitarist Tony Wilson. Presented by Coastal Jazz and Blues Society in association with Western Front. More info>>
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CONCERT
February 3, 8pm
Harris Eisenstadt’s Old Growth Forest
Tickets: $25 (includes all taxes & service fees)
Toronto-born, brooklyn-based drummer Harris Eisenstadt is among the most creative and prolific musicians of his generation. He put together the Old Growth Forest group in 2015 -essentially, an intriguing resurrection of his trio with trombonist Jeb Bishop and bassist Jason Roebke, along with tenor saxophonist Tony Malaby. “It’s a gruff, visceral sound that harks back to the late 70s/early 80s free jazz scene, with strong melodies that give way to wide open playing.” Downbeat. Presented by Coastal Jazz and Blues Society in association with Western Front. More info>>
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CONCERT
March 10, 8pm
Ben Allison Quartet
Tickets: $30/27
Bassist, bandleader and composer Ben Allison is known for his inspired arrangements, inventive grooves and memorable melodies. Since 1991 he has recorded 40+ albums, 11 as a leader and 7 of which reached number one on the US jazz charts. Jazztimes calls him, “a visionary composer, adventurous improviser, and strong organizational force on the New York City Jazz scene.” Last seen in Vancouver with saxophonist Michael Blake, this exciting quartet features Jeremy Pelt (trumpet), Steve Cardenas (guitar), and Allan Mednard (drums). Presented by Coastal Jazz and Blues Society in partnership with the Western Front and BlueShore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts. More info>>
ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES
Battle Trance had an auspicious inception. One morning, Travis Laplante (Little Women and a trio with bassist Trevor Dunn and drummer Ches Smith) literally awoke with the crystal clear vision that he needed to start an ensemble with three specific individuals Matthew Nelson, Jeremy Viner, and Patrick Breiner. Laplante was actually unfamiliar with their work as musicians and had only a minimal relationship with them as individuals. He was also aware that a band of four tenor saxophones could be the worst idea ever. In spite of this, Laplante followed through and contacted Nelson, Viner, and Breiner. He gave them very little information beyond his morning experience. But no one hesitated – the ensemble formed that evening.
Harris Eisenstadt is most active in jazz and improvised music, as both a bandleader and in-demand sideman, he has performed all over the globe, been awarded grants from organizations such as Meet The Composer, American Composers Forum, Canada Council for the Arts, and appeared on more than 60 recordings since 2000, including seventeen as a leader. Recordings of his compositions since 2002 often appear on the Songlines, Clean Feed, and 482 Music labels, and are consistently included on critics’ best-of lists. New releases for 2016 include “Old Growth Forest” and “Canada Day V:IV” (both on Clean Feed).
