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Three vocalists bring honour Ella Fitzgerald’s 100th in Crofton

Ron Joiner, one of the organizers of the Crofton jazz series, calls this one a biggie.
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Ella Fitzgerald is an American jazz icon. Three vocalists will celebrate her this Sunday at the Osborne Bay Pub. (submitted)

Ron Joiner, one of the organizers of the Crofton jazz series, calls this one a biggie.

The life and legend of iconic jazz vocalist Ella Fitzgerald will be celebrated by a trio of Victoria’s top divas at Pat’s House of Jazz in the Osborne Bay Pub on Sunday, Sept. 24.

Vocalists Kim Greenwood, Diane Pancel and Susannah Adams will honour Fitzgerald’s 100th birthday with selections from her extensive list of hit tunes, backed by a trio led by pianist Karel Roessingh.

“Fitzgerald, known as the First Lady of Song and the Queen of Jazz, was noted for her purity of tone and impeccable diction and an amazing improvisational ability, especially in her scat singing,” a press release for the event relates.

Her rendition of the nursery rhyme A-Tisket, A-Tasket with the Chick Webb orchestra helped boost both her and Webb to national fame and launched her career that would last the rest of her life.

Her influence lives on after her death in 1996 through her 14 Grammy Awards, her National Medal of Arts, her Presidential Medal of Freedom and tributes in the form of stamps, music festivals and theatre namesakes.

Vocalist Kim Greenwood is a multi-genre singer equally at home with classical music or jazz. She performs regularly with the Commodores Big Band, and is the chair of the voice department at the Canadian College of Performing Arts in Oak Bay.

Diane Pancel has worked with a raft of well-known artists including David Foster, Nelly Furtado, Leanne Rimes, Matt Dusk and Victoria’s Louise Rose. A national anthem specialist, she has also performed all across the U.S. at major sporting events for the L.A. Kings, L.A. Galaxy, Orlando Magic and the U.S. Women’s national soccer team airing live on NBC Sports.

Susannah Adams has become one of Victoria’s most sought-after entertainers, thanks to dazzling performances such as her closing act on the final day of this year’s Victoria Jazz Festival, when she drew prolonged applause and a standing ovation.

“Her vocals are enchanting and sweet, yet daringly hip,” a jazz society profile said. “Weaving her way through the Great American Songbook…she delights in improvising within the framework of these timeless jazz standards.”

The concert is part of the weekly Pat’s House of Jazz series, which runs every Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Osborne Bay Pub, 1534 Joan Ave. in Crofton, a stone’s throw from the Saltspring Island ferry terminal.

Musicians are invited to join in a jam session during the last hour.

Admission is $20 for this event only. For information, phone 250-324-2245 or visit http://osbornebaypub.com.