Three renowned West Coast musicians are coming together for an evening of extraordinary jazz Sunday, Jan. 26 starting at 7:30 p.m. as Kelby MacNayr & Friends perform at Sylvan United Church.
In an intimate and acoustically superb performance space such as Sylvan, the group should cook up a tasty night of swinging jazz standards.
MacNayr is bringing pianist Ron Johnston and bassist Chuck Deardorf for the special event.
Johnston has been at the top of the jazz world for over 30 years; he possesses a deep and rich knowledge of jazz-piano history, steeped in the tradition of Oscar Peterson and Hank Jones. His career has brought him into collaboration with many of the greatest performers in jazz including Sonny Stitt, Freddie Hubbard, Chet Baker, Joe Williams and long-time musical partners Paul Horn and Ian McDougall.
Deardorf has been a respected American performer and educator for more than 30 years.
A veteran of the recording studio and international jazz stage, he has performed with a Who's Who of American jazz greats including Freddie Hubbard, Chet
Baker, Abey Lincoln, Kurt Elling and Kenny Barron.
MacNayr has quickly became one of Canada's most respected drummers through his zestful performances.
A former student of Jeff Hamilton and Joe La Barbera, he brings a knowledge of the tradition of jazz drumming and combines it with his love of world-music traditions from Cuba, West Africa and Brazil to create sounds and rhythms both rooted and fresh.
Sylvan United is located at 985 Shawnigan Mill Bay Rd.
Tickets bought in advance are $15 each. Call 250-743-4301 to reserve, or pay $20 at the door.