It's no mirage, Chemainus Classical Concerts is kicking of their new season of nine performance with Desert Song at St. Michael's Church on Oct. 6 at 2 p.m., featuring virtuoso guitarist and pianist Itamar Erez.
"Our first performer of the season, Itamar Erez, is internationally known for his collaborative work with other acclaimed artists," said artistic director Rykie Avenant. "In recent years he has played in important venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York, Barbican Hall in London, Sydney Opera House in Australia, and the Jerusalem Jazz Festival in Israel.
Internationally renowned musician Erez, who is a recipient of the 2014 ACUM and Landau prize for his special achievement in jazz, has shared the stage with other great musicians in the same vein such as Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Tomatito, Avishai Cohen, Jean-Louis Matinier, Zohar Fresco, and others.
Erez has been wowing audiences worldwide with his blend of Middle Eastern music, jazz, and flamenco, said a press release for the concert. In a program especially created for the Chemainus Classical Concert series, Erez will perform music by J.S. Bach, and Brazilian composers such as Pixinguinha and Garoto, and will also perform his own original compositions on guitar and piano. The music of Erez has been praised for both its depth and its sensitivity. His upcoming concert for the Chemainus Classical series opener is one of only two solo concerts in his current tour.
Erez has released six albums to date including Desert Song in 2006 which inspired the name for this concert, and his most recent album Migrant Voices which was released earlier this year. Migrant Voices is a collaboration with Iranian-Canadian percussionist Hamin Honari that blends diverse cultural influences, highlighting the spontaneous interplay between guitar and percussion. Erez will also be accompanying poet, singer/songwriter and finger-style guitarist Brian Gore at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre on Oct. 24.
Check out the entire lineup for the new season at chemainusclassicconcerts.ca. Classical musical lovers can experience the whole season for $180. Tickets for Desert Song are $30 at the door, or $10 for those 18 and under. Reserve your prepaid tickets for $23 or $25 at the door. Reserve by calling Eleanor at 250-748-8383.
"What excites us is hearing Itamar in the intimate setting of St. Michael's Church in Chemainus, a close and personal experience of a multi-faceted musician who is praised for his unique blend of musical styles," said Avenant.