| Spring’s here, so they say, and along with fewer snowflakes, it brings jazz touring season. What better time to hit the road and do a cross-Canada promotion? At least, that must be the thinking in Kate Hammett-Vaughan’s Trio, cuz they’re pinging from Nova Scotia to B.C. and everywhere in between to promote their new CD So Lucky to be Me. Hammett-Vaughn sings at Beatniq on April 20 backed by Bruno Hubert and Andre Lachance, both of them heavies from the Brad Turner Quartet.
Local jazz guitarist Ralf Buschmeyer is also promoting a CD this month and you’ll find him performing every Thursday starting April 5 at the Red Onion Bar and Grill on Macleod Trail. His latest CD, EST 1968, will be available for sale at all the gigs.
The local guys are busy this month and come April 11, the Simon Fisk Trio will play a housewarming gig at C-JAZZ. Billed as a C-JAZZ "rent party," the gig happens in the EM QAS Screening Room at 202, 351, 11 Ave S.W. Only 70 people can fit in the screening room, but if you can’t make it check the show live on C-Jazz’s webcasting at www.kitchenradio.ca .
End of the month brings us two big performances in the north end of the city. First, watch for the Shane Statz Quartet on April 25 at the Hillhurst/Sunnyside Community Centre. Part of the Calgary Jazz Performance Series, Shatz’s group features Tynan Groves on guitar, Simon Fisk on bass, Jacquie Walker on drums and Shatz on saxophone. Guaranteed to be an evening of mostly original material. Catch this one.
Rolling on to April 27 and 28, don’t miss Guitarmania VIII at Bowness Community Centre. It’s happening Friday night for us big kids but on Saturday afternoon it’s an all-ages show with kids under 12 getting in free. Both dates are major gigs featuring seven amazing guitarists ranging from Ken Greer (ex of Red Rider), to Chicago blues giant Maurice John Vaughn, and legendary Saskatchewan bluesman Jack Semple. The backing band for these axemen is Mike Little on the Hammond B3, Curtis Cripps on the bass and Duris Maxwell on drums. |
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