Brad Turner wins Mayor's Award - Matt Choboter named Emerging Artist

I am very pleased to announce that Brad Turner, one of our Jazz Studies faculty members, has been given the Mayor's Arts Award for music.   Recipients of this award have the opportunity to name an Emerging Artist for an award as well.  Brad chose recent Cap grad, Matt Choboter.

Brad is well known nationally and internationally for his accomplishments as a musician. His extraordinary abilities encompass a huge range of activities: playing the trumpet, piano, and drums, teaching, engineering and producing recordings in his own studio, and composing for top-flight ensembles at home and abroad. He has been a key part of the music scene in Vancouver for many years performing and composing for many different ensembles in jazz and many styles of music.  His impact as a teacher has been equally impressive and far-reaching.  I know I speak for everyone when I say that we all feel very fortunate to have him as part of our Cap Jazz family and we couldn't be more pleased that he has received this recognition.  For those not yet familiar with the remarkable Mr. Turner, here's a video interview featuring Brad and his quartet.




Brad's choice of Matt Choboter for the Emerging Artist award will be no surprise to those who know Matt and his music.  He was an exceptional student at Capilano and is working hard to create an original voice as a player and composer.  Here's a video clip of Matt with his trio at Capilano's Blueshore Centre.


This is not the first time Cap Jazz students and faculty have received the Mayor's Award. A quick look at the past recipients shows that faculty member, John Korsrud, took the award in 2012 with Cap Alumni, Cole Schmidt and Evan Arntzen named as emerging artists in 2013 and 2010 respectively. Korsrud is known internationally as a composer and leader of the Hard Rubber Orchestra.  Schmidt won a Juno last year with some other Cap alums, and Evan is enjoying a very busy career performing in New York City.

Congratulations again to Brad and Matt.
What an amazing community of artists we have at Cap!

Cap Jazz Student Travels the Spaceways

Students in the Cap Jazz program are busy with a lot more than just their classes.  They are creating their own careers while they learn new skills and ideas.

Xander Miller is a bass player and songwriter in the program who has interests in electronic, rock, cinematic, and experimental music. He will be releasing his first debut album 'Planetarium' on September 12th. Along with the release, he will be having a album release party on September 12th at the Vancouver Planetarium. 

Here is what Xander has to say about the project:

"Planetarium is a concept album that travels through our Solar System intending to take the listener on an audible journey through space. Characteristics of each galactic feature, such as climate, terrain, and size can be felt through the musical ideas and motifs that continue to impress emotions and discovery with each listen. Throughout history we have marveled at the stories and themes that our Greek and Roman ancestors brought to life through the tales of the planets; it is these ideas that inspired the provoking lyrics and rhythm heard throughout the album. With such depth in each song, listeners will find themselves taking in each track numerous times while continuing to unravel new layers in the process. Take a journey through the great expanse of the Solar System and view the planets from a new perspective - welcome to a sonic planetarium."

As Sun Ra used to say, "Space is the Place!"  We wish Xander all the best for this ambitious and creative project! 

Hear the music here: