Ambrose Akinmusire performs with A Band and Nitecap

Brilliant young trumpeter and composer, Ambrose Akinmusire, performed as guest artist with A Band and Nitecap on March 31. Ambrose also spent some time giving a workshop to the Jazz Studies students.  What a great musician and lovely person!

Cap Jazz Alumni and Faculty WIN Junos 2017.

An update from some of the previous news posts on Juno awards...

Alumna, Bria Skonberg won the Juno for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year for her album, Bria.  Fellow Cap alum, Evan Arntzen plays on the recording.

Faculty member, Brad Turner, won Jazz Album of the Year as part of the band, Metalwood, for their album, Twenty.

Congratulations!

CBC coverage of Hugh Fraser Benefit show at Capilano U

CBC coverage of Hugh Fraser Benefit show at Capilano U:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/hugh-fraser-jazz-fundraiser-1.3924741

Hugh Fraser

Cap Jazz Alumni and Faculty Nominated for Junos

Several Cap Jazz alumni and a faculty member have been nominated for Juno awards.
See David Ball's  article in the Metro newspaper:

http://www.metronews.ca/news/vancouver/2017/04/02/capilano-jazz-nets-numerous-nods-at-junos-this-weekend.html

Cap alumna, Bria Skonberg

Cap Jazz Program in the News

Here's a nice article in the North Shore News about our program.

http://www.nsnews.com/entertainment/music/capilano-university-prepares-students-for-the-jazz-life-1.12851908

Grant Stewart Trio at Cap U Sept 28.

NYC saxophonist, Grant Stewart and his trio (Paul Sivikie, bass, and Philip Stewart, drums) are visiting Capilano U Jazz Studies Dept.to give a concert and workshop on Wednesday, Sept 28.  11:30am until about 12:50pm, room Fir 113,  Free admission.

“Grant is one of the most innovative musicians still carrying on the tradition of jazz, which encompasses bebop, swing and a little avant garde.” Lou Donaldson

“Grant is one of the brightest, gifted players I’ve heard and had on my bandstand. He can only do good-he’s got a long, brilliant career ahead of him.” George Coleman

Itamar Erez Adama Ensemble

Capilano Jazz Studies Lunch Bag Concert Series 
(scroll down the page for complete listings of upcoming events)

September 22, 2016
11:30am-1:00pm
Room Fir 113, North Vancouver Campus.

Free admission but very limited space, so arrive early!

Itamar Erez - piano & guitar
Francois Houle - clarinet
Laurence Mollerup - bass
Liam MacDonald - drums
Nick Apivor- vibes & marimba

Itamar’s music blends the delicateness of Middle Eastern music, the freedom found in jazz and the passion of flamenco, creating a unique sound all his own. He has released two CDs with his quartet The Adama Ensemble, “Desert Song” (2006) and “Hommage” (2010), and has shared the stage with such musicians as Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Tomatito, Avishai Cohen, Jean-Louis Matinier, Zohar Fresco, and others.

Jazz Studies Dept. Events for Fall 2016

Have a look at our lineup of great musical events for Fall 2016.
Members of the public are always welcome at all of our lunch time concerts and evening shows.
Come back to the blog for more detail on  events as they get closer in the calendar.

Sept 7, 8pm, Presentation House.  $10 at the door. Free tea and cookies.	Len Aruliah Quartet UK saxophonist leads band including Cap faculty and alumni.
Sept 14, 8pm, Presentation House.  $10 at the door. Free tea and cookies.	Natasha D’Agostino Quintet Cap student vocalist leads band of Cap students and alumni in a concert of originals and standards
Sept 15,  7:30, Blueshore Theatre. Free admission for Cap students with ID.	Bill Evans Documentary screening plus Miles Black Trio performance. Featuring Cap jazz faculty Darren Radtke and Dave Robbins.
Sept 21, 8pm, Presentation House.  $10 at the door. Free tea and cookies.	Jesus Caballero Band Drummer and Cap alumnus presents original tunes.
Sept 22, 11:30am-1:00pm, Fir 113. Free admission.	Itamar Erez Adama Ensemble Guitarist  Itamar Erez leads a band of top Vancouver players in a concert of original compositions influenced by jazz, classical, flamenco and Arabic music.
Sept 28, 11:30-1:00pm. Fir 113. Free admission.	Renowned NYC saxophonist Grant Stewart and his trio present a concert/workshop session.
Sept 28, 8pm, Presentation House.  $10 at the door. Free tea and cookies.	Lyle Hopkins and Friends Cap alumnus, bass player, composer presents original tunes. Lyle recently returned from MMus studies in Oregon.
Oct. 3-8 Carlo Morena Residency Various times and locations at Cap. Free admission for Cap students.	Carlo Morena Residency Italian pianist , composer, and educator will coach students in combos, present workshops, and collaborate with faculty in various concerts.
Oct 5, 8pm, Presentation House $10 at the door. Free tea and cookies.	Ben Frost’s Adanac Fine young trumpeter and composer presents original music with Jenny Xu (piano), Eli Davidovici (bass), Miles Wong (drums)
Oct 12, 8pm, Presentation House $10 at the door. Free tea and cookies.	Van der Schyff/ Reed/ Clark/Burrows Improvised music with Vancouver veterans
Oct. 14, noon-1:30, Fir 113.  Free admission.	Samuel Blaser Quartet Berlin trombonist, Samuel Blaser, presents a concert and workshop with top NYC players.
Oct. 18, 11:30am-1:00pm in Fir 113. Free admission	Guitar/Bass Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble concert.
Oct 19, 8pm, Presentation House $10 at the door. Free tea and cookies.	Jessica Toplak Band One of Vancouver’s finest young vocalists presents originals and cover tunes.
Oct. 20, 11:30am-1:00pm in Fir 113. Free admission	NARWHAL concert
Oct. 21, 11:30am-1:00pm in Fir 113. Free admission	B Band and C Band concert.
Oct. 24, 6:00-10:00pm.  Blueshore Theatre.  Free admission	3rd and 4th year Combos Concert
Oct 26, 8pm, Presentation House $10 at the door. Free tea and cookies.	Nomads
Oct 27, 11:30-1:00, Fir 113. Free admission.	Donny McCaslin workshop.
Oct 28, 8:00pm, Blueshore Theatre. Tickets through box office.	Donny McCaslin  concert with A Band and Nitecap
Nov. 1, 11:30-1:00. Fir 113. Free admission.	Amanda Tosoff Band Toronto pianist and Cap alumna presents her music and a workshop.
Nov 9, 8pm, Presentation House.  $10 at the door. Free tea and cookies.	Michael Vlatkovich Quintet Renowned LA trombonist leads a band of Vancouver and Seattle players in a concert of original compositions.
Nov 12, 8pm, Presentation House.  $10 at the door. Free tea and cookies.	Thunder Lizard Funky jazz/rock organ trio with Jared Burrows (guitar), Nick Peck (organ), Joe Poole (drums)
Nov 16, 11:30-1:00. Fir 113 Free admission.	Ken Aldcroft Convergence Ensemble Toronto guitarist and bandleader presents a concert of improvised music plus Q&A session.
Nov 16, 8pm, Presentation House.  $10 at the door. Free tea and cookies.	Ken Aldcroft Convergence Ensemble
Nov 17. 11:30-1:00. Fir 113 Free admission.	Rhythmic Music Ensemble Concert
Nov 21, 2:00-4:00. Fir 113. Free admission	Talk with record producer and jazz historian, Zev Feldman.
Nov 21 6:00-10:00pm.  Blueshore Theatre.  Free admission	3rd and 4th year Combos Concert
Nov 21, 8:00pm.  Tickets on Frankie’s website/at door	A Band at Frankie’s
Nov 22, 11:30am-1:00pm in Fir 113. Free admission	Guitar/Bass Ensemble concert.
Nov 23, 11:30am-1:00pm in Fir 113. Free admission	Percussion Ensemble concert.
Nov 23, 8pm, Presentation House.  $10 at the door. Free tea and cookies.	Aaron Andrada Band Cap alumnus and bass player, Aaron Andrada presents originals and standards.
Nov 24, 11:30am-1:00pm in Fir 113. Free admission	Hal Galper Trio Renowned NYC pianist and jazz educator presents a concert/workshop with his trio
Nov 25, 11:30-1:00. Fir 113 Free admission.	Capital Jazz Concert
Nov 29, 11:30-1:00. Fir 113 Free admission.	C Band and B Band Concert
Nov 29, 8:00pm, Blueshore Theatre Free admission.	NARWHAL concert
Nov 30, 11:30-1:00. Fir 113 Free admission.	Ineke VanDoorn Concert/workshop One of Europe’s top vocalists presents original music in duo with guitarist, Marc Van Vugt
Dec 2, 12:00-1:30. Fir 113 Free admission.	Nitecap and A Band concert
Dec 7, 8:00pm, Blueshore Theatre Free admission.	Capital Jazz Concert
Dec 8, 8:00pm, Blueshore Theatre Free admission.	C Band and B Band concert

Cap Jazz Grads Head for Grad School

Where do graduates go?  To graduate school of course! Well, at least some of them do.

Meghan Gilhespy (photo Vincent Lim)

We are very pleased that some of our highly skilled and hard working Cap Jazz grads have been accepted to graduate programs this year at some of North America's top music schools. MMus program provide an opportunity for musicians to refine their skills, expand their horizons, connect with peers from across the globe, and to develop a personal approach to their music. In many cases, they also provide opportunities to gain teaching and administrative experience, both of which will be very important in possible future careers in music education. We are extremely proud of all these fine musicians and wish them all the best for their future.

Leo Bae (piano, BMus 2015) will attend University of Oregon for his MMus is Jazz Studies.  Leo has been offered a teaching fellowship and full tuition waiver.
Meghan Gihespy (voice, BMus 2015) will attend the University of Toronto for her MMus in Jazz Studies.
Thomas Houlden (trumpet, BMus 2015) will also attend University of Toronto for his MMus in Jazz Studies.
Brent Mah (saxophone, BMus 2013) will attend Rutgers University (New Jersey) for his MMus in Jazz Studies. Brent has been offered a full tuition scholarship.
John Nicholson (saxophone, BMus 2015) will attend University of Toronto for his MMus in Jazz Studies.

Lyle Hopkins (photo Vincent Lim)

Other Cap Jazz grads currently attending graduate programs include:

Cary Campbell, Simon Fraser University, PhD  Arts Education
Daniel Hersog, New England Conservatory, MMus Jazz Studies
Lyle Hopkins, University of Oregon, MMus  Jazz Studies
Duncan Maunders, University of BC, MMus  Composition
Brittany Mielnichuk, University of Manitoba, MMus Choral Conducting

Thomas Houlden (photo ??)

Leo Bae (photo Vincent Lim)

John Nicholson (photo Vincent Lim)

Narwhal performs Carnatic Music/Jazz Fusion concert

The Capilano Jazz Studies program is not only a place where students can learn about jazz and its traditions, but also a place where they can explore the intersections of jazz with other forms of music and imagine what jazz might become in the future.

Students in the Narwhal ensemble spent the first half of the Spring semester working with Carnatic musicians Vidyasagar Vankayala (voice) and Curtis Andrews (drums).  Cap instructor and Narwhal director, Dr. Jared Burrows, arranged compositions from the Carnatic (South Indian Classical) tradition for the ensemble and fused that music with some elements of jazz.  the students worked extremely hard to learn this challenging material and performed it on Feb 24 at Presentation House Studio in North Vancouver. To our knowledge, this kind of adaptation of Carnatic music for large ensemble with voices and instruments is a unique project that has never been tried before and everyone was pleased with the results.

Another performance of this music will take place April 13, 2016 at the Blueshore Centre for the Performing Arts at Capilano U.  8pm, free admission.

Here are some video clips from the Fenruary  concert.  More to come soon....

Cap Jazz People on CBC Outstanding Albums of 2015

Cap Jazz faculty members and alumni are some of the top players in the country.  Several of them have made the cut for CBC Music 10 Outstanding Jazz Albums of 2015.

photo of Steve Kaldestad by Steve Mynett (from CBC website)

Faculty:
Steve Kaldestad leads a quartet of New York's finest on New York Afternoon (Cellar Live Records)

Bill Coon, Dave Robbins and Darren Radtke play on Oliver Gannon and Bill Coon, Two Much More (Cellar Live Records)

Bill Coon, Dennis Esson, Dave Robbins, Steve Kaldestad, Chad Makela, Brad Turner are all on this wonderful tribute to a former cap faculty member.  Jill Townsend Big Band, Legacy: The Music of Ross Taggart (Cellar Live Records)

Alumni:
Cory Weeds, Condition Blue (Cellar Live Records)

Paul Cram November Residency

Composer and multi-reed player, Paul Cram, is our artist in residence for November.  Paul began his career in Vancouver and was a key part of the scene here in the 70s and 80s, perhaps most importantly as co-founder of the New Orchestra Workshop and New Orchestra Quintet.  Paul then moved to Nova Scotia where he formed the Upstream Ensemble. He is now a signifcant force in creative music in that province.  More on Paul at his website 

Paul will be working with a large student ensemble on Saturday afternoons this month and then presenting a concert showing the fruits of their labours on Wednesday, December 2 at 11:30am..  Among other things, the ensemble will be working on Paul's scores for Buster Keaton films "The Navigator" and Steamboat Bill Jr".

We are really excited that Paul is sharing his music and his time with us!

Ian McDougall Residency Sept 29 - Oct 1

We are extremely pleased that Ian McDougall will be our artist in residence this week.  He will be on campus Tuesday through Thursday. Click on "Workshop & Concert Info" tab above for detailed schedule.

Ian is one of the finest trombone players on the planet and is renowned as a composer, arranger, and music educator.  Visit his website for more information:  www.ianmcdougall.com

The Tuesday masterclass and Thursday concert are open to all.  Rehearsals with A, B, and C band are open to as many as we can fit.  If you wish to attend other events, please speak directly to the instructors who are running the classes that Ian will be visiting.

Ian will also be giving a free concert and workshop with RIO at Vancouver Community College auditorium on Saturday, Oct 3, 1-3pm.  RIO is Ian, Ron Johnston (piano) and Oliver Gannon (guitar).

Ron's Flea

One of our faculty members, guitarist Ron Samworth, was diagnosed with cancer this past spring. A summer of chemo therapy treatments led to an operation last week. The treatments and surgery are going according to plan, but Ron has been unable to work for some time now and the recovery will be slow.

Another member of our faculty and fellow guitarist, Bill Coon, suggest that we hold a flea market to raise some funds to help Ron through this difficult time. This method of fund raising was especially appropriate as Ron is a 'picker' and veteran of many flea markets and garage sales. On Saturday, September 26, Capilano Jazz faculty members and many other members of the Vancouver music community showed up with musical goods and services to be sold. Others who couldn't make it on that day sent all kinds of things to be sold.  The room was full of vinyl records, CDs, musical gear, and music books.  Generous students, musician friends, and people from the community snapped up everything on offer in just a few hours and emptied their pockets for Ron. A very large sum of money was raised.

The feeling in the room was one of tremendous goodwill and community togetherness. Lots of recordings found new homes and everyone really enjoyed hanging out and sending love and positive vibes to Ron.  I am very proud of our Cap Jazz family for pulling together as a group to help a friend. Special thanks to Bill for thinking of the idea and organizing everything.

Cap Jazz event calendar is up

The Jazz Studies Dept event calendar is now attached to this site.
Please click on "Workshop and Concert Schedule" or "More Concert Info" tabs above to see what is going on.
We are really excited about all of our upcoming events including residencies with Ian McDougall and Paul Cram, shows in the Blushore, and lots of lunchtime concerts and workshops.