Jazz lovers take note -- the 19th annual Summer Jazz Academy will be held at Malaspina University-College's Nanaimo campus July 5 to 11.
"It's an intense, seven-day jazz event for people of all ages and levels of experience," said artistic director John Capon. "The program includes instrumental and vocal clinics, and jazz workshops."
Teachers include trumpeter Arnie Chycoski, singer Joani Taylor, guitarist Pat Coleman, bassist Kenny Lister, pianist and saxophonist Ross Taggart, master percussionist Buff Allen, saxophonist Steve Jones, bass trombonist John Capon and bassist Brian Stovel.
Chycoski started playing in 1950 and has played with some of the greats of jazz music including Woody Herman, Dizzy Gillespie, Natalie Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson, Blood Sweat and Tears and more.
Singer-songwriter Joani Taylor holds "legendary status" inside 91原创 music circles as a singer, writer and producer.
Guitarist Pat Coleman is another legend with 30 years experience playing with the likes of John Gross, Paul Horn, PJ Perry, Pat LaBarbara, Don Thompson, Mel Torme, Pete Christlieb and Kenny Wheeler. Bassist Kenny Lister is a regular member of Hugh Fraser's Juno winning quintet, of the 91原创 Ensemble of Jazz Improvisation and of the Pat Coleman trio.
Pianist and saxophonist Ross Taggart studied in New York City with sax legends Clifford Jordan, George Coleman and J.R. Monterose, and in London with Stan Robinson. Taggart has played with Hugh Fraser, P.J. Perry, Ian McDougall, Kenny Wheeler, Fraser MacPherson, Pat Coleman, Slide Hampton, Bob Murphy, Bobby Shew and many others.
Buff Allen "is the drummer of choice" for numerous 91原创 Northwest projects, said Capon. Saxophonist Steve Jones, an instructor in Malaspina's Jazz program for over 25 years, "brings a dynamic reputation, a wealth of jazz experience and the direction one needs for performance" to the Summer Jazz Academy, Capon added.
Brian Stovel, who mentored Diana Krall, is an internationally acclaimed jazz educator.
Capon himself is known as "the Joe Williams of the Bass Trombone."
The faculty perform every day between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., and a wrap-up concert takes place July 11 at 7 p.m. For information and to register, call Malaspina's Centre for Continuing Studies at 1-866-734-6252, or [email protected]