Calgary’s Terra Hazelton, like her long-haired friends in the film Fubar, can “give’r” when it comes to belting out a jazz tune.
Locals can hear for themselves when the actress/singer/plus-sized model performs with jazz guitarist Nathan Hiltz at Lorenzo’s Café Friday.
Currently on a whirlwind nine-stop tour through Western Canada, it’s been a big year for the Alberta native, who gave a hilarious portrayal as waitress Trish, who starts dating slacker Terry in Fubar II.
Hazelton was nominated for a Genie Award for best supporting actress for the role in her first feature film credit.
Since then she has received endorsements from San Francisco design label Igigi by Yuliya Raquel, and has been on a hectic schedule of touring and press junkets.
Now, she’s coming home.
Best known for her years touring with legend Jeff Healey as the front woman of his Jazz Wizards and subsequent tours with Juno award winning bassist Brandi Disterheft, this tour marks a home-coming for Hazelton, a first under her own guise.
The tour kicked off in Calgary June 16 at The Loose Moose Theatre – Hazelton’s old stomping grounds.
Originally from Carstairs, she grew up mostly in Calgary, relocating at only 14 years of age to study professional theatre and comedy under Keith Johnston (TheatreSports) and Dennis Cahill at the internationally acclaimed Loose Moose Theatre Company.
Hazelton emphasizes how important studying at the theatre company has been to her career as both an actor and a jazz and blues singer.
“The Loose Moose Theatre Co. gave me all the tools I need to be a versatile performer,” she said. “Having the opportunity to start my career in Calgary at only 14 allowed me to grow not only as an actor and improviser, but also as a human being.”
Known for her wry wit and outstanding improvisational skills, Hazelton has proven herself a unique entertainer on the Toronto jazz scene, where she’s been based since the age of 20.
The late Healey recalled:
“She did one chorus and the whole place just fell to pieces, screaming and stamping and clapping. I knew she had a great singing voice, but I had no idea the impression she could make on an audience with everything she can do. She is able to entertain with a charisma and magnetism unlike anything I’ve ever seen.”
Hazelton’s current tour is a cross-country wind-up to blow out performances at the 2011 Victoria International Jazz Festival. She will also be playing three days at Victoria’s Hotel Grand Pacific June 27 to 29.
Accompanying her is Hiltz, who has been playing sold-out venues in multiple tours across the country and has quickly earned the reputation of the most promising Canadian guitarist of his generation.
Hazelton and Hiltz take the stage at Lorenzo’s Café, 901 Mabel Lake Rd., east of Enderby, Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10. Call 250-838-6700 to reserve.
