Prominent New York jazz musician visits Nelson

Trombonist Mike Fahie will join his brother, Nelson bassist Rob Fahie, for a concert at the Shambhala Performance Centre on Friday.

Trombonist Mike Fahie joins his brother, Nelson bassist Rob Fahie, for a concert on Friday at the Shambhala Performance Centre

Trombonist Mike Fahie joins his brother, Nelson bassist Rob Fahie, for a concert on Friday at the Shambhala Performance Centre

It’s a family affair as trombonist Mike Fahie travels from New York City to join his brother, local bassist Rob Fahie, for a performance at Shambhala Music and Performance Hall (10th and Elwyn) on February 24 at 7:30.

The brothers will be joined by Doug Stephenson on guitar and Tony Ferraro in drums. The concert is presented by Selkirk Pro Musica.

Originally from Ottawa, Mike Fahie has been living in New York City for over 15 years, composing and performing with his own original projects, the Mike Fahie Jazz Orchestra and the Mike Fahie Quintet. He is currently working on his second solo album with legendary trumpet player John McNeil.

Mike is also an in-demand sideman, playing with many highly recognized groups. He is the lead trombonist of Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society, a three-time Grammy nominated ensemble, as well as the principal trombonist of the Gramercy Brass Orchestra of New York and a member of the Gramercy Brass Quintet.

He is also an educator, teaching at the United Nations International School for over 10 years and appearing across the US as a trombone and composition clinician. Mike was the first ever Canadian Fulbright Scholar in jazz and was a finalist in the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Trombone Competition.

Mike joins with some of the Kootenays’ finest musicians to perform some fascinating repertoire. This genre-bending concert will feature new jazz quartet adaptations of works by Bach, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Puccini, among others.

“I grew up listening to classical music at home, both on recordings and on the CBC,” he says. “I was also exposed to a great deal of live classical music in Ottawa… I have a deep, lifelong love of—and relationship with—this music, and I have come to realize that my artistic voice as a jazz musician needs to reflect this part of myself.”

The quartet will also perform some of Mike’s original music, which leans heavily on improvisation and interaction.

Tickets are $15 and are available at Otter Books and at the door.

 

Nelson Star