The walls will be bouncing with the energetic sounds of Rann Berry and The Random Act at the Vernon Jazz Club Saturday.
The Random Act features Berry on lead vocals, Gord Frie on tenor and baritone sax, Mike Schell on trumpet, Chris Manuel on trombone, Dana Barnes on piano, Michael Fic, vocals and bass, and Scott Gamble on drums.
This high-paced seven-piece band will have the audience grooving to classics from the ‘60s and ‘70s, including Hard Day’s Night (The Beatles), I Shot the Sheriff (Bob Marley/Eric Clapton), and Superstition (Stevie Wonder).
Although Rann’s music is influenced by a variety of styles such as rock, R&B, funk, and swing, it was classic rock which really caught his attention at a young age.
“I was first drawn to classic rock, like any kid our age listening to radio and wanting to be the next Beatle. Rock was new and exciting,” said Berry.
And the music still is exciting. So much so that Berry and The Random Act have been busy touring B.C. with their Vegas-style theatre show One Hit Wonders. This show is complete with dancers and is a full musical journey to the past.
Don’t let their name fool you. There is nothing random about the way this band performs. They are super tight and full of confident energy. One of the reasons for this cohesiveness is that the members of the rhythm section have been playing together for 20 years.
The Random Act has opened for Colin James, Trooper, Randy Bachman, Loverboy, April Wine, and Crash Test Dummies to name but a few.
Schell is the co-founder and leader of the Uptown Hornz who just recently celebrated their 10-year anniversary of touring. This past summer the group played at the East 542 Music Festival opening for Steve Augeri (former lead vocalist of Journey) and Fran Cosmo (Boston).
Manuel was born and raised in Penticton and is also a co-founder of Uptown Hornz. He has been a clinician, musician, and adjudicator in the Canadian Forces Reserves and has spent time touring Europe.
Frie is an award winning music educator and performer. He holds a master’s degree in music from Washington State University and can also be heard touring with the Uptown Hornz.
Barnes is also an educator. He teaches history and music at secondary school and is the leader of Easy Fix, a five-piece dance band out of Kelowna.
Fic has travelled the world performing on cruise ships and is Diamond Jack for the tributes to Tom Jones and Neil Diamond.
Gamble is comfortable playing in any style. He is in high demand for both live and studio work and plays many genres in multiple bands.
He was named musician of the year at the 2006 B.C. Interior Music Awards and is also a successful graphic artist.
Rann Berry and The Random Act take the stage at the Vernon Jazz Club (3000-31st St.) Saturday at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7:15. Tickets are $20 at the Bean Scene, Bean to Cup and at www.vernonjazz.ca.
