With International Women’s Day falling on a Thursday (March 8), the Georgia Straight Jazz Society thought there was no better way to salute the day than by presenting a fourth Women of Jazz concert. As with the previous concerts, this is a fundraiser for the Comox Valley Transition Society.
Three of the Valley’s most popular, talented and exciting vocalists — Dale Graham, Jenn Forsland and Wendy Nixon Stothert — will be featured. During the evening they will introduce five up-and-coming young vocalists from two of the Valley high schools, Vanier and Mark Isfeld.
Graham is best known for her solo vocals with local group Indigo Jazz, as well as being a member of the women’s jazz quartet Swing Set. She developed her singing chops through work in the Celtic/folk scene but discovered her true love in jazz, a genre that showcases her supple and fluid vocals.
Fellow Swing Set member Forsland fronts the Jenn Forsland Group, directs the Celebration Singers, and teaches music privately and in the schools. Her strong technical skills are beautifully complemented by her playful interpretations and her delightful rapport with the audience.
Stothert, also a member of the fabulous Swing Set, has been teaching music in the school system for 14 years. She is the passionate director of the Just in Time Vocal Jazz Choirs, now in their sixth year, and performs with the stellar Comox Valley jazz musicians whenever she can.
A fourth featured musician is Rachel Fuller, on saxophone. Tucking her First Class Honours Degree in Music Performance under her arm, Rachel joined an international five-piece show band where she specialized on the alto saxophone, playing seven nights a week for 18 months to audiences of all sizes.
Now based in the Comox Valley, she teaches clarinet and saxophone at Motif Music Studios in Courtenay.
The young women who will join Dale, Jenn, Wendy and Rachel are Alyssa Dawe and Christina Demeo of Mark Isfeld and Kaitlyn Card, Tonja Maslin and Jenna Spowart of Vanier. Alyssa has had music in her life “forever,” including voice lessons, choir and involvement in Valley Idol.
Christina was in her first musical theatre production at the age of five and is currently part of both the concert and jazz choirs at Mark Isfeld. Kaitlyn has been singing for eight years and like Alyssa has been part of Valley Idol.
Tonja, a student of Forsland’s, hopes to one day be a music/vocal teacher in the school system. Jenna, who has been dancing since the age of four, is now discovering her voice and the freedom of sharing song.
During the evening all of the featured musicians will perform solos, and to mix it up, each of the “veterans” will be paired with one of the young guests for a duet number. The results will be exciting, fresh and innovative.
Some of the pieces you will hear — At Last, Summertime, Straighten Up and Fly Right and Peel Me A Grape.
Last, but far from least, is the band, with Rick Husband on guitar, Bill Street on drums and Don MacKay on bass. Wendy and Jenn will both take turns at the keyboard.
Heather Ney, executive director of the transition society, is thrilled that the Georgia Straight Jazz Society is once more hosting a fundraiser for the society.
“We really appreciate the support of the jazz society,” she said. “The funds raised make a big difference for our programs and an event like this sends a powerful message of support to the women and children we serve.”
Don’t be disappointed. Arrive early to guarantee a fine seat — particularly if you hope to sit in a group — and hear an evening of fabulous jazz while supporting not one but two good causes. The Elks is Son Sixth Street in Courtenay, and showtime is 7:30 p.m.
— Georgia Straight Jazz Society
