Forbidden Jazz headlines the Coachman Pub on Sunday afternoon.
Featuring Jake Masri on trumpet, flugelhorn, and vocals, Grant McLellan on guitar, and Grahame Edwards on bass, the band strives to reach audiences of all ages by performing a wide variety of timeless jazz standards.
Representing more than four decades of experience, their unique blend of voice, brass, and strings will weave their collective magic through three sets of entertaining music.
Filling the position of lead guitar is local favourite Grant McLellan.
McLellan holds a music diploma from Grant McEwen College in Edmonton. Upon moving to Campbell River, he set about carving a niche for himself as a guitar teacher and musical sideman in numerous local groups of various cultural styles, including his own popular trio. McLellan has a wonderful touch on the guitar, incorporating a rich and varied modal, melodic weave to his improvisations.
Talented multi-instrumentalist Grahame Edwards studied music at the University of British Columbia and holds a Diploma in Fine Arts from the University of Calgary. On top of acoustic and electric bass, Edwards also plays percussion and trumpet.
He has appeared with countless local ensembles and productions in every genre from choral to musical theatre, big band jazz to classical. His first musical love, however, lies with improvised music and he enjoys playing and composing his own jazz tunes. In addition to performing, Edwards has taught both privately and in the Campbell River School District, and enjoys sharing his music by conducting workshops and clinics. Over the years, he has studied with many respected jazz musicians including Don Clarke, Phil Nimmons, Chris Nelson and Paul Horn.
No stranger to the local music scene, Jake Masri draws his inspiration from classical repertoire to musical theatre to Afro-Cuban/New Orleans and Bebop styles. His passion for jazz is directly linked to artists such as Herb Alpert, Miles Davis, Chet Baker and Arturo Sandoval.
As a performance major at VCC, UVIC, and UBC, Masri studied trumpet with Boyd Hood, Gerald Gerbrecht and trombonist Dave Robbins. His studies in jazz exposed him to pros such as Mike Herriot, Bill Clarke and Hugh Fraser during the local CYMC summer program. Masri counts Ann Mortifee, Rhiannon, Ysaye Barnwell, and Wendy Nixon Stothert among his favourite vocal instructors. Since moving to Comox in 2002, Masri has appeared with Quintessence Brass; 6th Street, Jazztown and Jazz Noir combos Sounds of 17, Georgia Straight, Arrowsmith and CR Big Bands Zandhunga Latin Band, Strathcona Symphony Orchestra, and Just in Time Jazz Choir. Come to the Coachman for a casual, entertaining afternoon of jazz. Music starts at 1 p.m. and admission is by donation. The kitchen will offer a wide selection of home style sweet and savoury dishes along with beverages. For more information, contact the Royal Coachman Pub at 250-286-0231 or drop by 84 Dogwood Street.
