Maureen Washington and Daniel Cook, a musical collaboration best described as Funkified Urban Jazz, play a unique blend of blues, funk, jazz, Latin & roots music. Classic standards mixed with well-crafted original songs are performed with Ryan Tandy, Damian Graham and special guest Jerry Cook.
They hit Oak Bay as the Washinton & Cook Quintet Friday night.
With now nine albums to her credit, Washington began her musical career in her home town of Prince George. Maureen slips easily from sassy to sexy within a single line of lyrics, at times echoing the haunting tones of Etta James and Carmen McRae, then faster than the mind and ear can make the transition, Maureen Washington exudes the impish irreverence of Jann Arden and the vocal agility of Holly Cole. And yet, with all splendor attached to such comparisons, Maureen’s musical style remains distinctly her own. Among her many nominations and awards is the 2014 Black Canadian Award for Best Jazz and Soul Artist.
Cook is a singer songwriter who fuses contagious melodies with timeless stories creating a fresh brand of Original West Coast Roots Music, and a guitarist who blends melody and minimalism into a sweet mix of jazz and country guitar traditions.
The Washington & Cook Quintet perform April 6 at 7 p.m. in the Upstairs Lounge at the Oak Bay Recreation Centre, 1975 Bee St. Tickets are $20 at Ivy’s Bookshop & Oak Bay Recreation Centre and www.beaconridgeproductions.com; $25 at the door.
Next in the live music series:
April 13 – The Unfaithful Servants plus Genevieve and The Wild Sundays. With an exciting approach to traditional Americana, folk, bluegrass & country music, The Unfaithful Servants serve up explosive instrumentals and compelling story-telling, Featuring soaring harmonies, catchy original songs and foot-stomping fiddling, Genevieve & The Wild Sundays is an all-female quintet whose music is rooted in old-time country, incorporating Eastern European folk, Americana, and indie-pop.
