Revel in a guitar extravaganza with Two Much Guitar, showcasing celebrated jazz guitarists Bill Coon and Oliver Gannon at the Vernon Jazz Club Saturday.
Gannon and Coon have performed together in concerts throughout B.C. and appear regularly at Vancouver’s Cellar Jazz Club to sold-out houses.
Two Much Guitar also features Darren Radtke on bass and Dave Robbins on drums.
Although you’ll hear influences like Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall, and Grant Green, this band has an original sound all its own.
Swinging beautifully in a seemingly effortless groove, Two Much Guitar plays a mixture of swing, bossa nova, waltz, bluesy swing, and funky rhythms with verve, wit, and spontaneity.
The repertoire is drawn from classic standards, jazz musician compositions, and originals by Coon and Gannon.
Tunes on tap include Duke Ellington’s I’m Just a Lucky So and So and Prelude to a Kiss, Billy Strayhorn’s Take the A Train, Clifford Brown’s Joy Spring, and Jerome Kern’s Yesterdays.
Original songs could include Coon’s funky Zattitude, written for his niece when she hit her teens and developed some attitude, and Gannon’s Easy Sailing, a bossa version of Jobim’s Wave.
Juno-nominated guitarist, composer, and arranger Coon is one of Canada’s most popular and respected musicians.
Canada’s National Jazz Award’s 2009 Guitarist of the Year, Coon’s life has been immersed in jazz.
“Jazz has been such an important part of my daily life for over 30 years now. I was drawn into it after learning pop and blues styles, especially The Beatles and Eric Clapton, but felt the need for something more,” said Coon.
Coon sees a lesson in the communication and collaboration at the heart of jazz music and performance.
“If the world leaders learned how to play in jazz ensembles, we would all learn how to collaborate and work toward common goals and seek peaceful solutions,” said Coon.
Coon is also in high demand as an educator, teaching arranging, composition, and jazz guitar at Capilano University.
Gannon has been very active in the Vancouver and Canadian jazz scenes since the early ‘70s, including festivals in Europe and North America, and three tours of the former U.S.S.R. with Fraser MacPherson and Wyatt Ruther.
“In Russia, we were playing every night to an audience of about 2,000 people. We would play 30 concerts on a tour and the people just loved it,” said Gannon.
Not only was Gannon Canada’s National Jazz Award’s 2002 Guitarist of the Year, his duo recording with Fraser MacPherson won the 1983 Juno Award for Best Jazz Album.
Bassist Radtke has worked with a variety of performers including Martin Short, Don Rickles, Grammy winner Ernie Watts, and Cedar Walton.
Also a successful composer, Radtke wrote the theme for the CBC drama Edgemont and has enjoyed great success composing video soundtracks.
Robbins is one of Canada’s premier jazz drummers, performing with musicians like Hugh Fraser, Campbell Ryga, Denzal Sinclaire, Miles Black, and Mike Allen. He now leads his own sextet which just released their first CD, At the Mark, featuring Robbins’ original compositions.
Two Much Guitar takes the stage at the Vernon Jazz Club Saturday at 8 p.m. Doors to the club, located at 3000-31st. St. upstairs, open at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $20 at the Bean Scene, Bean to Cup or online at www.vernonjazzclub.ca.
