BRENDA GOUGH
NEWS Contributor
An evening of great jazz music is taking place at VIU’s Deep Bay Marine Field Station Thursday, August 22.
Juno award winning, multi-instrumentalist and composer/arranger Phil Dwyer will be performing with six other talented musicians for the second concert of the Music by the Bay series.
With floor to ceiling windows and a stunning view of Baynes Sound the centre is the perfect venue to enjoy great music and food.
Last month Todd Butler performed at the first concert. Guests enjoyed a great evening of music and comedy while noshing on some of the treats prepared by VIU culinary students.
The gates open at 5 p.m. with music running from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. leaving plenty of time to take in the view while enjoying food and drinks from the wine and food bar.
It’s expected Phil Dwyer’s Adult Jazz Intensive Ensemble will sell out and for good reason. To hear Dwyer play his saxophone is worth the drive out to Deep Bay … add six other seasoned musicians to the mix and you have a recipe for a great concert.
Dwyer says he has invited some stellar musicians to perform with him.
“I am playing with crazy good people. They are some of the best musicians around,” he said.
The group has been at Dwyer’s home in Qualicum Beach this week taking part in a summer music camp that Dwyer hosts every year. He said the participants are seasoned musicians and have a variety of backgrounds.
“The level of musicianship is very high,” he pointed out.
Dwyer’s 20 year old son Ben who plays stand up bass is part of the ensemble. Dwyer said another young performer joining them is a piano player who he mentored eight years ago.
“He was one of the first students to sign up for my first very music camp,” said Dwyer.
Tickets are $20 per concert, $15 for Milner members and students.
The fundraising concerts support the ongoing projects at Milner Gardens and Woodland.
Tickets can be purchased at Milner Gardens & Woodland Welcome Centre, Coastal Community Credit Unions in Qualicum Beach, Parksville and Nanoose Bay, the Deep Bay Marine Field Station, Deep Bay, the Salish Sea Market in Bowser and Turley’s Florist in Nanaimo.
On August 30 The Nanaimo Chamber Orchestra will perform at the station. For more information visit www.viu.ca/milnergardens.
