The Nick La Riviere Quartet will be the featured performers at Jazz Vespers this week.
On Feb. 10, Nick La Riviere, one of Victoria’s premier trombonists, will be joined by Karel Roessingh on piano, Damian Graham on drums and Ryan Tandy on bass at the Jazz Vespers service at St. John’s United Church in North Saanich.
La Riviere has studied at both the Victoria Conservatory of Music and Capilano College, as well as with Hugh Fraser, Ian McDougall and Steve Turre. A multi-instrumentalist, La Riviere finds work on the trombone, conch shells and bass. His genre-crossing gigs and international shows include jazz, klezmer, classical, pop, reggae and more. In addition, La Riviere is a session musician and a member of the Juno-winning group The Paperboys.
La Riviere also works as an arranger, writing music for many local groups as well as his own projects. His new album, Too Much To Do, features unique arrangements, some original tunes and a string section.
La Riviere will be joined by Karel Roessingh on piano, who was raised in Calgary and became a professional musician in 1970.
Roessingh has been keyboardist and/or musical director for a great number of musicals, stage presentations, and concerts and his playing talents have led to engagements all over the world.
On drums will be Damian Graham, who was born in New Zealand and raised on the west coast of Canada.
His musical diversity has led to performances with some of the finest musicians in the country and abroad including Michael Kaeshammer, The Paperboys and David Gogo.
Joining the other three will be bassist Ryan Tandy, who began his musical career in high school by participating in the jazz studies program at Esquimalt High.
Since graduating in 2006, he has been in demand all over Victoria and plays in Victoria-based groups Lust Life and Round Midnight.
The Jazz Vespers services begin at 7 p.m. and there is no admission charge, although an offering is taken to cover the cost of the musicians and the Vespers program.
For further information, please call Bernadette at 250-656-0875 or email bernadettegreene@shaw.ca to be included on an email list of upcoming concerts.
The Jazz Vespers series will continue March 3 with the Majoba Trio featuring Maureen Washington and John MacArthur.
— With files from Jazz Vespers
