The Vernon Jazz Club will be taking flight this Saturday night as Turboprop, featuring Ernesto Cervini, soars into town.
Cervini will be joined by wing-men/woman Joel Frahm and Tara Davidson on saxophone, William Carn on trombone, and Adrean Farrugia on piano.
The band will be playing standards such as Smile (Charlie Chaplin) and Stompin’ at the Savoy (Edgar Samspon), as well as classical works such as The Engulfed Cathedral (Claude Debussy).
A native to Toronto, Cervini began his musical studies in classical piano and clarinet, receiving his performance degree for both instruments at Canada’s Royal Conservatory of Music. From there he decided to focus all of his energy behind the drum kit.
He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto (where he now conducts master classes) and a master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music.
Cervini has shared the stage with legendary jazz musicians such as Joe Lovano, Cleo Laine, Buddy DeFranco, and Ranee Lee to name but a few. He has also opened for star headliners such as Herbie Hancock and Kenny Garrett.
In a review of Turboprop’s album, Little Black Bird, All About Jazz wrote: “With talent this big and music this magical, the only thing little about this album is the title. Cervini is a fiery, imaginative drummer and composer, and he matches wits with saxophonist Frahm and the rest of the group through excellent interplay and deep groove.”
Saxophonist Frahm is an alumni of The Manhattan School of Music. His latest album, Don’t Explain, was the number one jazz release for radio play in the U.S. for two weeks in a row according to jazzweek.com. He was recently selected by DownBeat Magazine’s critic poll as a rising star in the category of tenor saxophone.
Another native of Toronto, Davidson has performed at such prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands, and the International Jazz Festival in Peru.
Her sophomore CD, Code Breaking, featured Juno award winners Mike Murley and David Braid and was nominated for Traditional Jazz Album of the Year for 2007.
Davidson is currently on the faculty at York University, Humber College Community Music School, and the National Music Camp of Canada.
Carn’s debut release, Other Stories, was nominated for a Juno award for Traditional Jazz Album of the Year. He was also nominated for Trombonist of the Year at the National Jazz Awards from 2004 to 2008.
He has worked in the studio and stage with top performers such as Aretha Franklin, Paul Anka, Feist, Sarah Slean, and Janelle Monae. He is a faculty member at the University of Toronto, Humber College, and the National Music Camp.
Farrugia has performed on more than 30 albums to date. His album, RICOCHET, was nominated for a Juno for Best Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year.
He is another esteemed educator and is on the faculty of York University and Mohawk College of Arts and Technology. He has also conducted workshops and clinics at the universities of Colorado, Toronto, and Western.
Turboprop featuring Ernesto Cervini, takes the stage at the Vernon Jazz Club (3000-31st St.) Saturday at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7:15. Tickets are $20 at the Bean Scene, Bean to Cup and at www.vernonjazz.ca.
