Add the White Whale Restaurant (975 Comox Rd., Courtenay) to the ever-growing list of live music venues in the Comox Valley.
The popular riverside restaurant will feature blues and jazz nights every Wednesday, and the first show, Dec. 4, features one of the Comox Valley’s jazz staples: Forbidden Jazz.
Featuring Jake Masri on trumpet, flugelhorn and vocals; Michael Eddy on keyboard; and Grahame Edwards on bass, these seasoned musicians attract an all-inclusive audience by showcasing a wide variety of timeless jazz standards plus originals.
Representing more than four decades of experience, their unique blend of voice, brass and strings will weave their collective magic through two sets of entertaining music.
Eddy is one of the hardest-working and sought-after pianists in the Valley. Although relatively new to the area, he has been fortunate enough to collaborate with many of the finest local musicians over the past few years, including those in the Lensmen, Jazztet, DMN, and the CR and Arrowsmith Big Bands. His music degree in classical piano performance has greatly enhanced his love for Jazz. During a long & distinguished career, he has performed with a multitude of groups from Dixie to rock, and was musical director for Keyano College Theatre in Fort McMurray for 10 years. Eddy is also the recipient of the Alberta Band Director of the Year and of the Alberta Excellence in Teaching Award.
Aside from both acoustic and electric bass, talented multi-instrumentalist Edwards also plays percussion and trumpet. Edwards studied music at the University of British Columbia and holds a diploma in fine arts from the University of Calgary. He has appeared with countless local ensembles & productions in every genre from choral to musical theatre, big band jazz to Classical. His first musical love, however, lies with improvised music and he enjoys playing & composing his own jazz tunes. In addition to performing, Grahame has taught both privately and in the Campbell River School District, and enjoys sharing his music by conducting workshops and clinics. Over the years, he has studied with many respected Jazz musicians including Don Clarke, Phil Nimmons, Chris Nelson, and Paul Horn.
No stranger to the local music scene, Masri draws his inspiration from classical repertoire to musical theatre to Afro-Cuban/New Orleans, Latin, and bebop styles. His passion for jazz is directly linked to artists such as Herb Alpert, Miles Davis, Chet Baker and Arturo Sandoval. As a performance major at VCC, UVIC, & UBC, Jake studied trumpet with Boyd Hood, Gerald Gerbrecht, & trombonist, Dave Robbins. His studies in jazz exposed him to pros such as Mike Herriot, Bill Clarke, and Hugh Fraser during the local CYMC summer program. Among his favorite vocal instructors are Ann Mortifee, Rhiannon, Ysaye Barnwell, and Wendy Nixon Stothert. Since moving to Comox in 2002, Jake has appeared with Quintessence Brass; 6th Street, Jazztown, and Jazz Noir combos; Sounds of 17, Georgia Straight, Arrowsmith, and CR Big Bands; Zandhunga and Luzna Latin bands, Strathcona Symphony Orchestra, Herb Alpert and Louis Armstrong tribute bands; Ralph Barrat and the Sharp 7; and Just in Time Jazz Choir.
Join Forbidden Jazz for a casual, entertaining evening of music, starting at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.
As usual, the licenced kitchen will offer specials on wine and tapas along with an ever-changing rotation of 15 craft beers and Prosecco on tap.
For more info, contact the White Whale 250-338-1468.
