This week, the Elks’ welcome Jazztet to the Thursday night lineup.
With performance credits from London to Tokyo, these guys have over a century of combined jazz experience. This is the most comfortable room in the Valley to enjoy one of our coolest, most innovative groups.
Their interpretation of jazz standards is anything but standard, and you will appreciate their genuine, musical collaboration and creativity. The talent behind Jazztet is John Ringstead on guitar, Mike Schwarz on saxophones, Don MacKay on bass, Ralph Barrat on piano and vocals, and Bill Street on drums.
Ringstead’s smooth guitar playing is the perfect foil for Schwarz, and together they venture well outside the box. Through the evening, the multi-talented Schwarz will bring his assured touch and beautiful lyrical playing, in turns, on the soprano, alto and tenor sax.
MacKay holds the centre for the quintet with his clean and structured five-string bass playing, without compromising his skilled innovation and improvisation. Barrat’s warm and resonant voice, with the timbre of a Bobby Darrin or Sinatra, accompanies his rhythmic keyboard work infused with blues.
Street’s drumming expertly drives changes in feel and tempo for the quintet.
For more information visit www.jazztet.org. Expect some exciting music at the Elks’ Hall this Thursday at 231 Sixth St. Music is by donation.
For more information, phone 250-334-2512.
— Elks
