The Vernon Jazz Club will go for a thrill ride when Julie Masi, formerly of The Parachute Club, takes the stage this Saturday night.
Masi will be joined by a star-studded band including Steve Soucy on keyboard, Loni Moger on guitar, and Scott Gamble on drums.
The evening will include a variety of genres from jazz to country and blues to contemporary. Audience members will be treated to songs made popular by Billie Holiday, Tracy Chapman, Stevie Wonder, Leonard Cohen, and Patsy Cline.
When explaining why she loves to sing so many genres, Masi, who is based in Kelowna, says, “I love learning, exploring, and improvising with as many different styles of music as I can. I get excited when I can re-arrange a song to make it my own, helping me to develop a deeper understanding of the song, its lyrical content and myself as a singer.”
Masi is no stranger to performing. She is well known as a vocalist, percussionist, and co-writer for the gold and platinum selling group The Parachute Club. Their unforgettable hit, Rise Up, was heard on radio stations all over the world and won the 1984 Juno for Single of the Year.
Masi herself has six Juno awards under her belt. She has worked with giants in the field such as Alannah Myles, Dan Hill, Bruce Cockburn, and David Foster. She has also penned a few songs for artists such as Martha and the Muffins, Raffi and has collaborated with the band Images in Vogue.
Soucy is a five-time consecutive winner of the B.C. Country Music Keyboardist of the Year award.
Moger is a graduate from the prestigious Berklee College of Music and has worked with countless musicians both as a sideman and leader, including Tuck and Patti, Bo Didley, Big Miller, and Moe Koffman.
Gamble is a top-class, first-call drummer in the Okanagan. He is comfortable in any genre and compliments every band he is a part of.
He was named musician of the year at the 2006 B.C. Interior Music Awards and is also a successful graphic artist.
Masi 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.
You can also get your tickets now for the New Year’s Eve show at the Vernon Jazz Club. The Salmon Armenians, an award-winning roots ‘n’ blues party band, will be there to help ring in the new year. Doors open at 8 p.m. with opening act Hannah Gomme.
Tickets includes delicious appetizers throughout the evening, hats and party favours, as well as a glass of sparkling wine at the stroke of midnight.
Tickets are limited and can be purchased for $50 at www.vernonjazz.ca.
