Prepare yourself for an evening of high energy music when the Offramp Jazz Sextet rolls into the Vernon Jazz Club Saturday night.
Offramp features local Penticton and Summerland musicians including band leader Justin Glibbery on piano, Aidan Mayes on vocals, Larry Crawford and Stan Sabourin on saxophone, Stefan Bienz on bass, and Mike Treadway on drums.
Offramp offers an evening of jazz with something for everyone.
“We will be playing a wide variety of musical genres but it will focus on a ‘30s and ‘40s classical jazz sound with vocals at the centre of it,” said Glibbery.
“We’ve got great tunes performed by groups like the Andrews Sisters, Louis Prima, and Duke Ellington,” added Glibbery. “We also feature tunes from the great singers like Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Peggy Lee. Expect a bit of everything!”
Some of those terrific tunes include It Don’t Mean a Thing, Sunny Side of the Street, Harlem Nocturne, Moonglow, and How Insensitive.
“We strive to cover a wide variety of styles since we know that audiences love that in a band,” promised Glibbery.
Offramp will also perform their version of some modern boogie tunes by Canadian jazz great Michael Kaeshammer.
Being classically trained, Glibbery didn’t get into jazz and pop until age 17.
“I’m not sure how I got into jazz other than it looked like a real fun way to play music. Shortly thereafter, I heard my first Oscar Peterson record and I saw the light,” said Glibbery.
“I would say that my style of playing is very much rhythmic-based as much as it is melodic-based,” continued Glibbery. “My musical style is influenced heavily by Oscar Peterson with lots of Lyle Mayes in there too.”
Glibbery has been on the Okanagan music scene since 1992.
He is music director at Penticton Secondary School, artistic director for the Naramata Community Choir, and a member of cover band Random Act. Glibbery just finished three nights at Kelowna’s Dream Café with Juno Award winning guitarist Oscar Lopez.
Vocalist Mayes teaches guitar and voice at the Maeve Lily School of Music in Penticton.
Her 2006 release, Cave Of Wonders, features her original material and Mayes’ is hard at work on a second CD.
Versatile and talented sax player Crawford has been playing for more than 40 years, performing with an incredible array of entertainment legends including Liberace, Sammy Davis Jr., Harry Belafonte, Bob Hope, Doc Serverinsen, and many others. He also has extensive experience in radio, television, and studio work.
A founding member of Offramp, saxophonist Sabourin just received his masters in jazz performance from Washington State University. He is currently music director at Penticton’s KVR Middle School.
Bienz is a top call bassist in the South Okanagan. A member of the roots duo The Darylectones, he’s played at folk, jazz, blues, bluegrass, country, and rock festivals all over North America.
The newest Offramp member, drummer Treadway. teaches drums and percussion at Steve’s Groove School in Penticton. His boundless energy and beat-boxing skills captivate the crowd every time.
The Offramp Jazz Sextet takes the stage at the Vernon Jazz Club Saturday at 8 p.m. Doors to the club open at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are available in advance at the Bean Scene and Bean to Cup coffee houses.
