Malaspina hosts Summer Jazz Academy July 5 to 11

Students and adults who love jazz are invited to join the 19th annual Summer Jazz Academy at Malaspina University-College July 5 to 11.

"It’s an intense seven-day jazz workshop for people of all ages and levels of experience," said John Capon, Artistic Director. "We always have a star-studded faculty and this year is no exception."

Returning teachers are trumpeter Arnie Chycoski, singer Joani Taylor, guitarist Pat Coleman, bassist Kenny Lister, pianist and saxophonist Ross Taggart, master percussionist Buff Allen, saxophonist Steve Jones, bass trombonist John Capon, and bassist Brian Stovel.

"Arnie Chycoski, one of the best music teachers I know, has been the number one lead trumpet player in the recording studios of Toronto for the past 30 years," said Capon. Chycoski started playing in 1950 and has played with some of the greats of jazz music: Woody Herman, Dizzy Gillespie, Natalie Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson, Blood Sweat and Tears and more.

Singer-songwriter Joani Taylor holds "legendary status" inside Canadian music circles as a singer, writer and producer, said Capon. "She has opened for and performed with luminaries like Cannonball Adderley, Lenny Breau, Stevie Wonder, and P.J. Perry."

Guitarist Pat Coleman has 30 years experience playing with the likes of John Gross, Paul Horn, PJ Perry, Pat LaBarbara, Don Thompson, Mel Tormé, Pete Christlieb and Kenny Wheeler. "Pat’s taste and musicality make an indelible impression on everyone who enters his orbit," said Capon.

Bassist Kenny Lister is a regular member of Hugh Fraser’s Juno winning quintet and of the Vancouver Ensemble of Jazz Improvisation. Lister has also performed with many great musicians, including Joshua Redman, Kenny Wheeler, Don Thompson,

Lorne Lofsky, and Herb Ellis.

Pianist and saxophonist Ross Taggart studied in New York City with sax legends Clifford Jordan, George Coleman and J.R. Monterose, and in London with Stan Robinson. "He encompasses the tradition of the jazz saxophone in his playing," said Capon. "Taggart is uncompromising, and he swings hard." Taggart has played with Hugh Fraser, P.J. Perry, Ian McDougall, Kenny Wheeler, Fraser MacPherson, Pat Coleman, Slide Hampton, Bob Murphy, Bobby Shew and many others.

Buff Allen "is the drummer of choice" for numerous Pacific Northwest projects, said Capon. Allen makes his home on a west coast island but is warmly appreciated right across the land for work with Kenny Wheeler, Chuck Israels, guitarists Ed Bickert, Lenny Breau, and Pat Coleman, pianists Hank Jones, Teddy Wilson, Joanne Brackeen and Bob

Murphy, singers Johnny Hartman and Maxine Sullivan.

Saxophonist Steve Jones is Coordinator of the Jazz Program at Malaspina University-College, and "brings a dynamic reputation, a wealth of jazz experience and the direction one needs for performance" to the Summer Jazz Academy, Capon added.

Capon, known as "the Joe Williams of the Bass Trombone", records, conducts and performs on the West Coast and in Toronto.

Brian Stovel is an internationally acclaimed jazz educator - and the only jazz educator to win the Marshal McLuhan award for excellence in education.

The Summer Jazz Academy was formed in 1987 in cooperation with School District 68, Nanaimo. The seven-day program includes instrumental and vocal clinics and jazz workshops. In addition, the faculty perform every day between 1 - 2 pm. There will be a wrap-up concert Tuesday, July 11, 2005 at 7 pm in the Malaspina Music Building. Admission to these performances is free. Everyone welcome.

To register for the 2005 Summer Jazz Academy, call Malaspina University-College’s Centre for Continuing Studies at 1-866-734-6252.