Summer Jazz Academy flies again at Malaspina July 5 to 11

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Jazz lovers take note – the 19th annual <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Summer Jazz Academy will be held at Malaspina University-College's Nanaimo campus July 5 to 11.

“It’s an intense, seven-day jazz event for people of all ages and levels of experience,” said Artistic Director John Capon. “The program includes instrumental and vocal clinics, and jazz workshops. Each year, the Summer Jazz Academy attracts aspiring musicians from all over BC, including high school students to seniors, and once again we're joined by a star-studded faculty."

Returning teachers include 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 has been the number one lead trumpet player in the recording studios of Toronto for the past 30 years,” said Capon. “During that time, he played lead with the world renowned Boss Brass. Arnie is one of the best music teachers I know.” Chycoski started playing in 1950 and has played with some of the greats of jazz music including 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. “She's opened for and performed with luminaries like Cannonball Adderley, Lenny Breau, Stevie Wonder, and P.J. Perry,” said Capon.

Guitarist Pat Coleman is another legend with 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. 

Bassist Kenny Lister is a regular member of Hugh Fraser’s Juno winning quintet, of the Vancouver Ensemble of Jazz Improvisation and of the Pat Coleman trio. He's also performed with many great musicians, including Joshua Redman, Kenny Wheeler, Don Thompson, Lorne Lofsky, and Herb Ellis. “Kenny has an approach to playing that calls us all: precision, big sound, huge swing factor, lots of space, and great feel,” said Capon.

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 greatly appreciated for his 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, an instructor in Malaspina's Jazz program for over 25 years, “brings a dynamic reputation, a wealth of jazz experience and the direction one needs for performance” to the Summer Jazz Academy, Capon added.

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

Capon himself is known as “the Joe Williams of the Bass Trombone.” He records, conducts and performs on the West Coast and in Toronto, and was a member of Phil Nimmons' band.

The Summer Jazz Academy began in 1987 in cooperation with School District 68, Nanaimo. The faculty perform every day between 1 - 2 pm, and a wrap-up concert featuring all participants takes place Tuesday, July 11, 2006 at 7 pm in the Malaspina Music Building. Admission to all performances is free, and everyone is welcome.

Cost of the Summer Jazz Academy is $438 per student. For information and to register, call Malaspina's Centre for Continuing Studies at 1-866-734-6252, or email John Capon at bigbird@islandnet.com, or visit the website at www.viu.ca/ccs.