2009 festival

Day 3 of the workshop we welcomed our second guest performer of the week, John Doheny from New Orleans. John gave a rousing noon hour performance, followed by a guest lecture about the life and music of New Orleans. John teaches at Tulane University in New Orleans, and one of the courses he teaches there is about New Orleans and its rich tradition of jazz, from the street music Caribbean roots to its traditional brass bands and funeral marches, something we will probably never really see in this country, or even in other places in the US.

Tonight was the live jazz jam at Petras with our workshop students and extra guests. About 100 people came through this evening to see friends and hear our students performing. The weather came through for us, after being rainy and cool earlier this week today it warmed up and sun came out. It was a great evening, with lots of workshop musicians and other guests coming out to perform. Thanks to Petra for hosting us.

Tomorrow we have Dr. Dave Branter coming out to work with us. Dave is one of Vancouver’s top saxophonists, and we are looking forward to having him perform and work with our students.

Day 2 of the workshop and festival was another busy day of music making. Today the faculty band was featured in a concert at the McKee Seniors Recreation Centre. This evening some of our workshop students performed at Diefenbaker Park with the Bossa Boys in a free concert sponsored by Delta Parks and Rec.

Tomorrow’s noon hour concert will feature saxophonist John Doheny. Originaly from Seattle, John lived in Vancouver for a while in the 1970’s and again in the early 90’s. John has toured with a wide range of Jazz and pop groups including the Platters, the Drifters, and Doug and the Slugs. John now lives in New Orleans, where our resident workshop basist, Rob Kohler also lives and works.

Tomorrow evening (Thursday) is the open jazz jam session at Petra’s Kafe in Tsawwassen. Come out and enjoy some live jazz, and of course – bring your horn!

Today was the first day of the sixth edition of the South Delta Jazz Workshop and festival. The rain did not dampen any spirits as we met with all the workshop students and divided them out into our ensemble groups. The first noon hour concert of the festival featured a spirited performance by Delta’s own Chris Davis on trumpet. Chris also gave a master class to our trumpet students this afternoon.

Originally from Florida, Chris finds himself living here in Ladner BC with his family and is fast becoming part of the local Vancouver Jazz scene. I caught Chris playing this past weekend with clarinetist James Danderfer at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, and his performance both today and last Sunday was very fine. He displayed his wonderful talents today on both trumpet and fugelhorn.

Tomorrow the Fesitval continues with a noon-hour concert at the McKee Seniors Recreational Centre featuring our Workshop Faculty Band.