October 22 - Indigo Jazz

And now, for our next number... Indigo Jazz Quintet brings new meaning to a classic stage introduction, with a playful evening's worth of numbered song titles. From the hip and driving sound of Chick Corea's 500 Miles High, to the clear simplicity of My One and Only Love, the band is up to the challenge. Indigo Jazz is built around the trio of Dale Graham (vocals), Rick Husband (guitar) and John Hyde (acoustic bass). For this outing, the trio adds guests Neil Clark on drums and Jay Havelaar on trumpet.

Singer Dale Graham has built her reputation on a solid jazz repertoire and a warm connection to her audience. She delivers honest and precise melodies with a slippery take on time and phrasing.

Guitarist Rick Husband is well known to local jazz audiences for his rhythmic, responsive and engaging playing. Rick is central to the sound and texture of Indigo Jazz, but he also has a hand in the Jenn Forsland Group, and guests with Forbidden Jazz, the Herb Alpert tribute band, and DMN.

Bassist John Hyde is a retired jazz educator with a wealth of experience in composing, arranging and performing. John's playing is uniquely responsive, playful and fresh, and he provides the perfect grounding for the Indigo sound. He has recently released his third recording as front man.

After fifteen years in Vancouver, guest trumpeter Jay Havelaar returned to his home town of Campbell River in 2012 and quickly established himself on the mid-island music scene. Comfortable in a variety of musical styles, Jay brings a distinctive musical voice to his trumpet playing in any setting. Jay's approach to jazz improvisation is melodic and lyrical, which pairs brilliantly with the vocal melodies of Indigo Jazz.

Jazz drummer Neil Clark played professionally for decades, initially in his hometown of Victoria, and then on the road and on the cruise ship circuit. He resettled to the Comox Valley to start a business in 1996, and his recent retirement has been a real boon for the local jazz scene. Neil has guested with Indigo in the past, locally and in Campbell River, and the group has been looking for a chance to bring him on again.

The timeless classic Tea for Two lopes along with a relaxed feel, but adds a little hop and skip with sections in 7/4 and 3/4 time signatures. Four Brothers is a jazz orchestra staple, usually rendered in four-part saxophone harmony, but the Indigo treatment diversifies to vocal, trumpet, guitar and bass lines. Ten Cents A Dance was conceived by Rodgers and Hart as the lament of a 1920's taxi-dancer, but is reworked here as the celebration of a fine dance band. The band also steps outside the jazz tradition, with a deliciously languid tribute to The Magnificent Seven and a dalliance with the musical love child of A Night In Tunisia and Love Potion Number 9.

Indigo Jazz is a very popular group and has a loyal following, so plan to arrive early in order to get a good seat. Make an evening of it - enjoy a great meal, lively spirits, congenial company and fabulous live jazz! Music starts at 7:30, admission is $10 for members, $12 for non-members .For more information about the jazz society, browse this website or follow us on Facebook.