April 12th 2018 at 7:30pm

Centerpiece

Members $10, non-members $12

Time for a wonderful diversity when Centrepiece presents a variety of jazz genres; you will hear memorable melodies in swing, ballads, Latin and fusion. The band members bring their own distinct interpretation as soloists to the repertoire. The group comprises Charity Munro, vocals; Dave Stevenson, bass; Larry Ayre, guitar; Rachell Fuller, saxophone Clarinet and EWI, and Mike Berman, drums.

Charity has proven herself to be a dynamic performer on any stage and in any style, including Celtic, R&B and Jazz. She's a member of Courtenay's 12-piece R&B band Time Well Wasted and is known for covering everything from Kiki Dee and Donna Summers to Steely Dan and Michael Jackson. As a past member of the Celtic groups Hollow Promise and later Hazelwood, she performed at MusicFest, Duncan Celtic Festival and The Vancouver Celtic Festival.

Dave Stevenson, bassist, moved to the Comox Valley three years ago and brought with him a vast experience of performing music. He has played in small jazz trios to large big bands. He got his formal music education from Douglas College and the University of Victoria. Playing in both Vancouver and Victoria, he has performed with jazz greats: P.J. Perry, Louis Rose, and Phil Dwyer. Dave has settled in Courtenay.

Larry Ayre is an accomplished guitarist and music teacher, well known and respected in the jazz community, who has been performing in the Comox Valley for over 25 years. He plays many styles and several instruments. With Centrepiece Jazz, Larry will be going back to his jazz roots, the basics of which he learned while attending the York University Jazz program in Toronto during the late 1970s. He lived in Vancouver for a decade, playing many gigs in many different styles, honing his musical skills on guitar and bass.

Rachel began her musical career at Cranleigh School in the UK, before accelerating through her BA Hons. in Music from Southampton University. Her performance highlights include touring with Southampton University Orchestra to Croatia, Malta and Turkey as Principal Clarinetist. She joined international show band Vitalized on their expedition to play music around the world with highlights including playing at the Madinat Jumeirah resort in Dubai for a New Year's celebration, and working for P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises as a Saxophonist, Clarinetist and backup Keyboard player. Since her arrival on Vancouver Island in 2010 she has worked as a freelance soloist and many local ensembles.

Mike Berman is becoming established on Vancouver Island, bringing a lifetime of drumming and percussion experience with him. Originally inspired by the rock movement of the '60s, he toured extensively throughout Canada and the US, stopping in New Your to record the cult hit album Stone Circus. Over the years Mike's expertise has expanded many styles, with a particular emphasis on funk and jazz. Mike established a jazz quartet called the StreetCats and, for 3 years, ran a successful house gig at the Bourbon Street Grill in Maple Ridge.

GSJS showcases jazz live in the Comox Valley, giving music lovers an opportunity to enjoys local, regional and internationally-known jazz musicians.