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Thursday Night Jazz at The High Tide this week brings you The Valley Cats, a 4-piece jazz, R&B, and funky ensemble comprising local Comox Valley musicians Mike Berman (drums, percussion), Mike Eddy (piano), Grahame Edwards (bass), and Charity Monro (vocals). Rachel Cooper will also join the band on sax for this special gig. Over the years, all these artists have played together in assorted musical projects. In 2023, they decided that it was time to take all that chemistry, make it official, and form The Valley Cats.
Their musical mission is to entertain audiences with their own variations of popular songs. Their repertoire includes some original jazz tunes written by Grahame Edwards. The group is expansive in its tastes, with a glorious eclectic mix of styles. It keeps the most sophisticated musical palates entertained with jazz standards like Blue Skies, all the way to smoky, classic R&B tunes, such as Aretha's Evil Gal Blues.
Since his arrival in the Valley, Mike Berman (drums and percussion) has been aware of the need for all the diverse musical skills in our area to come together and give audiences what they want. Mike's versatility and talent have landed him in many musical venues as he travelled all over North America. He developed his early influences in the diverse Montreal jazz scene, recording studios of New York City, and in the smoky honky-tonks of Baton Rouge. More recently, Mike has displayed his rock, funk and R&B talents, playing for 6 years with the Al Foreman House Band at Jake O'Grady's Roadhouse in Vancouver. He then moved on to head up a successful jazz house band at the Bourbon Street Grill on the Mainland for three years. In 2015, after hearing of a vibrant music scene on Vancouver Island, he relocated to the Comox Valley, where he has played with many diverse artists and bands, including MoonShine and Blue Tonic. Mike's love of jazz keeps him close to the genre, and he feels blessed to have found like-minded bandmates that make up the great talent in The Valley Cats.
Mike Eddy (piano), was a band teacher for 35 years before coming to the Comox Valley. Many bands have been fortunate enough to have Mike join them in several projects in the area (Sympatico, West Coast Jazz, Starlight 7). Mike consistently demonstrates his skill and ease at the piano, playing various styles such as Dixieland, Rock, Classical and Jazz. The Valley Cats feel so lucky to have him on stage with them.
Grahame Edwards (bass), is a multi-instrumentalist, known for providing a foundation for many diverse projects in our musical community.
Always fascinated by sound and music from an early age, Grahame studied keyboard and strings in the UK and, upon his arrival in Canada, enrolled in the school band playing string bass. Now retired from a career teaching music, he plays with several bands and ensembles in and around the Valley. He has written several original songs, and The Valley Cats are thrilled to be able to perform a sampling of these.
Charity Monro sings lead vocals with The Valley Cats. Charity studied jazz performance at CYMC, the Victoria Conservatory of Music Summer Jazz Workshop, and Malaspina University College. No stranger to performing, jazz is Charity's first love, and she brings authentic passion to her music. She is widely known for her diverse achievements, and has played with many collaborations, both on and off Vancouver Island. Charity's musical choices, her creative and passionate adaptions of current tunes, and her smooth renditions of standard jazz songs, make The Valley Cats an act that you don't want to miss.
Downbeat for this 2-hour show is at 7:00 pm. Admission is $15 for members, $20 for non-members. It's a popular spot, and you're encouraged to arrive early to get a good seat. Meals will be served from the pub menu until 8:15 pm, and drinks will be available for the entire show.
You're invited to select the calendar tab and see the forthcoming spring and summer concerts between now and September.
| * | Reduced ticket prices for our GSJS-sponsored events, recouping the cost of membership. |
| * | Weekly emails to inform you of the next performance and a bi-monthly Newsletter to keep you up to date on the jazz scene. |
| * | Your opportunity to interact and personally influence the music and arts activities in your area! |
| * | Belong to an organization of like minded people and enjoy a great social network. |
| * | From January 2024, annual membership, expiring 31st December each year, is $25 per Adult. |
| Membership Type |
| If you are using PayPal please print your PayPal receipt or capture the receipt on your phone and bring it as proof of payment to the Membership person at Thursday night jazz. |
| Use this print-and-mail 2024 Membership Application Form or pay directly via cash, cheque or credit card to the Membership person in attendance at a GSJS performance night. |
Formed in 2006, the Georgia Straight Jazz Society is a non-profit society based in the Comox Valley. Its vision is to develop and sustain a healthy and vibrant jazz community in the Vancouver Island region.
The Georgia Straight Jazz Society is getting a name for itself in the Vancouver Island jazz scene, and beyond. Since its origin in 2006, the society has developed a popular weekly jazz club and offers some ticketed events with top-notch players from Vancouver, Victoria and abroad.
The GSJS is most proud of the high calibre of jazz now being played and appreciated by local musicians and audiences. With a regular venue and opportunities to play, veteran and emerging jazz musicians have supported and challenged each other to grow their skills and develop their chops.
Players and singers of all ages regularly appear on the jazz club stage, before engaged audiences that continue to show their support and interest and musical know-how as the months have passed. A committed group of volunteers keep the sounds happening and the audiences happy.
The goals of the Georgia Straight Jazz Society are:
| * | To increase public awareness of and to nurture an appreciation for all forms of jazz; |
| * | To present performances by a wide variety of musicians representing all forms of jazz; |
| * | To stimulate the local jazz communities by producing events and activities in which artists can interact creatively; |
| * | To provide opportunities for school aged musicians to create jazz for a public audience; |
| * | To augment the educational instruction of school aged musicians in jazz performance, improvisation and composition; |
| * | To establish and strengthen the jazz music community on Vancouver Island. |
| Board Meetings |
| Board Meetings are usually held once a month. GSJS Members are welcome to attend if they wish. |
| Contact the President at Genevieve Huchulak if you would like to know the date, time and location. |
| Board | ||||||||
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| President | Vice President | Treasurer | Secretary | Website, social media | Booking, Scheduling | Volunteer Co-ordinator | Membership | Director at large |
| Genevieve Huchulak | Malcolm Holt | Pat Zellinsky | Monica Mooney | Yvonne Higgs | Malcolm Holt | Genevieve Huchulak | Robert Reid | Jackie Holt |
Founded in 2008, the Liam Grimm Music Bursary is awarded to a deserving student who meets the following criteria:
| * | Is currently enrolled in Grade 12 in Campbell River, Qualicum or Comox Valley School District or is a Grade 12 graduate from one of these same school districts. |
| * | Has a letter of recommendation from a school or private music teacher, and |
| * | Has a letter of recommendation from a community music contact. |
| * | Will attend a college or university jazz music programme in the same calendar year or the year thereafter, or will enrol in the Jazz Programme at the summer Courtenay Youth Music Centre |
| * | For applicants attending Grade 12, bursary application and all pertinent documentation should be submitted to school counseling office by April 30th of the student's Grade 12 year. Application is then forwarded to the Georgia Straight Jazz Society for consideration. For applicants who have already graduated from high school, application and documentation should be forwarded directly to the Georgia Straight Jazz Society no later than April 30th. |
| * | The applicant should submit a letter demonstrating his/her personal qualities that exemplify the following attributes of Liam Grimm: |
| * | The joy of studying and playing music in school and in turn, sharing one's personal music talents with community organizations i.e. community bands/choirs/pit orchestras/church choirs. The applicant should also describe his/her musical accomplishments and future plans in continuing to study in the jazz genre. |
Funding of the Bursary is by a percentage of funds raised at events hosted by the Georgia Straight Jazz Society. Depending on funds raised, more than one student may be awarded a bursary.
For more information on the Bursary please contact georgiastraightjazz@gmail.com
2008/2009 - Nicolas Sieber, attending VIU jazz studies on trombone.
2009/2010 - Danielle Fortin, from Highland Secondary, Comox, also a trombonist.
2010/2011 - Annaleesa Leach, Highalnd Secondary, Comox, baritone sax, piano and vocals.
2010/2011 - Josh Dieleman, Ballenas Secondary, Parksville, drums
2012/2013 - Tyson Foster
2016/2017 - Evie Kinney and Aidan Reimer
2018/2019 - Lachlan Craven and Towa Syewart
The jazz community lost a great friend and musician with the passing in March 2009 of Liam Grimm. A gentleman, always supportive, great fun to perform with, he will be missed.
Liam developed a taste for jazz from age 10, quickly becoming a fan of Harry James and infatuated with the harmonies and trumpet power of the "Maynard Ferguson" versions of the Stan Kenton band. He obtained his Bachelor of Music on trumpet at the University of Idaho (where he instigated jazz activities that ultimately became the internationally renown Lionel Hampton School of Music), and went on to acquire his M.A. in trumpet from Denver University as well as taking graduate studies in composition.
An improviser in the casual "West Coast" style, he was influenced by Pete Candoli with the Henry Mancini band and Don Fagerquist and Shorty Rogers with the Dave Pell Octet. Others influences included the intimate styles of Jack Sheldon and Chet Baker and the "bop" sounds of early Miles and Kenny Dorham.
His favourite group setting was the mid-sized 8 to 12 piece 'small band', allowing for tasty arrangements and plenty of solo space. He greatly enjoyed backing vocalists.
Resident in Campbell River, Liam was busy on the local jazz scene, playing with Jazztown, The Blue Monks, First Pressing, Jazzberry Jam, Annie Siegel and Jazz Noir. His trumpet playing was a highlight of the Georgia Straight and Campbell River Big Bands.
| See the GSJS performances through the lens of several photographers | ||||||||||
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| Bob Ell | Katie Hubberstey | Judy Johnston | Bruce Johnstone | Bill Jorgensen | Sean O'Connel | Norm Prince | Wink Richardson | Don Tait | Laura Tait | List of films |
| Click here | Click here | Click here | Click here | Click here | Click here | Click here | Click here | Click here | Click here | List of Jazz Films |
| Comox Valley Record Newsaper | Performing Arts Comox Valley | Britiish Columbia Arts Council |
| 765 McPhee Ave, Courtenay 250-338-581 comoxvalleyrecord.com |  |
 We do not receive funding from this organization |