The Message - A Tribute to the Music of Horace Silver

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Sunday, November 2nd, 2008
7:30 PM to 10:00 PM

Horace Silver is one of jazz music’s unsung heroes. Nanaimo musician James McRae aims to do something about that. The Message, an octet of veteran jazz performers has coalesced around McRae’s concept of a Horace Silver Tribute evening. The Message will perform in Courtenay at the Elks’ Home on Sunday November 2nd.

Silver turned 80 this year, and has nearly 6 decades of continuous performance, composition and arranging to his credit. His best-known compositions include Song For My Father, Doodlin’ and Sister Sadie. Diverse performers such as Nora Jones, Taj Mahal and Steely Dan cite the influence of his music and sensibility on their own style and material.

The Message includes Phill Albert (acoustic bass), Katelin Bowes (vocals), Cam Wigmore (reed instruments), Greg Bush (trumpet), Dave McGrath (percussion), James McRae (drums), Larry Miller (reed instruments) and Darcy Phillips (piano). Their concert will be an entire evening of Silver’s evocative compositions, featuring arrangements by several different members of the group.

Comox Valley audiences will recognize James McRae (drums) and Greg Bush (trumpet) from past appearances in small jazz ensembles and with the Georgia Straight Big Band. This newly-formed group also brings a new wave of talent to our local stage.

For 12 years, Darcy Phillips (piano) has toured and recorded with the Jann Arden band, and he also boasts award-winning soundtrack compositions. Voodoo Dave McGrath (percussion) draws from the musical traditions of Africa, Cuba and Latin America, an ideal blend for this tribute, given Silver’s mixed Cape Verdean and African heritage.

Larry Miller (reeds) has long performance credits, appearing with Dal Richards, Phil Dwyer and Brad Turner, as well as recording and leading his own projects. Cameron Wigmore, playing tenor saxophone, adds his varied experience in jazz, funk, ska, swing, R & B and rock genres to the octet.

Phillip Albert on acoustic bass, and Katelin Bowes on vocals, are recent graduates of the Jazz Music faculty at Vancouver Island University, formerly Malaspina. Both have a keen interest in music education, and their talents are such that they are gathering performance opportunities faster than they can accept them.

Don't miss this world-class jazz at the Elks’ Hall, 231 6th Street, on Sunday November 2nd at 7:30.

Tickets: Availabe at Bop City Courtenay, Thursday Jazz Club (Courtenay Elk's Hall) and at the door. $12 members, $15 non-members

Still to come in our Sunday Concert Series:

* Barbara Blair - November 30
* Jennifer Hodge Quartet - January 11

The Georgia Straight Jazz Society, centered in the Comox Valley, is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting jazz performance and education. For more information about the society, scheduled events, concert reviews and archives and how you can be a part of the Society, browse to www.georgiastraightjazz.com.