Source: Brandon University
http://www.brandonu.ca/news/article.asp?A_ID=1141 The dean's series features Canadian jazz greatsOctober 25, 2006 This season's second dean's series concert features an outstanding jazz quartet based in Toronto. Led by two of Canada's leading jazz musicians – saxophonist Mike Murley and pianist David Braid – this ensemble will present original compositions by the two leaders as well as by saxophonist Tara Davidson. "I have followed Mike's career since my teenage years growing up in Nova Scotia – Mike is also a Nova Scotian. He continues to be an astonishingly accomplished jazz musician and is one of the finest jazz musicians to have emerged in Canada, both as a soloist and as an ensemble player," says Brandon University’s jazz lecturer and saxophonist Greg Gatien. Murley a much sought-after collaborative musician, who leads several other groups, from duos to septets. He has been named Saxophonist of the Year by Jazz Report Awards and National Jazz Awards eight times. Some of the other groups with which he plays include the David Braid Sextet, the Rob McConnell Tentet and the David Occhipinti Quartet. Also a National Jazz award winner, Braid has toured extensively with his own sextet – comprising Murley, drummer Terry Clarke, bassist Steve Wallace, trombonist Gene Smith, and flugelhornist John MacLeod. One of their recordings, VIVID, won the 2005 Juno Award for Best Traditional Jazz Album. "David Braid is an exciting and very fresh compositional voice on the jazz scene. He is, like Mike, a truly great player, and the two of them (as we heard when David's sextet played in Brandon a few years ago) on the same stage guarantees an evening of unforgettable music," continues Gatien. Filling out this particular quartet are drummer Ian Froman and bassist Jim Vivian. Joining them for this dean’s series performance is one of Murley’s former students, Tara Davidson. "As if this all-star quartet weren't enough, these musicians will be joined by up-and-coming saxophone great, Tara Davidson. Tara is quickly making a name for herself as a voice in Canadian jazz," says Gatien. "Through the dean's series, Brandon audiences will have an opportunity to hear one of the best bands currently working on the international jazz scene." Individually, these musicians have collaborated on dozens of recordings, many of which have won Juno and other awards, and as a group, they have one disc to their credit entitled Mnemosyne's March. The Murley/Braid Quartet, with guest saxophonist Tara Davidson, performs Thursday, November 2, at 8:00 p.m., in the Lorne Watson Recital Hall, in the Queen Elizabeth II Music Building, at Brandon University. The next concert at the School of Music is a pro series presentation of the 2006 first place winner of the Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition – ‘cellist David Eggert. He will be joined on stage for this recital by pianist Walter Delahunt. The performance will take place Tuesday, November 14, at 8 p.m., also in the Lorne Watson Recital Hall. Tickets for all pro series and dean’s series concerts are $12 for adults, $8 for seniors, alumni and students, and $6 for Conservatory students. Tickets can be bought at the door or in advance at the School of Music. Seating is limited. Programmes are subject to change. The pro series, the dean’s series and the School of Music gratefully acknowledge the generous support of The Canada Council for the Arts, the Manitoba Arts Council and of the Province of Manitoba, through a Consolidated Arts Programming Grant from Culture, Heritage and Tourism. For more information, please contact: School of Music
Brandon University
(204) 727-9631 or visit: www.brandonu.ca/music/events/events.asp for updated events listings. - 30 -
| 