February Jazz in Southampton

Two Toronto jazz artists are heading to Bruce County this week to appear with a popular quartet at their regular gig on Thursday, February 9, from 8:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The Walker House Jazz Club in Southampton will showcase Bonnie Brett, a swinging vocalist as well as returning Richard Whiteman, a jazz composer/pianist with an impressive entertaining background.
The Walker House Jazz Quartet, always dependable for the best in jazz, comprises four musicians I have enjoyed many times over the past few years. They are Andy Harasymczuk, guitar; Charlie Bell, saxophone; Mark Mariash, drums and Mike Grace, bass. Admission $15 Reservations are recommended, please call 519-797-2772

Here’s some background on The Walker House Jazz Club’s guests:

Bonnie Brett has become one of Toronto’s most respected jazz vocalists admired as a singer of power and finesse. Brett has appeared frequently at the Toronto Jazz Festival, the Port Hope All Canadian Jazz Festival and the Festival International de Jazz du Montreal.

She has been the featured vocalist with bassist Steve Wallace’s Lesterdays, appearing with many of the other jazz musicians including Guido Basso, Mike Murley, and Rob McConnell. She has performed with vocalist Melissa Stylianou in their comical duet “tour de force” Bosom Buddies, and has released two recordings — Live At The Montreal Bistro and The Elvis Costello Song Book. She has also recorded for CBC Radio’s Jazz Beat.She is on the Jazz Studies Faculty at York University as a Vocal Teacher.

Toronto native Richard Whiteman is a versatile player, fluent in styles ranging from the stride masters of the twenties, through Bud Powell and Bill Evans, to modern giants like Keith Jarrett and Herbie Hancock. As a leader, he has released five CDs and has received raves from as far away as Japan, where his “GROOVEYARD” disc was rated one of the Top 500 Jazz Piano Trio records of all time.

For more than twenty years, Richard has played with such groups as The Canada Pops Orchestra, The Dave McMurdo Jazz Orchestra also new music concerts with Hemispheres Music Projects.
He has made his style popular with classical crossover group The Galaxy Trio and musical theatre “Forever Plaid”. He has also toured Canada with his trio and performed in Brazil, Egypt and San Antonio, Texas.

Some stellar musicians Richard has worked with are Don Thompson, Kenny Wheeler, Marcus Belgrave, Pat LaBarbera, Ken Peplowski, Nick Brignola, Ed Bickert, Jane Bunnett and Dutch Django-style star, Tim Kliphuis. As well as leading his own groups, Richard is a member of the The Al Henderson Quintet and is in demand by vocalists, including John Alcorn, Jackie Richardson, Dee Daniels, Bonnie Brett and Heather Bambrick.

In addition to his busy club, corporate and touring schedule, Richard is also an educator, teaching jazz piano and leading ensembles at both Humber College and York University in Toronto.

For more information about the artists or to hear a sound clip please visit http://www.thevibeinsaugeenshores