After several weeks of duos, trios and quartets, Thursday Night Jazz at The Avalanche this Thursday features a total change of performance.

Bring out the extended stage and fill it with the 16-piece Arrowsmith Big Band.

Each year, after their blockbuster concert, we tell these great musicians, 鈥淒on鈥檛 forget to book a date in next year鈥檚 calendar!鈥�

Well, this is their week 鈥� they鈥檙e back with a performance at 7:30 p.m. on April 18.

The band has created another exciting, eclectic selection of swing, Latin and contemporary arrangements that are sure to please the jazz band listener.

Arrowsmith Big Band attracts some of Vancouver Island鈥檚 finest jazz players from five Vancouver Island communities.

The concert will feature many great soloists, including Claudio Fantinato, alto sax; Dan Craven, tenor sax and Greg Bush on trumpet.

The band has had a student mentorship program since its inception in 1976; its past notables include Phil Dwyer, Pat Collins, and many others who have gone on to play professionally in Vancouver, Toronto, New York, Los Angeles, and Internationally across the globe.

The tradition continues and the band鈥檚 evening concert will include performances by two extremely talented young players: trumpeter Lachlan Craven and saxophonist Steve Carson.

So, if you love big band music, this is the week for you.

Arrowsmith always wows us with new material and performances that just get better every time they take the stage.

Come on down and discover just how exciting the quality of jazz music has become, and why Courtenay has become the not-to-be-missed jazz venue on a western Canadian tour.

Admission for Georgia Straight Jazz Society members is $10, non-members $12.

Select the calendar tab at and see the amazing line-up of performers already booked over the forthcoming year.

Better still, make a habit of experiencing live jazz each Thursday, and the wonderful friendly people who have made this the most social and inviting venue in town.