This week鈥檚 Georgia Straight Jazz Society show at The Av will really appeal to those who love the great crooners.

Ralph Barrat, the well-known and loved Sinatra- and Cole-styled singer and accomplished keyboard player, is very excited about this Thursday鈥檚 upcoming concert by his Blue Tonic group at the Avalanche Bar and Grill (275 8th St., Courtenay).

鈥淲e鈥檙e always looking forward to Thursday Night Jazz performances because of the great support we receive from an appreciative audience and the terrific atmosphere,鈥� said Barrat. 鈥淏ut this time it鈥檚 different. We were disappointed when our bassist/vocalist Bruce Jacobs moved back to Winnipeg last summer, and that鈥檚 when Mike Berman (drums) and I approached John Hyde (double bass) to bring a whole new quality to our sound. John鈥檚 now part of our regular lineup. We鈥檝e enjoyed many gigs with him at local pubs, dances, concerts, and special events during the past six months, and this will be the first appearance with us at Thursday jazz.

鈥淎dd to that the special guest appearance of tenor sax player Dan Craven to the group, and you鈥檝e got the formula for a really exceptional show. I鈥檝e been longing to play with Dan since my last gig with him roughly 10 years ago, and the GSJS gig seemed like a great opportunity; happily, Dan is joining us. Blue Tonic will perform as a quartet and Dan will be the 鈥榠cing on the cake.鈥�

鈥淔or Thursday鈥檚 show we will draw from a large list of jazz vocal standards, as well as jazz arrangements of music ranging from The Beatles to Jefferson Airplane.鈥�

Show time is 7:30 pm. Admission for members is $10. Non-members are $12.

For more information about the Georgia Straight Jazz Society and its wonderful schedule of events throughout 2020, visit www.georgiastraightjazz.com and select the calendar tab.

Jazz aficionados are reminded that it鈥檚 time for membership renewals, and you have an option to do so at Thursday Night Jazz, or otherwise by PayPal via the website.