The recently formed Forbidden Jazz Trio breaks new ground at Zocalo Caf茅 this Friday.
The group, consisting of Jake Masri on trumpet and vocals, Jeff Drummond on guitar, and Tim Croft on upright bass, hope to reach audiences of all ages by performing jazz standards from the Great American Songbook.
Together they represent more than four decades of experience, both domestically and outside the country. Their unique blend of voice, brass and strings has been described as 鈥渃hicken soup for the listening soul,鈥� based on the collective magic they strive to create.
A recent addition to the Comox Valley, Jeff Drummond obtained his Diploma in Jazz Performance in 1995. He went on to perform throughout Canada and the U.K., touring with many different artists in a variety of musical genres.
Drummond has also appeared on national radio and television programs, produced and engineered countless albums, and played with many well-known artists. In total, he has accumulated more than 20 years as a music educator, which contributes towards a high demand for his skills and services.
Drummond tours and performs with a Calgary-based band called Sinistrio. Comprised of B3 organ, lead guitar and drums, they bring together modern jazz and retro soul with a unique texture of tone and richness. To sample their music, browse the Web at www.sinistriomusic.com.
Tim Croft, also new on the local scene, has quickly gained recognition as a strong and creative player. His jazz studies at Humber College in Toronto allowed him the amazing opportunity to learn from such Canadian icons as Mike Downes, Pat Collins, Pat Labarbera, and Don Thompson.
After completing his Bachelors degree, Croft relocated to Montreal where he continued to study the bass, play in local restaurants and clubs (such as House of Jazz and Upstairs), and record with several different groups. He teaches music at l鈥橢cole au Coeur d鈥橧le in Comox.
No stranger to the local music scene, Jake Masri draws his inspiration from classical repertoire to musical theatre to Afro-Cuban/New Orleans and bebop styles. His passion for jazz is directly linked to artists such as Harry James, Miles Davis, Chet Baker, and Arturo Sandoval.
His studies in jazz allowed him to learn from pros such as Mike Herriot, Campbell Ryga and Bill Clarke during the local CYMC summer program. Among his favourite vocal instructors are Ann Mortifee, Rhiannon, Ysaye Barnwell, and Wendy Nixon Stothert.
Since moving to Comox in 2002, Masri has appeared with Sounds of 17, Quintessence Brass; 6th Street, Jazztown, and Jazz Noir combos; Georgia Straight, Arrowsmith, and CR Big Bands; Strathcona Symphony Orchestra, and Just in Time Jazz Choir.
You鈥檙e invited to a casual evening of jazz from 7:30 to 9:30 on Friday, Feb. 11 at Zocalo Caf茅 and Gallery in downtown Courtenay.
For further information, call 250-331-0933 or check out www.zocalocafe.ca.
鈥� Forbidden
Jazz Trio
