BY MALCOLM HOLT
Special to the Record
Edie mused, 鈥淲ho wouldn鈥檛 want to spend an evening under Paris skies or in a Spanish Latin lounge or on a Brazilian beach? This time we鈥檙e adding under Pacific coast stars in a Vancouver Island vineyard!鈥�
With a signature approach that combines jazz, world music and originals, the trio of singer/songwriter Edie Daponte and virtuosos; guitarist Joey Smith and Attila Fias on keys, you鈥檙e guaranteed a globally inspired, captivating and romantic concert. Victoria-based Daponte brings passion, playfulness and an evident love of performance to her live shows. Well known to Georgia Straight Jazz Society regulars she's equally at home in an intimate lounge setting or on an outdoor festival stage.
鈥淛ust over two years ago, I had the honour of performing the first concert after the pandemic for the Jazz Society,鈥� said Daponte. 鈥淭hat was such an exciting evening! To perform the opening show (at) the 40 Knot vineyard setting is an equally lovely opportunity to ignite a new exciting era of live jazz music in the Comox Valley, and I can promise a memorable evening,鈥�
Daponte has been performing at jazz clubs in Victoria for many years. Anyone who has seen her perform will know that she brings the element of surprise to every show! Her range and repertoire travel far and wide crossing musical genres and spanning multiple decades and languages.
Much-loved favourite Joey Smith will accompany Daponte on guitar. After touring for two and a half years with the Glenn Miller Orchestra as bassist and arranger, Smith was married in Victoria and moved to Rochester, N.Y. to pursue graduate studies at the Eastman School of Music. For the past 18 years, he has been bassist for many local groups and has collaborated with various artists during their stops in Victoria.
The musical icing on the cake in this trio is Attila Fias - an award-winning, Hungarian-born jazz pianist, composer, arranger and producer raised in Toronto. His special blend of sounds from across the globe reflects his rich and varied musical background with influences from Canada, Hungary, Brazil, Cuba and India.
For those who鈥檝e seen Daponte, it鈥檚 always worth going to her shows again and again. For those who鈥檝e never seen her and heard her fabulous singing voice, it鈥檚 a must. Daponte's ability to draw large audiences to her performances speaks volumes about her talent and the connection she has with her fans. The June 20 show begins at 7 p.m. Admission is $25, and food, wines and beer will be available. For more information about forthcoming summer concerts, google 鈥淕eorgia Straight Jazz Society鈥� and select the Calendar tab.
40 Knots Winery is located at 2400 Anderton Road, Comox. Please follow the directions of the parking attendant when you arrive.
Malcolm Holt is the past-president of the Georgia Straight Jazz Society
