By Malcolm Holt
Special to the Record
Georgia Straight Jazz Society is closing in on the conclusion of its 2022-23 Thursday night jazz concert series with an exciting penultimate concert when Mike Clements leads his trio in a tribute to Pat Martino, one of America鈥檚 greatest jazz guitarists.
Mike Clement is a fiery up-and-coming jazz guitarist. Originally from the West Coast of Canada, Clement quickly became an in-demand sideman upon his relocation to the birthplace of jazz, New Orleans.
鈥淐oming from a musical family, I picked up the guitar at the age of 11 and haven鈥檛 put it down since,鈥� said Clement. 鈥淥ver the years I鈥檝e refined my taste, technique and style which led me to record and release my debut album as a bandleader, Unfinished Business, which is available on all streaming platforms.鈥�
While holding a bachelor鈥檚 degree in jazz studies, from Vancouver Island University, and a master鈥檚 degree in jazz from the University of New Orleans, Clement also boasts a robust performance career as a guitarist for a number of different bands at countless venues and festivals playing in a variety of genres including rock, pop, ska, reggae, jazz, fusion, hip-hop, R&B, blues and Motown.
Clement will be accompanied by Kosma Busheikin on bass, and Graham Villette on drums.
鈥淭he band will be playing a tasteful selection of standards as well as some of my original music all in the swingin鈥� guitar trio style, keeping things lively and fun while simultaneously showcasing the incredible instrumental talents of the individual band members.鈥�
Doors open at the Little Red Church at 7 p.m., May 18. Downbeat is at 7:30 pm. Admission is $15 for members, $20 for non-members. 2023 memberships ($20) will be for sale at the door. For more information about the remaining concert of the season, as well as the upcoming summer concerts at Anderton Gardens, please visit
Malcolm Holt is the president of the Georgia Straight Jazz Society
