By Malcolm Holt

Special to the Record

This week鈥檚 jazz concert at the Little Red Church is one of the annual favourites on the Georgia Straight Jazz Society calendar, especially for big band lovers, because the 18-piece Nanaimo Musicians Association Big Band is all set to swing into 2023 with a terrific show.

鈥淭his is a performance for one of our favourite hosts, the Georgia Straight Jazz Society,鈥� said band director Bryan Stovell in a recent interview. 鈥淲e both have quite a history in the Vancouver Island music scene, and this will be our 56th year of performing on the Island.

鈥淏ig bands always feature some star soloists, but this year ours has more than ever, so we have decided to give each soloist a chance to shine. They always come up with interesting and unexpected takes on the tunes. Our young rhythm section can propel the band through swing, Latin, or ballads and everything in between. Many of the seasoned professionals in the horn sections have been with us for over 10 years and they create a mature ensemble sound.鈥�

Come and celebrate swinging big band music this Thursday, Oct. 26 at the Little Red Church, 2182 Comox Ave., in Comox. Admission is $20 and for Georgia Straight Jazz Society Members, $15. Students pay $5. Doors open at 7 p.m., downbeat is at 7:30.

The Georgia Straight Jazz Society has been 鈥渒eeping jazz live鈥� in the Comox Valley for nearly 20 years, with performances by top Canadian and international performers. Don鈥檛 miss this opportunity to discover why Comox Valley communities have a jazz culture which is the envy of so many others.

For more information about the Georgia Straight Jazz Society organization and Thursday night performances, from now through to May, visit our website at georgiastraightjazz.com and select the calendar tab to discover the array of great jazz music awaiting you.

Malcolm Holt is the president of the Georgia Straight Jazz Society