Malcolm Holt
Special to the Record
Six years after performing his first professional gig for the Georgia Straight Jazz Society, Connor Stewart makes his special 鈥淭hank you Comox Valley鈥� return at 7.30 p.m. on Sept. 14 at the Little Red Church in Comox with his New Orleans band.
鈥淭he Connor Stewart Sextet will present a powerful and exciting performance of all original music from my album Woah! recently recorded and released in New Orleans,鈥� said Stewart. 鈥淩ooted in the swinging tradition of the 鈥�50s and 鈥�60s, the band features some of North America鈥檚 finest young musicians including, Grammy winning trombonist Miles Lyons, guitarist Mike Clement, and drummer Aaron Levinson, with New York pianist Zack Knewstub, and B.C. bassist John Lee - an outstanding lineup guaranteeing true artistry and groove.鈥�
Picking up the first of eight horns at 13, Courtenay-born-and-raised Stewart was invited to join Arrowsmith Big Band at 15, and assume lead alto with the Nanaimo Musicians Association Big Band at 16. He started playing professionally and leading adult jazz bands that same year, and began earning his living full time in New Orleans at 17 as a bandleader, frontman, sideman, composer/arranger, studio musician, and educator.
Stewart is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist (tenor, alto, soprano, baritone saxes, clarinet, flute, trumpet, fluglehorn and keys) and vocalist, noted for his dynamic playing. His expressive vocals, lyrical compositions, and facility in multiple styles and genres, have earned him accolades at prominent jazz and music festivals and major venues on tour with a half dozen bands across Canada, the US, UK, Europe, and Turkey.
He has performed with an eclectic array of Grammy, Latin Grammy, NEA Jazzmaster, Juno, American Blues, Maple Blues, Irish Music, and Canadian Folk Music award winners and nominees.
Career highlights have included playing in a sextet opening for Sting at Prince Albert鈥檚 annual Red Cross charity ball in Monaco, being featured in a sextet nominated for New Orleans best traditional jazz album of the year, and performances with a who鈥檚 who of legendary New Orleans musicians.
This is a concert not to be missed.
Doors open at 7 p.m. Admission by ticket ($30) - available from Blue Oyster Books and Blue Heron Books.
For more information about the 2023-24 season of 35 jazz concerts, please go to and select the calendar button.
Malcolm Holt is the president of the Georgia Straight Jazz Society
