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All That Jazz
INSIGHT AND IMPROVISATION
» Thursday 28 May 2009 | 5 pm
» The Bohemian Café, 524 Bernard Avenue
An informal afternoon hour showcasing ideas
and people in the Okanagan creative economy. Join us as three of the Okanagan's most important jazz musicians - Larry Crawford, Anna Jacyszyn and Bernie Addington - share their considerable musical insights, skills and enthusiasms.
» $2 at the door. Refreshments are available at a modest cost.
» Seating is limited, please reserve yours HERE
Jazz Stars Elevate the Conversation
Jazz is a style of music and has a lot of the same characteristics as other music but also treats the basic elements of music in a unique way. When the great Louis Armstrong was asked the question "What is Jazz" said "If you don't know, don't mess with it."
Jazz almost defies definition. There are many types and styles and as we get further and further away from the beginnings, many elements fuse together. Jazz was more of a separate entity years ago, but now we have jazz-rock, latin jazz, acid jazz, fusion and several others.
The most important and most difficult element to master is improvisation. Many players, in fact the great majority, spend their lives working and developing this aspect of their playing. This is the jazz players ability to instantaneously compose, edit, revise and perform. It is that by which players are judged and by which they establish their claim to immortality. It is an incredibly complex procedure, and is what makes jazz, jazz.
The Okanagan has long had a vibrant jazz scene, with many individual musicians, groups and venues up and down the Valley providing a wide variety of sound styling.
On Thursday, May 28th at 5 pm the ongoing weekly Okanagan Institute Express series at the Bohemian Café presents All That Jazz: Insight and Improvisation. Join us as three of the Okanagan's most important jazz musicians - Larry Crawford, Anna Jacyszyn and Bernie Addington - share their considerable musical insights, skills and enthusiasms.
This event is part of the continuing Past is Prologue series which explores the roots and progress of the visual, performing and literary arts in the Okanagan over the last few decades. In addition to discussing the vibrant history and current Jazz scene in the Valley, the presenters will provide a live music set, featuring their distinctive styling. In all, the event promises to be unique, lively and entertaining.
 Larry Crawford - woodwind specialist - has enjoyed a versatile career spanning 40 years in Canada and the United States. Twenty-five years in Canadian and US armed forces staff bands, first chair and featured soloist on flute and saxophone. He has extensive experience in radio, television, and studio work, including CBC, CTV with performances on Jazz Radio Canada, Sesame Street and many other shows and series. Crawford has toured and performed with such noted performers as Liberace, Sammy Davis, Jr., Bob Hope, Phil Nimmons, Doc Severensen, and many others.
 Anna Jacyszyn - vocalist - has a professional music background which began in dance music. A backing vocalist in England for Yazz, Marshall Jefferson, and Cher - but her one love was jazz. Hearing her voice, you can hear traces of Julie London mixed with the graspyness of Billie Holliday. Her talent and looks have been her passport to perform at social events in front of Royalty and Elite Society around the world. Although Anna continues to travel back and forth to Asia, Europe & India, she has recently made Kelowna her base to be closer to her family and Canadian roots.
 Bernie Addington - double bassist - is a freelance jazz musician and recording artist with 20 years professional experience. Bernie originally hails from Vancouver and has played with everyone from Michael Buble, Harry Connick Jr, Rita Chiarelli to name only a few of his accolades. Bernie is currently fronting his own original jazz ensemble and can be seen accompanying many local talents around the Okanagan.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER ONLINE CLICK HERE
All That Jazz: Insight and Improvisation takes place at the Bohemian Café. This marks the 92nd event the Okanagan Institute has held since the Express series got underway in July 2007.
Express has played host to many Okanagan luminaries, including former deputy secretary general of Amnesty International Derek Evans, artists Lee Claremont and Gary Pearson, BC Book Award nominee Don Gayton, CBC Literary prize winner poet Harold Rhenisch, distinguished editor and author Jim Taylor, poet and professor John Lent, animator and filmmaker Jim Cliffe, community activist Don Elzer, dancer David LaHay, architect Jim Meiklejohn, culinary artist and writer Heidi Noble, broadcaster Marion Barschel and others from a wide range of creative fields.
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