MONEKA ARABIC JAZZ
with Gordon Grdina

Thursday, April 18th, 2024
Show: 7:30 pm
Doors: 6:30 pm
Venue: The Hollywood Theatre, 3123 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC
Get your tickets in advance: $30 (plus taxes & fees)

Experience the transcendence of Ahmed Moneka‘s rich life and artistic voyage from Baghdad to Toronto. This rich musical endeavor blends traditional Iraqi melodies with vibrant African rhythms inherited from the Moneka Family. Jazz and blues serve as the perfect canvas to unite Ahmed’s Afro-Arabic roots with the talents of Toronto musicians, creating a harmonious fusion of tradition and innovation.

Drawing inspiration from ancient Iraqi stories and contemporary realities, Ahmed crafts soul-stirring, dance-inducing compositions that resonate locally and internationally. Ahmed’s life story unfolds as he bears witness to the enduring spirit of humanity, igniting conversations about heritage, resilience, and the universal quest for freedom.

Moneka Arabic Jazz is:

Ahmed Moneka – vocals
Waleed Abdulhamid (Sudan) – bass guitar, vocals
Demetri Petsalakis – guitar, oud
Majd Sukar (Syria) – clarinet
Selcuk Suna (Turkey) – sax
Max Senitt – drum kit

With an opening solo set by Juno award winning Oud / Guitarist, Gordon Grdina.

This is the ensemble’s premier concert in Vancouver – you won’t want to miss out. Book your tickets NOW!

BONNIE NORTHGRAVES’ SUPER FUN FRENZY
An evening of boisterous, swinging, vintage Jazz!

Wednesday, March 20th, 2024
Show: 8:00 pm
Doors: 7:30 pm
Venue: Fox Cabaret – 2321 Main Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V5T 3C9
Tickets in advance: $16 (plus taxes & fees)
Tickets at the door: $20

*Please note limited seats at high-top tables will be available on a first-come-first-served basis.

“For my money, Bonnie Northgraves is one of the most fun jazz musicians to listen to in the country. She plays the trumpet like nobody else, sings her heart out, and is just a master entertainer from beginning to end of every set.”

-Tim Reinert, Infidels Jazz

Prepare to be entertained and delighted by the sounds of Bonnie Northgraves and her swinging band!

Bonnie is a trumpet player, vocalist, pianist, and composer based in Vancouver, CA. Her singing is smokey and rich, and her trumpet playing a call to the early jazz styles of New Orleans. This powerful combination has given wings to a music career that’s seen her tour North America, Europe, China, and India; delighting audience at home and abroad.

Bonnie will be joined by her “big loud band” featuring:

Jens Christiansen – Saxophone
Dean Thiessen – Piano
Joseph Lubinsky-Mast – Bass
Seth Kitamura – Drums

Bring your dancing shoes!

Accessibility Notes – Fox Cabaret

The main entrance to the building is located on street level accessible via the Main St sidewalk. The main cabaret room is accessible through a ramped entrance. The venue also has a wheelchair accessible washroom in the space.

UNDER THE ATRIUM: RAHAEL & SUGARFUNGUS
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15th, 2023

KW PRODUCTION STUDIO
Woodwards Building – #10 – 111 Hastings St W, Vancouver, BC V6B 1H4

Doors: 7:30 PM

Show: 8:00 PM

ALL AGES / DRY EVENT

Sliding Scale Ticket Pricing + PWYC At The Door

TICKETS:
https://vim-undertheatrium-sept15.eventbrite.ca

Rahael

Rahael creates an immersive and cinematic world that celebrates the intimacy of love. A self-taught guitarist born in Vancouver, BC with Ethiopian and Eritrean heritage, her songwriting is inspired by her personal experiences and guided by the ethereal moments love and relationships have to offer. After a summer in Nashville, Rahael wants to bring the music she creates propelled by the traditions of country, Americana, and folk music to wider audiences.

SUGARFUNGUS
Vancouver, Canada based, Sugarfungus’ music can best be described as HighClouds blog puts it: “Dancy dream pop for the haunted and heartbroken.” The band released their first EP entitled “Letting Go, Moving Still” on January 26, 2022. The EP presents a set of warm and fuzzy tracks that blend bright guitar lines and atmospheric synths, all the while punctuated by pop-driven hooks that capture the feeling of drifting in and out of a state of sweet, mushroomy bliss. For a band inspired by science, nature, and art, the idea of stitching pieces of different organisms together to evolve into something infinitely funkier, more brilliantly alive is an apt metaphor. The band is now focused on self producing their first full length album. SUGARFUNGUS is Tess Meckling, Alex Marr, Jackson Moore, and Bradan DeCicco.

About The Series – UNDER THE ATRIUM

Discover your new favourite troubadour.

3 evenings. 6 artists. This fall, join us at KW Studios for a new series that features original vocal music from young musicians.

Singer-songwriters are the musical historians of our lives – weaving lyrics and melody into sonic tales about love, loss, hope, home, friendship, identity, and everything in between. This series aims to spotlight the fresh new voices that are doing just that.

Each artist brings their unique voices and lived experiences to tell their story through song. From indie pop to modern jazz, alternative r&b to folk, listen and lean in to a new yet familiar sound #undertheatrium.

September 15th. October 20th. November 3rd.

UNDER THE ATRIUM: SAVANNAH READ & MADELYN READ
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20th, 2023
Venue: KW PRODUCTION STUDIO – Woodwards Building – #10 – 111 Hastings St W, Vancouver, BC V6B 1H4
Doors: 7:30 PM
Show: 8:00 PM

ALL AGES / DRY EVENT (Non-Alcoholic Beverages + Mocktails Offered)

Sliding Scale Ticket Pricing + PWYC At The Door

Tickets at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/721694747417?aff=oddtdtcreator

UNDER THE ATRIUM: KARDIAS QUING & SPINDLE!
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3rd, 2023

Venue: KW PRODUCTION STUDIO

Woodwards Building – #10 – 111 Hastings St W, Vancouver, BC V6B 1H4

Doors: 7:30 PM

Show: 8:00 PM

ALL AGES / DRY EVENT (Non-Alcoholic Beverages + Mocktails Offered)

Sliding Scale Ticket Pricing + PWYC At The Door

Kardias Quing

A contributing soul to Vancouver music culture for nearly a decade, Filipino/Canadian artist Kardias Quing offers a message of love and sovereignty to her community. Through her collaborations with producer and long time friend Withinroots, they have cultivated and continue to create a repertoire that uplifts, and empowers. Influenced by Indie, R&B and Alternative Pop, her creative efforts cut through the woes of modern distraction, and bring us all back to our infinite possibility!

“Watching Kardias Quing live is like a big, warm bowl of soul food. Treat yourself!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEN4o6eqgtk

Spindle!

An exploration of storytelling through sound, Spindle! is a project to devour the senses. Spinning threads to pry into memory and story, Kria uses the likes of personal lyricism, compositional colour, and sonorous conversation to delve into a space between jazz and art music. Spindle! is comprised of Kria Wall on voice, Thad Bailey-Mai on trumpet, Katie Stewart on violin, Thomas Hoeller on guitar, Madeleine Elkins on guitar, Sydney Tough on bass, and Jamison Ko on drums.

Bandleader, composer, and vocalist Kria Wall is a vocalist, composer, and educator based in Vancouver, Canada. Growing up within the roots of qathet on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, Kria has always been drawn to the sounds of their home, their music a reflection of their story. Through composition and performance, they have surfaced as an exciting find in Canada’s jazz and art music scene. Kria represents the queer, non-binary, and neuro-divergent experience as a musician and artist. They respectfully honour the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, where they reside and create as a settler on stolen lands.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blYxARB32cA

More at https://vim-undertheatrium-nov3.eventbrite.ca

An evening of shamisen and sitar.

Tickets in advance (sliding scale): $15, $20, $25
Tickets at the door: pay what you can***
***Tickets at the door are subject to availability. Purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended.

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE

Aki Takahashi (Toronto)
Aki Takahashi (Toronto) will perform a solo set featuring shamisen and vocals for her project 10-10-20. In commemoration of her 20th anniversary of performing in Canada, she is planning 20 solo performances this year.
ten ten is an evolving art experiment with its roots in the Japanese folk tradition. In the Japanese alphabet, “ten ten” refers to two dots used to change the sound of a syllable. In the same spirit, ten ten strives to create its own unique voice for Japanese folk music breathing new life into this traditional art form.

Mohamed Assani Trio
The Mohamed Assani Trio takes music to new realms while remaining committed to the rich roots of South Asian traditions. Mohamed Assani, twice Western Canadian Music Awards nominated artist for Instrumental music, is a dynamic performer and composer known for his genre-defying music. Mohamed has performed South Asian classical music as well as his own original music across the globe — with orchestras, string quartets, hip hop artists, DJs, world music ensembles, jazz artists — and as a soloist. Trained in both Indian/Pakistani and Western Classical music, his music-making seamlessly draws from different genres and cultures with depth and authenticity. He forges new paths while remaining committed to the rich roots from which his tradition has emerged. Mohamed will be joined by talented multi-instrumentalist and percussionist Curtis Andrews and the versatile guitarist/bassist Jared Burrows for an evening of original Inter-cultural and original compositions from Mohamed’ latest album “Wayfinder”

Mohamed Assani – Sitar
Jared Burrows – Electric Bass
Curtis Andrews – Mbira, drums, percussion

“Mohamed Assani is a musician for the ages. Pushing his passion into the future, with a glance to his past and the history of this amazing instrument, but never shying away from what is new and exciting.He is at the frontier of cultural hybridization, leading us deeper into the lush landscape of worldwide music”. Nohoartdistrict.com

Concert featuring Canadian Jazz legends.

Saturday, April 15th, 2023
Doors 6:30 pm
Show 7:30 pm
Venue: The Annex, 823 Seymour St, Vancouver, V6B 3L4

Tickets in advance (sliding scale): $15, $20, $25

Tickets at the door: pay what you can***

***Tickets at the door are subject to availability. Purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended.

Get Your Tickets Here

Sharon Minemoto Trio

Since the age of sixteen, Sharon Minemoto has been performing to audiences around the world.  She is the leader of a trio, a quartet and a quintet. Her trio and quintet have each released one CD as well as several shows for CBC Radio. Her quartet’s recording, “Safe Travels”, took the band on a Canadian tour in February and March of 2018. The band will be going back into the studio in February to record their 2nd album. In addition to her own ensembles, she has performed in groups led by Jill Townsend, Cory Weeds, John Korsrud, James Danderfer, Laura Crema, Alan Matheson, Mike Allen, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the Phoenix Chamber Choir.  Sharon has been on faculty at Vancouver Community College in the school of music since 2000.  She is the recipient of two Canada Council for the Arts grants and one BC Arts Council Grant.  Her last grant took her to New York City for 4 months to study with Renee Rosnes and Kenny Werner. In 2015, Sharon teamed up with vocalist Melissa van der Schyff for two very successful concerts, one at the legendary jazz club, Birdland in NYC and the other at The Abbey Theatre in Orlando, Florida. In 2019, CBC Radio in Vancouver selected one of Sharon’s compositions as the new theme song for their weekly jazz program, “Hot Air”. Sharon was the host of the weekly Pat’s Pub jazz jam session for over ten years. In addition to performing, she is on faculty at Vancouver Community College and most recently, she has been programming the Saturday Jazz series at La Fabrique St. George.

The trio will be playing a mix of originals and standards to kick off the evening.

• Sharon Minemoto, piano
• André Lachance, Bass
• Dave Robbins, Drums

Jill Townsend Jazz Orchestra

The Jill Townsend Jazz Orchestra will perform thrilling original music written especially for their return to the Annex. Sparkling compositions and delectable arrangements by Jill Townsend and Bill Coon embrace the unique and dynamic sound of the orchestra while celebrating the superb soloists. Joining them for a few fresh takes on familiar standards is the charismatic Steve Maddock who will enchant you with his compelling vocals. Soloists include Brad Turner, Steve Kaldestad, Cory Weeds, Bill Coon, Dave Robbins and many more.

• Jill Townsend, Leader
• Steve Maddock, Guest Vocalist
• Steve Kaldestad, Alto Sax
• Bill Runge, Alto Sax
• Jon Bentley, Tenor Sax
• Cory Weeds, Tenor Sax
• Chad Makela, Bari Sax
• Derry Byrne, Trumpet
• Brad Turner, Trumpet
• John Korsrud, Trumpet
• Tom Shorthouse, Trumpet
• Robin MacLulich, Trombone
• Dennis Esson, Trombone
• Jeremy Berkman, Trombone
• Ellen Marple, Bass Trombone
• Bill Coon, Guitar
• Andre Lachance, Bass
• Dave Robbins, Drums

Jill Townsend is a prolific composer/arranger and leader of the critically acclaimed Jill Townsend Jazz Orchestra. JTJO has released two recordings to date earning them international recognition. The Canadian National Jazz Awards twice nominated JTJO for Large Ensemble of the Year. Guest artists featured with JTJO include B3 organists Dr. Lonnie Smith and Chris Hazleton as well as trombonists Ian McDougall and Jiggs Whigham. Jill’s music has been recorded and performed by many ensembles throughout North America including the Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra and Calgary based Prime Time Big Band, featuring award-winning saxophonist PJ Perry. She also served as co-director of the Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra for two seasons. Jill’s recent commissions include the East Meets West Suite, a collaboration with composer/saxophonist Christine Jensen for the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra, the No Chamber Music Society, and the Cellar Live release Explosion, by the Cory Weeds Little Big Band. Jill is the recipient of several Canada Council Arts Awards and Leighton Artist Studio residencies at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. She is a member of the Jazz Faculty at Capilano University and the Music Faculty at Douglas College.

Eclectic evening of fusion and improvisation.

Thursday, April 27th, 2023
Doors: 7:00 pm
Show: 7:30 pm
Venue: Fox Cabaret, 2321 Main St, Vancouver, V5T 3C9

Please note: all events at the Fox Cabaret are 19+

Tickets in advance (sliding scale): $15, $20, $25

Tickets at the door: pay what you can***

***Tickets at the door are subject to availability. Purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended.

Get Your Tickets Here

Feven Kidane Trio

Electricity meets fusion to create original sound: trumpeter Feven Kidane partners up with bassist Cole Woodland and drummer Todd Stewart for a powerful version of the Feven Kidane Trio. Incorporating elements of free improvisation and jazz, this trio works in seamless synergy to bring powerful heat to one’s ears. Not a band to miss!

A budding artist on the West Coast, Kidane is a multi-instrumentalist, musical electronicist, composer, and arranger based out of Musqueam/Squamish/Tsleil-Waututh territory. Inspired by the art of Blackness, her practice revolves around decolonization, spirituality, and the complexities of human experience.

Longhand Trio

Saxophonist Peder Long was a little-known but extremely prolific composer who wrote hundreds of unreleased songs. In the mid-1980s, he mentored the now-iconic West Coast guitarist Tony Wilson, who also played in Long’s band. Decades later, Tony’s Longhand Trio has recorded a full album of Peder’s music which they’ll present alongside special guest violinists Jesse Zubot (Tanya Tagaq) and Josh Zubot (Land of Kush).

The Zubots are remarkable talents who match traditional mastery of their instruments with wide-screen, cinematic use of electronics and extended techniques. With JUNO Award winners Russell Sholberg bass and Kenton Loewen drums, Longhand’s lyrical interpretations of Peder Long’s music border on the spiritual.

Celebrating The Peggy Lee Band’s sixth studio album with vocalist Julia Ulehla.

Saturday, June 10th, 2023
Doors: 7:30 PM
Show: 8:00 PM
Venue: Fox Cabaret, 2321 Main St, Vancouver, V5T 3C9

Tickets in advance (sliding scale): $15, $20, $25

Tickets at the door: pay what you can***

***Tickets at the door are subject to availability. Purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended.

Get your tickets at: https://vim-peggy-lee-julia-ulehla.eventbrite.ca

The Peggy Lee Band

On June 10, 2023, The Peggy Lee Band will celebrate the release of their album, A Giving Way on the Songlines label. A Giving Way is the sixth studio album by the Peggy Lee Band and was recorded in July 2022.

The compositions come from a place of gratitude and love for family, place and community as well as a desire to do better collectively towards justice, honour and human dignity. The ensemble playing is beautifully polished and warm and the members of the band improvise with great creativity, passion and clarity.

• Brad Turner, trumpet
• Jon Bentley, tenor saxophone
• Jeremy Berkman, trombone
• Ron Samworth, guitar
• Tony Wilson, guitar
• André Lachance, bass
• Dylan van der Schyff, drums

About The Peggy Lee Band

This group was largely inspired by Peggy’s experiences working in the bands of guitarists Ron Samworth (Talking Pictures) and Tony Wilson (the Tony Wilson Sextet).

By 1998, Peggy felt ready to try her hand at composing for a band of her own, wanting to bring together some of her favorite players who, at the time, hadn’t played a lot with each other.

Originally a sextet (trumpet, trombone, cello, electric guitar, electric bass and drums) the band was expanded in 2007 with the addition of tenor saxophone and a second electric guitar.

From the start, the main objective was to explore different strategies for improvisation within composition and to feature the unique and brilliant individual voices that make up the band. Over the years, with five records released, the individual voices remain vivid and compelling but the overall ensemble sound has also developed into its own rich entity.

Julia Ulehla

Drawing on various threads of Ulehla’s musical background (opera, oratorio, cabaret, musical theatre, folk traditions, pop, experimental, and new music), this performance will explore song as a medium for storytelling across a wide terrain of musical genres. Drawing on composers like Henry Purcell, Kurt Weill, Peggy Lee, Bob Dylan, PJ Harvey, Roy Orbison, Ulehla and Bajakian bring together songs that might not be paired in other contexts.

• Julia Ulehla, vocals
• Aram Bajakian, guitars

About Julia Ulehla

Julia Ulehla is an interarts performer, improviser, and scholar who lives and creates on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people. Her performance practice, research, and writing explore song as a living being. Since 2013, Julia has been vocalist and bandleader of the avant-folklore ensemble Dálava, with whom she regularly performs throughout North America and Europe. Julia holds a PhD in Ethnomusicology from the University of British Columbia, an MMus in Vocal Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music, and a BA in Music from Stanford University. Julia performed as a lyric mezzo-soprano in opera and oratorio from 2002-08, and from 2008-11 she was a member of the renowned laboratory theatre the Workcenter of Jerzy Grotowski and Thomas Richards in Pontedera, Italy. She is currently a SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellow in Cultural Studies at Queens University. Her research-creation project explores the “extra-rational” possibilities of the voice, extending the theoretical account of living song into ethical praxis, and developing methods for voice, movement, text, image, theatre, and installation in a community of collaborative artists.