Jazz is a musical genre that has constantly evolved since its beginnings in New Orleans around 1900.
At that time this style was simply called jazz. However, it soon became known as Dixieland jazz and subsequently just Dixie. By the late 1920s, the swing era had begun, and then in the mid-40s, musicians began playing bebop. Post-bop and the blue note era soon followed. More recently, many new treatments of jazz have appeared, including fusion and funk.
On Saturday, Feb. 21, a concert, which will trace that evolution from its early days to almost the present, will feature the Coast’s own jazz ensemble, the Jazz Group of Seven, and special guest Karen Graves.
“We are all delighted that Karen will be singing and playing with the band,” said band leader John Fredericks. “She is a major talent who has performed all over the world. In fact, about this time last year, Karen was in Russia performing at the IOC Club during the Socchi Olympics.”
Starting with Dixie tunes like The Royal Garden Blues and Saint James Infirmary, the concert will also feature the music of Count Basie, Harry James and Duke Ellington from their swing era years. The group will then move forward through that wonderful bebop and post-bop era that lasted from about 1945 to 1970, including the music of Charlie Parker, Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk.
Also included will be a couple of modern arrangements of old songs like Jule Styne’s The Things We Did Last Summer, and Tony Hatch’s Call Me. There will be a lot more — including a beautiful, moody ballad by Swedish trumpeter Anders Bergcrantz called Natt (Night) and Karen’s interpretation of Cleo Laine’s haunting Won’t You Tell Me Why.
Presented by the Sunshine Coast Music Society, A Century of Jazz starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Sechelt Indian Band Hall.
Tickets at the door are $15 for adults and $5 for students. Advance tickets are available at Laedeli at Sunnycrest Mall in Gibsons and Strait Music in Sechelt.
