Steve Giltrow has loved jazz ever since he first picked up a guitar at the age of seven. He’s lived on the Coast for the past 25 years and he and saxophonist Ken Grunenberg have performed at many gigs together. Giltrow is a kind of self-appointed ambassador for jazz on the Coast and is keen to seek out new venues for music where audience can enjoy cool sounds and warm ambience.
In November he brought vocalist Kate Hammett-Vaughan to Gibsons and drew about 70 people to the Gibsons Public market to hear her sing. With the success of this initial, intimate concert, he has organized a jazz series at the market on the main floor. It’s a mellow place featuring a warm fireplace and the possibility of a drink or dinner from the on-site Bistro (see gibsonspublicmarket.com for hours).
The first concert is from the new group called Kestra, playing original music from bebop to bossa on Jan. 27 at 7:30 p.m. They include a jazz bassist, Tammy Clowers; she’s new to the Coast and with her musical experience she was snapped up by the other musicians in the group. They are Grunenberg on sax, Giltrow on guitar, Clowers on bass and Regan Haydu on drums.
In April, Giltrow presents Just Enough Guitar, a duo featuring National Jazz Awards and Juno-nominated guitarist, composer and arranger, Bill Coon. The May concert will be a trio of Giltrow, Clowers and vocalist Laura Crema with her unique voice.
Tickets are $20 and can be found at One Flower One Leaf Gallery in Lower Gibsons, The Medicine Shoppe in Wilson Creek and Strait Music in Sechelt. Tickets for Kestra on Jan. 27 are on sale now.
