Two of the Coast's favourite jazz musicians - plus one who will be a new delight, are teaming up for a night of great jazz at the Pender Harbour Music School.
Pianist and trumpeter Walter Martella hails from Powell River but is a familiar face on the lower Coast, appearing regularly at the Pender Harbour Jazz Festival and with Nikki Weber's Mellowtones. He is a graduate of the University of Victoria Music program and now teaches at the Powell River Academy. When he is not performing or teaching, he finds time to conduct, compose and record.
Rene Worst has been a recording artist, clinician, instructor and performing bassist since 1971. As leader of the acclaimed Canadian band Skywalk, he has six internationally released CDs to his credit. Anyone who has attended the infamous wind-up parties for the Pender Harbour Jazz Festival will remember Worst as the guy who, along with partner and singer Jennifer Scott, makes it all happen.
Making his first appearance in Pender Harbour will be vocalist Don Stewart. The son of a preacher, Stewart grew up in Ontario in a house filled with music. His voice has been described as soulful, silky and satin smooth and he has an amazing four-octave range. He sings the music of Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis Jr., Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis and other greats of the 60s and 70s.
For an evening of familiar songs and more than a little nostalgia, leave your bagpipes at home and join the Walter Martella Trio at the school of music on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $15 at John Henry's in Garden Bay, Harbour Insurance in Madeira Park, Talewind Books and Magic Sound in Sechelt and Coast Books in Gibsons.
This event is guaranteed to drive away the mid-January blues.
For more info, call 604-883-2403.
