The Jazz Group of Seven and vocalist Trudi Diening present a mix of jazz hits (as voted by jazz fans) and jazz pop hits on March 31 in Davis Bay.
Having been the popular music of the day for about 25 years, jazz began to lose its appeal shortly after World War II. Jazz had evolved into a sophisticated art form thereby alienating the masses and creating a void, which was filled when rock ‘n’ roll came along with the likes of Bill Haley (“Rock Around the Clock”) and Fats Domino (“Blueberry Hill”). Rock ‘n’ roll almost instantly became rock ‘n’ rule. Rock was king. Despite losing its place at the top of the pop music ladder, jazz still maintained a large and loyal following and even had a few hits that made it to the top of the pop charts.
For the Jazz Group of Seven concert you’ll hear, on the instrumental side, “Swinging Shepherd Blues” (Moe Koffman, 1956), “Poinciana” (Ahmed Jamal Trio 1958), “Take Five” (Dave Brubeck, 1959) and “Sidewinder” (Lee Morgan, 1963). These topped the pop charts (though Torontonian Koffman’s “Swinging Shepherd Blues” made it only on the Canadian charts).
On the vocal side, Diening will be singing some of the great jazz tunes including “The Girl From Ipanema,” Miles Davis’ “Round Midnight,” Cannonball Adderly’s “Sermonette,” Ellington’s “Take the A Train,” Gershwin’s “Summertime” and a wonderful old ballad from way back, “When I Fall in Love.” She will also perform jazz trumpeter Chuck Mangione’s “Land of Make Believe” – a song that gained credence through the concert stage where it was recorded in live performance three times by singers the likes of Johnny Mathis, each with accompaniment of a full symphony orchestra.
Over the years the Jazz Group of Seven has experienced little change in personnel – five of the original seven are still with the band. This year, however, the band is delighted to have a new bassist on board: Tammy Clowers, who moved to the Coast from Fernie last November.
Jazz Hits with Vocalist Trudi Diening and The Jazz Group of Seven is at 7:30 p.m. Easter Saturday, March 31 at St. John’s United Church in Davis Bay. Tickets are $20 at Laedeli (Gibsons) and Strait Music (Sechelt). The concert is presented by the Sunshine Coast Music Society.
– Submitted by John Fredrickson
