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Join us at St Mary’s for a unique blend of exceptional jazz rooted in the context of meditation and prayer. This month we welcome The Heather Fergoson Quartet.
A collection will be taken in support of this ongoing series. Suggested donation $20.
Check out the full series here
About Jazz Evensong
Evolving out of two ancient services of prayer as the sun is setting—vespers and compline—the service of Evensong is an opportunity to put the events of the past day into perspective, to ground one’s body, mind and spirit in preparation for the restorative night of sleep, when in our dreaming, our subconscious will continue the creative work of making sense of our experiences.
Jazz, as Ken Burns says, is “a profound intersection of freedom and creativity”. So, whether you are a seasoned jazz lover or a newcomer to the genre, you will be sure to find something to speak to you at this unique and moving experience of making sense of your day. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this inspiring and intimate celebration of faith and music. All are welcome!
About the musicians
Heather Ferguson (vocals): Music is a lifelong passion Heather Ferguson didn’t ever think would happen for her. But later in life the stars aligned, “I am an incurable, lifelong learner”, says Heather, “and with music the work gets more interesting the deeper you go.”
Heather’s journey back to music started with an invitation to join the Board of Directors for The Victoria Conservatory of Music. When she wanted to sing in a band she cornered the great bassist Joey Smith at Hermann’s Jazz Club one night to ask him to coach a combo the VCM had helped her set up. Joey became a mentor and friend and introduced her to the vibrant music community here in Victoria.
Heather's second album FOUND, released April 25. It can be “FOUND” on most streaming services or on CD at her website heatherferguson.ca.
Dr Tony Genge (piano & organ): A native of Vancouver, Tony Genge is one of Canada’s leading jazz organists and jazz pianists. He is also a respected music educator, and a well-known and much-recorded composer of classical music.
Genge started as a jazz organist performing for a number of years in Vancouver, before studying classical composition in the late 1970s. He completed a Ph.D. in composition with the composer Morton Feldman in 1984.
From 1989 until 2005 Genge taught jazz piano in the Dept. of Music at St. Francis Xavier University, and also performed extensively with leading jazz artists.
Joey Smith (bass): After touring for two and a half years with the Glenn Miller Orchestra as bassist and arranger, Joey Smith was married in Victoria and moved to Rochester, N.Y. to pursue graduate studies at the Eastman School of Music. For the past 20 years he has been bassist for many local groups and has collaborated with various artists during their stops in Victoria. Joey has written numerous arrangements for such groups as the Glenn Miller Orchestra and the Victoria Symphony, also arranging some of the music for the Commonwealth Games in 1994. Joey has been a faculty member at the VCM in the Jazz Studies Department since 2004 and has been involved with the Conservatory’s Summer Jazz program since 2006.
https://www.timescolonist.com/archive/joey-smith-is-the-king-of-swing-4609132