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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 Maureen Washington Quartet!
Maureen Washington and her trio of accomplished musicians: Karel Roessingh on piano, Joey Smith on bass, and Damian Graham on drums. Maureen, renowned for her powerful and soulful voice will deliver a captivating performance blending jazz, blues, and soul.
A collection will be taken in support of this ongoing series. Suggested donation $20.
Check out the full series here
About the Musicians
Maureen Washington is a dynamic and versatile jazz and blues singer whose powerful voice and charismatic stage presence have captivated audiences for years. With a repertoire that spans jazz, blues, gospel, and soul, Maureen brings a unique blend of emotion and technique to every performance. She has performed at numerous jazz festivals and venues across Canada, earning accolades for her soulful interpretations and engaging live shows. Whether performing solo or with her talented trio, Maureen's music resonates with authenticity and passion, making her a beloved figure in the Canadian jazz scene.
Karel Roessingh is a composer, arranger, producer and musician who has written scores for over five hundred television episodes, and many award-winning films, documentaries, and promotional videos. He has recorded and produced more than fifteen of his own CDs, including several for the Canadian Naturescapes series distributed world-wide. His latest solo project, Birdsong in the Parkade, was recorded with a Steinway grand piano in a Victoria parkade, with original music based on birdsongs collected across Canada. He has performed with symphony orchestras and rock, jazz, folk, show and country bands throughout the world. He’s recently recorded with Edie Daponte, Garnett Betts, Maureen Washington, and many others, and produced and performed on an album with Canadian folk legend Valdy.
Joey Smith, bassist, guitarist, and arranger, has spent the greater part of his life as a professional musician working with many unique and well-known talents. He has written numerous arrangements for such groups as the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Victoria Symphony, and arranged some of the music for the Commonwealth Games in 1994. Joey has played theatre many shows for VOS, CCPA, and the Belfry Theatre, as well as performances with the Victoria Symphony Pops series since 1994. Since 2004 Joey has been a faculty member at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, and he is currently busy working clubs, restaurants, and private gigs with local groups in Victoria.
Having performed all across North America, China and Europe, Damian Graham has been busy changing the way people think about the drums. Born in New Zealand ('72) and raised on the west coast of Canada, Damian's musical diversity has led to performances with some of the finest musicians in the country and abroad. (Michael Kaeshammer, Lester Quitzau, The Paperboys, David Vest, Paul Laine, Paul Pigat, Tom Landa, David Gogo, The Twisters, Bria Skonberg, Dustin Bental, Kendel Carson, Ken Lavigne) Damian maintains a busy live and studio schedule with his own ensemble and as an in demand freelance musician.
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!