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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 Brian Tate Trio!
Popular vocalist and composer/arranger Brian Tate presents a program of contemplative and inspiring jazz standards, originals, and folk, pop, and world music. Brian, Ashley, and Ross have performed together many times as a trio. They bring a fresh, joyful, collaborative approach to a wide variety of repertoire including jazz, pop, folk, and world music.
A collection will be taken in support of this ongoing series. Suggested donation $20.
Check out the full series here
About the Musicians
Now living in Victoria, Vancouver-born Brian Tate has enjoyed a diverse career as a vocalist, composer/arranger, educator, and choral director.
Brian was active in the Vancouver jazz scene for many years with his quartet and also with the Ferguson/Tate/LaRue vocal trio. He has performed at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, the Pender Harbour Jazz Festival and the Harrison Festival as well as the Cellar Jazz Club and other venues.
Brian led Vancouver’s Universal Gospel Choir for many seasons as well as the 100-voice City Soul Choir, and he co-founded and performed with “TriVo”, a world music a cappella trio with Dawn Pemberton and Karla Mundy. Currently Brian directs the Vancouver Island Chamber Choir, the Broad View Community Choir, and teaches at the Canadian College of Performing Arts.
Influenced by such diverse vocalists as Tony Bennett, Mose Allison, and Kurt Elling, Brian demonstrates versatility not only as an accomplished vocalist but also as an award-winning composer and arranger, reimagining and reharmonizing jazz standards as well as pop, folk, and world music.
As an educator, Brian offers masterclasses for singers, teaches at the UJAM summer jazz camp, “Songroots” summer vocal camp, and the BC Swing Camp. He has also performed with Michael Gold’s “Jazz Impact”ensemble, and created his own programs bringing the concept of jazz to the business world.
Ashley Wey is a multi-award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter and pianist. She has worked with Juno Award-winners Brandi Distrehaft, Mae Moore, and The Parachute Club. She has toured across Canada coast to coast many times while working for Sony BMG, backing up Canadian Idol winners, as well as visited 56 countries with her Trio while working on cruise ships around the world. Ashley opened all the Solstice Class Ships on Celebrity Cruise lines with four-time Grammy Award winner Manny Kellough, Billy Preston and Barry Whites drummer. With three critically acclaimed, self-produced albums to her credit, Wey released her first album of entirely original music, Hummingbird – a genre-bending project melding alternative folk, pop, and jazz on July 7, 2021. With her 5th album in the works, you will surely hear a lot more music from this wonderful, talented woman.
Ross Macdonald is a multi-instrumentalist (upright bass, bass guitar, guitar, and tuba) originally from Prince Edward Island. After earning his music degree from McGill University in Montréal, he worked for a few years as a musician on the Montréal freelance scene, went around the world on cruise ships, and also spent several months in Dubai playing at the Burj al Arab hotel. Since 2009, he's been based in Victoria, playing bass full-time with the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy.
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!