Mike Allen Presents: Jazz on Gabriola
Jazz lovers, mark your calendars for June 1st at 3 PM at the Phoenix Auditorium at The Haven (240 Davis Road) for an afternoon of outstanding live jazz. This Gabriola Island concert, presented by Mike Allen, promises the high-level musicianship his events are known for, featuring a powerhouse quartet led by the celebrated Bill Coon.
Juno-nominated guitarist, composer, and arranger Bill Coon is one of Canada’s most respected jazz musicians, with over three decades of performing experience. He’s played with jazz greats like Jimmy Heath and Sheila Jordan, and contributed to over 50 albums, including Speakeasy, With Benefits (with Cory Weeds and Lewis Nash), and Two Much More! with Oliver Gannon. He also appears on award-winning albums like Legacy: The Music of Ross Taggart and projects by The Night Crawlers. Coon continues to compose for and perform with top-tier ensembles such as the BC Double Quartet and Triology.
Guitarist Bill Coon will be on the Phoenix stage this coming Sunday, June 1. Submitted photo
Joining him are longtime collaborators and friends:
Darren Radtke on bass, a seasoned freelance musician who has worked with Cedar Walton and is a member of the Bill Coon Trio and Sharon Minemoto Quintet. Dave Robbins on drums, a master jazz educator and performer who has played with Maynard Ferguson and Hugh Fraser, and teaches at Capilano University. Mike Allen on tenor sax, an acclaimed Gabriola-based artist dubbed “Canada’s top jazz saxophonist” by the Ottawa Citizen. Former director of Jazz Studies at Western Washington University, and brings a refined, lyrical tone to the stage.
Their close personal and musical chemistry ensures an engaging, tight, and joyful performance. Described by Allen as “classy, colourful, refined, silver fox(y),” the show promises a sublime Sunday jazz experience.
Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at Nature Spirit Earth Market or via e-transfer to jazzongabriola@gmail.com. Don’t miss your chance to hear four of Canada’s finest jazz musicians light up Gabriola Island—these shows often sell out quickly!
Mike says, “it might be interesting for folks to know how deep my respect goes for each of the musicians involved in our upcoming jazz show on June 1st. Let me start by saying, you couldn’t hope for better friends. Beyond playing hundreds of gigs together over the past forty years, we hang out every chance we get. Bill, Darren and Dave are loyal, thoughtful, insightful, kind, great listeners, and always there when needed. And they focus the same traits on the music when they play. Beyond the mastery each possesses on his instrument, they work selflessly together to coax and steward beauty and a deep groove from every note. There is no higher praise I can think to offer.”
Mike Allen Presents will be back in September with more fantastic jazz:
• Triology «CD Release» (w Jodi Proznick-bass, Miles Black-piano, Bill Coon-guitar) on Sat. Sept 6th
• Cory Weeds/Mike Allen “Tenor Tussle” on Sat. Sept 28
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