Ja Pace event: Artist Bios for “Locura”
George Wishart
Pianist and Bandleader
A passionate musician, George has been playing piano since the age of 7, and when at 13 he began studying jazz, the love affair began. Working in Toronto and San Diego until making Vancouver his home in 1992, George has performed in various jazz groups throughout Vancouver from solo work to larger collaborative ventures. He has most recently been involved in exploring the music of South America, studying and performing tango dance accompaniment as well as traditional Brazilian music and percussion.
George has often worked with Ja's parents, Pancho and Sal, and is a family friend. Preparing and arranging the music for this evening has been driven by the love of the music ...and the love of Ja and her family.
Vincenzo Iormetti
Drums
Vincenio has worked the cruise lines all over the world: Asia , The South Pacific, the Carribean and Europe. Vince enjoys Swing and latin gigs. He's worked with Ray Charles' band, and loves the life of a sideman.
Nick Apivor
Congas and Percussion
Graduated from U-Vic. Works with Rumba Calzata Vancouver, the Victoria Symphony, John Gilliat Group, the NOW Orcestra and spent four years in the orchestra pit for the Vancouver Playhouse.
Graig Robertson
Tenor and Soprano Saxophone
A professional composer, Graig is also a sound designer. He's played in the Jazz Festival five times, has worked with the South African Big Band revival, Rob Best 's World Jive, Mr Scene, and sings in the well known choir Chor Leoni.
Phil Howell
Upright and electric bass
Phil has been playing jazz for 15 years in Vancouver and Mexico. He was based in Veracruz, but is now enjoying fatherhood in Vancouver with his beautiful 1 1/2 year old daughter Nicole.
Malcolm Aiken
Trumpet
www.malcolmaiken.com
A trumpet player, bandleader and educator based in Vancouver, Malcolm is involved in an eclectic mix of innovative projects and collaborations and plays a variety of musical styles and traditions including jazz, Afro-Cuban, and contemporary classical music. His current project is "Tanga!" an explosive 12-piece Latin Jazz Orchestra set to release their first CD, “Simmer and Serve,” in June 2006.
As an educator, Malcolm shares his experience and enthusiasm for music with brass players of all ages through workshops, master classes and private lessons. In addition to his own studio of trumpet students, he has worked as a clinician at schools and music events around BC, and has been on faculty at the Whistler and Sun Peaks music festivals.
Mike Lord
Trombone
Mike began playing jazz as a teenager, when bands which would later found the Hot Jazz Society gathered once a month to throw a dance. He took to the road with Bobby Curtola, played in mainstream jazz combos, blues groups and even a big band. When not busy lubricating his trombone slide, he teaches school band for fun and profit!
Deborah Ledon
Vocals
www.deborahledon.com
A Cuban-born Canadian who revels in making her own rules, Deborah's spiritual and musical journey began in Havana and has led, with a few character-building detours along the way, to Vancouver. Feisty, funny, and staunchly anti-diva, Deborah Ledon is a thoughtful, passionate teller of personal truths - a composer and performer of songs that try to dig a little deeper, even when it’s not always comfortable. “I’m not a formula writer,” she says, “I just follow my heart and how I hear it.”
Juan de Marias
Guitar
www.juandemarias.com
Juan de Marias started his musical studies as a classical guitarist in Barcelona, Spain in 1969, and went on to study flamenco with many fine artists in Spain. He currently works as both soloist and accompanist with numerous performers in Vancouver, and is known for his rich sound and elegant approach. Juan enjoys mixing the complex musical languages of jazz and Flamenco. He crosses between the worlds, performing this evening in both venues.
Jill Russell
Flute
Jill represents the true artist as a versatile, multitalented musician, songwriter, and vocalist. From her collective talents we get the true meaning of the "one man (or in this case "one woman") band". When teamed up with other fine musicians such as appear on Corcovado's "Cool Brazillian Music" CD, we see her talents not only as a standalone musician but someone who can truly make any group sound top-notch.
