Jazz Vespers Swings with The Bayside Big Band

The Bayside Big Band will be the featured performers when the Jazz Vespers series continues at St. John’s United Church in Deep Cove on November 6 at 7:00 p.m. 

The 16-piece Bayside Big Band replicates the instrumentation, musical style and spirit of the popular swing dance bands of the 1940's. Their repertoire features dozens of hit jazz vocals, many played from the original vintage charts.  The band also performs custom arrangements penned especially for the band by several gifted band members. A typical set will span from the 30's to the 80's combining vocal jazz standards, modern ballads, and traditional swing or latin songs.

Several of the band's original members go back to when the group started on the Saanich Peninsula in the early '70's. The majority of the Bayside musicians play in other Greater Victoria groups, but enjoy the teamwork and camaraderie of accurately recreating the big band standards.

The Bayside Big Band is under the direction of John Fawcett, and the other musicians include:  Darlene Haynes on vocals; Frank Cammisuli on piano; Terry Erskine on drums; Paul Bachaus on bass guitar; Ryan Lainchbury on rhythm guitar; Ole Bachhaus, Wayne Speller and Bill Roland on trumpet and flugel horns; Gordon Rogers, Chris Joyce and Aharon Arnstein on trombone; and Rob Bannister, Larry Licht, Joe Bradley, Kryn Zedel and Doug Arnold on saxophone and clarinets.

Jazz Vespers continues on December 4 with The Emily Braden Trio, and on Jan. 8 with Ken Lister and Pat Coleman.

Jazz Vespers services begin at 7:00 p.m.  St. John’s United Church is located at 10990 West Saanich Rd., across from Deep Cove School.  There is no admission charge, and an offering will be taken.  For further information, please call Bernadette at 656-0875 or email her at bernadettegreene@shaw.ca to be included on an email list of upcoming concerts.