The Jazz at the Griff series, presented by Trail & District Arts Council, brings you the Melody Diachun Quartet. Enjoy the jazz club vibe as you savour a glass of wine in a setting that is up close and personal with the band.
Step into the world of musical brilliance with Melody Diachun, a distinguished nominee for Jazz Artist of the Year at the esteemed 2023 Western Canadian Music Awards.
Join her Melody for a heartwarming evening of soulful melodies. Joining Melody are Doug Stephenson on guitar, Jill McKenna on acoustic bass, and Joel Fountain on drums. Together, they'll create a captivating ambiance with a selection of love-themed songs, specially curated for those who understand the true essence of love.
Secure your tickets in advance as this concert is expected to be in high demand and sell out quickly. Don't miss the chance to be part of this musical celebration!
Born in Montreal and raised in Nova Scotia, Melody was the first vocalist admitted to McGill University’s Jazz Performance program and after graduating she studied with the great Sheila Jordan in New York City. Melody is known for her “soulful confidence, exquisite intonation, phrasing, and sense of time.” - All About Jazz and was nominated ‘Female Vocalist of the Year' at the 2009 Canadian National Jazz Awards and 'Artist of the Year' at the Kootenay Music Awards in 2018 and 2019.
Doug Stephenson has been an integral member of Western Canada's music community for over thirty years. The Calgary native is a guitarist, bassist, songwriter, and producer. He has performed with a wide range of artists including Melody Diachun, Charlie Rouse, Bob Murphy, Les McCann, Jay Thomas, John Stowell, Tommy Banks, P.J. Perry, Altered Laws, Barry Romberg, Bob Brough, Campbell Ryga, and Blues legend Big Miller.
Jill McKenna is a multi-instrumentalist with a particular love of collaboration and improvisation in jazz, folk and alternative sounds. Originally from Hamilton, Ontario, McKenna then lived in New York City studying jazz performance on the upright bass at the New School. McKenna is often found playing alongside a variety of artists, including on NPR’s Tiny Desk with dodie, on the road with Maddie Storvold, or with various artists in and around the Kootenays. McKenna is currently based out of Nelson, BC and is the founder of Marivon, a truly eclectic group of international recording musicians, who have joined forces to make music surpassing geography and genres.
Joel Fountain is a very busy freelance musician residing in Vancouver. Career highlights include performing in Russia with trumpet virtuoso & ‘Order of Canada’ recipient Jens Lindemann; performing concerts with Canadian Jazz sensation Laila Biali; touring the world with jazz trumpet legend Maynard Ferguson as part of his ‘Big Bop Nouveau band’; playing in the Grammy nominated jazz big band the “One O’clock Lab band”. Joel has produced and recorded multiple albums, including producing Juno nominated Adam Robert Thomas’s 2018 self-titled solo album. In 2011 Joel released his own solo album entitled “Lindsays’s Song” of all original music where he played drums, keyboards, and sang.
2 x 40 minute sets plus intermission.
Single tickets are $22. Or buy a 6-show series pass for Jazz at the Griff is only $110. Limited availability. Get your pass now!
All individual tickets available online at tickets.trail-arts.com, by phone at 250-368-9669, and in person at the Bailey Box Office at 1501 Cedar Ave., Trail. Series passes available only by calling or visiting the Box Office.
All shows general admission. Groups of 4 may reserve a table at the box office.
The Jazz at the Griff series is made possible thanks to funding from McEwan Law, BC Arts Council, BC Touring Council, the Government of Canada, and Tourism South Kootenay. We also gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.
Upcoming shows in the Jazz at The Griff series include:
Itamar Erez Quartet - Thursday, March 14, 7:30 pm
Erez is an internationally renowned composer, guitarist, and pianist, who blends the delicateness of Middle Eastern music, the freedom found in jazz, and the passion of flamenco, to create a unique sound. Erez received the 2014 ACUM Prize for Special Achievement in Jazz and the prestigious 2014 Landau Prize. The quartet also features John Nicholson (sax), Jeff Gammon (bass), and Kevin Romain (drums).
Fawn Fritzen Quartet - Thursday, April 18, 7:30 pm
Raised on folk, classical, and musical theatre, Fawn Fritzen embodies Canada’s diversity with her mixed cultural roots of Chinese, French, and German, singing in her three ancestral languages as well as English. Joining Fawn are pianist David Restivo, guitarist/bassist, Doug Stephenson, and drummer Tony Ferraro.