Since trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis was a child, he was surrounded by music.
“I remember my dad (Ellis Marsalis) playing the piano at the house, and me laying underneath the piano as a child, listening to him play,” said Marsalis on his website. “After briefly trying bass and drums, in sixth grade I gravitated towards the trombone, which was an extension of my personality.”
According to his biography, Marsalis is known as one of the top trombonists, composers and producers in jazz today.
Marsalis is this year’s main performer at Jazz Affair, an annual event held by the Friends of Nanaimo Jazz Society to raise awareness about jazz and money to support jazz programs in schools and young musicians.
Jazz Affair is Friday (May 27) at 6:30 p.m. at the Coast Bastion Hotel.
Marsalis will be accompanied onstage by Miles Black on piano, Christian Fabian on bass and Nanaimo’s Ethan Olynyk on drums.
Other guests include performers from the Nanaimo Musicians’ Association, Nanaimo school district alumni and jazz students.
In addition to the entertainment, there will be a silent auction and raffle.
“We’re just trying to keep jazz alive in Nanaimo,” said Tracy Berg, a volunteer with the Friends of Nanaimo Jazz Society. “We have a rich jazz history here, with artists such as Diana Krall.”
She said there are some talented musicians coming out of the school’s jazz programs.
Berg said the annual Jazz Affair attracts people from across Vancouver Island.
Each year, the society tries to attract a main-event performer with skills in a different instrument, because it also runs clinics for students to learn from the featured performer.
All proceeds from Jazz Affair go to support jazz students in the Nanaimo school district, including the jazz programs at Woodlands, Wellington and John Barsby secondary schools.
Money raised also goes to scholarships for applicants for summer band camp workshops, which a student may not be able to attend otherwise.
Tickets for Jazz Affair are $60 and include a buffet dinner. Tickets are available by calling 250-754-8550 or go to www.porttheatre.com.
The society is currently accepting applications for students in the Nanaimo school district interested in attending a jazz camp or festival, which includes musical instruction.
Students must submit a letter to Sue Dawson at friendsofjazz06@hotmail.com and state what camp, festival, clinic or workshop they wish to attend. Applicants must meet a number of criteria, which are available at www.friendsofnanaimojazz.com. Funding doesn’t include accommodation or travel expenses.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com