After a tough couple of years, the Friends of Nanaimo Jazz Society will once again host Jazz Affair in front of a live audience.
The concert will be held at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre on Friday, May 27, and is the society’s main fundraising event to support music students in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith school district through workshops, scholarships and bursaries.
A release for the concert noted that members are thrilled to host singers Dee Daniels and Denzal Sinclaire. Backing them up will be Sharon Minemoto on piano, Russ Button on bass and Dave Robbins on drums.
“Daniels is a unique talent who transcends musical borders, bringing her jazz styling – infused with gospel and blues flavouring – to the stage,” noted the release. “Her diverse career has seen her in clubs, festivals, prestigious music halls around the world, theatre stages, television, radio, performances for royalty and international dignitaries, and on many recordings as leader or guest.”
It continued to note that Daniels has been recognized with awards from many organizations and institutions for her contributions in music, education and community service.
Sharing the stage with Daniels, Sinclaire has ranked among the finest jazz singers of his generation and is one of Canada’s most popular jazz vocalists.
“A graduate of McGill University’s jazz performance program, he possesses that rare ability to achieve – from the moment he steps on stage – a profound emotional interaction with his audience,” read the release. “His passionate and sincere delivery caresses every song he sings. He touches the listener with the purity of the message.”
According to the release, not only is Sinclaire a recipient of the 2004 National Jazz Award for Best Album, he is also a two-time Juno Award nominee who has four times consecutively been the recipient of Jazz Report Magazine’s award for Male Jazz Vocalist.
Jazz affair is May 27 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 and can be obtained through www.eventbrite.ca.
READ MORE: Jazz concert series welcomes in-person music and mentorship to Nanaimo
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