The inspiration for Lee Ellefson’s seventh album came from the birth of his daughter in 2009.
Naming the recording after his daughter, Galame (Galame is the Thai word for ‘caramel’), Ellefson’s passion and devotion to his daughter can be heard throughout the album with tunes such as Galament and Yung Yerng.
Ellefson, no stranger to the Canadian and international jazz scene, has been performing, composing, teaching and touring for the last 25 years.
His compositions blend the older jazz tradition with more modern approaches to melody and harmony.
Ellefson has written all of the music over the past two years with the intention to play a concert at its culmination, consisting of his favorite musicians.
“I feel very fortunate to be involved with such talented musicians, and even more fortunate to have friendships with them,” he said. “Collectively we have created a very personal and musical album.”
The concert is set for April 12, 7:30 p.m., and will feature guitarist Myron Makepeace, a fellow Vancouver Island University professor, Buff Allen, Ellefson’s father and musical companion, Art, plus two VIU students in Andrew Cullen and Shauna Sedola.
Tickets $15; $10/students at Fascinating Rhythm, the VIU music department or the door.