After feasting on Thanksgiving fare people can enjoy a musical banquet by The Cookers Quintet at Vancouver Island University.
The Toronto-based group will be performing a jazz concert on Tuesday (Oct. 13) at 7 p.m. The group features two Vancouver Island University alumni, Ryan Oliver, who plays tenor sax, and Alex Coleman on the bass. The two former Nanaimo VIU students are joined by trumpeter Tim Hamel as well as drummer Joel Haynes and Richard Whiteman on piano.
The group's music is inspired by groups such as Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, Horace Silver and Lee Morgan. The Cookers have produced two albums: The Cookers Quintet Vol.1 and 2.
Oliver has also toured the world with his own quartet and produced two albums: Convergence; with Bob McLaren, Bernie Senensky and Duncan Hopkings; and Strive with Gary Williamson, Coleman and Victor Lewis.
Coleman also leads and eight piece group, Tonight at Noon, which performs music by Charles Mingus.
The show is in building 320's choral room. Tickets are $10/ $5 VIU students and are available at the door.
On Wednesday (Oct. 14) The Cookers Quintet are providing a free clinic for VIU jazz studies students at 11:30 a.m. at the same location. The public is invited to drop in and listen to the clinic.
For more information about The Cookers Quintet please go to www.thecookers.ca.