Former Victoria Jazz Orchestra drummer Jon Miller brought his quartet to Nanaimo for the first time last year, showing what was then a recent foray into organ-fuelled jazz.
Now that Miller and his group – organist Tony Genge, guitarist Rob Cheramy and saxophonist Monik Nordine – have another year under their belt, he said they’ll be even tighter when they return to the Lighthouse Bistro on Sunday, Feb. 10.
“We’ve really jelled in the past year or so. We played at Salt Spring Island just this past Sunday … and I was amazed at how much smoother things are going with the repertoire,” Miller said. “I think it’s been really great. Something I’m not going to get tired of any time soon.”
The concert is presented by Quadwrangle Music and will be recorded as part of its Jazz Archive Series. Quadwrangle’s Luis Porretta has been filming visiting jazz musicians to compile a video record, which is available online.
“I think that’s great that he’s taking that initiative to do this thing, document these great performances, and I feel privileged to be part of it,” Miller said.
He added that he plans to do some recording of his own with his quartet this spring. Their last album was released in 2015, before Genge joined, and Miller said a new record will better represent how the band sounds now. He said they’ll be recording originals, as opposed to the standards they work into their shows.
“Everyone’s writing stuff. We’ve got to get that recorded,” Miller said. “Even though I love playing it, I don’t know if the world needs another recording of some of the stuff that we play live. Whereas … everyone in the band’s so prolific, it’d be crazy not to get some of the stuff documented.”
WHAT’S ON … The Jon Miller Quartet performs at the Lighthouse Bistro on Sunday, Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20, $15 for students, available at the venue, Fascinating Rhythm and Arbutus Music.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com
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