LOCAL TRIO HEADLINES ZOCALO CAFÉ ON SEPT. 16
Forbidden Jazz, consisting of Jake
Masri on trumpet & vocals, Jeff Drummond on guitar, & Tim Croft on upright
bass are once again featured at Zocalo Café next Friday evening. As in the past, they hope to attract a
multi-generational audience by performing a wide variety of timeless jazz
standards. The trio, representing more
than 4 decades of experience, both domestically and internationally, will weave
their collective magic through 2 sets of entertaining music.
A welcome addition to the Comox Valley, guitar
master Jeff Drummond obtained his
Diploma in Jazz Performance at Mount Royal College in 1995. He went on to perform throughout Canada &
the UK., touring with many different artists in a variety of musical
genres. Drummond has also appeared on national
radio and television programs, produced and engineered countless albums, and played
with many well known artists. In total,
he has accumulated over 20 years as a music educator, which contributes towards
a high demand for his skills & services.
Presently, Jeff tours & performs with a Calgary based band called Sinistrio. Comprised of B3 organ, lead guitar &
drums, they bring together modern jazz & retro soul with a unique texture
of tone & richness. To sample their
music, browse the web @ www.sinistriomusic.com.
Tim Croft, also new on the local scene, has quickly
gained recognition as a strong and creative player. His jazz studies at Humber College in Toronto
allowed him the amazing opportunity to learn from such Canadian icons as Mike
Downes, Pat Collins, Pat Labarbera, & Don Thompson. After completing his Bachelors degree, Tim
relocated in Montreal where he continued to study the bass, play in local
restaurants & clubs (such as “House of Jazz” and “Upstairs”), & record with
several different groups. Further
education led him to the University of Western Michigan, where he completed a Masters
degree in Jazz Studies under the influences of Tom Knific and Dr. Scott Cowan
(jazz piano & improvisation). Croft
currently teaches music at L’Ecole au Coeur d’Ile in Comox.
No stranger to local music circles, Jake Masri draws his inspiration from
classical repertoire to musical theater to Afro-Cuban/New Orleans, and Bebop
styles. His passion for jazz is closely
linked to artists such as Harry James, Miles Davis, Chet Baker, & Arturo
Sandoval. As a performance major at VCC,
UVIC, & UBC, Jake studied trumpet with Boyd Hood, Gerald Gerbrecht, &
trombonist, Dave Robbins. His studies in
jazz enabled him to learn from pros such as Mike Herriot, Hugh Fraser, Campbell
Ryga, & Bill Clarke during the local CYMC summer program. Among his favorite vocal instructors are Ann
Mortifee, Rhiannon, Ysaye Barnwell, & Wendy Nixon Stothert. Since moving to Comox in 2002, Jake has
appeared with Sounds of 17, Quintessence Brass; 6th Street,
Jazztown, & Jazz Noir combos; Georgia Straight, Arrowsmith, & CR Big
Bands; Strathcona Symphony Orchestra, and Just in Time Jazz Choir.
We invite you to join us for a casual, fun-filled
evening of jazz from 7:30-9:30. As
usual, the kitchen will offer a wide selection of sweet & savory dishes along
with alcoholic & non alcoholic beverages.
For more info, please contact Zocalo Café & Gallery @ 250 331 0933, or simply drop by the corner of 5th
Street and Cliffe Ave. in downtown Courtenay (zocalocafe.ca.)
