Student Groups
This year’s student ensembles will include Carson Graham Secondary Vocal Jazz, Oak Bay Secondary Jazz Combos, and Brooks Secondary Jazz Band & Vocal Jazz. Make sure to arrive a little early to each concert and enjoy a set from one of these fantastic student opening acts.
On Friday, April 8, 2022 at 7:30 pm at the Max Cameron Theatre, we will be presenting a designated student showcase concert, with Powell River’s own Walter Martella sitting in with these budding jazz musicians.
At this event, we are also thrilled to feature the world premiere of “You Are My Sunshine” (nɩgi ʔət̓ᶿ χaƛanən) – a special project in collaboration with School District 47 & Jehjeh Media. This performance will unite the above student groups with SD47 elementary school students.
Carson Graham Secondary
Carson Graham’s vocal jazz ensemble comes from a storied past steeped in music making from educators like Peter Taylor and Janet Warren. This school has been on the forefront of innovative music making and now is working towards that path again. You can find this school located in North Vancouver, British Colombia with a population of 1500 students from grades 8-12.
The music program has 21 performing choral and instrumental ensembles that work diligently towards sharing their music with others. The vocal jazz program has had opportunities to be showcased at the Banff Arts Centre as well as the TD Jazz Festival and now, the Townsite Jazz Festival. We’re looking forward to sharing a story or two.
Oak Bay High School
The Oak Bay Sr Jazz Band has been making music for over 50 years. The auditioned jazz ensemble strives to preserve the big band sound. The band is led by Jeff Weaver who holds a bachelors of music from the University of Victoria and a Masters of Arts from Sam Houston State University. The band consistently competes at music fest Canada and plays shows in and around Victoria. The ensemble boasts graduates such as Neil Swainson and Bruce Hurn along with many other successful musicians who got their start playing in the ensemble. Today’s students receive private lessons from our local jazz musicians and continue to learn what it is to play jazz.
Brooks Secondary School
The Brooks Jazz Band is made up of 28 energetic and eager grade 10 to 12 music students. They tour annually and attend a number of festivals spanning from the Pacific Northwest to Cuba. Currently, the ensemble is working towards a cultural tour of Eastern Cuba during the spring break of 2019. The Brooks Jazz Band is thrilled to be one of the host ensembles of the first Townsite Jazz Festival.
The Brooks Vocal Jazz Ensemble, comprised of students from grade 10 to 12, are part of Powell River’s strong Jazz Choir tradition. This ensemble have toured extensively with the Brooks Chamber Choir to festivals in the Bahamas, France, Italy and the Netherlands. Many members of the Brooks Vocal Jazz Ensemble will be travelling to the Europa Cantat in Tallinn, Estonia this summer. They’re proud to be a host ensemble of the Townsite Jazz Festival, and are the singers who recorded the festival’s official “jingle”.
