Forbidden Jazz is once again headlining Zocalo Caf茅 this Saturday evening.
As in the past, Jake Masri on trumpet and vocals, Jim Chew on guitar, and Tim Croft on upright bass hope to attract a multi-generational audience by performing a wide variety of timeless jazz standards. The trio, representing more than four decades of experience, both domestically and internationally, will weave their collective magic through two sets of entertaining music.
Croft has toured much of the country performing everything from cruise ships to concert halls. Since arriving on the West Coast in 2010, Tim has been extremely active on the local music scene and can be heard playing in venues between Victoria and Port Hardy on a regular basis.
His latest collaboration with guitarist Brett Martens (as a member of Brett Martens String Band) recently recorded an album, engineered and produced by Canadian gypsy jazz icon Marc Atkinson. In addition, Tim fronts his own group 鈥� the Tim Croft Quartet and performs with the Vancouver Island Symphony based in Nanaimo.
As an educator, he has taught theory, been a peer tutor, & lectured in jazz appreciation, all at the collegiate level. Tim has also taught at numerous music camps in the U.S. As well as teaching privately, he oversees the music programs at 脡cole au Coeur de I鈥橧le in Comox and 脡cole de Mer et Montagne in Campbell River.
Tim obtained his Bachelors Degree from Toronto鈥檚 Humber College, Masters Degree in Jazz Studies from Western Michigan University, and has studied with some of the continents leading players and educators including Mike Downes, Don Thompson, Pat Lababera, Scott Colley, Dave Holland, Pat Collins, and Michel Donato.
Joining the trio on lead guitar is Jim Chew. Jim has explored all areas of music over the past 35 years, from trios to show bands, both live and in the studio.
During his teens, Jim was inspired by Django Reinhardt, and went on to study classical guitar for three years. He eventually discovered a passion for jazz, which led him on a path of playing and teaching in the jazz program at Mount Royal College in Calgary.
When Jim wasn鈥檛 playing jazz, he supplemented his income as a commercial freelance musician. This experience left him with a broad range of influences which he can now apply to his playing style. Jim resides in Campbell River and performs with the CR Little Big Band.
No stranger to local music circles, Masri studied trumpet with Boyd Hood, Gerald Gerbrecht and trombonist Dave Robbins. His studies in jazz enabled him to learn from pros such as Mike Herriot, Hugh Fraser, Campbell Ryga and Bill Clarke during the local CYMC summer program.
Since moving to Comox in 2002, Jake has appeared with Sounds of 17, Quintessence Brass; 6th Street, Jazztown and Jazz Noir combos; Georgia Straight, Arrowsmith, and CR Big Bands; Strathcona Symphony Orchestra, and Just in Time Jazz Choir.
You're invited to a casual, fun-filled evening of jazz from 7:30 to 9:30.
For more information, please contact Zocalo Caf茅 & Gallery at 250-331-0933, drop by the corner of Fifth Street and Cliffe Avenue in downtown Courtenay or surf online to www.zocalocafe.ca.
鈥� Forbidden Jazz
