Today features two unique performances as Tsawwassen Arts Centre. First off at noon is Jazz for Kids, which will feature our faculty performing and interacting with our young audience in a performance that will outline just what this “jazz” thing is. Look for us to get our audience involved in the performance and get everyone involved in the “jazz” thing.

Friday evening will feature Len Aruliah, our resident workshop saxophonist for this year’s workshop. He will be performing with the faculty quintet a new suite of his own compositions inspired by Kenny Wheeler, the great Canadian trumpeter and composer who also resides in England. Both of today’s concerts are at the Tsawwassen Arts Centre. Admission is Free. Thanks to Vancouver Port Authority and Terminal Systems for sponsoring today’s concerts.

Today is Friday and the festival is well underway. We have had a good audience for the first three days of festival concerts. Tuesday brought Brad Muirhead to perform and work with our workshop students on listening and improv skills. Karen Graves was in fine form Wednesday performing on various woodwinds and working with vocals. Thursday brought our first double bill with trumpeter Al Matheson performing and working with our students through a series of three masterclasses on improvisation in the afternoon, offering some great advice to our students. Thursday evening featured vibrophonist Marty Franklin with Nino DiPasquale in a concert of jazz standards and a tribute to Milt Jackson.

Here is a picture of Marty Franklin performing at Beaches in Tsawwassen on Thursday evening. We had a good crowd for the event despite some confusion in location.

Great tunes and great weather helped make this year’s outdoor concert a success. Thanks to Envision for use of the tent and to the M&M’s Meats for providing food and fixings. Here is a photo taken near the end of the day of the Tristan Rogers Trio. The Student workshop starts on Tuesday.