Up-and-coming musicians, fine dining, at KSS Extravaganza

KSS jazz performers showcase their talents at last year’s Jazz Extravaganza. This year’s event takes place March 1.

Brenda Gough Photo

News For You  

• SD70 drowning in water taxi expenses
• New hotel proposed for Shoppers Row
• Chemainus incident ends peacefully
• Collision with elk another reminder to look out for wildlife
• 2012 Predictions - Financial Forecast - Peter Jong

Share this story

Tweet

Support a local music program by enjoying an evening of fine, swinging jazz by up-and-coming musicians as well as top-notch professionals, along with a first-class dinner at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre March 1.

“I think people will really enjoy it,” said music specialist at Kwalikum Secondary School, Dave Stewart. “We’ve got some excellent students and some of them have been recognized individually for awards at Surrey (Envision Jazz Festival) for their performances in solos. It’ll be a full evening and well worth it.”

It’s Kwalicum’s Jazz Extravaganza, presented by the KSS Fine Arts Society and this year features eight jazz groups at the school, distinguished trombonist Ian McDougall from Victoria, and the popular 18-piece Arrowsmith Big Band.

Proceeds from the event go to assist students in the KSS jazz program, as they take more trips than those in the regular music program, said Stewart, like their recent excursion to the Envision Jazz Festival in Surrey. There the junior band was chosen to play in the Student Showcase, made up of the top four bands in British Columbia.

“That’s pretty darn good,” said Stewart. “Just to be selected is really something special.”

A three-course meal featuring pulled pork, potato salad, barbeque coleslaw and bourbon pudding will be produced by Trevor Hooper and his team, the former chef and owner of Vancouver, award-winning restaurant, Raku.

Stewart said the focus of this year’s concert will be swing jazz from the 40s, 50s and  60s, including a couple of McDougall’s numbers and some from his former, legendary jazz group, the Boss Brass.

Tickets to the event are $50, $25 for the concert only. There will be beverages available and a silent auction at the event. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner is at 6 p.m. and the concert starts at 7 p.m. Get tickets in Bowser at the Union Bay Credit Union, in Qualicum Beach at What’s Cooking, the Mulberry Bush Book Store and Smithford’s and in Parksville at Cranky Dog Music. For more information, e-mail Andy at andrew.c.telfer@gmail.com.