Jeni’s Picks for the week ahead Dear Picks People,  Only one day late. Please visit my website for additions as the week progresses. This is a free compilation so, as usual, make sure to check with venues for changes to schedule. Sylvia Hotel – Noriko Jazz Quartet Free event February 5, 2019 8:00 am Noriko explores a new cultural hybrid of jazz and traditional Japanese culture. Expect traditional Jazz standards, Pop, R&B, Funk and traditional Japanese music. Noriko’s Jazz Band is comprised of jazz artists dedicated to keeping the craft alive and relevant to modern ears. With Cole Tinney – piano, Emilo Suarez – bass and drummer t.b.a. Gold Saucer – Marin Patenaude w/ Pugs & Crows, Källor, Moondle February 5, 2019 9:30 pm Weekly performance series curated by Barbara Adler, Cole Schmidt & James Meger. Tuesdays at the Gold Saucer Studio. MARIN PATENAUDE (WITH PUGS & CROWS) Singer/songwriter/guitarist Marin Patenaude’s absorbing sound is earthy, soulful, and heartbreakingly beautiful, evoking comparisons with Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt, and k.d. lang. Marin’s pure voice ties together country, blues, and folk into something sublimely intangible. KÄLLOR Källor (pronounced Che-llor) means beginnings, sources, origins, like the spring where the stream starts. The Vancouver based duo consists of Sanna Henriksson Spolaor (Cello/Piano/Vocals) and Abhishek Gupta (Electronics/Guitar), Their music combines elements of folk, classical, pop and electronic influences to amalgamate and form a blend of cinematic and experimental music also with MOONDLE Recommended $10 at the door or PWYC Provence Marinaside – Hip Pocket presents The Sounds of New Orleans featuring Gary Comeau Free event February 6, 2019 6:00 pm Hip Pocket presents The Sounds of New Orleans featuring Gary Comeau Gary Comeau: keyboards and vocals Adam Rohrlick: electric guitar and tenor saxophone Chris Nordquist: drums, washboard and vocals VPL Central Branch – Incite: Hot Reads for Chilly Nights Free event February 6, 2019 7:30 pm Lists of recommended books abound at the beginning of the year—perfect for whiling away the season’s evenings.  Discover your next three top reads. Éric Dupont (Songs for the Cold of Heart), 2018 Scotiabank Giller Prize Nominee, Jen Neale (Land Mammals and Sea Creatures), local debut novelist shortlisted for the 2018 Rogers Writers Trust Fiction Award, and Ian Williams (Reproduction), a finalist for the Griffin Poetry Prize and a Creative Writing Professor at UBC, will read from their works and delve into stories behind their character-rich family sagas with host, author Shaena Lambert. China Cloud – Invisible Taste Presents: “Trance Jamz” Pay-what-you-can February 6, 2019 9:00 pm An extra special premiere this week. Presenting “Trance Jamz”, Vancouver’s hot up and comers causing a stir in the intoxication world of non-electronic trance music. Featuring these four wild and crazy guys: Kai Basanta – drums . . . and more! James Meger – Bass . . . and such! Dan Gaucher – Drums . . . and various and sundry! Colin Cowan – Bass . . . and so much more Go Studios – Five Women Wearing The Same Dress February 7, 2019 7:00 pm A Play by Alan Ball During an ostentatious wedding reception at a Knoxville, Tennessee, estate, five reluctant, identically clad bridesmaids hide out in an upstairs bedroom, each with their own reason to avoid the proceedings below. … These five very different women joyously discover a common bond in this funny, irreverent, and touching celebration of the women’s spirit Drugs, explicit language and mild nudity are on the menu. Tickets $10/15**  In the Blake Snyder Studio** Pacific Cinematheque – Chan Centre Connects: African Skies February 7, 2019 7:00 pm On the 25th anniversary of his landmark album Graceland, Paul Simon returns to South Africa for a historic reunion concert. Featuring anti-apartheid activists, musical legends, and leading cultural figures — including Maya Angelou, Harry Belafonte, Paul McCartney, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo — Under African Skies recounts Graceland’s turbulent birth and controversial reception. Award-winning documentary filmmaker Joe Berlinger also directed Brother’s Keeperand the Paradise Lost trilogy. Tickets $13/11 Havana Theatre – Wheeler Jamieson Waldman February 7, 2019 7:30 pm Sarah Wheeler, Reid Jamieson and Jesse Waldman are three acoustic based singer songwriters. They will perform two sets festival style in the round where they take turns playing songs. Sometimes there is improvised interplay between musicians in this setting. Sarah Wheeler http://sarahwheeler.com Jesse Waldman https://www.jessewaldmanmusic.com Reid Jamieson http://www.reidjamieson.com Early show! Doors 7pm Show 7:30pm Tickets $15 Frankie’s Jazz Club – Angela Verbrugge Quartet CD Release February 7, 2019 8:00 pm The thrill of romance, the depths of despair, the frenzy of being late, the indecision of whether to retain an “almost perfect” partner – these are all topics jazz vocalist Angela Verbrugge will playfully contemplate through both original jazz and bossanova songs. She also has a treasure trove of rare gems composed from the 1920’s to the 1950’s. Celebrate the release of her album “The Night We Couldn’t Say Good Night” recorded in New York City. The great NYC-based pianist Ray Gallon, who played on the record, will be seated at Frankie’s Steinway B. With Paul Rushka bass and Jesse Cahill drums. Cover $16 Jazz @ Tangent Cafe – Chris Fraser Trio By Donation February 7, 2019 8:30 pm Chris Fraser’s guitar playing is soulful and playful. He blends contemporary sounds with traditional feels to create a unique sound that is distinctly his own. With Eli Davidovici -bass and Millie Hong – drums 8 East -Zubot/Catona Miller/Hasselberg February 7, 2019 9:00 pm Josh Zubot : violin Alex Catona : cello Lisa Cay Miller : piano Marina Hasselberg : cello Doors at 8, music at 8:30 $20/10 no one will be turned away for lack of funds Orpheum Theatre – Inside the Symphony: Afterwork Concert Series February 8, 2019 5:30 pm Happy-Hour in the Orpheum at 5:30 with Kir Royale specials. A special 1-hour VSO concert at 6:30 featuring The Moldau and Symphony No. 8 by Czech composer Dvořák, followed by a post-concert shopping at John Fluevog Shoes on Granville with 50% of proceeds going to support the VSO. Do Friday Night Right! Stay downtown, meet some friends, enjoy great music, check-out the after-party  at John Fluevog Shoes and support the VSO, then hit the town in style. Tickets $13-42 Red Lion – Ron Johnston/Cameron Hood and friends By Donation This event runs from February 8, 2019 until February 15, 2019. Ron on piano and Cameron on bass bring eclectic jazz to West Vancouver every Friday (and Saturday).  Often with well-known guests from the local music community dropping by to sit in. Most Fridays with vocalist Don Stewart… and perhaps more! Libra Room – Tom Wherrett Trio By Donation February 8, 2019 7:00 pm Prolific band leader and guitarist Tom Wherrett always has several projects up his sleeve. From his one man band, Lonely Astronaut, to his folk oriented Elk Horn, his expansive compositions feel personal and moody. Tonight he’ll explore standards and originals with his trio. With Jeff Gammon – bass and Omar Amlani – drums Frankie’s Jazz Club – From New York: Ray Gallon Trio February 8, 2019 8:00 pm A NYC-native, pianist Ray Gallon has been a mainstay on the jazz scene for over thirty years. Rooted in bebop and blues, his expressive, swingin’ playing melds old and new into a fresh, original style. As a young player, Ray was taken under the wing of piano giants John Lewis, Hank Jones, and ‪Jaki Byard. He has performed at major jazz festivals and venues around the world with such luminaries as Ron Carter, ‪Lionel Hampton, ‪Art Farmer, ‪Benny Golson, George Adams, ‪Les Paul, and ‪Wycliffe Gordon. Ray has appeared at the White House and the Kennedy Center, sharing the stage with jazz legends ‪Dizzy Gillespie, ‪Milt Jackson, Sweets Edison, and Joe Williams. An in-demand accompanist, he has worked with many vocal greats, including Jon Hendricks, ‪Sheila Jordan, ‪Dakota Staton, ‪Gloria Lynne, ‪Jane Monheit and ‪Chaka Khan. Ray’s inventive compositions have been recorded by acclaimed artists T.S. Monk and George Adams. His upcoming trio album, Make Your Move, features the stellar rhythm section of David Wong and Kenny Washington. Ray is a full-time faculty member of the jazz program at The City College of NY in Harlem and the Vermont Jazz Center’s summer workshops and has taught at Juilliard and The Tyrant Studios – Ilhan Saferali Quartet February 8, 2019 9:30 pm Ilhan has played with Grammy award wining musicians such as Chucho Valdes and has worked with the David Suzuki Foundation for their ECOmusicology project. Ilhan’s playing ability is versatile on both piano and trumpet; playing Jazz, Rock, Funk and Latin music. Ilhan’s piano style takes from classic piano players such as Bill Evans and Oscar Peterson and is heavily influenced by modern jazz players such as Brad Mehldau. Ilhan now composes complex modern jazz arrangements. $10 cover at the door   Jazz at The Pat – Leora Cashe Free event February 9, 2019 3:00 pm Continuing with vocal month.  High energy straight from the heart… Leora Cashe – vocals Dave Say – sax Conrad Good – bass Jaye Krebs – piano Buff Allen – drums Cafe Deux Soleils – East Van High Society video “When The Internet Dies” release party By Donation February 9, 2019 8:00 pm High Society‘s much anticipated MUSIC VIDEO, When the Internet Dies, shall be released and projected out upon the world Feb. 9th! Submitted to many film fests around the world including those in Germany, France, and the U.S. of A. Shot at the glorious Wise Hall, edited by Carl Craig, and directed by Diane Francis (Diane Farnsworth), the video stars much of East Van’s community, it is sure to delight, tantalize, perhaps titillate, and just plain remind you of how good the song is.   «WHEN THE INTERNET DIES maybe you’ll talk to me… directly When the Motherboard fries, I’ll put out some candles in memory of the time we wasted forgetting we’re alive.» Watch trailer here Orpheum Annex -Erato Ensemble Presents: Present @ The Annex February 9, 2019 8:00 pm Erato’s second concert of the 2018-19 season, “Present” shines a light on the vocal/instrumental chamber music being written today. The concert features Jocelyn Morlock and Bill Richardson’s song cycle, Perruqueries. In collaboration with Vancouver’s Art Song Lab, we will present arrangements of several pieces written for the program, including Remy Siu’s “Terminal Love” (previously arranged for Erato Ensemble), Katya Pine’s Wood Sleeves, and Bekah Simms’s Requiem for a Penny, as well as pieces by Katerina Gimon, Jonathan Daniel, and Christopher Reiche Boucher from ASL 2018. Tickets $28.25/$19 Frankie’s Jazz Club – Chet Doxas Quartet February 9, 2019 8:00 pm New York City saxophonist, Chet Doxas and his Montreal-based brother and drummer, Jim have been making music together since they were children. Raised in a musical home, their experience and travels have resulted in collaborations with international and Canadian luminaries such as: Oliver Jones, Carla Bley, Steve Swallow, Dave Douglas, Maria Schneider, Christine Jensen, Phil Dwyer, and many more. Their work has earned them several nominations and awards including, Grammy’s, Juno’s, and Academy Awards. The Doxas Brothers are pleased to be featuring  local treasures, trumpeter Brad Turner and bassist André Lachance. The repertoire will be comprised of original compositions from each of the group members as well as a few of their favorite standards. Cover $17.50 Jazz Vespers – Black History Month Celebration By Donation February 10, 2019 3:45 pm Celebrating Black History Month with a concert featuring legends such as Ada Lee, Candus Churchill, Marcus Mosely and Olaf Deshield. **Gather at 3:45pm in the Salons (1018 Nelson St.) then parade (New Orleans style) across the street to First Baptist Church (969 Burrard St.) for a 4pm start** Jazz at Tangent – John Gross Quartet By Donation February 10, 2019 6:00 pm Tenor saxophonist John Gross is a living legend. He cut his teeth playing in Shelley Manne’s band in L.A. and since has spent his life making beautiful music around the world. His deep searching sound is sure to inspire. With Jillian Lebeck – piano, Andre Lachance – bass and Milli Hong – drums Vancity Theatre – Jimi Hendrix Electric Church February 11, 2019 8:10 pm Music Mondays. Black History Month. Electric Church tells the story of the Jimi Hendrix Experience’s involvement as the headliner of the Second Atlanta International Pop Festival, 1970, then hailed as the ‘Southern Woodstock’. His performance at the Second Atlanta International Pop Festival was not only significant on a musical level, but also in terms of socio-political dynamics. It was assumed that rural audiences would not take kindly to “long-hair” bands, and that black and white artists could not comfortably exist on the same bill; Atlanta Pop set out to challenge those beliefs. Hendrix’s music and message of universal love made him the ideal artist and, appropriately, was the first act booked for the festival. Ten weeks after the festival, sadly, he was dead. Songs include: Stone Free, Purple Haze, All Along The Watchtower, Foxy Lady and more. Tickets $11 Libra Room – Company B Jazz Band By Donation February 11, 2019 9:00 pm The Company B Jazz Band  is one of Vancouver’s foremost jazz ensembles, featuring a harmonizing female vocal trio in vintage style. --

"Jeni's Picks" is a curated list of eclectic events that I feel are of particular interest to my readership. If you know of an event of interest, let me know and I'll consider it for inclusion.

Jeni Mastin, JenisPicks.com