See The Oliver Jones Trio Up Close & Personal in Spruce Grove on Friday, October 29
Oliver Jones was referred to as one of Canada’s most beloved and admired musicians and most distinguished cultural ambassadors when he was presented with the Governor General’s Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2005. Mr. Jones’ outstanding musical talent is matched only by his generosity towards his audiences. “It’s wonderful to look out and see people smiling,” he says. “The communication between musician and audience – that’s the best part.” For years, he has treated audiences to the vision and sound of all the best that piano can offer. Best experienced in an intimate venue, Mr Jones is thrilled to be returning to the Edmonton area to perform at two Up Close and Personal soft-seat venues, Horizon Stage in Spruce Grove on October 29 and the Shell Theatre in Fort Saskatchewan on October 30.
Born on September 11, 1934 to Barbadian parents, Oliver Theophilus Jones grew up in the same Montreal neighbourhood as his life-long friend and continuing inspiration, Oscar Peterson. As a youngster, he would sit on the Peterson family’s porch, listening to the older boy practice, and eventually Oscar’s sister, Daisy, became Oliver’s first classical piano teacher. A child prodigy, Oliver began playing the piano at two and half years old, gave his first performance at the age of five, and was hitting the stage on a regular basis by the age of nine. With a performing history that has lasted 71 years, it does not seem surprising that when Jones tried to retire in 2000, he simply couldn’t resist returning to the music scene.
Oliver Jones is the recipient of numerous awards including the Order of Canada, the Order of Quebec, several Felix and Juno Awards, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for Excellence in Music and four honorary doctorates.
Oliver Jones is prepared to sweep local audiences off their feet once more, having performed as a soloist at Horizon Stage and with his trio at Shell Theatre in 2009. On this visit to Alberta, he will be performing with bassist Éric Lagacé and drummer Jim Doxas. Éric Lagacé started playing the double-bass professionally when he was 19 years old. An active member of the Canadian Jazz scene, he has also performed with the Ottawa National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, and the Quebec Symphony Orchestra. Montreal drummer Jim Doxas divides his time playing with Oliver Jones, The John Roney Trio and Chet Doxas Quartet, striving to make the case that percussion is every bit as significant as a lyrical instrument.
Tickets for the Oliver Jones Trio’s 7:30 p.m. concert at Horizon Stage on October 29 are $35 for adults, $30 for students and seniors and can be purchased by calling
780-962-8995.
http://www.justin-time.com/
Friday, October 15, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
East Meets West at Horizon Stage on October 19th
Foothills Brass and Autorickshaw come together for a spectacular musical meeting of Brass, Indian fusion, Bollywood and Jazz
It is safe to say the pairing up of Foothills Brass and Autorickshaw is one of the most unique partnerships ever to grace Horizon Stage. Foothills Brass is a somewhat quirky brass quintet—2 trumpets, French horn, trombone and tuba. Their repertoire ranges from Handel and Frescobaldi to Amazing Grace and The Devil Went Down to Georgia. Autorickshaw is a quartet of some of the finest musicians you’ll ever hear, but their music is just about impossible to define: they’re jazz, they’re folk, they’re contemporary, they’re world music, all based upon the classical music of India and brought up to date in a fusion of eastern and western musical traditions. Together they will explore the music of British colony brass bands, south-Asian inspired jazz, and East truly will meet west in Spruce Grove on October 19.
Celebrating their 30th season, Calgary based Foothills Brass’ promise is “Serious Fun!” – they are serious about the music, and serious about the fun! As one of Canada’s foremost brass quintets they grace the stage with exceptional flare and virtuosity. With the power, finesse and versatility of the brass instruments, combined with off-key humor, Foothills Brass leaves their audiences in awe. Five outrageous, high-energy personalities present polished shows that are entertaining and full of musical variety. When classical musicians have honed their skills beyond just playing what’s on the page, anything can happen; dramatics, improvisation, staging and brilliant audience engagement… all hallmarks of Foothills Brass.
Hailing from Toronto, Autorickshaw's music lies on the cultural cutting edge, as contemporary jazz and funk easily rub shoulders with the classical and popular music of India. Formed in 2003, Autorickshaw has become one of the most intriguing acts on the world music and jazz landscapes, garnering 2004 and 2007 JUNO nominations for World Music Album of the Year, winning a Canadian Independent Music Award in 2005 and a John Lennon Songwriting Competition Grand Prize in World Music in 2008.
These two accomplished ensembles are participating in a residency at the internationally-renown Banff Centre for the Arts from October 12-18 and then heading out on a four-date Alberta concert tour. After performing in Spruce Grove they will travel to Red Deer, Calgary and Medicine Hat. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. Foothills Brass and Autorickshaw concert at Horizon Stage on Tuesday, October 19 are just $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased through the Horizon Stage Box Office and Ticketmaster. Call 780-962-8995 or visit the Box Office in person at 315 Jespersen Avenue.
www.foothillsbrass.ab.ca & www.autorickshaw.ca
It is safe to say the pairing up of Foothills Brass and Autorickshaw is one of the most unique partnerships ever to grace Horizon Stage. Foothills Brass is a somewhat quirky brass quintet—2 trumpets, French horn, trombone and tuba. Their repertoire ranges from Handel and Frescobaldi to Amazing Grace and The Devil Went Down to Georgia. Autorickshaw is a quartet of some of the finest musicians you’ll ever hear, but their music is just about impossible to define: they’re jazz, they’re folk, they’re contemporary, they’re world music, all based upon the classical music of India and brought up to date in a fusion of eastern and western musical traditions. Together they will explore the music of British colony brass bands, south-Asian inspired jazz, and East truly will meet west in Spruce Grove on October 19.
Celebrating their 30th season, Calgary based Foothills Brass’ promise is “Serious Fun!” – they are serious about the music, and serious about the fun! As one of Canada’s foremost brass quintets they grace the stage with exceptional flare and virtuosity. With the power, finesse and versatility of the brass instruments, combined with off-key humor, Foothills Brass leaves their audiences in awe. Five outrageous, high-energy personalities present polished shows that are entertaining and full of musical variety. When classical musicians have honed their skills beyond just playing what’s on the page, anything can happen; dramatics, improvisation, staging and brilliant audience engagement… all hallmarks of Foothills Brass.
Hailing from Toronto, Autorickshaw's music lies on the cultural cutting edge, as contemporary jazz and funk easily rub shoulders with the classical and popular music of India. Formed in 2003, Autorickshaw has become one of the most intriguing acts on the world music and jazz landscapes, garnering 2004 and 2007 JUNO nominations for World Music Album of the Year, winning a Canadian Independent Music Award in 2005 and a John Lennon Songwriting Competition Grand Prize in World Music in 2008.
These two accomplished ensembles are participating in a residency at the internationally-renown Banff Centre for the Arts from October 12-18 and then heading out on a four-date Alberta concert tour. After performing in Spruce Grove they will travel to Red Deer, Calgary and Medicine Hat. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. Foothills Brass and Autorickshaw concert at Horizon Stage on Tuesday, October 19 are just $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased through the Horizon Stage Box Office and Ticketmaster. Call 780-962-8995 or visit the Box Office in person at 315 Jespersen Avenue.
www.foothillsbrass.ab.ca & www.autorickshaw.ca
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
Master Jugglers Combine Dazzling Technique with Infectious Humour
Horizon Stage presents The Gizmo Guys on Saturday, October 16 at 2 p.m.
Performing as The Gizmo Guys, Allan Jacobs and Barrett Felker have amazed and amused audiences all around the world. Together they have made numerous television appearances, won international juggling competitions, and taught at top circus schools. Now, they are bringing their winning combination of dazzling technique and infectious humour to audience members at Horizon Stage on Saturday, October 16 at 2 p.m.
With a rapid-fire act that inspires side-splitting laughter in audiences of all ages, The Gizmo Guys have been touring together since 1987. They have appeared before well over a million people in more than 2500 live shows and performed for millions more on television. In addition to appearing extensively in the U.S. and Canada, The Gizmo Guys have strutted their stuff in places as diverse as Saudi Arabia and Japan and have taught juggling at the renowned French and Canadian National Circus Schools.
Allan Jacobs was taught to juggle by his college roommate on his 21st birthday. Shortly thereafter, he co-founded the comedy group Slap Happy which was twice awarded Best Comedy of the Year by The Boston Globe. Allan taught at Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey’s Clown College in 1978, won the International Jugglers Association’s Team Championship in 1978, the Solo Championship in 1983 and collaborated as technical consultant on the book The Complete Juggler, by Dave Finnigan. Allan currently lives in New York City with his wife and two children.
Barrett Felker learned the art of juggling from his cousin at the age of 15. In 1980 he won the International Jugglers Association’s Team Championship and later that year he launched a solo career by signing a contract with The Harlem Globetrotters. Three years, five continents and thirty countries later, Barrett settled in Europe where he worked his solo act in circuses and variety theaters for two years and learned to speak Italian, Spanish, French and Portuguese. In 1985 Barrett became one-half of The Dynamotion Jugglers, a duo that appeared with New York City’s Big Apple Circus, Germany's Circus Krone and on television variety shows in Europe and South America. Barrett also currently resides in New York City.
Don’t miss an afternoon of giggles, grins and guffaws with The Gizmo Guys in Spruce Grove on Saturday, October 16. Come early and participate in free pre-show activities for the kids from 1-2 p.m. Tickets for The Gizmo Guys are just $15 for all ages and discounts are available for groups of ten-or-more people. This is also the last opportunity to purchase Horizon Stage’s $35 three-show Family Matinee Series package. The packages includes one Gizmo Guys ticket, one Aché Brasil ticket (Jan 22) and one Mermaid Theatre ticket (Feb 19). Tickets, and packages, are available through the Horizon Stage Box Office. Call 780-962-8995 or visit the Box Office in person at 315 Jespersen Avenue. www.thegizmoguys.com.
“The Gizmo Guys are master jugglers with ebullient energy and exquisite skill…
human virtuosity with a touch of lunacy.”
The New York Times
“… (a) raucous roller coaster ride of laughter… for audiences of all ages.”
Luther Burbank Centre for the Arts
Performing as The Gizmo Guys, Allan Jacobs and Barrett Felker have amazed and amused audiences all around the world. Together they have made numerous television appearances, won international juggling competitions, and taught at top circus schools. Now, they are bringing their winning combination of dazzling technique and infectious humour to audience members at Horizon Stage on Saturday, October 16 at 2 p.m.
With a rapid-fire act that inspires side-splitting laughter in audiences of all ages, The Gizmo Guys have been touring together since 1987. They have appeared before well over a million people in more than 2500 live shows and performed for millions more on television. In addition to appearing extensively in the U.S. and Canada, The Gizmo Guys have strutted their stuff in places as diverse as Saudi Arabia and Japan and have taught juggling at the renowned French and Canadian National Circus Schools.
Allan Jacobs was taught to juggle by his college roommate on his 21st birthday. Shortly thereafter, he co-founded the comedy group Slap Happy which was twice awarded Best Comedy of the Year by The Boston Globe. Allan taught at Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey’s Clown College in 1978, won the International Jugglers Association’s Team Championship in 1978, the Solo Championship in 1983 and collaborated as technical consultant on the book The Complete Juggler, by Dave Finnigan. Allan currently lives in New York City with his wife and two children.
Barrett Felker learned the art of juggling from his cousin at the age of 15. In 1980 he won the International Jugglers Association’s Team Championship and later that year he launched a solo career by signing a contract with The Harlem Globetrotters. Three years, five continents and thirty countries later, Barrett settled in Europe where he worked his solo act in circuses and variety theaters for two years and learned to speak Italian, Spanish, French and Portuguese. In 1985 Barrett became one-half of The Dynamotion Jugglers, a duo that appeared with New York City’s Big Apple Circus, Germany's Circus Krone and on television variety shows in Europe and South America. Barrett also currently resides in New York City.
Don’t miss an afternoon of giggles, grins and guffaws with The Gizmo Guys in Spruce Grove on Saturday, October 16. Come early and participate in free pre-show activities for the kids from 1-2 p.m. Tickets for The Gizmo Guys are just $15 for all ages and discounts are available for groups of ten-or-more people. This is also the last opportunity to purchase Horizon Stage’s $35 three-show Family Matinee Series package. The packages includes one Gizmo Guys ticket, one Aché Brasil ticket (Jan 22) and one Mermaid Theatre ticket (Feb 19). Tickets, and packages, are available through the Horizon Stage Box Office. Call 780-962-8995 or visit the Box Office in person at 315 Jespersen Avenue. www.thegizmoguys.com.
“The Gizmo Guys are master jugglers with ebullient energy and exquisite skill…
human virtuosity with a touch of lunacy.”
The New York Times
“… (a) raucous roller coaster ride of laughter… for audiences of all ages.”
Luther Burbank Centre for the Arts
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