Sunday Jazz is back at the Osborne Bay Pub in Crofton.
The fall schedule has been unveiled by the Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society and it involves one noticeable change with a move to every second Sunday, with the exception of mid-December to avoid a conflict with Christmas Eve.
“We decided to cut back on the number of shows to see if we can build the audience,” said Preston Davies, coordinator of the program for the CVCAS.
The shows had always drawn well before COVID, but it’s taken a while since for the regular following to return and attract newcomers.
“We’ll run it this fall and winter series and see what happens and reevaluate in December,” noted Davies.
All shows start at 2 p.m. at the Osborne Bay Pub, 1534 Joan Ave. The cost for all shows is the same, $20 in cash at the door, except for the appearance by Dockside Drive on Oct. 22 that goes for $25 due to the larger number of band members.
Most of the entertainers will be familiar to long-time patrons of the series, having performed at the Osborne Bay Pub before.
The series kicks off Sunday, Sept. 10 with Sue Newman and friends.
Newman, a well-known singer, actor and drama teacher from Salt Spring Island, frequently collaborates with local musicians to present upbeat and entertaining shows.
The Greg Bush Quintet plays Sept. 24.
Renowned trumpet player, arranger and composer Bush heads up a combination of top island jazz players for an afternoon of hard-driving jazz instrumentals.
The spotlight turns to Tom Vickery Oct. 8.
Vickery, a master piano player, has been a fixture on the island jazz scene for decades. Whether backing vocalists or fronting an instrumental combo, he always puts together a fabulous program of music.
After too long of an absence, Dockside Drive returns to Sunday Jazz on Oct. 22. Fronted by three vocalists, this eight-piece band hits high notes with the swinging dance music of the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s with a blend of vocal and instrumental tunes featuring the music of Ray Charles, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, The Beatles and many more.
The Palace Band, a swinging, funky sextet, takes centre stage Nov. 12 for a return to the vaudeville era.
The NMA Big Band is on the agenda for Nov. 26.
Bryan Stovell leads the 17-piece band of top Nanaimo-area musicians that helped to foster the careers of many professional musicians.
The Capital City Syncopators are always a treat and they’re back Dec. 10 after a sold-out show in April.
This group of musicians enjoys playing together with a wide range of instruments from the banjo, sousaphone and drums to horns, washboard and even a plastic chicken.
Heather Ferguson closes out the fall season Dec. 17. Ferguson, a jazz and blues singer, fronts a band of top session players to bring songs from her latest recording plus some seasonal favourites.
Reservations for all shows are strongly recommended. Call the Osborne Bay Pub at 250-324-2245.