THE UVIC VOCAL JAZZ MAINSTREAM & IMPROVISATIONAL ENSEMBLE has established a reputation for artistic excellence, stylistic flexibility and performances of original and inspiring arrangements. In addition to highly successful performances at the Powell River Vocal Summit and the Frank Demiero Jazz Fest, UVJMIE was the choral ensemble for The Best of Queen concert series with JEANS 'N CLASSICS and the VICTORIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA under Maestro Giuseppe Pietraroia. The Ensemble is well known for its fun-filled, filled-to-capacity audience engaging concerts. Our Autumn and Spring Vocal Jazz Showcases feature the Signature Studio Ensemble and various Spotlight Combos including Ellavation, and the UVic Vocal Jazz Stage Orchestra. The Ensemble has opened for the internationally acclaimed vocal groups GROOVE FOR THOUGHT and THE REAL GROUP, Canadian sensation COUNTERMEASURE, and has received high praise from legends Kirby Shaw and Dave Barduhn, and from master educators Vijay Singh, Peter Taylor and Janet Warren. Among our many distinguished alumni are MIKE EDEL and TWIN KENNEDY.

Monday, 24 September 2012

Vocal Jazz Retreat 2012

This past weekend, a good portion of the troupe gathered in Merville near Comox, BC, for a working retreat. Voice parts were assigned, charts were polished and the group is taking on a unified sound.

Do Nothing Til You Hear From Me, True Colors, Sunshine and If I Loved You were the feature songs workshopped at the retreat.

Of course, all work and no play would not make for a very fun day. So, amidst the music making was... good food, good humour, good conversation, air hockey, pool and much more music making around a beachside bonfire Saturday night. Songs from previous years were soon taken up by the veterans gathered around the campfire.

Claire played guitar and sang for us an original song as well as several familiar songs drawn from the rep of her favourite artists.

Many thanks to the Nelsons for providing lodging. Thank you Wendy (Doug's mom) for providing excellent meals and great hospitality!

No comments:

Post a Comment