Nanaimo Int’l Jazz Fest presents Live @ the Shaw Women in Jazz Series 2024

The Nanaimo International Jazz Festival Association (NIJFA) is proud to present Women in Jazz as part of its 2024 LIVE @ The Shaw series.

This 4-part series features 6 extraordinary band leaders who represent the many flavours of jazz music thriving in our country.

The LIVE @ The Shaw-Women in Jazz series runs March 8, March 22, April 12, April 26, 2024.

All shows run from 7:30pm to 10pm (including an intermission) and are held in Nanaimo’s Shaw Auditorium, in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre downtown, 80 Commercial Street.

Friday March 8, 2024 (2 concerts)

7:30pm – JOANI TAYLOR
The series kicks off on International Women’s Day with none other than Ms. Joani Taylor known as Canada’s “First Lady of the Jazz Ballad”. She has legendary status in Canadian music circles and has sung on thousands of film scores and recordings, working with a variety of luminaries from Bryan Adams, Jon Bon Jovi, Stevie Wonder to Miles Davis, Cannonball Adderley, Fraser MacPherson and Moe Koffman. For over 50 years, her impact on the Vancouver music scene has been immeasurable.

8:30pm – CAYLEIGH BORSBOOM TRIO
The second part of the opening night will shine the spotlight on some of Nanaimo’s more fledgling jazz musicians. The Cayleigh Borsboom Trio features three very accomplished musicians with Humber and VIU on their academic resumés. This trio features Cayleigh on woodwinds, Natasha Adams on vocals and Natasha Scott on drums.

Friday March 22, 2024 (2 concerts)

7:30pm – ANNE SCHAEFER QUARTET
With a pure voice and sophisticated songwriting skills, award-winning jazz vocalist Anne Schaefer has emerged as one of Vancouver Island’s most compelling musicians. A classically trained composer and multi-instrumentalist (on guitar and violin), Schaefer got the jazz bug in her teens. Today her music reflects both her diverse musical interests and a rich life that has seen her live in places as culturally distinct as Montreal and Argentina. “An exceptional voice, a poet’s eye and a courageous heart” – Greg Quill, Toronto Star

8:30pm – MONIK NORDINE TRIO
The Monik Nordine Trio has been performing for audiences from Stockholm to Vancouver Island since 2021 starting with Monik’s collaboration with Andreas Hellkvist and Daniel Olsson in Sweden. Monik Nordine Trio | Andreas Hellkvist The material ranges from soul jazz with a nod to Sonny Stitt and Don Patterson to calypso and jazz rock fusion in the Miles Davis tradition. Joining Monik on March 22 at the Shaw Auditorium are Nick Peck on organ and Hans Verhoeven on drums.

Thank you Monik for stepping in for Tina Jones who had some unexpected circumstances that forced her to cancel.

Friday April 12, 2024

7:30pm – JODI PROZNICK QUARTET WITH SPECIAL GUEST SHRUTI RAMANI
Celebrated Canadian jazz bassist, composer, educator, and producer, Jodi Proznick earned acclaim as the Jazz Artist of the Year at the 2019 WCM Awards. With three Juno Award nominations, recognition at the British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Arts and Music Awards in 2022 and winning the 2022 WCM Award for Instrumental Artist with the Jasmine Jazz Project, she stands out as one of Canada’s top jazz artists. She has garnered multiple National Jazz Awards, including Bassist of the Year; she has opened for Oscar Peterson; performed with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and her group, the Jodi Proznick Quartet, received accolades such as Acoustic Group of the Year and Album of the Year.
The sensational multifaceted vocalist Shruti Ramani is the special guest at this featured concert. Shruti’s original music is an exciting and novel combination of Hindustani and Jazz traditions.

Friday April 26, 2024

7:30pm – LEADING LADIES BIG BAND UNDER THE DIRECTION OF CASEY THOMAS-BURNS
The closing of the LIVE @ The Shaw series features The Leading Ladies, an 11-piece big band. Directed by trombonist Casey Thomas-Burns, this dynamic and vibrant group of young women recently returned from their 2023 West Coast Tour, where they were named as one to watch on the Canadian jazz scene. These fine musicians present a rare musical blend of classic and modern jazz, showcasing treasured pieces from the big band era alongside modern-day originals.

For more info: www.nanaimojazzfest.ca

General Admission: $37.50
* NIJFA members: $32.00
* Students with ID: $25.00
* Series 4-Show Pass: $110.00

(includes order fees and taxes)

CALL OUR TICKET CENTRE 250-754-8550