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Join us at St Mary’s for a unique blend of exceptional jazz rooted in the context of meditation and prayer.
Featuring the Diane Pancel Quartet:
- Diane Pancel - Vocals
- Ashley Wey - Piano
- Louis Rudner - Bass
- Jon Miller - Drums
Check out the full 2023-2024 series NEWS post
Evolving out of two ancient services of prayer as the sun is setting—vespers and compline—the service of Evensong is an opportunity to put the events of the past day into perspective, to ground one’s body, mind and spirit in preparation for the restorative night of sleep, when in our dreaming, our subconscious will continue the creative work of making sense of our experiences.
Jazz, as Ken Burns says, is “a profound intersection of freedom and creativity”. So, whether you are a seasoned jazz lover or a newcomer to the genre, you will be sure to find something to speak to you at this unique and moving experience of making sense of your day. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this inspiring and intimate celebration of faith and music. All are welcome!
There will be an opportunity to donate in order to support this ongoing series.
About the musicians
Multi-award-winning recording artist and international cabaret star, Diane Pancel, has returned home this summer following a seven-week cabaret tour in Switzerland. Best known for her LA-based Ladies of Hollywood, Ladies of Song, and American Songbook cabaret hits, and well loved for her ability to connect with the audience, Diane draws inspiration from her Portuguese/Hungarian background giving her music a strong sense of international soul. An extremely versatile performer, Diane has performed alongside artists such as David Foster, Nelly Furtado, Leanne Rimes, and Matt Dusk. She has been featured multiple times on major television networks, has performed across the U.S. at major sporting events for the L.A. Kings, L.A. Galaxy, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls, and the US Women’s national Soccer team, and has recently been nominated for two International Portuguese Music Awards – best pop performance and song of the year. dianepancelmusic.com
Ashley Wey is a multi award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter and pianist. She has worked with Canadian Idol winner Eva Avila, Juno Award-winners Brandi Distrehaft, Mae Moore, The Parachute Club and has toured on cruise ships around the world with four-time Grammy Award winner, Manny Kellough. With three critically acclaimed self-produced albums to her credit, Wey released her first album of entirely original music, Hummingbird – a genre-bending project melding alternative folk, pop, and jazz on July 7, 2021. Ashley lights up the stage with her bright smile, charming charisma, and magnificent sounds that open minds and reach hearts. Pianist, composer and singer Ashley Wey is a multi-faceted artist, who is highly regarded for both her playing and her writing as well as how she seamlessly crosses over from indie pop to D&B, hip-hop and jazz.
Louis Rudner is a bassist, educator, copyist, and arranger. Born and raised in Michigan, he was surrounded by traditional, folk, and classical music. He began on the violin and soon moved to the viola, bass, and guitar. Inspired by the energy of the experimental and rock music from the 60’s and 70’s, Louis began to form his own bands and also launched into studying jazz and other world musics. Louis has earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degree’s in Jazz Studies from MSU under renowned bassist Rodney Whitaker. In 2018 he relocated to Victoria, BC with his wife, pianist Ashley Wey to help prolong the life and tradition of a Canadian institution, Hermann’s Jazz Club. Louis is now a fixture of the scene and is performing and educating full time in Victoria.
Jon Miller holds a B. Mus in Jazz Performance (with distinction) from McGill University and is a past participant in the Banff Summer Jazz Workshop (artistic director Dave Holland). He has studied drums with Alan Dawson, Martin Bradfield, Peter Magadini, Louis Williamson, Barry Elmes and Marvin "Smitty" Smith. In the 1990's based in Amsterdam NL, he played throughout the Netherlands as well as Paris, Monaco, Nice and Berlin as part of a multi-national group Men Without Heads, which included at various times alto saxophonist Calder Spanier, bassist Tom Lyne, tap dancer/vocalist Tamanghoh Vancayseele Sanislas. Later in the 1990's while Philadelphia PA, Jon freelanced in Philadelphia area jazz clubs and performed with avant-punk instrumentalists "Lost Art of Puppet Orchestra," touring the East Coast and Mid West including clubs in New York City, Philadelphia and Chicago. In Victoria BC since 1999, he has worked with many prominent musicians as well as holding the drum chair with the Victoria Jazz Orchestra. In 2022 he began touring and performing with percussion ensemble Scrap Arts Music. Jon now teaches drums at Groove Studios, South Island Studios and the Jon Miller Drum Studio as well as playing freelance and leading his own groups.