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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.
This evening features the close-knit sounds of Victoria-based Angela Verbrugge, together with Attila Fias, Kosma Bushekin and Graham Villette.
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!
A collection will be taken in support of this ongoing series.
About the musicians
Angela Verbrugge
Angela surprised world-wide jazz fans when she won the highly competitive JazzTimes’ Readers’ Poll for Best Female Vocalist after the release of her 2019 debut album recorded in New York. Since then, Angela has kept a busy tour schedule with performances at leading venues and festivals in Japan, Turkey, Germany, England, Luxembourg, and Canada. Taking inspiration from vintage musicals, the swing era, blues, and bebop, the Victoria-based vocalist pens original lyrics and compositions in the style of classic standards. Her arrangements of popular and lesser-known jazz standards are in-demand with listeners around the world. Her singing and songwriting have been lauded by JazzWise Magazine UK, JAZZIZ, Couleurs Jazz France, All About Jazz, JazzWax, Whole Note Magazine and many specialty blogs and critics. One of the busiest jazz bandleaders in Western Canada, Angela has been awarded competitive grants from Creative BC, Music BC, Canada Council and FACTOR. Her original songs have been featured on leading Spotify editorial playlists. Angela was one of the youngest graduates from Toronto’s George Brown School of Performing Arts after a youth spent in Kingston acting, playing piano and trombone. Her bands have included Jodi Proznick, Terry Clarke, Reg Schwager, Cameron Brown, Neil Swainson, and Bernie Senensky.
Angela's Trio
With a trio of Vancouver Island's finest jazz musicians, charismatic Victoria-based songstress Angela Verbrugge brings originality to her vocal sound and repertoire yet remains rooted in the classic jazz tradition. The quartet’s sound blends perfectly to create a close-knit chemistry while tackling standards or original material in a timeless style.
Attila Fias is a versatile musician, whose playing has been called "pyrotechnic, stunning, playful and sophisticated" by the Toronto Star, Wholenote magazine and Exclaim magazine. He has performed/recorded with many notable international musicians. Recent performances include: the TD Niagara Jazz Festival, Hermann's Jazz Festival, the Niagara Symphony, a Jazz-FM’s President’s Choice concert, and Soulpepper Theatre Company (New York City). With over 100 internationally distributed albums to his credit, Attila has several gold and platinum records and has also recorded three albums of original music.
Kosma Bushekin is an upright bassist and guitarist based in Nanaimo. He studied jazz performance at Vancouver Island University and has quickly become a sought-after side musician within British Columbia.
Graham Villette is Nanaimo based jazz musician and has been playing music professionally for over a decade. After graduating from Vancouver Island University with a bachelors degree in music, Villette went on to complete a Masters Degree In Jazz Performance at the University of Toronto. For the last 8 years, Villette has had the pleasure of working with many prominent jazz musicians including Cory Weeds, Joe Magnarelli, Akiko Tsuruga, John Lee, Ben Henriques, Attila Fias, Ryan Oliver, and Tony Genge. Villette has also lead many of his own projects including, “Organized Crime” a quartet that focuses on Hammond B3 Organ repertoire from the 1960’s as well as Villette’s own original compositions, the “Graham Villette Standards Trio” featuring the music of saxophone legends such as Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane, and a tribute band that pays homage to saxophone great Hank Mobley.