Braid's debut sextet recording showcasing eight of his compositions made JazzFM's Top 20 List of Best Jazz Albums Released in 2002. The media has heralded Braid and his sextet as a new and important ensemble on the Canadian scene. Both Jazz Report Magazine and CBC radio's Jazz Beat with Katie Malloch recently featured Braid and his sextet, attesting to the artistry of the band and its ability to turn heads and enlighten ears.

Listeners of Braid's sextet are astounded by the remarkable dynamic between the band members and Braid's original compositions. Even the internationally renowned jazz biographer, Gene Lees, donated the liner notes for the sextet's first recording.

The overwhelming response to this band's live performances is exploding year after year. During appearances in Toronto, even visitors like Rob McConnell and Wynton Marsalis came out to hear the band.

Following their 2002 tour, the sextet received important honours: a showcase at the 2003 International Association of Jazz Educators conference, and a nomination for Best Canadian Jazz Ensemble at the 2003 National Jazz Awards. Braid was also nominated for Best Pianist and Best Composer.

Braid's compositional and artistic goals with this special band are rooted in a hunger to engage and sustain the curiosity of an audience. For Braid, producing in the modern listener a rich and inspired musical experience is key to composition, especially when he can emphasize the beauty and complexity of jazz harmony, melody, and rhythm. www.davidbraid.com
(Note early start time of 8:00pm)

It’s been three years since the last Trombone Invasion at the Bassment! Trombonist Ross Ulmer, along with DickRaum, professor of Trombone at the University of Regina are lining up music for two to thirty two trombones. They have put a call out to all trombonists who wish to attend, and will have several selections during each set that require as many trombonists that can bring a horn. The more the merrier!

So far trombonists from five different Saskatchewan communities have indicated they will be there, and Ross Ulmer assures interested trombonists that the mass trombone charts will be ‘easy to read’ – and open space for solos will be made for all interested players. Saskatoon players Dawn McLean, Brian Unverricht, Kevin Marsh and Don Schmidt will be putting in an appearance on some challenging numbers as well.

In addition to the mass trombone tunes, four Regina players, Scott Peters, Colin Neufeld, John Griffiths and Dick Raum will be presenting their own rehearsed quartets. As Ulmer said, “we’ve done a mass trombone event every three or four years – and finally I sprung for some new music, so you’ll see well written duets, quartets and possibly some larger ensembles playing an enjoyable, and varied selection of music.”

An experienced rhythm section of Doug Gilmour, Bass – Neil Currie, Piano – and Roy Sydiaha on drums will provide the kick behind those mega trombones. Besides being an interesting night – this will be an entertaining night, as Ulmer says – “everyone knows that trombonists have more fun!!!”

Mother of Pearl has spent much time over the last few years reading, listening, talking to collectors, and successfully discovering the story of Canadian jazz written by women. Out of this work has come SheBOP!, the first ever concert devoted exclusively to the works of Canadian women in jazz.

SheBOP! is not just a musical exploration of the past. Contemporary composers and writers, including works by members of Mother of Pearl demonstrate the vibrant creativity of women in Canadian jazz today, as the music celebrates its centenary. This is a concert that celebrates where jazz written by Canadian women has been, where it is, and where it’s going. Projected images telling the story of Canadian women in jazz will accompany the performance.

Mother of Pearl is five seasoned women performers based in Vancouver, British Columbia, who share a love of jazz. They are Brenda Baird on piano, Wendy Solloway on bass, drummer Lauri Lyster, Karen Graves on saxophones,flute and vocals, and singer Colleen Savage.

The women of Mother of Pearl have all been professional musicians for fifteen to twenty years. Mother of Pearl members are composers, teachers, performers and mothers whose specialties provide the group with strength and versatility.

Mother of Pearl highlights the contribution women have made to the world of jazz and blues. Alongside their original compositions lies a healthy interest in a variety of jazz material including early blues, swing, bebop, Latin rhythms, modern jazz and cabaret, all giving their performances a depth and an edge. www.motherofpearljazz.com

The Bassment will be filled with the sounds of championship fiddlers in a special presentation to commemorate St. Patrick’s day.

Every fiddle sound from Celtic to old time fiddle will be on the playlist of the four fiddlers. Performing that night are three provincial fiddling champions and all four have represented Saskatchewan at the Canadian Grand Masters Old Time Fiddling Championships.

The group includes Cammy Romanuck, Karnel Sawitsky, Lucus Welsh and Dale Amyotte. Tickets are $7. - The doors to the Bassment open at 8 p.m. and the show begins at 8:30 p.m.

Local piano man Don Griffith returns to The Bassment with his New Orleans piano legends tribute band. While everybody else seems to be putting together groups that cover such superstars as The Beatles, The Stones, Shania Twain, Roy Orbison, or Elvis Presley, Griffith is content to pay hommage to his own personal heroes: Professor Longhair, Dr. John, Huey Piano Smith, James Booker, and Fats Domino.

Don has studied the music of New Orleans piano "professors" for quite some time with the result being a collection of tunes that probably won't be heard anywhere else in Saskatchewan. Included are Tipitina, Her Mind Is Gone, Junker Blues, Junko Partner, Big Chief, Blue Monday, and Good Night Irene.

Once again Griffith has surrounded himself with some of the funkiest and best-dressed musicians around. Drummer Glenn Ens and bassist Terry Collison haved played together so long that when they started "the dead sea was just sick". With a rare night off from his main gig with Brad Johner, guitarist Rich McFarlance gets a chance to showcase his blues chops. The Black Mambas have the city's "heaviest" horn section - and this is meant in the most complimentary way. Saxman Sheldon Corbett and trumpetman Eric Jonasson play with style, enthusiasm, and intelligence.

Opener Laura McFarlane is a newcomer to Bassment audiences. A singer-songwriter whose reportoire ranges from folk to bluegrass, Laura's voice is truly a beautiful instrument that will have audiences wanting more. She is accompanied by Jim Beam on guitar and Jacky Daniels on bass.

The University of Saskatchewan Jazz Ensembles 1 and 2 will be performing their semester end concert at the Bassment on Friday March 26, 2004. Show starts at 8:30 PM. Tickets will be available at the door for $6.00 students/$8.00 Adults.

The University of Saskatchewan Jazz Band 1 has participated in a variety of activities again this year such as: Performed at the UofS UNIFEST music festival with guest artists Dave Robbins (drums) and Mike Herriott (Trumpet & Bass) · Toured Saskatchewan and performed at Saskatoon’s premier jazz venue The Bassment · Began the recording process for their third jazz ensemble CD (this CD will showcase Canadian composers and arrangers)· Performed an annual Swing Dance at the Manhattan Ballroom Dance (October)

The UofS Jazz Ensemble 2 is directed by long time friend of the Saskatoon Jazz Society, Roy Sydiaha. This ensemble has also had a very successful year performing at Louis Pub and the Bassment.

For more information regarding any aspect of the U of S Department of Music Jazz Ensemble activities visit our web site http://www.usask.ca/music/index.html or contact Dean McNeill (306-966-6169).