BASSMENT LINE-UP
All Jazz events start at 9:00 PM (unless stated otherwise)
* Jazz Nights are non-smoking evenings *

Saturday, September 17 – Modo Trio - (Edmonton) www.modotrio.com featuring trombonist Craig Brenan Jeff Johnson - acoustic & electric bass Bill George - drums Hailing from the prairies of western Canada, considered by some to be an unlikely place for cutting edge improvised music, Modo Trio is one of the most exciting musical groups in Canada. Modo Trio defies conventional Jazz and New Music categories. With a grounding in acoustic jazz, Modo adds Dub Reggae, Funk, Electronica and World music with bravado, all the while taking cues from deep in the New York City underground Avant Garde scene to create a form of music that Roger Levesque from the Edmonton Journal calls “ ...a fascinating mix of exotic contemporary grooves and improvisation...” From conception, Modo Trio has been all about capturing the forward thinking essence of jazz. Jazz as an evolving art form that absorbs many influences from musical and non-music culture unto itself has always been a main priority of the Modo Trio. Modo Trio has a sound and concept that is unique not just in Canada, but in the world. The instrumental format of trombone, bass and drums is considerably augmented by the innovative use of electronics. Modo Trio creates harmony parts, accompaniment loops, and interesting and outlandish sound effects all on the fly and improvised. You can check out their sound at www.modotrio.com. Sunday, September 18 - Bring Back the Bayou Benefit for Hurricane Katrina victims. Tickets are $10.00. Show begins at 7:30 with Dr. Don and the Black Mambos, B.C. Read, Don Griffith, and Zyde-gogo. All proceeds go to the Canadian Red Cross. To get tickets you have to phone 934-4460. Saturday, September 24 - Caroline Drury (Whitehorse) Caroline Drury-Vocalist Miles Black-Guitar and piano Rick Kilburn-Bass Carolin Drury delivers a beautiful song and the world has started to take notice. Her recording and touring schedule points to the fact that she is, and has been very much “in-demand,” for a number of years. At only 24 years of age, Caroline Drury brings that rare combination of youthful enthusiasm and experience to jazz. Caroline Drury’s stock continues to rise in the jazz world. The wide acceptance of her new CD “Loving You, Loving Me” has led to many more opportunities for her. Recently presented in concert in Philadelphia by the Jazz Series in the Zellerbach Theatre, she was added to a subscription series that included the likes of Dianne Reeves, Pat Metheny, and Wynton Marsalis. You can find out more at www.chelseabridge.com . Many of you may remember Vancouver’s Miles Black from the early years of the SasktTel Saskatchewan Jazz festival as a performer, accompanist and clinician. Saturday, October 1 Tom Van Seter Quartet (Brandon) Tom Van Seter – piano Fraser Hollins – bass Karl Jannuska - drums Special guest - Don Thompson – vibraphone Classically trained from a young age, Tom has always included the sensibility of his musical roots in what he has developed as a very dynamic and lyrical approach to the piano. Since long before completing his Master of Music degree in jazz performance at McGill University (Montreal) he has maintained a busy performing schedule. Canadian jazz greats Dave Turner, Rémi Bolduc, Kelly Jefferson, Greg Amirault, Jim Vivian, George Mitchel, Michel Lambert, and Jim Hillman are just some of the musicians he has performed and/or recorded with. His music has been featured on several radio programs in Canada including the CBC’s “Jazz Beat” and on stage at many Canadian music festivals, Le Festival International de Jazz de Montréal in particular. A former student of virtuoso American pianist Fred Hersch and of internationally renowned Canadian multi-instrumentalist Don Thompson, Tom has distinguished himself as a highly skilled keyboard technician, improviser, and composer/arranger. For his achievements he has received funding awards from the prestigious Canada Council for the Arts and from Le Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec. Tom lives in Brandon, Manitoba where he is professor of jazz studies at Brandon University. Joining the quartet will be multi-talented and Juno award winner, Don Thompson. While being featured on the vibraphone for this particular tour, Don is well known for his ability for playing a variety of instruments with the likes of guitarists Lenny Breau and Ed Bickett and has accompanied George Shearing and Mel Torme to name only a few of his exploits. Saturday, October 8 - Don Griffith (Saskatoon) Don Griffith brings his one man piano show back to The Bassment. Saskatoon’s resident “professor of the piano” will play and sing the tunes of all the great New Orleans ivory tinkers. You’ll hear the music of Dr. John, Fats Domino, Champion Jack Dupree, Huey Piano Smith, and even Farriday, Louisiana’s favorite son, Jerry Lee Lewis. Don plays an appetizing gumbo of blues, boogie-woogie, rock, and jazz piano. Long live the 88’s! Saturday, October 15 - Roy Sydiaha Quintet featuring Gillian Snider (Saskatoon) Roy Sydiaha – vibraphone, drums, percussion Gillian Snider – Vocals Brett Balon – vibraphone, drums, percussion Teegan Jeffers – bass Jeff McLeod — piano Roy and friends play jazz and latin standards featuring the dreamy sound of the vibraphone, and the even dreamier tones of Gillian Snider’s voice. With the departure of Stephen Schartstein from Saskatoon, the group welcomes Regina pianist Jeff McLeod, a fabulous jazz player. Expect Ellington, Parker, Jobim and more. Saturday, October 22 - Bachelors of Music (Saskatoon) Last year The Bachelors of Music were proud to open for Dean McNiell and The Birth Of The Cool tribute concert, and now, they are excited to present their first show at the Bassment. The group has been performing for over a year at such venues as Lydias and the 2nd Ave Grill. Consisting of students and graduates of the University of Saskatchewan, each member has a shared love of Jazz that will follow them throughout their careers. Favouring a traditional acoustic format, their sounds reflect those of Wynton Marsalis, as well as the Jazz Messengers and many others. The Bachelors also have written many original, exciting compositions. Come down to the Bassment and hear this exciting young ensemble play great favourites and exciting original tunes. Friday, October 28 - Karin Plato (Vancouver) Bill Coon – guitar Ross Taggart – piano, saxophone Darren Radtke – bass Dave Robbins – drums Raised in Alsask and educated at the University of Saskatchewan, Karin returns to Saskatoon for her first performance since the SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival in 2000. The Karin Plato Quintet has performed jazz festivals and concerts in Canada since 1998. Acclaimed Canadian guitarist Bill Coon is featured in Karin’s group along with other top Canadian jazz instrumentalists. Group leader Plato was twice nominated Canadian Jazz Vocalist of the Year at the National Jazz Awards (2003/2004) and was nominated for a Juno Award in 2000 for her recording “There’s Beauty In The Rain”. In 2004 she was nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award for her recording “The State Of Bliss”. Gaining new fans with each new appearance, she has performed in cities across Canada and has appeared in several jazz and blues festivals. Bebop, Bossas and Blues aptly describes the Quintet’s music; from languid ballads to finger snapping swing tunes; beloved Brazilian favorites to lesser-known gems from the Great American Songbook. In the spirit of jazz the Quintet reinvents ‘30s and ‘40s compositions with thoughtful, current arrangements, always leaving room for the improvisation that is such an important part of the jazz tradition Saturday, October 29 - William Carn Group (Toronto) Trombonist William Carn has emerged as one of Canada’s leading contemporary jazz composers and performers. He has performed and recorded with jazz artists such as Dave Binney, Rob McConnell, Guido Basso, Mike Murley, Kirk MacDonald, Kevin Turcotte, Andrew Downing, Bernie Senensky, Don Thompson, Brian Dickinson, David Occhipinti and Phil Dwyer. He was also nominated for “Trombonist of the Year” for the National Jazz Awards in 2004 and 2005. As a bandleader, William currently leads the William Carn Quintet, featuring some of Canada’s finest musicians. The group includes Kelly Jefferson, saxophones; David Braid, piano; Kieran Overs, bass; and Anthony Michelli, drums. Showcasing the leader’s evolution as a composer and improviser, the band has released their first recording, Other Stories, in the Spring of 2005. The William Carn Quintet’s performing credits include the Rex Jazz Bar, the Montreal Bistro as well as headlining at the 2004 Beaches International Jazz Festival.