The weather this week having cooperated with the “winter” part, Larry Larson will be doing his part with the “jazz” component of the weekend.
Larry’s Larson’s Jazz Guys kick off the 15th anniversary of the Jazz at The Registry series on Friday night. Their show is part of the “Winter Jazz Weekend” that also features the New Vibes Jazz Quintet on Saturday night.
Larson, the principal trumpet with the K-W Symphony, is no stranger to the Registry Theatre or, indeed, to the jazz series. Playing there is always high on the priority list, he says.
“The nice thing about that venue is it feels like you’re playing in someone’s living room – it’s that intimate,” he said this week in the run-up to the show. “It’s like we’re having to host a party for people, which is great.”
Those attending said party can expect a good mix of classic jazz standards, some overlooked pieces and the kind of spontaneous improvisation for which jazz is known. Given that audiences range from teens to octogenarians, variety is just the thing, says Larson.
“It’s nice to try to keep everyone interested, play some familiar things, but then also turn people on to some things that they probably have not heard of or artists that they haven’t heard – there are a couple of really wonderful gems [on tap].”
Also on the menu is putting their own spin on some classics.
“One of the other tunes we’re doing in the show is the great standard ‘Laura,’ which we’ve done a number of times – my daughter’s name is Laura and I always love that tune. We’ve usually done it as a nice little ballad. This time, well, let’s mix it up a little bit: we’re going to do it as a nice, easy bossa nova. We’ve never done it in that direction, so it’ll be new for the audience as well as us.”
Larson’s Friday night show will be followed by the second concert in the series, the New Vibes Jazz Quintet, with special guest Laura Anglade. The band’s interpretation of jazz standards will be joined by Anglade’s take on the Great American Songbook, as well as tunes from her latest CD, Venez donc chez moi.
The series continues March 3 and 4 with Stealing Dan, the popular big band that draws on the music of jazz-rock pioneers Steely Dan. On March 31, it’s local favourites Top Pocket, who appeared in the first Jazz at The Registry series, making a return. And the series wraps up May 12 with K-W native John Tank making the trek up from New York City to celebrate his 80th birthday, joined by Bernie Senensky on piano, Ted Warren on drums and Neil Swainson on bass.
Tickets for each of the shows is $30, available online at www.theregistrytheatre.com, by calling 519-578-1570 or at the door before the show gets underway.
