The second concert experience in our Spring Series is Charlie Parker w/ Strings, which will be available to view on-demand online from Friday, April 9 to Saturday, May 8. This concert will see the orchestra bending genres by exploring the works of jazz legend Charlie “Bird” Parker from his pivotal recording sessions Charlie Parker with Strings.
Much like classical composers of the early 20th Century, Charlie Parker expanded the boundaries of rhythm, harmony, and form, as he developed what is now known as the bebop style of jazz. Parker was also willing to try other performance formats beyond the typical small group in which he normally played, which led to the idea of his playing accompanied by a string ensemble for these seminal recording sessions. The music is all jazz standards from the 30’s and 40’s, such as I’m in the Mood for Love or Summertime without any original compositions from Parker. The result was an inspired combination of familiar tunes put into the hands of a performer who is a master of melody and a gifted improviser whose skills expand and elaborate those melodies with the expressive and decorative language of bebop jazz.
Joining the KSO to tackle these tunes is saxophonist Cory Weeds, one of Canada’s most important jazz impresarios, and his high caliber jazz quartet. Weeds may be best known as the founder and owner of Cory Weeds’ Cellar Jazz Club in Vancouver, which he successfully ran for more than 14 years. But he was more than just the owner – as a saxophonist who studied at Capilano University and the University of North Texas Weeds spent many nights on the Cellar bandstand as a leader and sideman, as well as performing on numerous tours with many of the top jazz musicians. He has also recorded seventeen albums, one of which Metalwood won Jazz Album of the Year: Group at the 2017 Juno Awards. Weeds has also worked as an educator, leading the BC Music Educators Association’s Honour Jazz Ensemble, clinics on saxophone and the music business, and teaching privately.
Tickets for the online performance of Charlie Parker w/ Strings are $15 for Individuals and $25 for a Household Pass, with a special $5 COVID price available as well. Audience members can also purchase a 3-Pack Mini Subscription for the full Spring Series for $35 for Individuals or $60 for a Household Pass. All tickets can be purchased from Kamloops Live! Box Office at 250-374-5483 or www.kamloopslive.ca.
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