NORTH SAANICH — Gypsy jazz ensemble Brishen will play Jazz Vespers Sunday.
Brishen features Quinn Bachand on guitar and Richard Moody on violin.
Rounding out the stellar line-up is Reuben Wier on rhythm guitar and vocals, and Joey Smith on upright bass.
Bachand and Moody came together for the first time at a Jazz Vespers evening at St. John’s in 2012, when Moody was asked to fill in for a musician who had accidentally double-booked.
The duo quickly realized that the chemistry was right for a sizzling hot ensemble that has since taken the Victoria music scene by storm.
Brishen recreates the magic of Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grappelli and the Hot Club de France for an unforgettable musical experience.
Inspired by The Hot Club of France, Quinn Bachand at age 11 formed a gypsy jazz trio, The Djazzkids.
Six years later, he has been nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award and four Vancouver Island Music Awards, winning 2013 Youth Performer of the Year.
A veteran of the Canadian music scene and considered by some as an underground legend, violinist Richard Moody has delved into almost every style a string player can try.
While still in his teens, he moved to Montreal and joined the gypsy jazz group Swing Dynamique.
Several years later and after a classical music education at the University of Manitoba and the Conservatoire Nationale de Musique in Caen, France, he co-founded the critically acclaimed folk rock group Acoustically Inclined, garnering a huge national following.
Originally from Tennessee, Joey Smith came to Victoria via the Glenn Miller Orchestra, for whom he played bass for two and a half years.
For the past 18 years he has been bassist for many groups and has collaborated with numerous artists.
Reuben Wier is a multi-faceted Victoria musician who complements his fiery yet unpretentious guitar playing with vocals described as ‘husky-smooth as honey’.
With influences ranging from swing to soul, gospel to manouche, blues to jazz, he has captivated audiences around the world.
Jazz Vespers continues on Nov. 4 with the Jan Stirling Trio and vocalist Pauline Karch.
Jazz Vespers services begin at 7 p.m. St. John’s United Church is located at 10990 West Saanich Rd. There is no admission charge. An offering will be taken to cover the cost of the musicians and the Vespers program. For further information, call Bernadette at 250-656-0875 or email bernadettegreene@shaw.ca.
— Submitted