Skip to content

All-female ensemble to play Jazz Vespers

Pianist Jan Stirling, vocalist Pauline Karch and bassist Anita Bonkowski perform at Jazz Vespers at St. John’s Church in North Saanich

NORTH SAANICH — The all-female jazz ensemble of pianist Jan Stirling, vocalist Pauline Karch and bassist Anita Bonkowski will be the featured performers at Jazz Vespers at St. John’s United Church, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. The trio will be playing jazz standards and original tunes.

Pianist Jan Stirling, also a saxophonist, studied jazz at Toronto’s Humber College, and then toured with a show band.

Having settled in Victoria in 1980, Stirling teaches and performs regularly with such local notables as Joey Smith, Ken Lister, Roy Reynolds, Dick Smith and many others.

Pauline Karch took her first singing lesson at the age of six, soon becoming an award-winning vocalist performing professionally on stages in Canada and the United States.

Anita Bonkowski has worked nationally and internationally as a drummer, bassist, composer and arranger.

Most recently she performed in the house band for the David Foster Miracle Concert, playing with musicians such as Sarah McLachlan, Kenny G and Josh Groban.

Jazz Vespers continues on Dec. 1 with the Sean Drabitt Trio and on Jan. 5 with Tom Ackerman and Joey Smith.

Jazz Vespers services begin at 7 p.m.

St. John’s United Church is located at 10990 West Saanich Rd., across from Deep Cove Elementary School.

There is no admission charge and an offering will be taken to cover the cost of the musicians and the Vespers program.

For further information, please call Bernadette at 250-656-0875 or email bernadettegreene@shaw.ca to be included on an email list of upcoming concerts.      — Jazz Vespers