The Connor Stewart Ensemble opened the fall season of Pat’s House of Jazz in fine style at the Crofton Hotel’s Osborne Bay Pub Sunday.
Now, it’s Hans Verhoeven’s turn. Nanaimo drummer Verhoeven and his quartet turn dig into the classic ‘60s Hammond B3 organ grooves on Sunday, Sept. 17.
The band, with acclaimed keyboardist Tony Genge, guitarist Andrew Janusson and tenor saxophonist Ryan Oliver, will feature the tunes of pioneering guitarist Pat Martino, who played with many of the early B3 artists — including Jimmy Smith, Richard “Groove” Holmes, “Brother” Jack McDuff and Joey DeFrancesco.
Verhoeven, an instructor in the jazz program at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo, has worked with such jazz stars as P.J. Perry Phil Dwyer, Don Thompson and Hugh Fraser.
He is a graduate of McGill University’s performance jazz program.
Genge, home in Victoria on sabbatical from his music professorship gig at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N.B., has a doctorate in music compostion.
Nanaimo’s Janusson, a recent graduate of Vancouver Island University’s jazz program, has studied under such Island luminaries as guitarist Pat Coleman and bassist Ken Lister.
Oliver, who recently moved to Victoria from Toronto, was a member of the legendary eclectic jazz group The Shuffle Demons and of the Juno Award-winning blues-rock performer Derek Miller’s group.
Pat’s House of Jazz series concerts run every Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Osborne Bay Pub, 1534 Joan Ave. in Crofton, a stone’s throw from the Salt Spring Island ferry terminal.
Musicians are invited to join in a jam session during the last hour.
Admission is $15. For information, phone 250-324-2245 or visit http://osbornebaypub.com.
