Dynamic Nanaimo drummer James McRae teams up with keyboardist Nico Rhodes and guitarist Brad Shipley as The Hub Organ Trio for an afternoon of scintillating jazz at Pat’s House of Jazz in Crofton’s Osborne Bay Pub on Sunday, April 21.
“We improvise on original songs, with some popular movie-themed songs thrown in that are sure to engage and intrigue the audience,” says McRae. “Our group goes in a different direction musically while being a voice that also includes some humour in the music.”
These three musicians have been playing music together in some context for more than a decade and were part of the back-up band for a few of the Chemainus Theatre shows in the past few years, including Twist and Shout and Rock Legends.
Rhodes’ blistering technique and floating touch on the keyboard has been described as “bombastic,” “acrobatic” and “heartbreakingly sensitive.”
A pianist, composer, woodwind player, arranger, symphony orchestrator, studio musician, film composer, music director and conductor who has made his mark in almost every musical context, Rhodes has performed across Canada, the western U.S., Central America and East Africa in funk bands, jazz trios, cabaret acts, chamber ensembles and as a soloist.
McRae, a composer, multi-instrumentalist and band leader, has played with many renowned musicians across the musical spectrum, most notably Jennifer Scott and Rene Worst, Miles Black’s Count Basie/Duke Ellington Tribute, boogie-woogie bluesman David Vest, bassists John Hyde and Ken Lister, Victoria’s Latin dance band Kumbia, and saxophonist/vocalist Connor Stewart.
Gabriola Island’s Shipley is known for his guitar prowess and mandolin skills, and also plays dobro and pedal steel. He has been a sideman for some of Canada’s finest musicians, including Ed Robertson of the Barenaked Ladies, Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo, Jimmy Rankin, Sue Medley and Brad Turner.
The show, presented by the Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society as part of its weekly jazz series, begins at 2 p.m. Reservations are recommended.
Admission is $15. For reservations, call 250-324-2245. Tables will be held until 1:30 p.m.