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Sep 11, 2004 –
Centennial Theatre - 8pm
Sheila Jordan w/ Strings
Babayaga Strings
Quartet Tribute to Bill Evans – Opening Set
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$32
Call Ticketmaster 604-280-4444
or Centennial Theatre Box Office 604-984-4484
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Sheila Jordan’s an original. For her unique
musical trademarks and vocal styling; she has won the prestigious
DOWNBEAT Artist Deserving Wider Recognition Critic’s
Poll 9 times! Born as Sheila Jeanette Dawson in 1928 and raised
in poverty in coal mining country Pennsylvania, Sheila began
working semi-professionally in Detroit clubs in her early
teens. Influenced early by Charlie Parker and by instrumentalists
rather than singers, and working chiefly with black musicians,
Sheila met with disapproval from the white community. Her
early vocal trio sang versions of Parker’s solos akin
to the works by the later Lambert, Hendricks & Ross. After
moving to New York in the early 50’s, she married Parker’s
pianist Duke Jordan & studied with Lennie Tristano after
Charles Mingus introduced them.
Credit goes to Harold Birston of the Babayaga
String Quartet who came to me with this fabulous Sheila Jordan
Heart Strings album w/ beautiful strings orchestration. I
listened and promptly agreed with Harold to bring the great
one to Vancouver.
The Babayaga String Quartet and jazz piano trio
will open with a Tribute to Bill Evans featuring Harold’s
arrangements of tunes made famous by the late legendary pianist.

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Sep 12, 2004 – Norman Rothstein
Theatre 8pm
Kitty Margolis Quartet
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$28
Call Ticketmaster 604-280-4444
or NRT Box Office 257-5111 |
“If anyone is the epitome of a jazz vocalist
in the ‘90s”, raves JAZZIZ magazine, “it’s
Kitty Margolis.” In 1999, Kitty earned for the fifth
straight year the DOWNBEAT jazz vocalist “Deserving
Wider Recognition” praise in the International Critics’
Poll. She has won the San Francisco Bay Area Music Award for
“Outstanding Jazz Vocalist in 1997, received the “Certificate
Recognizing Exceptional Creativity” from the Bammies
three times and was nominated for the Soul Train “Lady
of Soul’ Award in 1999. The great Stan Getz says “Kitty
is a very talented singer steeped in the jazz tradition. I
really enjoy listening to her” and Sheila Jordan says
that “After hearing Kitty’s wonderful work, I’m
sure that the future of jazz singing is safe and sound!”
Margolis fourth CD “Heart&Soul Live in San Francisco”
just released in March 2004 has already surged to the top
20s on the US radio charts. The Jazz Times says “Margolis,
an equally potent blend of class, integrity, and chutzpah,
delights the SRO audience with 75 minutes of thrilling showmanship;
and All About Jazz says this about Margolis’ new CD
“Wow, this woman can sing. This disc is good—very
good. Margolis skilfully whips her audience into an appreciative
frenzy”.
Do not miss Margolis’ premiere debut performance
in Canada! 
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Sep 17, 2004 – Vancouver Public
Library 8pm
Jeri Brown Quartet w/ Miles
Black
Tribute to Oscar Peterson
– Miles Black Trio
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$25
Call Ticketmaster 604-280-4444
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Jeri Brown is arguably Canada’s best female
jazz vocalist. Pianist Fred Hersch says “Jeri Brown
has it all – adventurous spirit, superb musicianship
and technique to spare” and Gene Lees says “Jeri
is a singer of remarkable range – she can negotiate
four octaves effortlessly, most singers work with an octave
and a half or two at the most – and inventive ingenuity
….a gifted singer.” Jimmy Rowles says “She’s
outstanding …she has a really pretty voice…I don’t
normally like scat singers, those scooby-doo people, but she
does something different with it”. Kenny Wheeler says
“It is always a pleasure to work with Jeri Brown. Jeri
probably has the best ears of anyone I have even worked with.
I get a wonderful feeling when I listen to Jeri improvise
over mine or anyone else’ changes.”
Best of all, Jeri Brown is Canadian and has recorded
nine world class albums with Justin Time Records. Her recordings
have earned her numerous awards in Europe and North America,
inclusive of the Jazz Report 1998 Jazz Vocalist of the Year,
Canadian East Coast 1997 Jazz Artist of the Year, France’s
Jazzman 1997 and 1996 CHOC Awards, and numerous nominations
which includes JUNO nominations in 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000
and 2004.
By special request, Miles Black will open with
his famous Tribute to Oscar Peterson trio set to showcase
his masterful transcription and performance of Peterson’s
music. 
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Sep 18, 2004 –
Norman Rothstein Theatre 7:30pm
Mark Murphy w/ Miles Black Quartet
Sweet Basil All-Star Fundraiser
– Opening set
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$35
Call Ticketmaster 604-280-4444
or NRT Box Office 604-257-5111 |
The appreciative crowd gave the amazing 6-time
Grammy nominee and international jazz legend Mark Murphy a
standing ovation at last year’s Sweet Basil festival.
Called the “real thing or the real McCoy” by all
knowledgeable jazz fans and professionals, Murphy reveals
that he is the epitome of vocal jazz with every tune he delivers
on stage. “He is my favourite jazz singer bound for
the DOWNBEAT Hall of Fame” says festival director Michel
Pan. Paired with Murphy’s favourite pianist in Canada
Miles Black, this show will again be an unforgettable festival
finale.
Indeed Mark Murphy is one of the world’s
greatest and hippest jazz vocalists performing today. Vocal
greats Betty Carter, Peggy Lee, Cleo Laine and Shirly Horn
all sing Murphy’s praises as one of the best in the
business. The legendary Ella Fitzgerald declares “he
is my equal” A six-time Grammy nominee; Murphy has enjoyed
a prolific forty year recording career with over 40 releases.
The Sweet Basil All-Stasr Fundraiser opening
set features many of the top artists & musicians in the
lower mainland who will showcase their talent by opening for
jazz legend Mark Murphy. Artists like Lorraine Foster, Michel
Pan, Steve Maddock, Carman Price and others will be on hand
to support this special evening. 
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Sep 9, 2004 –
Vancouver Public Library 7pm
Vocal Jazz History 101
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FREE ADMISSION |
Enjoy this free seminar on the history of vocal
jazz. Distinctive periods and the notable singers within each
period will be discussed. Trademark songs and great performances
by historically important singers will be sampled during the
seminar to increase your appreciation of the vocal jazz art
form and its evolution. Limited to 300 people.
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Sep 12, 2004–Tom
Lee Music 929 Granville Street 12noon to 2pm
Sheila Jordan Vocal Workshop
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$150 & $120 Early Bird
Limited Enrolment on a first
come first register basis, to register
call 604-872-2346 |
Sheila Jordan’s engaging workshop will
cover many important topics faced by professional singers.
Absorb what this legendary artist has to share about her originality
& years of experience!
How to communicate with instrumentalists
• Suitable keys
• Importance of lead sheets
• Dedication to the music
• Unimportance of Scat
• General Performance
• Other topics based on class level
See WORKSHOPS
section for more details
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Sep 18, 2004 –
Tom Lee Music 929 Granville Street 10am to 12noon
Jeri Brown (5-JUNOs) Vocal Workshop
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$130 & $100 Early Bird
Limited Enrolment on a first
come first register basis, to register
call 604-872-2346 |
Jeri Brown’s engaging workshop will cover
many of the important topics faced by professional vocalists.
This legendary world-class Canadian performing artist and
teacher has tons of knowledge and experience to share in her
one only 2004 workshop in Vancouver. Topics include
• Healthy Singing (Physical Balance, Breathe
Easily, Staying Present),
• Preparing to Sing (Focusing, Movement, Warming up
Your Voice),
• Selecting Music to Sing (Range & Tessitura, Melody,
Text, Rhythm)
• Learning Music Efficiently (Words, Rhythm, Melody,
Putting it all together)
• Practice Habits (Small Room, Checklist for Practice
Session)
• Performing (Nerves, Presence, The Message)
• Improvisation
• Back phrasing
• Anticipation
• Contours
• Extra Topics (editing, silence, melismatic ornamentation,
angular leaps, stick, glissando)
See WORKSHOPS
section for more details
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Sep 15, 2004 - Alliance
Francaise 8pm
Melonai et SON Quatuor / Quartet
Melonai featuring francophone singers Melonai Brisdon, Davidian
Chorley, Budge Schachte, & Jose Sanchez
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$15
Tickets at Zulu Records or
at door before show starts or call Alliance Francaise
604-327-0201 |
Melonai Brisdon was brought up in Manitoba and
now calls Vancouver her home. She has made her mark on the
French scene and has been chosen best French singer in British
Columbia three years running in the Galas de la Chanson with
appearances in Coup de Coeur, Festival d'Ete and in various
French CBC Radio and other Television Broadcasts. Melonai's
groovin music fuses FUNK, LATIN & FOLK with JAZZ as its
foundation. 
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Sep 16, 2004 –
Vancouver Public Library 8pm
Rising Star Laura Doyle & The
Lads
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$15
Tickets at VPL Bookmark store,
Zulu Records or at the Library Alice MacKay Rm before
show starts |
You’ve probably already heard her music
without knowing it. Laura Doyle is becoming quietly famous
for having her music featured in movies and TV shows and they
aren’t just obscure background pieces. Her music is
often used to help communicate the emotional themes in montages
and character moments; to express the subtext and inner thoughts
of the people on screen. She has a knack for getting to the
heart of things and the entertainment industry has noticed.
She will be performing with her band The Lads
which includes music producer Sean Eyre. Check out www.lauradoyle.com.
The evening will commence with Sweet Basil’s
Open Mic invitation featuring some of Vancouver’s finest
rising talents, singers and songwriters. Groups and artists
like Mystic River, the winners and talented participants of
the Sweet Basil Star Search Final 2004 will be invited to
perform subject to their availability, the number of open
mic participants and overall time allowance. 
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Sep 11, 2004 –
Tom Lee Music Downtown 1pm
Sweet Basil Star Search 2004 Final
– Solo/Duet Category
Grand Prize, 2nd &
3rd Prizes
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FREE ADMISSION
Entry Deadline August 30,
2004
Entry Forms @Tom Lee Music Downtown |
Hear the future Sarah McLachlan, Bruce Cockburn,
Stef & Bef or Garth Brooks at this inaugural Sweet Basil
Star Search 2004 Final. The newly renamed Sweet Basil Singers’
Festival has gone beyond jazz to include pop, soft-rock, gospel,
folk, jazz, ethnic, aboriginal and contemporary music. This
event invites you the songwriter, the vocalist and artist
to showcase your talent! Up to ten finalists will be featured
on stage at Tom Lee Music. Grand prize winner will receive
Northland acoustic-electric guitar, Sonic wood snare drum
& 2 Sheila Jordan concert tickets. First runner-up will
receive Northland acoustic guitar & 2 Kitty Margolis concert
tickets, and second runner-up will receive MRW electric guitar
& 2 Jeri Brown concert tickets.
Entry Deadline August 30, 2004. Solo
/ Duet acoustic format, music genre and styles can be folk,
jazz, pop, gospel, reggae, contemporary, soul, soft-rock,
bossa nova, ethnic or mixed. Entry forms outlining contest
and application rules are available at Tom Lee Music 929 Granville
Street. Artists who can not afford the contest
entry application fee can be subsidized by the festival.
Participate, strut your talent & don’t miss out
on the fun!
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Sep 11, 2004 –Vancouver
Public Library 11am
Silk Road Music featuring Qiu Xia
He on pipa & Fen Jun Wang on vocal
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FREE ADMISSION |
Silk Road Music plays wonderful Chinese music
but unlike any other ensemble in North America, the ensemble
has managed to successfully combine Western music elements
into its Chinese based repertoire of great folk songs and
classics to a level of performance virtuosity that is unparalleled.
The ensemble features vocalist Fen Jun Wang and pipa master
Qiu Xia He, Middle Eastern lute & guitar master Andre
Thibault plus singer and bassist Willy Miles. 
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Sep 11, 2004 Vancouver
Public Library Downtown 12noon
Khac Chi Ensemble featuring Bich
Ngoc Ho - vocal & rare Vietnamese instruments
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FREE ADMISSION |
The Khac Chi Ensemble features two of Vietnam’s
premiere musicians---Bich Ngoc Ho and Chi Khac Ho---whose
talents, superb musicianship and virtuosity have won them
numerous awards for excellence and invitations for international
appearances. Their concert performances provide rare insights
into the wealth, depth and sophistication of Vietnamese culture.
The songs they sing and vocalize are authentic Vietnamese
songs. The many instruments they play are rare and unique
musical instruments from the mountain peoples of Vietnam.
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Sep 12, 2004 –
Vancouver Public Library 12noon
Tzo’kam Ensemble featuring
aboriginal singers & songs
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FREE ADMISSION |
Tzo'kam, a word and expression from the Lil'wat
(Stl'atl'imx) which means "chickadee" and "visitors
are coming," evolved out of a family's desire to learn
and share a part of culture that was not always free to express.
The language and songs stand as a testament of defiance by
the elders to a system that tried to erase their culture.
The dream to freely sing these songs with her family has been
with Lil'wat elder Flora Wallace for many years. 
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Sep 12, 2004 –
Vancouver Public Library 1pm
Everyday Dirt – Folk, Blues,
Country, Gospel & Bluegrass
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FREE ADMISSION |
Georgina Betts and Nancy Herb, seasoned professionals
with a rich and varied musical background, are the founding
members of Everyday Dirt. They will be joined by musical friends
Rob Burns, Alison Pervis and Derek Cave. This talented group
has compiled an eclectic mix of songs and original compositions
which draw heavily upon influences from folk, blues, country,
gospel and bluegrass. With soaring vocal harmonies and stellar
musicianship, Everyday Dirt brings their warm, engaging stage
presence and infectious energy to the festival this year.
Come and shake the dust out of your tail feathers!
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Sep 11, 2004 –
Tom Lee Music Downtown 10am
Jose Sanchez Cuban Drumming Workshop
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FREE ADMISSION |
Jose Sanchez is a recognized master of Cuban
Percussion. This workshop will include theoretical discussions
of the brief Cuban history (political scene in Cuba at the
beginning of Spanish conquest); socio economic conditions
inspired in Cuban colonial times; importance of slaves as
a substitute of natives in the island (main ethnic groups
and settlements); origin of Afro-Cuban instruments; importance
of religion in the formation and development of Cuban music
(syncretism phenomena); Cuban folklore and main styles; Bata
drums ensemble; Rumba cycle (Yambú, Guaguancó
and Columbia); origin of Cuban Son; influences of other cultures
in the formation of Cuban music and the main music styles
in the XIX and XX centuries. 
See
WORKSHOPS section for more details
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Sep 18, 2004 –
Tom Lee Music Downtown 12noon
Two Pianos – Improvisations
Jazz Standards featuring Chris Gestrin, Tony Foster &
Miles Black
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FREE ADMISSION |
Having watched two legendary pianists Barry Harris
and Tommy Flanagan play in a duet setting with two grand pianos
many years ago; the inspiration to present Two Pianos has
been brewing within me for a while. The festival would like
to thank Tom Lee Music for the provision of the two acoustic
pianos, and participating pianists Chris, Tony and Miles who
will dazzle all of us with their interplay and spontaneous
improvisations of jazz standards. Rare to have two finely
tuned high performance pianos and three world class pianists
jamming--Wow!
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