Date: Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: James Bay United Church, 511 Michigan St.
Admission: by donation ($20 suggested donation, but all are welcome)
Victoria-based jazz pianist Brent Jarvis brings quiet virtuosity, profound intentionality, and subtle brilliance to his playing.
Inspired by the many qualities of the great Bill Evans, Brent has assembled an all-star trio to celebrate some of Evans’ most quintessential works, as well as a number of lesser-known gems.
Island-born multi-instrumentalist Brent Jarvis spent his childhood in the mid-Island region around Port Alberni before studying at the prestigious Malaspina University in Nanaimo—first as a drummer and later switching to piano. His studies and performances have taken him across the country, collaborating with many of the finest artists in contemporary jazz.
In this special concert, Jarvis turns his creative lens to the legacy and artistic expression of the great pianist, collaborator, and visionary Bill Evans.
Bill Evans distinguished himself in a time of legendary jazz pianists. A contemporary of Oscar Peterson, Wynton Kelly, Red Garland, Ahmad Jamal, Erroll Garner, and McCoy Tyner, Evans carved out a singular niche for himself, his trio, and his music.
Drawing on impressionistic composers such as Ravel and Debussy, the language of bebop, and the emerging philosophy of collective improvisation, Evans created a wholly new and idiosyncratic soundscape for the piano trio.
Early collaborations with virtuoso bassist Scott LaFaro and drummer Paul Motian created the perfect melting pot of unique strengths and possibilities for this trio sound to emerge. His work with Miles Davis on the monumental album Kind of Blue, along with his earlier studies with jazz pianist and pedagogue Lennie Tristano, coalesced into an intentional set of aesthetic and performance principles—an immediately recognizable palette of harmonic colours and textures.
Evans continued to refine this concept throughout his life in numerous trio settings with acclaimed musicians, culminating in his final trio featuring bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Joe LaBarbera.
Over the course of his career, Evans perfected many of his compositional and arranging ideas while maintaining his original commitment to collective improvisation and deliberate musical choices.
In this special presentation, we welcome three renowned musical minds who bring a wealth of knowledge, personal expression, and virtuosity.
Led by pianist Brent Jarvis—who shares Evans’ devotion to harmonic beauty, clarity, and intention—alongside renowned multi-instrumentalist John Lee on drums and acclaimed bassist Ken Lister, this will be a night to remember!
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Mark Your Calendar for December!
Tuesday Night Jazz at the Church has two festive concerts coming your way.
December 9 at 7 pm — The Tiny Rhythm Kings return with A Swingin’ Christmas, featuring guitarist John Lee, organist Dr. Tony Genge, and drummer/vocalist Kelby MacNayr.
December 23 at 7 pm — The Night Before the Night Before offers songs of expectation, hope, and renewal with the Great American Songbook Trio.
Two beautiful evenings of seasonal music — be sure to save the dates!
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Tuesday Night Jazz at the Church admission by donation (suggested $20)
relax in the cosy and acoustically excellent sanctuary
of James Bay United Church for some very special presentationsTuesday Night Jazz at the Church is part of the Arts Ministry of James Bay United Church in partnership with the Victoria Jazz Community
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