Tuesday Night Jazz at the Church proudly presents the Trad Jazz All-Stars - featuring pianist Toni Blodgett, saxophonist Doug Rhodes & clarinetist Al Pease, drummer Kelby MacNayr, bassist Joey Smith and guest trumpeter Alfons Fear!
Join us for a very special night as we honour Remembrance Day through song, celebrating the vibrant, poignant music from the era.
Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: James Bay United Church, 511 Michigan St.
Admission: by donation ($20 suggested donation, but all are welcome)
Honouring the anniversary of Armistice in 1918 — the first "jazz" recordings were made in early 1917 — we honour the time and the music together with songs from the era: songs of hopefulness, exuberance, and longing.
Please join us for a wonderful night of traditional jazz featuring some of the West Coast's most beloved musical personalities!
Featuring:
Toni Blodgett
Al Pease
Doug Rhodes
Alfons Fear
Joey Smith
Kelby MacNayr
Pianist Toni Blodgett has been a vital proponent of the ragtime and traditional jazz piano approach in Victoria for over 30 years. Hailing from the Canadian prairies, Toni developed her sound through a deep love and appreciation of the great early jazz pianists Teddy Wilson, Erroll Garner, Jelly Roll Morton, and others. Once relocated to Victoria, Toni turned her passion into her profession, becoming one of the region’s most sought-after pianists, vocalists, and successful bandleaders, performing at festivals across North America as well as in a featured performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Saxophonist & vocalist Doug Rhodes is a seasoned professional performing in traditional jazz with personality, heart, and soul that has endeared him to audiences across North America.
Saxophonist and clarinettist Al Pease has toured the world playing traditional jazz, rhythm and blues, and swing. Stationed with the prestigious NORAD Band in Colorado and the Naden Band of the Pacific on Canada’s West Coast, as well as serving as sideman and leader in countless traditional jazz groups and projects, Al draws on influences such as Lester Young, Zoot Sims, and Ben Webster on the tenor saxophone, and Benny Goodman and Woody Herman on the clarinet. Al Pease speaks fluently in the language of 1930s and 40s swing-era music like no one else can!
Trumpeter Alfons Fear has been a dynamic part of the Canadian jazz scene for many years, performing in straight-ahead, avant-garde, and traditional jazz contexts. A former member of the Kelby MacNayr Quintet, Canus, the Stomp Club, the Gnu Standards, and more, Alfons is a unique and magical voice on the trumpet.
Bassist Joey Smith has toured the world with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, performed with jazz guitar legend Charlie Byrd, and played alongside many of the finest artists in jazz, blues, and soul on the West Coast!
Drummer Kelby MacNayr honed his skills performing with the contemporary who’s who of jazz in Canada and the U.S., including Victoria’s own Ian McDougall, Louise Rose, and Neil Swainson, as well as international stars Ingrid Jensen, John Clayton, and Larry Fuller.
Get ready for a swinging night of traditional jazz in honour of Remembrance Day, celebrating the music and legacies of New Orleans and Kansas City!
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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 presentations
Watch previous weeks' gems... but before you watch, please consider making a donation to the Arts Ministry of James Bay United Church. From the drop-down menu select Fund # 2- Arts Ministry and Tuesday Night Jazz ... in the comments section you can leave a note about what show you were watching ... or any other message for us.
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Tuesday Night Jazz at the Church is an Arts Ministry of James Bay United Church
in partnership with the Victoria Jazz Community