The Yardbird Suite isn’t exactly a listening bar, a café installed with high-end audio equipment where patrons listen to vinyl records, methodically selected by a bartender from a record library built behind the bar.
However, as one of Canada’s premiere jazz venues, patrons are expected to graciously listen to artists floating musical inspiration freely.
Throughout the month of November, patrons are invited to sit with ritual care at tables drinking in some of North America’s hottest and coolest rhythms.
Montreal’s lyrical Gentiane MG Trio led by pianist Gentiane Michaud-Gagnon and the expressive eight-piece Effendi Jazzlab Orchestra are just two of the groups engaging audiences in a musical adventure.
St. Albert also features its own brand of jazz ambassadors.
• Internationally recognized recording artist and scat vocalist Chandelle Rimmer pairs up with her go-to partners, the Tom Van Seters Quintet from Edmonton. In a special showcase the local musicians join the Jodi Proznick Sun Songs Project in a double bill on Saturday, Nov. 2.
• Hot on the heels of her latest album release, Montreal’s Dawn Tyler Watson returns Nov. 15 and 16 performing one of her dynamite blues concerts. Backing her are seven of the Edmonton region’s go-to musicians, including Morinville bassist Travis Switzer, whose phone number is on speed dial across the country.
• The Yardbird Suite Jazz Orchestra and special guests plan to create a three-dimensional sound of colour and tonal textures on Sunday, Nov. 17. Former St. Albert musician Allen Jacobson rounds out the trombone section.
• The Andrew Glover Quartet, one of the Edmonton jazz community’s most talked about ensembles, performs Wednesday, Nov. 19 with Glover on piano, trumpeter Bob Tildesley, drummer Jamie Cooper and St. Albert bass player John Taylor.
Tickets are available at tixonthesquare.ca
