The faces and moods of Jazz Out West

JOW9Jazz Out West delighted a small but enthusiastic crowd on a rainy Thursday evening, August 21st,, the last of the Music in the Park concerts for 2014. Professional musicians all, the quartet put heart and soul into each number.

JOW11Iris Larratt’s expressive, husky vocals wrenched every emotion out of the lyrics, from the high-spirited “Boogy Woogy Bugle Boy” to the heart-wrenching “By the Time I Get to Phoenix”. She has a way of connecting with the audience like no one else. Jim Wyse kept the cool, steady focus on the ivories during the instrumentals. Bob Larratt’s spontaneous grin behind the stand-up bass let the audience know the groove was good. Bob Park’s backbeat on the drums let loose on occasion with some rollicking rhythmic solos.

Jazz is an exercise both in concentrated listening and in daring harmonies and rhythms. Take a look at some of the faces to see how in touch with the music and in tune with each other this quartet is.JOW7JOW4 JOW15

The Music in the Park committee would like to thank their sponsor, Valley First Credit Union, and their “Feed the Valley” program. Our partner, Oliver Parks and Recreation, is greatly appreciated for their programme support, personnel and financial aid. Kudos to all the musicians who put on a fantastic show every week. AND a big THANK YOU to our generous and enthusiastic audiences. Some of you came out to nearly every performance, rain or shine. YOU know we have the best darned music right here in the South Okanagan!

Have suggestions for next year’s musical lineup? Recommendations on how to deliver the programme better? We’d love to hear from you. Email the arts council at olivercac @ gmail.com with your thoughts. JOW             JOW14