Respected across the national jazz scene for more than three decades, the hard-swinging CANADIAN JAZZ QUARTET have established themselves, individually and collectively, among the elite of jazz musicians on air and in recording studios, in clubs and on concert stages, and at major music events and jazz festivals all over the country.
Founded by the late guitar luminary Gary Benson in 1987, the lineup has evolved over the years, but under the long-time current leadership of iconic vibes-master Frank Wright, today’s Canadian Jazz Quartet (FRANK WRIGHT on vibes, TED QUINLAN on guitar, PAT COLLINS on bass, DON VICKERY on drums) remains a standard of excellence in jazz in Canada.
After a record-breaking decade-long run creating new mainstream jazz collaborations weekly for packed houses at leading downtown jazz venues, the classy CJQ is now in their third year in residence at the the Old Mill’s Home Smith Bar, where they bring their graceful treatment of standards and original material to “First Fridays”, and showcase a different headlining superstar each month.
Tonight’s featured guest is j
azz violin prodigy, saxophonist, vocalist, and veteran of the beloved ‘Jeff Healey and The Jazz Wizards’ Band, DREW JURECKA. He tours frequently as a member of singer Jill Barber’s band, plays with Nicole Stoffman’s ‘Jazz Boheme’, the Hot Jazz String Quartet, the Hogtown Syncopators, and leads his own gypsy jazz ensemble ‘Continental Rhythm’. He has appeared with the Canton Symphony, played the Hollywood Bowl with Diana Krall, Shirley Horn, and Dianne Reeves, soloed with the Dave Brubeck Quartet, played with Stevie Wonder and Jim Cuddy, and for nine years, was Director of Jazz at the Northern Lights Music Festival in Guadalajara, Mexico.
He has played, written, or produced on more than 150 recordings, including several Juno winning and Grammy nominated albums, and his playing can be heard on dozens of TV, movie, and radio soundtracks, most recently: Franklin, Republic of Doyle, Make the Politician Work, Gunless, Degrassi, The Age of Persuasion, Flashpoint, Combat Hospital, and Little Mosque on the Prairie. He currently teaches violin at Humber College, where he has helped to create the only specialized jazz strings post-secondary program in Canada.