Strathcona Big Band with special guests: The Rivercity Sidemen

The Strathcona Big Band is delighted to return to the Rivercity Stage for a special Christmas performance of our favorite tunes. With its roots going back as far as the 1970’s when the Campa Big Band was in full swing, this group keeps the big band sound alive. The band will be bringing you arrangements from Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite and will feature Rachel Cooper from the Comox Valley on Clarinet and Tenor Sax. Duke Ellington released these jazz interpretations of the 1892 ballet “The Nutcracker” by Tchaikovsky in 1960, with the help of arranger Billy Strayhorn. This music will be sure you get you in the Christmas mood!

The Rivercity Sidemen is an ensemble of talented high school students from Quadra Island, Campbell River, and Courtenay. They are: Jake Elias (saxophone and EWI), Willum Ashurst (keyboard and drums), AJ Lontayao (drums and guitar), and Athanasios Wees (upright and fretless bass). They share their love of jazz, fusion, and funk, and have spent the last 6 months performing around Campbell River, Courtenay, and Nanaimo, including a performance at the annual Nanaimo Jazz Festival.

Tickets: $25.00 (+plus applicable taxes & fees)