Jazz Club Salmon Arm

Jazz Club Salmon Arm Welcome to Salmon Arm Jazz Club. A volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to hosting life jazz performances by local and visiting artists.

Salmon Arm's Jazz Club began to take shape in 2009, when local musicians Jacob Verburg, Darrin Herting and Leon Power began looking for a place to place to jam with other local musicians. The Salmon Arm Arts Centre decided to give these young players space at the SAGA Public Art Gallery. Jake, Darrin and Leon took that opportunity to organize a show every Thursday night, from September through Jun

e. Over time, a wide variety of players and singers were heard – not always jazz but typically with a strong improvisational flavour. The audience began to grow but at the end of the second year, Jake was ready for a break and Leon moved east. Enter Brian Pratt-Johnson and Sandy Cameron, both music teachers and skilled players with great passion for jazz. It became clear that the weekly show schedule was too difficult to maintain and so the schedule was reduced to every second Thursday. Previously, Jake and Leon had invited a few jazz players from Kelowna to participate, and Brian and Sandy did similarly. They also began to include players from Kamloops and Vernon. Things were expanding and the Jazz Club was well underway. After a year, Brian needed a break to devote more time to work and family, and Sandy began to direct the Jazz Night schedules on his own. From the Club's outset, admission to these shows was by donation, and a fund raising initiative was undertaken in 2011 to provide additional financial support. Work began on a mini-festival spearheaded by Sandy, featuring both local and internationally acclaimed musicians. This led to 10 shows during the spring of 2012, as well as 9 shows that fall. A similar approach was undertaken in 2013, when a total of 14 shows were held between January and June. Sadly, Sandy decided to move to Victoria in late 2013. With his departure the Club was left with a void and hard act to follow! Fortunately, jazz guitarist Jordan Dick came to the rescue and took on the role of lining up the Jazz Club shows. As of this update, Jordan is now in his 5th year as the club's show organizer and key contact, and has maintained a twice monthly performance schedule running annually from September through June. Well done, Jordan! Another noteworthy bit of history concerns the Jazz Club show venue. With growing audiences, the SAGA Public Art Gallery became too small to host these events. The decision was made to move the shows to the Shuswap Chefs restaurant banquet room in 2014, where performances were held for about 2 years. The closure of that restaurant in 2016 led to the club's current agreement to host our events at the auditorium at The Nexus at First. This history of the Club may be missing important details. If you have anything to add, please contact us.

Getting stoked for tonight's show at Song Sparrow Hall with John Lee B3 trio!
05/29/2026

Getting stoked for tonight's show at Song Sparrow Hall with John Lee B3 trio!

John Lee TrioThursday, May 28, 20267:00 PM  9:00 PM**Song Sparrow Hall**180 Lakeshore Drive NorthwestSalmon Arm, BC, V1E...
05/26/2026

John Lee Trio
Thursday, May 28, 2026
7:00 PM 9:00 PM
**Song Sparrow Hall**
180 Lakeshore Drive NorthwestSalmon Arm, BC, V1E 4N5

PLEASE NOTE: This special performance takes place at Song Sparrow Hall in Salmon Arm.

This week, the Jazz Club brings you the John Lee Trio from Vancouver. His previous Jazz Club performances on piano speak to John’s incredible skill and artisitry, but some may not be aware that he is equally skilled on bass, guitar, drums, and Hammond organ. For this show, John performs on Song Sparrow Hall’s recently acquired Hammond B3 organ, accompanied by Kosma Busheikin on guitar, and Graham Villette on drums.

John’s organ playing is rooted in the classic organ-trio tradition of players such as Jimmy Smith and Jack McDuff, blended with a modern, soulful touch. He has cited the late organ legend Joey DeFrancesco as a primary inspiration for his work on the instrument.

Lee's experience as a sideman goes far beyond his years. Raised as a local of Vancouver Island, his early performing experiences were with Canadian artists such as Order of Canada recipient Phil Dwyer and internationally acclaimed Jazz trumpeter Ingrid Jensen. At age 19, Lee made his performance debut in the US with pianist Cyrus Chestnut at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola (Jazz at Lincoln Center) in New York City. Lee spent much of the early 2010's on the bandstand supporting visiting artists in Victoria BC where he performed with American pianists Larry Fuller, George Colligan and Misha Piatigorsky. Starting an association with internationally recognized Jazz saxophonist and impresario Cory Weeds in recent years, Lee was provided many opportunities to share the stage with the who's who of the Jazz world. Since 2017, Lee has performed with many world class visiting artists in Vancouver BC including Terell Stafford, Roy McCurdy, Ralph Moore, Grant Stewart, Jeremy Pelt, Eric Alexander, Joe Farnsworth, Peter Bernstein, Benny Benack III, Alexander Claffy, Mike LeDonne, Lucy Yeghiazaryan, Michael Weiss, Dick Oatts, Jim Rotondi, Nicole Glover and Joe Magnarelli.

ADMISSION: By donation.
CONCESSION: Coffee, tea and treats are also available by donation.
DOORS: Open at 6:30pm.

Phenomenal show tonight with Brad Turner, Jake McIntyre-Paul and Isaac Chatterton.
05/15/2026

Phenomenal show tonight with Brad Turner, Jake McIntyre-Paul and Isaac Chatterton.

Thursday, May 14, 20267:00 PM  9:00 PMThe Nexus at First450 Okanagan Avenue East, Salmon Arm, BCAs our the first half of...
05/11/2026

Thursday, May 14, 2026
7:00 PM 9:00 PM
The Nexus at First
450 Okanagan Avenue East, Salmon Arm, BC

As our the first half of our 2026 concert series begins to wind down, the excitement is building! Heading up our final trio of performances is Brad Turner (M.Mus., University of North Texas, 1992) — a trumpeter, pianist, drummer and composer, and one of Canada's most in-demand and highly esteemed jazz musicians. For this show, Brad will be playing piano in a trio along with Jake McIntyre-Paul on bass and drummer (soon to be announced).

After receiving his Master's degree in Jazz Performance from the University of North Texas in 1992, Turner returned to Vancouver, and was hired as an instructor of trumpet at Capilano University (then Capilano College).

He has performed and/or recorded with such artists as Joe Lovano, Bill Frisell, Kenny Wheeler, John Scofield, Michael Moore, Reneé Rosnes, Harold Mabern, Jimmy Greene, Ingrid Jensen, Peggy Lee, Dave Douglas, Mike Murley, Seamus Blake, Kenny Werner, Mino Cinelu, Roy McCurdy, Russell Malone and Ernie Watts. Turner's groups have opened for McCoy Tyner, Roy Haynes, Wayne Shorter, Clark Terry, Diana Krall, Ahmad Jamal and Tony Bennett.

As a leader, Turner has released ten albums, eight as a trumpeter with the Brad Turner Quartet, and two as a pianist with his trio. As a founding member of the multiple juno award winning group Metalwood, he has released six albums.

This promises to be an amazing show!

Our next show is still 2 weeks away!Thursday, May 14, 20267:00 PM  9:00 PMThe Nexus at First450 Okanagan Avenue East, Sa...
04/30/2026

Our next show is still 2 weeks away!

Thursday, May 14, 2026
7:00 PM 9:00 PM
The Nexus at First
450 Okanagan Avenue East, Salmon Arm, BC

As our the first half of our 2026 concert series begins to wind down, the excitement is building! Heading up our final trio of performances is Brad Turner (M.Mus., University of North Texas, 1992) — a trumpeter, pianist, drummer and composer, and one of Canada's most in-demand and highly esteemed jazz musicians. For this show, Brad will be playing piano in a trio along with Jake McIntyre-Paul on bass and drummer (soon to be announced).

After receiving his Master's degree in Jazz Performance from the University of North Texas in 1992, Turner returned to Vancouver, and was hired as an instructor of trumpet at Capilano University (then Capilano College).

He has performed and/or recorded with such artists as Joe Lovano, Bill Frisell, Kenny Wheeler, John Scofield, Michael Moore, Reneé Rosnes, Harold Mabern, Jimmy Greene, Ingrid Jensen, Peggy Lee, Dave Douglas, Mike Murley, Seamus Blake, Kenny Werner, Mino Cinelu, Roy McCurdy, Russell Malone and Ernie Watts. Turner's groups have opened for McCoy Tyner, Roy Haynes, Wayne Shorter, Clark Terry, Diana Krall, Ahmad Jamal and Tony Bennett.

As a leader, Turner has released ten albums, eight as a trumpeter with the Brad Turner Quartet, and two as a pianist with his trio. As a founding member of the multiple juno award winning group Metalwood, he has released six albums.

This promises to be an amazing show!

Thursday, April 23rd - 7pm @ Nexus at 1st United.This week we present a new collaboration of our favourite local artists...
04/20/2026

Thursday, April 23rd - 7pm @ Nexus at 1st United.

This week we present a new collaboration of our favourite local artists, the Backpocket Quartet, featuring Megan Abel on vocals. Megan is joined by Jordan Dick on guitar, Gil Khafka on bass, and Gareth Seys on drums. The group plans an evening of a few of their favorite standards.

ADMISSION: By donation.
CONCESSION: Coffee, tea and treats are also available by donation.
DOORS: Open at 6:30 pm

The extra and special extra special show this evening is another great one! Liam Nadurak and Sean Irvine coming together...
04/16/2026

The extra and special extra special show this evening is another great one! Liam Nadurak and Sean Irvine coming together for all our enjoyment!

NOTE: This is a special Wednesday performance, between our regularly scheduled April shows.  WEDNESDAY APRIL 15TH - 7PM....
04/13/2026

NOTE: This is a special Wednesday performance, between our regularly scheduled April shows. WEDNESDAY APRIL 15TH - 7PM. DOORS AT 6:30PM

We are pleased to announce this special Jazz Club performance, featuring a collaboration between Salmon Arm’s own Liam Nadurak (trumpet, piano) and a close colleague from Winnipeg, Sean Irvine (woodwinds). Details for this performance are pending but in the meantime we can pass along some information on Sean’s background.

Sean has rapidly gained recognition as a top-tier performer, composer, and woodwind expert. Although his primary focus is on the saxophone, Irvine is also recognized as a flautist, clarinetist, and oboist.

Director and Composer of the Sean Irvine 5tet, the ensemble debuted in Spring of 2020. Featuring exclusively original compositions, this project delves into the diverse textures of woodwinds, brass, vocals, and rhythm section instruments, bringing to life the material composed throughout seven years of Irvine's musical journey. Due to release in 2025, Irvine is currently working parallel to the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra for his second album as a leader and composer.

Irvine's versatility and skill in capturing the essence and tone of various woodwind instruments have led to collaborations and performances with the likes of Royal Canoe, David Braid, Derrick Gardner, Kiko Freitas, Jon Gordon, Jimmy Greene, and Scotty Barnhart.

ADMISSION: By donation.
CONCESSION: Coffee, tea and treats are also available by donation.
DOORS: Open at 6:30 pm

Address

Okanagan Avenue SE At 5th Street SE The NEXUS @ First United Church
Salmon Arm, BC

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