Saxophonist Jonny McCormack is barely back from Vancouver after a six-month touring leave in Ontario and Montreal and he’s hit the pavement running.
The former Paul Kane student is indulging his love of blues/jazz as part of a makeshift quartet with blues guitarist Jack de Keyzer, drummer Sandro Dominelli and keyboard player Doug Organ.
Tonight the quartet is featured performers at Night of Blues, a benefit concert for Support to Individuals at Risk in Everyone’s Neighborhood (SIRENS) at Bonnie Doon Hall, 9240 - 93 St. Special guests are the high energy, Edmonton-based Boogie Patrol.
SIRENS’ mission is to improve the lives of aboriginal youth and the mentally ill. The proceeds from this concert go to support the breakfast program at St. Francis of Assisi School.
“I personally don’t know them, but I have heard they do great work and I’d like to make it happen for them,” says McCormack.
Although McCormack is excited about pairing up with Dominelli and Organ, he’s particularly pumped about working once more with de Keyzer, winner of the 2010 Juno Award for Blues Album of the Year titled The Corktown Sessions. And the quartet will be rolling in these charts starting at 9:15 p.m.
McCormack first met de Keyzer at a jazz gig about 18 months ago. “I didn’t know him then. But when I met him, he was the nicest person ever. And then we started playing and he killed everyone with how good he was. And after the show, he’s shakin’ hands with 100 people. He was so excited to see everyone. On top of being an accomplished musician, he had this incredible warmth and energy and I’d like to be like that someday.”
In addition, McCormack keeps refining his musical chops hosting a Wednesday Jazz Night at The Haven Social Club with the Jonny McCormack Trio composed of Keith Rempel (bass), Thom Bennett (drums) and guitarist Graeme Mellway.
“It’s more of a speakeasy than a jazz scene. It’s attracting the under-30 jazz crowd – the Grant MacEwan College and university type crowd. It’s more a hang than a music night,” says McCormack.
On Wednesday nights anything goes – jazz, blues, Latin – it all depends on who shows up. Local music scene movers and shakers Charlie Austin, Bobby Cairns and Ann Vriend have all showed up. “Just the calibre of people coming out is an added bonus.”
“It’s really my dream job. I love to have my friends around and I get paid to make sure everyone is having a good time. It’s like hosting a house party, but I don’t have to clean up afterwards.
Doors for the SIRENS concert open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 available at TicketMaster, Blackbyrd Myoozik, Myhre's Music and Flirt Cupcakes. They are also online at http://www.sirensthecharity.com/ or call Frank at 780-439-7460.
