Fall Schedule:

October 3rd, 2023
New York State of Mind: American Music for clarinet, violin, and piano
Jose Franch-Ballester, clarinet
David Gillham, violin
Jane Hayes, piano

New York City’s inspiration to composers and musicians in the 20th and 21st centuries is showcased in three different masterworks. Jazz clarinet legend Benny Goodman and the great Hungarian violinist Joseph Szigeti asked Hungarian composer Bela Bartok to write Contrasts, which premiered at Carnegie Hall in 1940. Pulitzer Prize-winning American composer Kevin Puts was living in NYC when he was inspired to write the ‘night music’ Nocturnes, with The New York Times calling Puts’ music “captivating from the start.” Great American clarinetist and New Yorker David Shifrin commissioned American composer Paul Schoenfeld to write the rollicking Klezmer Trio.

October 24th, 2023
Rising Stars: Benjamin Millman Piano Trio
Benjamin Millman, piano
Wynston Minkler, bass
Karl DeJong, drums

The Trio is comprised of the pianist and arranger Benjamin Millman, along with bassist Wynston Minkler and drummer Karl DeJong. Each artist lends their own distinctive sound to the combo, melding into a feeling reminiscent of Ahmad Jamal or Benny Green’s great bands – at once meticulously calculated and bubbling with excitement. We hope you enjoy the Ben Millman Trio!

November 7th, 2023
Rising Stars: Elysian Trio
Joy Yeh, harp
Paul Hung, flute
Sarah Kwok, viola

The Elysian Trio is a Vancouver-based ensemble that showcases the fascinating colours and versatility brought about when flute, viola, and harp are combined. Comprised of Paul Hung, flute; Sarah Kwok, viola; and Joy Yeh, harp, all three members are active in the musical community in Vancouver and perform frequently with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Opera Orchestra, Turning Point Ensemble, Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra, and Vancouver Chamber Choir.

The trio has recorded two albums, First Impressions and Debussy: Sonata for Flute, Viola, and Harp, and a third, which includes four commissioned works by emerging Canadian composers, will be released in the fall of 2023.

November 21st, 2023
Artie Shaw’s Gramercy Five
James Danderfer, clarinet
Bill Coon, guitar
Sharon Minemoto, piano
Atley King, vibraphone
Jodi Proznick, bass
Joe Poole, drums

One of the most popular and intriguing big band leaders of the Swing era, Artie Shaw took jazz clarinet to a new level of artistry and celebrity. On occasion, Shaw would tour with a smaller group, his “Gramercy Five,” which became one of the fixtures of small group swing. Come and enjoy a rare performance of this melodic and jubilant music featuring James Danderfer, clarinet; Bill Coon, guitar; Sharon Minemoto, piano; Atley King, vibraphone; Jodi Proznick, bass; and Joe Poole, drums.