Bess Durey

[Morgan Childs]

Speaking of current and former students, we had a great night at the Railway Club last night with performances from some of my 4th year students, a faculty band with Andre Lachance and Steve Kaldestad, Morgan Childs (subbing for an ailing Dave Robbins) and me, and then the Bess Durey band with Amanda Tosoff, Morgan Childs, Ron Samworth and Andre. Bess' writing and singing were just stellar and the band played incredibly well together. Most people in town already know the considerable talents of Amanda and Morgan, but Bess is also one to watch. I only wish the Railway sound system had been better so we could hear the words more clearly. I think Morgan, Amanda and Bess are fantastic recent examples of jazz education success stories. Andre, Steve and I have all been jazz school students at various times too. Of course none of us learned all we needed to know about jazz in school, but in my case it sure helped.

I had a blast playing with everybody last night, and thanks for the kind words, Jared.

I love playing with Bess... I think she writes some great tunes, and its such a pleasure playing with a jazz singer who is interested in writing her own material and reflecting some contemporary influences.

[Brian Nation]

Jared Burrows wrote here (http://www.vancouverjazz.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11792&postcount=77),

Speaking of current and former students, we had a great night at the Railway Club last night with performances from some of my 4th year students, a faculty band with Andre Lachance and Steve Kaldestad, Morgan Childs (subbing for an ailing Dave Robbins) and me, and then the Bess Durey band with Amanda Tosoff, Morgan Childs, Ron Samworth and Andre. Bess' writing and singing were just stellar and the band played incredibly well together. Most people in town already know the considerable talents of Amanda and Morgan, but Bess is also one to watch. I only wish the Railway sound system had been better so we could hear the words more clearly. I think Morgan, Amanda and Bess are fantastic recent examples of jazz education success stories.

I thought it would be a shame for these comments to get lost in another ongoing thread on another topic. I was also at that gig and agree with Jared on all counts.

[Morgan Childs]

I don't know if Bess reads the forum, but I will send on the props next time I see her.

I hope you guys can make it down to her CD release... we're doing a double bill of her band and Amanda's quartet at Ironworks on Sunday, December 7th. It will be the full band that is on the CD, with Alvara Rojas on guitar and Evan Arntzen on saxophone.