Wild Blue Herons Wild Blue Herons (WBH) are Bill Sample and Darlene Ketchum and a whole lot of incredible musicians. WBH has recently been formed by co-writers Bill Sample and Darlene Ketchum to perform their songs. Their music, a combination of jazz, funk, soul, blues with ‘smoky’ ballads, blends groove with complex chords, rhythms, and soulful melodies. The songs are broadly accessible and are filled with themes of love and social consciousness. Bill and Darlene have been working together since 2011. Their song writing partnership grew when they both began working for the Vancouver based Marcus Mosely Chorale (MMC) as directors, composer/arrangers, and performers. They recently released their first album, “On the Outside”, which they feel describes themselves - “in music and life the outside is where you are when you are different. Good things can happen there”. They perform with a stellar group of seasoned musicians. Some of their musical influences are Earth, Wind and Fire, Nancy Wilson, Doug Riley (Dr. Music), Steely Dan and, most recently, Snarky Puppy and Jacob Collier. www.wildblueherons.com email: wildblueherons@gmail.com Twitter: @wildblueherons Instagram: wildblueherons Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildblueherons/ "You Are My Sunshine" from Pat's Pub: https://youtu.be/KSh2JV21Dq8 "Boston Blues" from Frankie's https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYtX4TEYrQ4&list=PL6RohmhuRvE9Qc6Kqf5rbNe9absYd4mJV

David Sinclair & Keith Bennett Expect to hear, see and feel music deeply when David Sinclair and Keith Bennett perform together. Their impressive musicianship and quirky, humorous and unpredictable musical buffet is always a memorable experience. David Sinclair is truly a humble master of acoustic guitar and commands it like few others. Sinclair plays with the grace, dexterity and wisdom of someone who has dedicated his life to being the best guitarist he can be. You will hear a lifetime of dedication in every phrase of his playing, whether he is fluidly picking energetic patterns, simultaneously playing percussion and an intricate melody, or bringing you to tears with a tender ballad. Keith Bennett’s expressive and nuanced playing redefines harmonica for every listener. The chromatic harmonica is one of the most difficult reed instruments to improvise on. With each hole containing four different reeds (notes), it’s mind-blowing to watch Bennett extract fast, complex phrasing from the instrument (which he plays upside down). Also a multi-tasker, Bennett simultaneously “doubles” an improvisation section on guitar and harmonica. In addition to their instrumental mastery, both musicians sing beautifully, including vocal harmonies a la Everly Brothers. Sinclair's and Bennett's arrangements can only be defined as eccentric. Their originals include “Celtic-inspired surf music” and “an illuminated stickman doing Tai Chi in the dark on a floating dock”. Innovative arrangements of standard tunes (“what if U2 was Hungarian?”) help complete a repertoire that spans big band jazz, classical, blues, roots and much more. The duo continues to shake up its set list, and there isn't a genre of music they won’t tackle. Inherently modest, gentle-spirited individuals, Sinclair and Bennett bring authentic exuberance to their music, playing straight from their souls. Listeners can’t help but be emotionally drawn in. When not performing as a duo, Sinclair and Bennett both have busy musical careers. Sinclair shared the stage for many years with k.d. lang and Sarah McLachlan, has recorded with Michael Buble among many others, has appeared on Late Night with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Saturday Night Live, The Arsenio Hall Show, the Grammy Awards and the Juno Awards. Bennett has played with Rodger Hodgson of Supertramp, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, at Vancouver Canucks games for a decade and was North America’s top medalist at the 2013 Hohner World Harmonica Championships. www.sinclairandbennett.rocks http://www.davidsinclairmusic.com http://www.sinclairandbennett.rocks Video links: https://youtu.be/-hdg_9KGkd4. https://youtu.be/AXd8ZXAX2tU 

LJ Mounteney LJ Mounteney has been singing ever since she can remember. Born in Edmonton AB, LJ got her start in singing in Creston BC after her family moved there in her teens. Leaving the Kootenays for the West Coast, Mounteney enrolled in Vancouver Community College’s rigorous Commercial and Jazz Music program and from there began to gig locally singing a wide variety of jazz, blues, pop and R&B. In 2017, Mounteney produced her first album, Here in the Dark, with fantastic local session players including the brilliant work of guitarist Jon Roper. The album features eight classic, well loved cover songs as well the title track - Here in the Dark - an original story with haunting lyrics written by Mounteney and co-arranged by Roper. Here in the Dark has received radio play on CBC’s Hot Air, CITR, Pacific Northwest Radio and Coop Radio. Mounteney and Roper are currently co-writing and producing an EP of originals slated for release in 2019. As a live performer, Mounteney considers herself fortunate to have worked alongside some of Vancouver’s finest musicians and groups and she has been inspired in the jazz vein by international heroes like Dee Dee Bridgewater, Betty Carter, Chet Baker, and in the gospel and blues vein by Bonnie Raitt, Etta James, Aretha Franklin and Mahalia Jackson. Mounteney was recently a featured artist in the Strong Women, Strong Music series held at Frankie’s Jazz Club in March and she returned to Frankie’s in May with her own Quintet. A true artist, Mounteney easily builds and maintains a connection with her audiences. In a lush, clear voice she weaves magic telling her own truths though the power of song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M264TLe0vzM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvNNIVDOoFU

Tony Wilson

The 45th Avenue Big Band

Ben Lockwood Ben Lockwood is a woodwind multi-instrumentalist (saxophone, flute, and clarinet), composer, born in Bedford, UK, but is currently residing in Vancouver, British Columbia. Ben graduated Dartington College of Arts in 2003 with a BA (with Honours) in Music (Performance), before moving to London to become a professional musician. He soon became an in demand musician throughout London and the UK, performing and recording in many different groups and genres, from Big Bands, small group jazz ensembles, Latin / World Music Groups, Pit Orchestras, Pop Bands, and Classical Ensembles. Whilst in London Ben had the chance to perform with groups / musicians that include Jeff Clyne, Nick Page, The Glenn Miller Tribute Orchestra, Trevor Tomkins, Jim Richardson, and Five Star Swing to name a few. Throughout his career Ben has been lucky enough to play all over the world, including Scandinavia, Russia, Canada, and the Caribbean, and has performed at venues that include The Barbican, Royal Festival Hall, the Royal Albert Hall in London, the 606 Club (London), O’Douls Restaurant and Bar (Vancouver), Cory Weeds’ The Cellar Jazz Club (Vancouver), as well as being featured at the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival. Since moving to Vancouver, Canada, Ben has quickly made a name for himself on the local scene, becoming an in demand freelance musician. He has had the privilege of sharing the stage with some of the cities (and Canadas) leading musicians. These include Tilden Webb, Joe Poole, Campbell Ryga, Sharon Minemoto, Julian McDononough, Bill Coon, Saul Berson, Adam Thomas,and Mike Allen. Ben can be seen performing throughout Vancouver and the Lower Mainland with his own group, as well as some of the areas leading ensembles. Ben runs his own group, playing a mixture of jazz standards, along with original compositions. As well as composing for his own group, he also writes for other various sized ensembles, in different genres of music, and of mixed instrumentation.