After living and performing in Toronto for nearly 20 years, bassist Alex Coleman returned to Vancouver Island in 2019. Alex has performed often with Canada's top musicians, toured the country multiple times with The Cookers Quintet, and led his own projects frequently. Recently Alex performed at Hermann's Jazz Club with Canadian jazz legends Don Thompson and Phil Dwyer.

One of Alex's longest standing projects is a tribute to the late, great bassist and composer Charles Mingus. Mingus's music - swinging rambunctious, heartfelt, and maniacal - and sometimes all in 4 bars - is never predictable, and a lot of fun to listen to and perform.

The Toronto version of the band (an octet) had a who's who of this country's top jazz musicians in the group at any time: drummer Terry Clarke, pianists Dave Restivo, Bernie Senensky, Brian Dickinson and Gary Williamson, saxophonists Ryan Oliver, Kelly Jefferson, Perry White, and more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1jHsM02WEo

Featured in the west coast version of Alex's group are, again, some of the finest musicians around. An original member from 10+ years ago, tenor saxophonist Ryan Oliver's huge, swinging sound anchors the front line of this group. Ryan is one of the most exciting tenor saxophonists around and always a treat to hear. There is no drummer that swings that Hans Verhoeven! Nick Peck, from Vancouver, will be in the piano chair playing his always-exciting style. Last, but not least, is Victoria's own trumpet master: Pat Boyle.

Alex Coleman: bass
Ryan Oliver: tenor
Pat Boyle: trumpet
Nick Peck: Piano
Hans Verhoeven: Drums

You can donate directly to the musicians and this venue at ArtsOnView.ca/Donate