Dazzling New York City-jazz pianist Ray Gallon joins charismatic Canadian vocalist Angela Verbrugge to take you on a trip back to the golden age of the silver screen and on-stage musicals like West Side Story, Singin in the Rain, Sound of Music, and hits from the musicals that featured talent like Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly and Judy Garland. Enjoy the timeless sound of the Great American Songbook, and be introduced to Verbrugge’s own modern day lyrics based on this classic style. Angela is celebrating the release of her new album, Somewhere, on Origin Records, a top jazz label out of Seattle. Ray recently released an album with the most recorded bassist in jazz history, Ron Carter, called Grand Company, on Cellar Records. Ray will share some thrilling instrumentals from his project as well.

“One superb song after another; Verbrugge’s voice is now surely one of the most beautiful in the lyric soprano range.” Raul da Gama, That Canadian Magazine

“Verbrugge possesses a winsome, brightly burnished, pliable voice, ample emotional intelligence, considerable songwriting skills and conspicuously good taste!” Andrew Gilbert, JazzTimes

“It would not be surprising if some of Angela’s songs become standards in the future. Highly recommended.” Scott Yanow, LA Jazz Journal

“Gallon is commanding, poised and witty,” Downbeat Magazine.

“Ray Gallon is a pianist with a rich and complex musical vocabulary. filled with technical proficiency and emotional depth as well as a unique artistic voice.” All About Jazz

About the Band:

Canadian jazz vocalist Angela Verbrugge - 2020 JazzTimes Readers' Poll for Best Female Vocalist - infuses passion and emotion with each beautiful note. The charismatic singer / composer / lyricist spent the last three years touring across Canada, Europe, the UK, Turkey, and Japan.

Joining Angela on her 2024 tour dates is acclaimed New York City bebop pianist Ray Gallon. Mentored by John Lewis, Hank Jones and Jaki Byard, Gallon has been a mainstay on the New York scene for forty years performing with luminaries such as Ron Carter, Lionel Hampton, Les Paul, Art Farmer, Benny Golson and backing artists like Sweets Edison, Dizzy Gillespie, Jane Monheit, Sheila Jordan, and Joe Williams. The ensemble's sound blends perfectly to create a close-knit chemistry to realize interpretations of classic vocal and instrumental jazz standards as well as original material in a timeless style.

Ken Lister (Qualicum Beach)

A professional jazz bassist and teacher for over 35 years, Ken Lister has played, recorded and toured with some of the top musicians in the jazz world, playing on two Juno Award-winning recordings; one with Hugh Fraser’s Quintet (Best Mainstream Jazz Album – 1997), and another with Phil Dwyer’s Orchestra (Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year – 2012). Having started his career in the Vancouver music scene in the 1980s, Ken now lives on Vancouver Island, teaching and performing with many great local musicians. He maintains a connection with the Vancouver scene, which often finds him playing with visiting greats from New York City and elsewhere.

Graham Villette (Nanaimo)

Graham has been playing music professionally since the age of 15. He earned a Masters’ Degree in Jazz Performance from The University of Toronto after completing a BA in Jazz Studies at Vancouver Island University in 2017. Having grown up on Vancouver Island, Graham is an active member of the music community as both a freelance musician and bandleader where you’ll hear him at leading BC venues including Hermann’s, Frankie’s, leading jazz series and festivals. Over the years, Graham has shared the stage with Cory Weeds, Joe Magnarelli, Akiko Tsuruga, Tony Genge, Ryan Oliver, John Lee, Rick Kilburn, Ashley Wey, and Kinga Hemming. He is frequently found performing with the John Lee Trio.