The Jazz at the Griff series, presented by Trail & District Arts Council, brings you “Soulstice: Songs for a Winter’s Night”, on Wednesday, December 3 and Thursday, December 4 at 7:30 pm. Enjoy the jazz club vibe of The Griff as you savour a glass of wine in a setting that is up close and personal with the band.

The first snow on the mountains signals the arrival of winter …and the music soon follows. Vocalists Laura Landsberg and Melody Diachun invite you to Soulstice, a heartwarming evening of wintry songs, sprinkled with holiday cheer. With their soulful harmonies and playful spirit, Laura and Melody bring light, warmth, and joy to the longest nights of the year.

The band features Laura Landsberg & Melody Diachun on vocals, David Restivo on piano, Paul Landsberg on guitar, Doug Stephenson on acoustic bass, and Joel Fountain on drums.

Laura Landsberg’s talent comes naturally as the daughter of world-renowned trombonist and composer Ian McDougall. Landsberg has performed with Desafinado, a Brazilian group out of Spokane, played the Kaslo Jazz Festival, the Sandpoint Jazz Festival in Idaho, performed with Chris Brubeck, the bass playing son of Dave Brubeck, Miles Black, Pat Coleman, Steve Dawson, Daniel Lapp, as well as appearing with the Spokane Jazz Orchestra, Hugh Fraser and VEJI (Vancouver Ensemble of Jazz Improvisation).

Celebrated Canadian vocalist MELODY DIACHUN is known for her innovative and soulful expression, and has been nominated for a JUNO for “Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year”in 2008 and a National Jazz Award nomination for Vocalist of the Year. Praise for Melody’s singing comes from renowned jazz pianist and author Kenny Werner, who said, “She has perfect phrasing! It’s scary,” and from Joseph Blake at the Times Colonist, who hailed her as “a jazz singer of the first order.”

David Restivo is a pianist and composer and one of Canada’s most respected and influential jazz artists. A 3-time winner of the National Jazz Pianist of the Year Award, and JUNO Award winner. He is well known for his work with Rob McConnell’s Boss Brass and Tentet, the Mike Murley Quintet, and legendary songwriter Marc Jordan as well as many other well known musicians.

Paul Landsberg was born in the Bronx, and grew up in New Jersey, a half hour’s drive from New York City. He trained and taught at Berklee College of Music in Boston. He toured with a top-40 cover band that played five sets a night in hotels in the eastern United States, and by his early-30s, when he moved to Nelson, the in-demand freelance guitarist had already spent two decades playing and performing.

Doug Stephenson has been an integral member of Western Canada’s music community for over thirty years. The Calgary native is a bassist, guitarist, composer, producer, and mixing engineer. He has performed with artists such as Charlie Rouse, Les McCann, Bob Murphy, Jay Thomas, John Stowell, Tommy Banks, P.J. Perry, Altered Laws, Campbell Ryga, and Blues legend Big Miller.

Joel Fountain’s career highlights include performing with: trumpet virtuoso & ‘Order of Canada’ recipient Jens Lindemann; Canadian Jazz sensation Laila Biali; jazz trumpet legend Maynard Ferguson; Grammy nominated jazz big band the “One O’clock Lab band”. Joel has produced and recorded multiple albums, including producing Juno nominated Adam Robert Thomas’s 2018 self-titled solo album.

2 x 45 minute sets plus intermission.

Single tickets are $25. Individual Ticket Under 30 years old (with ID): $12.50.
Or buy a 5-show series pass for Jazz at the Griff for only $104. Limited availability. Get your pass now!

Passholders may choose between December 3 or 4 for the Soulstice Christmas show with Melody Diachun and Laura Landsberg.

Plus, when you buy a series pass you can get a 20% discount on The Fretless with Madeleine Roger on January 27.

Patron Members get a 20% discount on full price tickets.

All individual tickets available online at purchase.trail-arts.com, by phone at 250-368-9669, and in person at the Bailey Box Office at 1501 Cedar Ave., Trail. Series passes available only by calling or visiting the Box Office.

All shows general admission. Groups of 4 may reserve a table at the box office.

The Jazz at the Griff series is made possible thanks to funding from McEwan Law, BC Arts Council, BC Touring Council, the Government of Canada, and Tourism South Kootenay. We also gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.

Upcoming shows in the Jazz at The Griff series include:

Ebony Roots: Celebrating Black History Month – Sound the Alarm on Wednesday, February 25 in The Bailey – A concert celebration of African Descent/Black music from 300-year-old spirituals to the emergence of Black Soul, R&B, Blues and Motown, including a tribute to some of BC’s legacy artists. Please note: this show is in The Bailey Theatre and is $30.

Keith Todd’s Off The Grid on Thursday March 26 in The Griff – This Kootenay based group lays down the groove spanning multiple styles including jazz, old school, Afro and Latin funk. With a wide range of standards as well as some originals this tight ensemble plays a high energy show.