Rhythm Changes Podcast

John Nicholson talks about the many gigs he played around jazzfest time, including with Kevin Romain's Salience Network, Biboye Onanuga, Queer as Funk, and more. John is a saxophonist who spent time in the Toronto scene during his educational journey, going there for graduate studies after completing CapU's jazz program. He moved back to Vancouver after covid started and has been active here again ever since.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted and produced by Will Chernoff. Edited and mixed by Justin Gorrie. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Jenny Xu, Ben Feldman, & Kofi Shepsu talk about playing together in their New York-based trio called Friendship since 2018, NYC jazz stories, their two albums to-date (Project Sock Retrieval and Ghost Stories), and the recording session and gigs that they just came to Vancouver for. Jenny is a pianist originally from Surrey. She and Friendship's bassist Ben, who is from Seattle, are a married couple. Kofi, a native of Richmond, Virginia, completes the trio on drums.Jenny was the very first jazz musician I ever interviewed at Rhythm Changes, in September 2020 as Friendship released their first album.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted and produced by Will Chernoff. Edited and mixed by Justin Gorrie. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Mili Hong & Eli Davidovici talk about touring as part of their band Bellbird with Claire Devlin and Allison Burik, the other Vancouver engagements in their 2024 jazzfest experience, and their move to Montreal. Mili and Eli are a drums-bass team who are arguably the eminent Vancouver jazz rhythm section of my generation going back to the mid-2010s.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted and produced by Will Chernoff. Edited and mixed by Justin Gorrie. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Biboye Onanuga talks about his performances at the 2024 Vancouver International Jazz Festival with Feven Kidane, Odario, and his own quartet. Biboye is a drummer and composer based in Edmonton who co-organizes a weekly series called New Standards at The Common in his home city.Biboye's longstanding band, Good Information, blends hip-hop and jazz influences. Before the jazzfest, he was best known in Vancouver for playing for Infidels Jazz at the Max Roach show as well as Frankie's After Dark in February of this year.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted and produced by Will Chernoff. Edited and mixed by Justin Gorrie. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Réjean Marois talks about directing his vocal jazz ensemble called the Marois Vocal Project, his touring years based out of Québec as a trombone player and arranger, falling in love with Vancouver, and more. Best known as the director of the Capilano University jazz program's NiteCap ensemble, Réjean was one of the program's most renowned faculty across three decades. He retired in 2018 and lives on the Sunshine Coast.The Marois Vocal Project performs at the BlueShore Centre for the Performing Arts as part of North Shore Jazz and the Vancouver International Jazz Festival on June 28, 2024.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted and produced by Will Chernoff. Edited and mixed by Justin Gorrie. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Ben MacRae talks about coordinating the Jazz Vespers services at St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church in downtown Vancouver, his background in New Orleans-style jazz from the Fraser Valley to the city, and how he has found his voice en route to graduate studies at Vancouver School of Theology. Ben is a woodwind player best known for his work as a clarinetist under the Grand Slam Jazz Band moniker.Fri, Jun 21 @ 4:00pm FREE admission: join me for a book talk by author and recent podcast guest Chris Wong to kick off the 2024 Vancouver International Jazz Festival, that I'm hosting on-stage at Ocean Artworks on Granville Island!Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted and produced by Will Chernoff. Edited and mixed by Justin Gorrie. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Jeff Gammon talks about his move back to his home city of Calgary after a decade of performing in Vancouver and touring while based out of here. Jeff is a bassist who plays in groups like Last Ark Out, Kevin Romain's Salience Network, Only a Visitor, the Itamar Erez Quartet, the David Sikula Trio, and many more.Fri, Jun 21 @ 4:00pm FREE admission: join me for a book talk by author and recent podcast guest Chris Wong to kick off the 2024 Vancouver International Jazz Festival, that I'm hosting on-stage at Ocean Artworks on Granville Island!Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted and produced by Will Chernoff. Edited and mixed by Justin Gorrie. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Sarah Stevenson talks about her first year at McGill University's jazz program as a vocalist and her upbringing in Nanaimo, including studies at Wellington Secondary School's jazz program. I heard Sarah play in Nanaimo at the Vault Cafe and spoke with her at her family's home the next day. This episode is the first on-the-road session I've ever conducted!My second album Maybe Eventually is out now on CD; buy now at chernoffmusic.com and use the code RCP at checkout for 25% off!Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted and produced by Will Chernoff. Edited and mixed by Justin Gorrie. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Jon McCaslin talks about publishing about jazz drums at Four on the Floor for 15 years and counting, as well as his performing and recorded work as a professional drummer based in Calgary. Jon has an album called Sunalta on Cellar Music featuring his original compositions with Brad Turner, Phil Dwyer, Tilden Webb, and Jodi Proznick.My second album Maybe Eventually is out now on CD; buy now at chernoffmusic.com and use the code RCP at checkout for 25% off!Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: This episode was recorded online via videocall. Hosted, produced, edited, and mixed by Will Chernoff. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Justin Juan talks about the start of his career as a professional keyboardist, developing his craft as a beatmaker with his first release still to be determined, his passion for cooking, and the bands he's played in. Justin is finishing his studies at Capilano University's jazz program this year and has played or subbed with Star Captains, Potatohead People, Meredith Louise, Michelle Escudero, the Cowboy Bebop Band, and many more.My second album Maybe Eventually is out now on CD; buy now at chernoffmusic.com and use the code RCP at checkout for 25% off!Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted and produced by Will Chernoff. Edited and mixed by Justin Gorrie. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Kate Hammett-Vaughan talks about her decades of singing and teaching in the Vancouver jazz community. Kate moved from Nova Scotia to BC in 1979, was present at the founding of our jazz festival, and has recorded over a dozen albums as a leader. Her best-known groups have included a quintet and trio under her own name, a duo with Bill Coon, and Garbo's Hat with Paul Blaney and Graham Ord.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted, produced, edited, and mixed by Will Chernoff. Special thanks to Karin Plato for making this episode possible.

Wynston Minckler talks about playing upright and electric bass professionally on the Vancouver music scene for over a decade now. Wynston's name appears on the gig list more than almost anyone else as a side performer. His main project as a bandleader has been a trio with Mary Ancheta and Nick James, playing the music of the Yellow Magic Orchestra.Just announced: the second annual jazz night at the Bernie Legge Theatre in New Westminster, featuring Will Clements' Compass & William Chernoff, on June 1st. Get tickets here.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted, produced, edited, and mixed by Will Chernoff. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Rachel Therrien talks about the show she played in Vancouver at Frankie's Jazz Club on April 14, 2024 as well as the upcoming release of her album CAPI on April 26. Rachel is a New York-based trumpet player who has also lived in Montreal and studied in Cuba, now touring widely and maintaining bands in multiple territories. She is perhaps best known to Vancouver in recent years as an original member of the Ostara Project. CAPI will be Rachel's seventh album as a composer-bandleader: her previous ones are On Track, Home Inspiration, Pensamiento: Proyecto Colombia, Why Don't You Try, Vena, and Mi Hogar.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted, produced, edited, and mixed by Will Chernoff. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

David Caballero talks about playing bass with Arvind Ramdas, Atley King, Brad Turner, and many more of the Vancouver jazz scene's most active performers. David emerged quickly after arriving at Capilano University as one of our leading lights on bass, and his debut on record was Atley's album Unconditional released in 2023. His next performances this weekend are at Frankie's for the Daniel Hersog & Ben Henriques quintet on Apr. 11, 2024 and at Tyrant Studios in Arvind's quintet on Apr. 12.My second album Maybe Eventually is out now on CD; buy now at chernoffmusic.com and use the code RCP at checkout for 25% off!Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted and produced by Will Chernoff. Edited and mixed by Justin Gorrie. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Harmeet Kaur Virdee talks about her upbringing, education, and values as a bass player; her journey as an arts administrator in her early twenties, including work with the VSO School of Music and the Ostara Project; and her music, currently in a band with Ru Ha, Noah Franche-Nolan, & Karl DeJong. Harmeet started a series in May 2023 called Surrey Jazz Nights that features groups of high school students from around Surrey, monthly, at a Blenz Coffee in the Sullivan Heights neighborhood.My second album Maybe Eventually is out now on CD; buy now at chernoffmusic.com and use the code RCP at checkout for 25% off!Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted, produced, edited, and mixed by Will Chernoff. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Chris Wong talks about his new book Journeys to the Bandstand: Thirty Jazz Lives in Vancouver. Chris is an author, lifelong music fan, and veteran of music journalism. He wrote about our jazz community for outlets including the Vancouver Courier, the Georgia Straight, and many more, especially during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Learn about and buy the book here.I wrote the blurb on the back cover of Chris' book, and Chris wrote the liner notes to my second album Maybe Eventually.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted, produced, edited, and mixed by Will Chernoff. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Jessica Heaven talks about her multi-disciplinary life as a vocalist (or a singer – she feels a distinction!), dancer going back her entire life, theatre and film actor, and a member of the leadership team with the Women in Jazz Association of BC since that non-profit's inception. Through the association, she has been involved in the Sister Jazz Orchestra and with media around the scene as well. Her recent projects include Descartes for Sheila (2021) with Jake McIntyre-Paul, Closest Living Relative (2020) with Mike WT Allen and Spencer Schoening, and Primal Navigation as the group Ptriodactyl.Get tickets to the Fraser MacPherson book launch and concert, featuring the Cory Weeds Quartet, at Odd Fellows Hall on April 16th here!Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted, produced, edited, and mixed by Will Chernoff. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

I went live on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024 to post-game Jazz at the Bolt 2024 — hundreds of happy folks, due to the music by dozens of musicians, underwritten by months of hard work from Cory, Tim, and the team.I enjoyed every minute of the music at the Shadbolt and at Frankie’s, and your company. I feel lucky to have been involved and to have had a window into this unique event.My personal thanks to: Cory and Tim (all the love and respect I got for you both), all the volunteers I worked with, my friends for hanging with me, and Chris Wong for writing and printing a book for the ages. I also got to meet some Rhythm Changes subscribers whom I hadn’t met in person yet. You know who you are. Your support makes my world go round.We’re bringing this vibe all year!

Francis Naluz talks about his band PATH, co-led with Paco Ha. Francis is a bassist who plays upright and electric bass as well as guitar. He is an active side-person in his cohort, playing often with Gordy Li, the Couch Jams Collective, and many more. He graduated from Capilano University in 2022. Francis plays in the next Couch Jams event called I Wish U Roses, at the Annex Theatre, on February 15. PATH features Paco in a two-saxophone setup with Erika Chow, while Francis completes the rhythm section with his friends including keyboardist Suin Park and drummers Seth Kitamura and Jordy McIntosh. The band's material ranges from R&B covers to original contemporary jazz. Francis also has a solo project on SoundCloud called Archibald Caribou. Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted and produced by Will Chernoff. Edited and mixed by Justin Gorrie. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.My second album Maybe Eventually is out now on CD; buy now at chernoffmusic.com and use the code RCP at checkout for 25% off!

Need some company? Long travels still ahead of you this winter break? Or do you just want to hear me spill tea about Rhythm Changes? My spouse Vez Chernoff guest-hosts this impromptu chat, going through a bunch of fun (or deep) questions that I collected from tweets, articles, and podcasts around the end of this year. We're not promoting this one anywhere, so if you found it, you're in on the secret. Links to things mentioned: Surviving my Bernie Legge theatre gig How I got my first Vancouver jazz festival show David Blake opens up about the Tangent Cafe closing down Rhythm Changes year-end letter 2023 (or find it in your podcast feed before this episode) Why Maybe Eventually might be my last album Favourite podcast episode I listened to this year Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.