Local jazz fans will have an opportunity to hear a guitarist acclaimed as one of the country’s top young musicians and cited by Rolling Stone saxophonist Tim Ries as “one of the most gifted guitarists of his generation” tomorrow night (Saturday, June 18) at Organic Connections Cafe, 15622 Marine Dr.
Alex Goodman, joined by the members of his quintet, will play starting at 8 p.m. (doors open 7 p.m.).
The Toronto-born musician and composer has established a solid reputation as one of the major forces on the Canadian jazz scene, with three albums to his credit including the most recent, Bridges.
Goodman’s last album, Convergence, consistently placed him at the top of the national jazz charts and was named in an Earshot poll as one of the top 10 jazz records of 2010.
His quintet, which features Nick Morgan (saxophones), Darcy Myronuk (piano), Max Roach (drums) and Dan Fortin (bass) is noted for an approach that fuses modern jazz with classical concepts, including contrapuntal writing, baroque-style linear progressions, impressionism and and 20th century compositional ideas.
Goodman has more than 100 compositions plus two award-winning film scores (Goodbye Rosebud, Reality Check) to his credit.
The guitarist, who also doubles on piano, was already attracting attention while pursuing his bachelor of arts performance degree at the University of Toronto, receiving the William and Phyllis Waters Graduating Award for the student “deemed to have the greatest potential to make an important contribution in the field of music.”
Among his honours are a dozen national music awards, including the Domenic Troiano Guitar Scholarship, the Archie Alleyne Award and recognition from the CBC as a “rising star.”
As well as playing with many of Canada’s biggest jazz stars (including Jane Bunnett, Richard Underhill and Terry Clarke) he has also shared the stage with such international figures as John Patitucci, Maria Schneider, Tim Ries and Ron Westray of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.
Tickets ($15) are available from 778-294-8885 or 604-617-8453.