Gareth Seys Quintet

Join us for an evening of rich, expressive modern jazz with trombonist Gareth Seys and his outstanding quintet. Hailing from the Salmon Arm area and a graduate of Capilano University, Gareth has brought together five of the province’s most attentive and creative improvisers for a performance that highlights both heartfelt interplay and adventurous composition.

The group includes:

• Chad Makela — one of the world’s most compelling baritone saxophonists, also doubling on tenor
• Ian Cox — a pianist of remarkable sensitivity flying in from Gabriola Island
• Richard Graham — a drummer known for responsive touch and vibrant dynamics
• Darko Cuk — a versatile bass voice heard across jazz, Latin, funk and symphonic stages

This concert features music drawn from two major voices in contemporary jazz composition — Marshall Gilkes and Dave Holland — as well as original pieces by Gareth and Chad. Gilkes’ work is celebrated for its striking blend of melodic invention and structural sophistication, showcasing trombone writing that has earned Grammy nominations and glowing critical praise. Holland is revered as one of the most influential bassists and composers in modern jazz, with a career spanning decades that helped expand the role of the bass as both rhythmic anchor and melodic voice.

Expect melodies that unfold with elegance, rhythmic shifts that surprise and delight, and deep musical conversations among players who truly listen to one another. This is live jazz that rewards both close attention and open ears.