SheB次元官网网址檚 been at it for 35 years, but Toni BlodgettB次元官网网址檚 love of jazz continues to fuel her bandB次元官网网址檚 unique blend of what she calls B次元官网网址渕ore traditionalB次元官网网址� music.

What it really means is her group has access to a vast repertoire of jazz tunes and has developed the ability to move seamlessly between Boswell Sisters arrangements to New Orleans Jazz and on to gospel, ragtime and pretty much any swinging jazz melody you can imagine.

Blodgett was originally with the Dixieland Express Band for more than 10 years, but formed her own group, the CanUS Hot Jazz Band, in recognition of the fact sheB次元官网网址檇 gathered the best talent she could find from both sides of the border. The band has played to critical acclaim throughout North America and at the 2003 Sun Valley Jazz Festival, where Blodgett was named the B次元官网网址淔irst Lady of JazzB次元官网网址� in recognition of her talented representation of Boswell Sisters arrangements.

Blodgett, a resident of View Royal for more than 30 years, fell head over heels for what the West Shore has to offer. B次元官网网址淚 could never dream of moving,B次元官网网址� she said.

Drummer Don Leppard, a long-time Colwood resident, originally came to Victoria with the Canadian Forces, where he played with and conducted military orchestras.

These days the group performs twice a month at HermannB次元官网网址檚 Jazz Club (753 View St.).

Formed as a quartet in 1991, the CanUS Hot Jazz Band travelled throughout the U.S., Mexico and Canada and in 2002 played to rave reviews at the Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts Millennium Stage.

These days the band plays as a sextet, with Blodgett on piano and vocals, Joey Smith on bass and vocals, Mike Broadley on trumpet, Doug Rhodes on alto and soprano sax, Tom Ackerman on sax and clarinet and Leppard on drums.

They blend tight group numbers with stunning individual performances to create a show where their sound meshes into a night of unforgettable music.

Although the band decided to stop touring in 2006, Blodgett still considers the odd out of town gig. B次元官网网址淲e played in Kelowna a while back and had a lot of fun playing to a packed house. It was fun, but these days a big consideration is whether we get to go home to our own beds,B次元官网网址� she said with a laugh. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e travelled enough for a lifetime.B次元官网网址�

The group, however, is stoked about the opportunity to play at the Olympia Jazz Festival in Washington State in June. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 always great to see the fans who follow us and bands youB次元官网网址檝e played with before. ItB次元官网网址檚 like getting together with family.B次元官网网址�

The groupB次元官网网址檚 regular gigs at HermannB次元官网网址檚 are always a favourite and the family friendly venue is conducive to children joining their parents and grandparents to learn to appreciate the music.

Blodgett said seeing a child on the dance floor, grooving to the tunes with their parents, is about the most satisfying aspect of her performances.

B次元官网网址淚 want to share tunes like B次元官网网址楳ississippi RagB次元官网网址� and B次元官网网址楽it Right DownB次元官网网址� with a generation that maybe has never heard some of these great songs,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭hese are fabulous pieces and they can take your breath away given the chance.B次元官网网址�

The CanUs Hot jazz Band plays HermannB次元官网网址檚 this Sunday (Jan. 8) and Jan. 22, with tickets available at hermannsjazz.com.

B次元官网网址� with files from Rick Stiebel

editor@goldstreamgazette.com