A trio of acclaimed jazz musicians is heading to Colwood on what will be their bandB次元官网网址檚 first tour outside of Ontario and only the second time the group has played outside of Toronto.

Featuring pianist Chris Donnelly, Dan Fortin on bass and Ernesto Cervini on the drums, Myriad has stops in Calgary, Vancouver, Kamloops and Clearwater before playing HermannB次元官网网址檚 Jazz Club in downtown Victoria and, most importantly, at a Jazz Vesper at the Church of the Advent in Colwood.

B次元官网网址淎 band like ours, we need to play and we need to play in as many environments as possible to explore our relationship with the music and explore our relationship with the other musicians,B次元官网网址� Donnelly said.

Myriad formed in 2010 almost by accident. The three members, all in their 20s, knew each other as music students at the University of Toronto but had never played together. One night some subs were needed for another bandB次元官网网址檚 gig and the three found themselves on stage at the same time. Something clicked.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e not sure what it is, but we should go out of our way a little bit to play together again,B次元官网网址� Donnelly said about his post-gig attitude. B次元官网网址淲e just kept on getting more excited and the music started coming together even more.B次元官网网址�

Dynamics are a key to the bandB次元官网网址檚 attitude and, ultimately, itB次元官网网址檚 sound. There is no band leader.

All three are experienced musicians in their own rights and contribute equally to the group. There is no lone songwriter, no single spokesperson and no dominantly showcased soloist.

B次元官网网址�(ItB次元官网网址檚) much more of a collective experience, kind of like a three-way conversation,B次元官网网址� Donnelly said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e all equally contributing, itB次元官网网址檚 like sitting down and having an open hearted discussion ... with no alpha male present.B次元官网网址�

Even rehearsing, which Myriad does at least once per week, is kind of a novelty for a jazz ensemble. The genre is known for spontaneity, improvisation and immediacy. Myriad has all that, but they also put effort into building their identity and giving themselves a chance to experiment, play, hone and grow as a collective.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 an element of risk and uncertainty. But at the same time very structured and very tight,B次元官网网址� Donnelly said. B次元官网网址淚 like when you have those things put together, juxtaposed against each other, I think people respond to that.B次元官网网址�

Once the tour is behind them and the band is tight, they will record an album back in Toronto B次元官网网址� another first for the group.

The Jazz Vesper, a church service interspersed with jazz, in Colwood will be yet another unique experience for the band. There will be prayer and reflection, with music influencing the service and the service influencing the music.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a great way to interact with a community,B次元官网网址� Donnelly said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 very collaborative. WeB次元官网网址檝e played music for them and theyB次元官网网址檝e interacted with us and theyB次元官网网址檝e welcomed us into their community, weB次元官网网址檙e happy to be there. ItB次元官网网址檚 a very back and forth experience.B次元官网网址�

The Vesper starts at 7 p.m., 510 Mt. View Ave.  Admission is by freewill offering.

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