NOVEMBER 4-10, 2007 - Yardbird Suite

14SHOWINFORMATION • PERFORMERBIOSsense of swing, Cory Weeds has beena mainstay on Vancouver’s jazz scenefor some 15 years. In addition to hiscollaboration with Hammond B3 organlegend Dr. Lonnie Smith, Weeds hasalso shared the stage with internationalsuperstars such as Lou Donaldson, DavidFathead Newman, Charles McPherson,Harold Mabern, Red Holloway and CharlesMcPherson, to name a few.A graduate of Boston’s prestigious BerkleeCollege of Music, Vancouver native ChrisGestrin is in high demand on the Canadianmusic scene. A versatile keyboardist,composer, producer and engineer, Chrishas worked with a wide range of artistsincluding Randy Bachman, Nickelback, JimByrnes, Michael Blake, Zubot and Dawson, Loudon Wainwright III, Kenny Wheeler,Dave Douglas, Mino Cinelu, Barre Philips,Ben Monder, and Francois Houle. Hehas been nominated for ‘musician of theyear’ in the Western Canadian MusicAwards and his recording, ‘Stillpoint’, onthe Songlines label was listed as one ofthe best albums of 2003 in Downbeatmagazine.Juno nominated guitarist/composer/arranger Bill Coon is one of Canada’smost highly respected and sought aftermusicians. He has been performingprofessionally for over twenty-five yearsand has worked with numerous jazz artistsincluding Jimmy Heath, Chuck Israels,Eddie Daniels, Dr. Lonnie Smith, CampbellRyga, Brad Turner, P.J. Perry, Karin Platoand Dee Daniels. His performing andwriting has been documented on over twodozen CD’s to date.Trio TaranaTarana, formed in 2003, is led bypercussionist/composer Ravish Momin.The trio primarily utilizes Indian andEast-Asian rhythms (including Japanese,Afghani, & Indonesian) as the foundationfor a new creative musical experience.They also employ compositions thatseamlessly blend written material withspontaneous group interaction. Theyreleased a critically acclaimed debutentitled “Climbing the Banyan Tree”in 2004, on the Portugal-based CleanFeed Record Label. Of their debut CD,AllAboutJazz.com said: “It is fair tosay that Tarana is without precedent inthe world of improvised music. A truesynthesis of North African, South and EastAsian motifs with classical organizationand the immediacy of free improvisationhas probably not existed prior to “Climbingthe Banyan Tree.”Sam Bardfeld (violin) currently tours andrecords as a featured member of BruceSpringsteen’s “Seeger Sessions Band.” Heis also a member of the Jazz Passengersand has worked with jazz and avant-gardelegends John Zorn, Anthony Braxton,Ray Anderson and James Spaulding;pop icons John Cale, Debbie Harry andNancy Sinatra and Latin stars JohnnyPacheco and Dave Valentin among others.He has released two CDs of his owncritically acclaimed music, “Taxidermy”(CIMP, 1999) and “Periodic Trespasses”(FreshSound/NewTalent, 2006).Born in India, Ravish Momin currentlyresides in New York City. He has studieddrumset with Andrew Cyrille and BobMoses. He has worked with a wide rangeof musicians, including vocalist MarieAfonso (ex-Zap Mama), percussionistSusie Ibarra, bassists Wilber Morris andWilliam Parker, violinists Jason Kao Hwangand Billy Bang, guitarists Brad Shepikand Ty Braxton, saxophonists KalaparushMaurice Mc Intyre (AACM), Peter Epsteinand Sabir Mateen, trumpeters RoyCampbell and Raphe Malik, pianist UrselSchlicht’s ExTempore Project, BalafonmasterBalla Kouyate, and experimentalhip-hoppers IsWhat?! (featuring MCNapolean).Brandon Terzic (oud) is a foundingmember of avant-world music group‘Howling Makams’. He has performedand/or recorded with world- renowned