Rhythm Changes

Jessica Hawkes talks about the Nashville songwriting scene and her perspective on that world coming from a jazz background. Jess is a vocalist, songwriter, producer, and engineer who goes way back with me to formative years at CapU. Originally from Lake Country, BC, she has split her time between Vancouver, New York City, and Nashville.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Hosted by Chris Fraser. Edited and mixed by Will Chernoff. A Chernoff Music podcast. Theme music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Dean Thiessen talks about his Stranger Friends Orchestra (I'm a band member) and their upcoming performance at the Fox Cabaret on May 31 presented by Infidels Jazz. The large ensemble will celebrate the release of a live EP that weekend on the Infidels Jazz label. Dean is a pianist and composer from Alberta who has been active in Vancouver as a working musician and composer-bandleader for over a decade. His small group, also called Stranger Friends, will perform at the jazzfest and release a new album this year as well.Will Chernoff has a new podcast called Upsample with our friend Carson Tworow. Find it wherever you're listening to this podcast or see the links here.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Hosted by Chris Fraser. Edited and mixed by Will Chernoff. A Chernoff Music podcast. Theme music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Biboye Onanuga talks about his latest of what is now several trips to Vancouver from Edmonton, and the different flavours inspiring him as he goes about his creative life today, from the literally food-based to the musical. He played two Infidels Jazz shows this weekend: one at the VIFF Centre playing the music of Thelonious Monk, and the other at Frankie's After Dark with his quartet, billed as "Low and Slow". He'll return to play around jazzfest time this year (with me in the group). This is Biboye's second appearance on the show, the previous one being episode 95 hosted by Will Chernoff.

Shruti Ramani talks about her Juno nomination at the 54th awards taking place in Vancouver this weekend, for her band Raagaverse's album Jaya in the Jazz Album of the Year - Group category. Raagaverse consists of Shruti as the vocalist-bandleader and the composer of most tracks on Jaya, Noah Franche-Nolan as the pianist and co-arranger, Jodi Proznick on bass, and Nicholas Bracewell on drums. Jaya, the band's first album, also features a horn section and strings. Raagaverse released it on the new Rhea Records label. This is Shruti's second appearance on the podcast, the previous one being episode 72 hosted by Will Chernoff.Raagaverse performs at the ACT in Maple Ridge this Friday, March 28.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Hosted by Chris Fraser. Edited and mixed by Will Chernoff. A Chernoff Music podcast. Theme music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Ben Frost talks about the nature of composition, some anonymized tales of difficulty on the bandstand, and being a side musician versus a leader. This is Ben's second appearance on the show, the previous one having been hosted back in December 2022 by Will Chernoff.Ben and I will play together as a duo at Is That French? next Thursday, March 27; at the UNIT/PITT Society with Miles Wong on drums on March 28; and in Karl Silveira's band at Tyrant Studios on April 18.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Hosted by Chris Fraser. Edited and mixed by Will Chernoff. A Chernoff Music podcast. Theme music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

The entire Montreal-based band Bellbird sits down for our only 5-person episode ever! Reedists Claire Devlin and Allison Burik join Eli Davidovici and Mili Hong, who were influential on the Vancouver scene while they were based here and previously appeared on Will Chernoff's edition of the podcast as a duo. The members variously played four Infidels Jazz shows last week, including Jazz at the Bolt, the New Thing series, Frankie's After Dark (in my own band), and Knockouts at All-City Athletics. They continue with Hermann's Jazz Club in Victoria tomorrow night. Mili also plays in Gordy Li's Smurf 4 at the Painted Ship for Infidels Jazz tonight.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Hosted by Chris Fraser. Edited and mixed by Will Chernoff. A Chernoff Music podcast. Theme music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Jacob Wutzke talks about his new album You Better Bet, which showcases his compositions alongside several Tony Williams tunes, and his first tour as a bandleader surrounding the album. After two performances here in Vancouver, Jacob continues on to Portland, Oregon and then to Edmonton and his native Calgary (tour date info here on his website). He studied drums at Humber in Toronto for his undergraduate education, went to McGill for grad studies, and is on the cusp of moving to New York City. He has worked with Caity Gyorgy, Lucas Dubovik, and Jocelyn Gould to name a few.Jacob is performing at Jazz at the Bolt 2025 and You Better Bet is available now on Cellar Music (disclosure: Jazz at the Bolt and Cellar are clients of Will's Chernoff Music services company).Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Hosted by Chris Fraser. Edited and mixed by Will Chernoff. A Chernoff Music podcast. Theme music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Kevin Romain talks about his longtime creative residence in our local scene including a solo drum record called Autopoietic 1 forthcoming on the Infidels Jazz label, his band Salience Network, and much more. Raised in Windsor, Ontario, Kevin brings DIY values and "unapologetic" advocacy – as well as coffee roasting and brewing skills at his own initiatives over the years, like the Coffee Bus and General Strike Coffee – to his work as an improvising performer. Some other ensembles he has played with lately are Only a Visitor, Itamar Erez's band, the Tony Wilson / John Korsrud band, and the Madeleine Elkins Trio. The release show for Kevin's solo album is at Hypha Arts on March 21.Kevin has a new co-curated series with Cole Schmidt and the Barking Sphinx society called Lost Dog Sundays at The Hargrove.Kevin Romain's Salience Network, which I profiled here at the year-end of 2023, will perform at Jazz at the Bolt 2025 (disclosure: Jazz at the Bolt is a client of Will's Chernoff Music services company).Kevin also wrote for Rhythm Changes in January about Peggy Lee and Cole Schmidt's latest album.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Hosted by Chris Fraser. Edited and mixed by Will Chernoff. A Chernoff Music podcast. Theme music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Jodi Proznick talks about becoming the Director of Jazz Studies at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra School of Music and her work there spanning more than a decade, her values as an educator, and her musical history where she has been one of Canada's most prominent jazz bassists since the 2000s. Jodi's current ensembles include the Ostara Project, Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson and sGaanaGwa, O Come All Ye Soulful, Raagaverse, and Noah Franche-Nolan's trio.The Ostara Project will release their second album Roots on April 11, with the first single coming soon on February 7.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Hosted by Chris Fraser. Edited and mixed by Will Chernoff. A Chernoff Music podcast. Theme music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Jason Winikoff talks about playing drums and percussion in the Vancouver scene since his arrival in 2018 from the US, though he is now on the cusp of returning to the states. Jason came here to study at UBC after moving from New Jersey to New Orleans to Boston. He is known for leading his Hot Five, Crescent, and Postcards from Zambia ensembles, for playing widely in trad-jazz and dance music, and for his role in the Rocky Horror Music Show presented by Infidels Jazz.Jason's farewell show (for now!) is at Tyrant Studios on Friday, January 17.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Hosted by Chris Fraser. Edited and mixed by Will Chernoff. A Chernoff Music podcast. Theme music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Chelsea McBride & Thomas Houlden talk about their experiences in grad school, the multitudes of musical identity, and developing a unique compositional style. We also discuss our favourite underrated Christmas songs. Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Hosted by Chris Fraser. Edited and mixed by Will Chernoff. A Chernoff Music podcast. Theme music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

David Sikula talks about guitars, illegal busking in Rome, and outdated recording formats. Dave is one of Vancouver's premier jazz guitarists and one of the most in-demand audio engineers in the city.Dave has played with artists like Brian Charette, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Cory Weeds, The Inhabitants, and the Nightcrawlers. He is well-known for recording out of Demitone Studios, where he sat down for this conversation, and at Monarch Studios among other local places.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Hosted by Chris Fraser. Edited and mixed by Will Chernoff. A Chernoff Music podcast. Theme music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

John Gross talks about his origins in music, including the first time he heard Charlie Parker, and his long career playing with Shelly Manne, Oliver Nelson, Clare Fischer: just the tip of the iceberg. John is a saxophonist originally from Los Angeles who lived in Portland, Oregon from 1990 to 2016, after which he moved to Vancouver. He shares his thoughts on the artistic process, the duty you have in being a member of a musical community, and how he thinks he'll “never get it right”. Special thanks to Sapalo Shafooli for taking and contributing the photo for this episode (June 24, 2022 - Jimi James Fraser trio ft. John Gross at Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Frankie's After Dark).Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted by Chris Fraser. Edited and mixed by Justin Gorrie. Produced by Will Chernoff. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Will Chernoff talks to Chris Fraser as a guest on the show he started over three years ago. Will's next music release, Queen's Park, is a digital EP featuring Thad Bailey-Mai, Nebyu Yohannes, Madeleine Elkins, and Miles Wong (release date: Nov. 8, 2024).Will returns as the emcee of IronFest at Ironworks, presented by Coastal Jazz, on November 1st and 2nd; learn more about the shows happening there at coastaljazz.ca.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted by Chris Fraser. Edited and mixed by Justin Gorrie. Produced by Will Chernoff. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

David Lavoie & Carson Tworow talk about their jazz- and beat-influenced music as well as the effect of internet forces on artists' lives. David and Carson released their second album with Inner Ocean Records, Teardown, on Sep. 27, 2024. This is their second appearance on the show, the previous one being episode 14; they are the first returning guests. David plays guitar, bass, and trumpet among other instruments while Carson, a drummer by trade from when they met at Capilano University, leads the electronic elements.Teardown is out on Calgary's Inner Ocean Records.Carson's latest piece for Rhythm Changes is "'Big Things Coming': recovery from the pressure to create".Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted by Chris Fraser. Edited and mixed by Justin Gorrie. Produced by Will Chernoff. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

John Korsrud talks about composition, his formative years learning from Hugh Fraser, and his seven times going to Burning Man. John is a composer and trumpeter in Vancouver who is known for his Juno-nominated big band, the Hard Rubber Orchestra, and for its parallel band Orquestra Goma Dura as well as his newer large ensemble called Absolute Unit. As a trumpeter, John also plays frequently with Cat Toren, Jillian Lebeck, Jon Bentley, and many more of our finest musicians. He discusses his love of Vancouver, spending time in Amsterdam, and that time he got stranded on the highway between two rock slides. John Korsrud's Absolute Unit plays a free concert at SFU Woodward's on October 20.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted by Chris Fraser. Edited and mixed by Justin Gorrie. Produced by Will Chernoff. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Madeleine Elkins talks about teaching, touring, and physical vs. digital media. Madeleine is a guitarist, singer, and banjoist who is known for her work with Madelyn Read, Porteau, and Maddisun among other various projects across the folk, indie, and jazz scenes in Vancouver. She also talks about growing up in New Westminster, her introduction to the guitar, her parents' differing tastes in music, and much more. Madeleine will lead her trio at Tyrant Studios on Thu, Sep. 12.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted by Chris Fraser. Edited and mixed by Justin Gorrie. Produced by Will Chernoff. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

I'm so proud to tell you that Chris Fraser is taking over as the host of this show, starting with the next episode.

Sapalo Shafooli talks about his deep engagement with Vancouver's local music scene through photography, video, and attendance at countless live shows – including the multi-stop, transit-powered nights he has referred to as jazz flights. Born in Zambia and raised primarily in Terrace, BC, Sapalo has been active in the jazz community since 2008 at the earliest. You can see his photography style on his Instagram feed.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted, produced, edited, and mixed by Will Chernoff. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Feven Kidane talks about performing at and around the 2024 jazzfest with her own group as well as other ensembles. Feven is a multi-instrumentalist known for her projects with Gordy Li, Andromeda Monk, and many more of the rising generation locally. We also discuss family, upbringing, going to CapU's jazz program, and many more topics. At around the 1:00:00 mark, Feven and I begin to turn the tables as she invites me to open up about leaving the scene for several years, starting Rhythm Changes, and having cultural information passed down to me.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted and produced by Will Chernoff. Edited and mixed by Justin Gorrie. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

John Nicholson talks about the many gigs he played around jazzfest time, including with Kevin Romain's Salience Network, Biboye Onanuga, Queer as Funk, and more. John is a saxophonist who spent time in the Toronto scene during his educational journey, going there for graduate studies after completing CapU's jazz program. He moved back to Vancouver after covid started and has been active here again ever since.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted and produced by Will Chernoff. Edited and mixed by Justin Gorrie. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Jenny Xu, Ben Feldman, & Kofi Shepsu talk about playing together in their New York-based trio called Friendship since 2018, NYC jazz stories, their two albums to-date (Project Sock Retrieval and Ghost Stories), and the recording session and gigs that they just came to Vancouver for. Jenny is a pianist originally from Surrey. She and Friendship's bassist Ben, who is from Seattle, are a married couple. Kofi, a native of Richmond, Virginia, completes the trio on drums.Jenny was the very first jazz musician I ever interviewed at Rhythm Changes, in September 2020 as Friendship released their first album.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted and produced by Will Chernoff. Edited and mixed by Justin Gorrie. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Mili Hong & Eli Davidovici talk about touring as part of their band Bellbird with Claire Devlin and Allison Burik, the other Vancouver engagements in their 2024 jazzfest experience, and their move to Montreal. Mili and Eli are a drums-bass team who are arguably the eminent Vancouver jazz rhythm section of my generation going back to the mid-2010s.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted and produced by Will Chernoff. Edited and mixed by Justin Gorrie. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Biboye Onanuga talks about his performances at the 2024 Vancouver International Jazz Festival with Feven Kidane, Odario, and his own quartet. Biboye is a drummer and composer based in Edmonton who co-organizes a weekly series called New Standards at The Common in his home city.Biboye's longstanding band, Good Information, blends hip-hop and jazz influences. Before the jazzfest, he was best known in Vancouver for playing for Infidels Jazz at the Max Roach show as well as Frankie's After Dark in February of this year.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted and produced by Will Chernoff. Edited and mixed by Justin Gorrie. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Réjean Marois talks about directing his vocal jazz ensemble called the Marois Vocal Project, his touring years based out of Québec as a trombone player and arranger, falling in love with Vancouver, and more. Best known as the director of the Capilano University jazz program's NiteCap ensemble, Réjean was one of the program's most renowned faculty across three decades. He retired in 2018 and lives on the Sunshine Coast.The Marois Vocal Project performs at the BlueShore Centre for the Performing Arts as part of North Shore Jazz and the Vancouver International Jazz Festival on June 28, 2024.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted and produced by Will Chernoff. Edited and mixed by Justin Gorrie. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Ben MacRae talks about coordinating the Jazz Vespers services at St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church in downtown Vancouver, his background in New Orleans-style jazz from the Fraser Valley to the city, and how he has found his voice en route to graduate studies at Vancouver School of Theology. Ben is a woodwind player best known for his work as a clarinetist under the Grand Slam Jazz Band moniker.Fri, Jun 21 @ 4:00pm FREE admission: join me for a book talk by author and recent podcast guest Chris Wong to kick off the 2024 Vancouver International Jazz Festival, that I'm hosting on-stage at Ocean Artworks on Granville Island!Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.My second album Maybe Eventually is out now on CD; buy now at chernoffmusic.com and use the code RCP at checkout for 25% off!

Jeff Gammon talks about his move back to his home city of Calgary after a decade of performing in Vancouver and touring while based out of here. Jeff is a bassist who plays in groups like Last Ark Out, Kevin Romain's Salience Network, Only a Visitor, the Itamar Erez Quartet, the David Sikula Trio, and many more.Fri, Jun 21 @ 4:00pm FREE admission: join me for a book talk by author and recent podcast guest Chris Wong to kick off the 2024 Vancouver International Jazz Festival, that I'm hosting on-stage at Ocean Artworks on Granville Island!Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted and produced by Will Chernoff. Edited and mixed by Justin Gorrie. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Sarah Stevenson talks about her first year at McGill University's jazz program as a vocalist and her upbringing in Nanaimo, including studies at Wellington Secondary School's jazz program. I heard Sarah play in Nanaimo at the Vault Cafe and spoke with her at her family's home the next day. This episode is the first on-the-road session I've ever conducted!My second album Maybe Eventually is out now on CD; buy now at chernoffmusic.com and use the code RCP at checkout for 25% off!Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted and produced by Will Chernoff. Edited and mixed by Justin Gorrie. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Jon McCaslin talks about publishing about jazz drums at Four on the Floor for 15 years and counting, as well as his performing and recorded work as a professional drummer based in Calgary. Jon has an album called Sunalta on Cellar Music featuring his original compositions with Brad Turner, Phil Dwyer, Tilden Webb, and Jodi Proznick.My second album Maybe Eventually is out now on CD; buy now at chernoffmusic.com and use the code RCP at checkout for 25% off!Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: This episode was recorded online via videocall. Hosted, produced, edited, and mixed by Will Chernoff. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Justin Juan talks about the start of his career as a professional keyboardist, developing his craft as a beatmaker with his first release still to be determined, his passion for cooking, and the bands he's played in. Justin is finishing his studies at Capilano University's jazz program this year and has played or subbed with Star Captains, Potatohead People, Meredith Louise, Michelle Escudero, the Cowboy Bebop Band, and many more.My second album Maybe Eventually is out now on CD; buy now at chernoffmusic.com and use the code RCP at checkout for 25% off!Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted and produced by Will Chernoff. Edited and mixed by Justin Gorrie. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Kate Hammett-Vaughan talks about her decades of singing and teaching in the Vancouver jazz community. Kate moved from Nova Scotia to BC in 1979, was present at the founding of our jazz festival, and has recorded over a dozen albums as a leader. Her best-known groups have included a quintet and trio under her own name, a duo with Bill Coon, and Garbo's Hat with Paul Blaney and Graham Ord.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted, produced, edited, and mixed by Will Chernoff. Special thanks to Karin Plato for making this episode possible.

Wynston Minckler talks about playing upright and electric bass professionally on the Vancouver music scene for over a decade now. Wynston's name appears on the gig list more than almost anyone else as a side performer. His main project as a bandleader has been a trio with Mary Ancheta and Nick James, playing the music of the Yellow Magic Orchestra.Just announced: the second annual jazz night at the Bernie Legge Theatre in New Westminster, featuring Will Clements' Compass & William Chernoff, on June 1st. Get tickets here.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted, produced, edited, and mixed by Will Chernoff. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Rachel Therrien talks about the show she played in Vancouver at Frankie's Jazz Club on April 14, 2024 as well as the upcoming release of her album CAPI on April 26. Rachel is a New York-based trumpet player who has also lived in Montreal and studied in Cuba, now touring widely and maintaining bands in multiple territories. She is perhaps best known to Vancouver in recent years as an original member of the Ostara Project. CAPI will be Rachel's seventh album as a composer-bandleader: her previous ones are On Track, Home Inspiration, Pensamiento: Proyecto Colombia, Why Don't You Try, Vena, and Mi Hogar.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted, produced, edited, and mixed by Will Chernoff. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

David Caballero talks about playing bass with Arvind Ramdas, Atley King, Brad Turner, and many more of the Vancouver jazz scene's most active performers. David emerged quickly after arriving at Capilano University as one of our leading lights on bass, and his debut on record was Atley's album Unconditional released in 2023. His next performances this weekend are at Frankie's for the Daniel Hersog & Ben Henriques quintet on Apr. 11, 2024 and at Tyrant Studios in Arvind's quintet on Apr. 12.My second album Maybe Eventually is out now on CD; buy now at chernoffmusic.com and use the code RCP at checkout for 25% off!Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted and produced by Will Chernoff. Edited and mixed by Justin Gorrie. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Harmeet Kaur Virdee talks about her upbringing, education, and values as a bass player; her journey as an arts administrator in her early twenties, including work with the VSO School of Music and the Ostara Project; and her music, currently in a band with Ru Ha, Noah Franche-Nolan, & Karl DeJong. Harmeet started a series in May 2023 called Surrey Jazz Nights that features groups of high school students from around Surrey, monthly, at a Blenz Coffee in the Sullivan Heights neighborhood.My second album Maybe Eventually is out now on CD; buy now at chernoffmusic.com and use the code RCP at checkout for 25% off!Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted, produced, edited, and mixed by Will Chernoff. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Chris Wong talks about his new book Journeys to the Bandstand: Thirty Jazz Lives in Vancouver. Chris is an author, lifelong music fan, and veteran of music journalism. He wrote about our jazz community for outlets including the Vancouver Courier, the Georgia Straight, and many more, especially during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Learn about and buy the book here.I wrote the blurb on the back cover of Chris' book, and Chris wrote the liner notes to my second album Maybe Eventually.Speaking of which: I've made CDs of Maybe Eventually, and right now the only way you can get one is by becoming a subscriber at Rhythm Changes. Subscribe now and I'll mail you a complimentary copy with a handwritten note. But if you haven't bought Chris' book yet, get that first!Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted, produced, edited, and mixed by Will Chernoff. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

Jessica Heaven talks about her multi-disciplinary life as a vocalist (or a singer – she feels a distinction!), dancer going back her entire life, theatre and film actor, and a member of the leadership team with the Women in Jazz Association of BC since that non-profit's inception. Through the association, she has been involved in the Sister Jazz Orchestra and with media around the scene as well. Her recent projects include Descartes for Sheila (2021) with Jake McIntyre-Paul, Closest Living Relative (2020) with Mike WT Allen and Spencer Schoening, and Primal Navigation as the group Ptriodactyl.Get tickets to the Fraser MacPherson book launch and concert, featuring the Cory Weeds Quartet, at Odd Fellows Hall on April 16th here!Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted, produced, edited, and mixed by Will Chernoff. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.

I went live on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024 to post-game Jazz at the Bolt 2024 — hundreds of happy folks, due to the music by dozens of musicians, underwritten by months of hard work from Cory, Tim, and the team.I enjoyed every minute of the music at the Shadbolt and at Frankie's, and your company. I feel lucky to have been involved and to have had a window into this unique event.My personal thanks to: Cory and Tim (all the love and respect I got for you both), all the volunteers I worked with, my friends for hanging with me, and Chris Wong for writing and printing a book for the ages. I also got to meet some Rhythm Changes subscribers whom I hadn't met in person yet. You know who you are. Your support makes my world go round.We're bringing this vibe all year!

Francis Naluz talks about his band PATH, co-led with Paco Ha. Francis is a bassist who plays upright and electric bass as well as guitar. He is an active side-person in his cohort, playing often with Gordy Li, the Couch Jams Collective, and many more. He graduated from Capilano University in 2022. Francis plays in the next Couch Jams event called I Wish U Roses, at the Annex Theatre, on February 15. PATH features Paco in a two-saxophone setup with Erika Chow, while Francis completes the rhythm section with his friends including keyboardist Suin Park and drummers Seth Kitamura and Jordy McIntosh. The band's material ranges from R&B covers to original contemporary jazz. Francis also has a solo project on SoundCloud called Archibald Caribou. Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.Credits: Hosted and produced by Will Chernoff. Edited and mixed by Justin Gorrie. Music: "Lutin" by William Chernoff.Go to the Chernoff Music label website to buy a CD!

Need some company? Long travels still ahead of you this winter break? Or do you just want to hear me spill tea about Rhythm Changes? My spouse Vez Chernoff guest-hosts this impromptu chat, going through a bunch of fun (or deep) questions that I collected from tweets, articles, and podcasts around the end of this year. We're not promoting this one anywhere, so if you found it, you're in on the secret. Links to things mentioned: Surviving my Bernie Legge theatre gig How I got my first Vancouver jazz festival show David Blake opens up about the Tangent Cafe closing down Rhythm Changes year-end letter 2023 (or find it in your podcast feed before this episode) Why Maybe Eventually might be my last album Favourite podcast episode I listened to this year Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.

Want to know how many people are in my audience? What about the number of paying subscribers I have?This is a shortened version of a video I made for paying subscribers at Rhythm Changes on December 6, 2023. To see the numbers and inside information we shared, become a subscriber and add your support to Rhythm Changes.I also talk about an insight from growing the website that might help you with your own audience-building, as well as three new features I have planned for 2024.The video and full version for subscribers, including a transcript, is hosted here.

Daniel Deorksen is a guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor, and venue booker who leads the Seven Tyrants Theatre Society. The society presents music and comedy as Tyrant Studios above the historic Penthouse Night Club on Seymour Street in downtown Vancouver.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus artists, events, or recordings for you to enjoy and share. Sent every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time.

On the Rhythm Changes Podcast, Róisín Adams talks about playing at Ironworks and at 8EAST as one-third of the group Beatings are in the Body, with Erika Angell on vocals and Peggy Lee on cello. Róisín is a composer, pianist, and improviser who also leads her own trio with James Meger on bass and Dan Gaucher on drums.Beatings are in the Body played shows on Vancouver Island around the time of this episode at the Vault in Nanaimo, at The Orange Light in Victoria, and the Woodstove Festival in Cumberland. Their performance at Ironworks took place as part of IronFest IV, presented by Coastal Jazz in association with Heart of the City Festival.Check out my review of Beatings are in the Body for Rhythm Changes.Note: Coastal Jazz invited me to host IronFest IV from the stage and thereby let me in for free; they did not have any part or influence in the making of this podcast episode. Also, I finished writing the album review before I received that invitation.

Steph Wall talks about her fourth and latest album My Angels, released on September 15, 2023. Steph is a singer-songwriter who has learned her craft by ear with influence from the New Orleans tradition, being affiliated with a sub-community of Vancouver jazz expats there since the days of the Rossi Gang in the early 2010s. My Angels has a diversity of genres across its tracklist and features Stephen Nikleva on guitar, Joe Abbott on saxophone, Wynston Minckler on bass, and Nick James on drums – as well as more contributions from Allie O'Neill, Jeremy Parkin, Noah Franche-Nolan, and Noah Walker.Steph played release shows in Nanaimo at the Vault, in Victoria at the Layaway, and here in Vancouver at the Anza Club in support of the new album. She also has My Angels T-shirts and cassettes available for sale.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca.

Bonnie Northgraves joins us fresh off of finishing the 2023 Vancouver Triathlon. Bonnie is a trumpet player, singer, and piano player known for leading her own groups in the trad, vintage jazz, and New Orleans styles. She has three projects available on her Bandcamp: Welcome to Trashland, Bonnie Northgraves and the Brown Sugar Bears, and Between Then and Now. She also books jazz for 2nd Floor Gastown, a venue on Water Street.--Happy 150th episode to James Olson at Pacific Sound Radio!Pacific Sound Radio has joined the Chernoff Music podcast family. It's the longest-running music interview podcast in Vancouver; add Pacific Sound Radio to your listening app or visit pacificsoundradio.com to learn more about the show.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca.

Rev. Dr. Brian Fraser of Brentwood Presbyterian Church talks about the church's role in our jazz community, his life before and around Brentwood, and what is next at the space including major renovation plans. When I started the RCP over two years ago, I wrote down a personal wishlist of whom I most wanted to eventually speak with and Brian's name was the first one I scribbled. There are but a few people who have honed their perspective on our scene over the decades as he has, including under his non-profit consultancy called Jazzthink – where he identifies as lead provocateur. Please enjoy my chat with Brian Fraser.Brentwood's Jazz Evensong series takes place on Wednesday nights. Find it on the gig list at https://www.rhythmchanges.ca/gigs . Their YouTube channel hosts livestreams of each Jazz Evensong as well as Sunday morning worship streams.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca.

This podcast is on hiatus now. I'll quickly review the reason why with you, and thank you alongside everyone who made it possible since May 2021.Thank you to 12TH ST Sound for sponsoring this episode. Learn more about Anthony Cenerini's recording studio in New Westminster at 12thst.ca/rcp.Other people's Vancouver music podcasts! Non-exhaustive, there are more:Pacific Sound Radio with James OlsonVicarious (newly launched) with Alex Scott & Karen WhiteThe FM Podcast with Jen FritzHow High the Moon with Allison LeeAn Impossible Way of Life with James Younger & Johnny PayneTake Note with Muzewest Concerts

Robyn Jacob talks about her band Only a Visitor and their new album Decay, released on Mint Records. Only a Visitor features Robyn as vocalist, keyboardist, and sole songwriter alongside Emma Postl and Celina Kurz on vocals, Jeff Gammon on bass, and Kevin Romain on drums. Decay dropped on February 24, 2023 and the band's release show, featuring Jen Yakamovich's band Troll Dolly and the indie rock band Buddie, happened on March 3 at Red Gate.Thank you to 12TH ST Sound for sponsoring this episode. Learn more about Anthony Cenerini's recording studio in New Westminster at 12thst.ca/rcp.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca.

Teresa Marie talks about her recent gigs at Jazz at the Bolt and with the band Winner Winner, as well as upcoming projects that she has with her group of Capilano University jazz friends. Teresa is a vocalist who currently plays with Dean Thiessen on piano, Wynston Minckler on bass, and Seth Kitamura on drums.Thank you to Pearson Instruments for sponsoring this episode. Learn more about Brad Pearson, luthier & guitar tech in Vancouver, at pearsoninstruments.ca.Pacific Sound Radio has joined the Chernoff Music podcast family. It's the longest-running music interview podcast in Vancouver; add Pacific Sound Radio to your listening app or visit pacificsoundradio.com to learn more about the show.

Shruti Ramani is a vocalist and the leader of her band Raagaverse, featuring Noah Franche-Nolan on piano, Jodi Proznick on bass, and Nicholas Bracewell on drums.Thank you to 12TH ST Sound for sponsoring this episode. Learn more about Anthony Cenerini's recording studio in New Westminster at 12thst.ca/rcp.Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca.

Jocelyn Gould joins us in the middle of an extensive tour, which saw her perform around BC in late January 2023. Jocelyn released her second album, Golden Hour, in 2022 featuring Will Bonness on piano, Rodney Whitaker on bass, Quincy Davis on drums, and Jon Gordon on saxophone alongside her own guitar and vocals.Thank you to Pearson Instruments for sponsoring this episode. Learn more about Brad Pearson, luthier & guitar tech in Vancouver, at pearsoninstruments.ca.Get tickets to Jocelyn's next Vancouver performance, which will take place on Sunday, May 7 at the Shadbolt.Pacific Sound Radio has joined the Chernoff Music podcast family. It's the longest-running music interview podcast in Vancouver; add Pacific Sound Radio to your listening app or visit pacificsoundradio.com to learn more about the show.