Various inspired moments of making music with friends and colleagues.
Winners of the 2010 Galaxie Rising Star Award, Pugs and Crows' dramatic, cinematic music draws inspiration from experimental forms of Eastern European folk, indie rock, and modern jazz. The musicians' eclectic backgrounds infuse their performances with stylistic variety and technical prowess. The group performs original compositions with departures into inventive free improvisations.
If Duke Ellington, Leonard Cohen, Bjork, and Shostakovich made music together, would it be very good? This Vancouver band and wide fan base says a resounding "yes!" Winners of the 2010 Galaxie Rising Star Award, the ensemble combines a huge variety of musical interests. Very Good has been labeled as theatrical avant-pop and ethnic chamber rock, but we just call it colourful, fun, very good music.
4=4 is a quartet featuring Tom Wherrett on guitar, Meredith Bates on violin, Gordon Mowat on upright bass, and Andrew Millar on drums. An ensemble of opposites, 4=4 marries elegance and grit, soft subtleties and forceful crashes, melodious harmony and crunchy dissonance. For over two years now, 4=4 has been captivating audiences with their unique blend of modern jazz and instrumental indie rock. Performing mostly originals, also expect to hear covers from the likes of The Pixies and Paul Motian.
Active from 1991 to present as Dixie's Death Pool leader, Lee Hutzulak has worked with an ever changing line-up to produce miniature studio epics, characterized by a startling variety of atmospheres, evocative vocals, melodies, and quirky pop hooks.
Vancouver guitar icon and composer extraordinaire, Ford Pier, unleashes his latest project, Strength of Materials, introducing his ear-astounding canon of rock-meet-art-songs. Backed by a quartet of Vancouver's finest string players (Violinists Elyse Jacobson & Meredith Bates, Violist, John Kastelic, and Cellist, Cris Derksen), the ensemble is ready to rock.
This international Sextet (with members from Canada, USA, Belgium, Ireland, Norway and Switzerland) met in Spring 2009 in the Rocky Mountains during the "Banff international Workshop for Jazz and Creative Music", led by world-renowned trumpet player and composer Dave Douglas. Sound Circus creates music which is the sum of all its parts. Each member of the ensemble infuses their personality and cultural background into the music and the result is compositions that are layered and rich in vivid imagery.
A wonderful Vancouver-based jazz trio, made up of Meredith Bates (violin), Noah Walker (guitar), and Russell Sholberg (Upright Bass), adept at playing events ranging from formal weddings and banquets to background music at wine bars and outdoor parties. Take Three have been performing familiar swing standards and pop cover arrangements together for over five years. This charming trio has even delved into arrangements of well-known classical compositions, apt for wedding ceremonies. Always a welcome element at any social gathering, their music creates a relaxed, yet perfectly sophisticated atmosphere. Take Three are committed to providing music suited to each unique event they perform at, therefore are happy to entertain special requests to make each event ideal. Rates are flexible and negotiated on an individual basis. For more information or to book the trio for an upcoming event, please contact Meredith Bates.
Meredith Bates (violin) & Michal Vanoucek (piano)
Meredith Bates (violin), Chad McCullough (trumpet), Andrew Oliver (piano)