The Bob Liley Jazz Quintet - BLJQ: July 2013

Thursday, July 18, 2013

BLJQ at Mission's Heritage Park July 17th

The Bob Liley Jazz Quintet performed once again at Mission's Fraser River Heritage Park on Wednesday, July 17th from 7:00 to 8:00 pm to an enthusiastic crowd estimated at more than 600 people. The bebop was excellent, the band was engaging, and the reception was warm, as was the weather. This is a truly beautiful setting and we love performing here. It's Jazz, for the fun of it!

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Sanctuary AllStars at Trout Lake July 10

Bob Liley's Sanctuary AllStars performed once again at the Trout Lake Community Centre in Vancouver on Wednesday, July 10th. This is a beautiful new facility and we performed outdoors from 6:30 - 8:00 pm to over 200 people who were enjoying the evening despite the cool, brisk breeze that came up. And the swing dancers emerged once again to strut their stuff. A generally great time was had by all!

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Sanctuary AllStars at Showboat on Canada Day

Once again, Bob Liley's Sanctuary AllStars big swing band is delighted to have been invited to perform at Vancouver's Kitsilano Showboat in celebration of Canada Day, Monday July 1st. We were supported by an enthusiastic crowd of a few hundred that ebbed and flowed during the performance. After the break, our regular group of swing dancers emerged to liven things up. This is Vancouver`s favourite outdoor performance venue and the weather and the setting were awesome! Thanks to all those who came out to celebrate with us.

BLJQ Origins

Following a successful and rewarding association in the Sanctuary AllStars big band, the Bob Liley Jazz Quintet was formed in the spring of 2008 with the principal purpose of playing some of the many regional jazz festivals that take place across BC every year. Since its formation, the Quintet has been featured at various events around the Lower Mainland, including several appearances at Jazz Vespers at St. Andrews-Wesley church, as well as a segment on CBC's 'Hot Air' jazz program. We have also performed before over 600 people at Mission's Fraser Valley Heritage Park. In addition, we were featured for several years at Davie Day, an outdoor street festival in Vancouver's lively West End, played the Olympic Torch relay in 2010, and were featured several times at The Cellar, then Vancouver's premier jazz club. That was followed by several performances at the Blue Martini nightclub, including opening the Vancouver International Jazz Festival there one year. A six-month stint at the Cottage Bistro didn't hurt, either. We have also performed at a number of corporate events and private parties which are not included in our event listings.

The group plays contemporary jazz, with influences such as Max Roach/Clifford Brown, Freddie Hubbard, the Cannonball Adderley quintet, and Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. We utilize strong harmonies and interaction among the horns, with solid and driving rhythms from the rhythm section.

BLJQ features Aaron Hardie on alto sax, Norm Quinn on trumpet and flugelhorn, Shannon Thue on piano, Mark Bender on bass, and Bob Liley on drums. The music the group plays reflects classic bebop music as performed by some of the leading musicians of the time. It is listenable, stimulating and groovy music that showcases the individual talents of the members of the Quintet while building on the inherent synergies across the group. Our obvious camaraderie, energy and enthusiasm are infectious, and help us to engage our audiences in the overall performance experience.

The Bob Liley Jazz Quintet - BLJQ