For the past several years Ralph Barrat has been making a name for himself singing jazz up and down the Island, Vancouver and abroad, crooning with many jazz bands from small to big, and most often seen performing and singing behind a piano.
You can hear his Ralph Barrat Group perform at the Royal Coachman’s Sunday Jazz at 2 p.m. this Sunday.
Barrat loves to play and sing following the styling’s of great piano vocalists Nat King Cole, Diana Krall, Harry Connick Jr., Mose Allison and others. As always, you’ll hear classic Sinatra favourites, lots of Duke, accompanied by his own sensitive, rhythmic keyboard (piano, organ, vibes).
The Ralph Barrat Group is all from the Comox Valley and Campbell River featuring Grant McLellan on guitar, Don MacKay on bass, and Neil Clark on drums. Together, they deliver a rich jazz experience and tunes you’ll find familiar and exciting.
McLellan studied music at Grant McEwan University. After moving to Campbell River in 1990, he developed a private music teaching business with his own unique approach. He has helped develop many world class young musicians over the years. McLellan has performed many styles of music with countless local groups as a guitar sideman. He now tries to focus mainly on the jazz realm with it’s endless challenges and surprises.
Bassist MacKay moved to the valley after 30 years of playing, directing, writing and teaching music in Victoria. During his tenure in that city he played with nearly everyone in the jazz scene. MacKay holds a Master’s degree in Jazz studies and has written his own composition and arranging method. He has also travelled extensively with his jazz bands to places as diverse as Cuba and Japan and many places in between. Since moving to the Comox Valley, MacKay has immersed himself in the music scene, playing and directing whenever and wherever he can. He is bassist and Musical Director of Campbell River’s The Strathcona Little Big Band and has been bassist for many of the various jazz ensembles in the Comox Valley including his latest project DMN&FRNZ. MacKay is an avid supporter of the local jazz scene and is a member of the board of The Georgia Straight Jazz Society. MacKay adds solidity and creativity to the Ralph Barrat Group and he is looking forward to Sunday’s performance.
Victoria born drummer Clark has spent many years collaborating with some of the best local and international musicians. Clark is an active member in the jazz community and member of the Georgia Straight Jazz Society. For much of the 1980s, Clark performed on cruise ships touring the world while backing many well known groups and entertainers.