Forbidden Jazz headlines the Royal Coachman Pub on Sunday afternoon of May 15. Featuring Jake Masri on trumpet, flugelhorn, & vocals, Michael Eddy on keyboard, Rick Husband on bass, & Tom Tinsley on vibes/drums, these seasoned musicians attract audiences of all ages by showcasing a wide variety of timeless jazz standards plus originals. Representing more than four decades of experience, their unique blend of voice, brass, & strings will weave their collective magic through three sets of entertaining music.
Keyboard master Michael Eddy is one of the hardest working & sought after pianists in the valley. Although relatively new to the area, he has been fortunate enough to collaborate with many of the finest local musicians over the past few years, including those in the Lensmen, Jazztet, DMN, & the CR Big Band. His music degree in classical piano performance has greatly enhanced his love for Jazz. During a long & distinguished career, he has performed with a multitude of groups from Dixie to Rock, and was Musical Director for Keyano College Theatre in Fort McMurray for ten years. Mike is also the recipient of the Alberta Band Director of the Year and of the Alberta Excellence in Teaching Award.
Guitarist Rick Husband, has performed extensively in big bands, traditional/mainstream jazz combos, & country rock groups throughout Vancouver Island. Some of Rick’s well-known collaborations include: Indigo Jazz, (featuring vocalist Dale Grahame, & bassist John Hyde), Jenn Forsland Group, Jazztet, 6th Street, Jazz Noir, DMN & FRNZ, Herb Alpert Tribute Band, Georgia Straight Jazz Band, & CR Little Big Band. He is a compelling musician, highly responsive to his fellow players. By integrating improvised lines with familiar motifs & genres, Rick is a master at communicating with his audience.
Joining the trio on vibes is special guest Tom Tinsley. Don’t remind him he has played percussion for almost half a century, because deep inside he still feels like a teenager. From humble beginnings, beating on pots & pans in his mother’s kitchen, he eventually studied with four of Vancouver’s most successful drummers (including Lew Hilder, Graham Boyle, Jim Valance, & John Rudolph). In addition to teaching drums at various points in his life, Tom has appeared in a variety of groups performing genres of music such as Jazz (with Al Matheson), Rock (with Jerry Doucette), Latin, Pop, Big Band (with CBC), Musical Theater (with Disney), Symphonic (with Vancouver Symphony Orchestra), Choral, and Modern Dance. Aside from drums, his passion remains the vibraphone (played with 4 mallets), both as a solo instrument & in small group settings. We are thrilled to share the stage with Tom & look forward to future collaborations.
No stranger to the local music scene, Jake Masri draws his inspiration from classical repertoire to musical theater to Afro-Cuban/New Orleans, Latin, and Bebop styles. His passion for jazz is directly linked to artists such as Herb Alpert, Miles Davis, Chet Baker, & Arturo Sandoval. As a performance major at VCC, UVIC, & UBC, Jake studied trumpet with Boyd Hood, Gerald Gerbrecht, & trombonist, Dave Robbins. His studies in jazz exposed him to pros such as Mike Herriot, Bill Clarke, & Hugh Fraser during the local CYMC summer program. Among his favorite vocal instructors are Ann Mortifee, Rhiannon, Ysaye Barnwell, & Wendy Nixon Stothert. Since moving to Comox in 2002, Jake has appeared with Quintessence Brass; 6th Street, Jazztown, & Jazz Noir combos; Sounds of 17, Georgia Straight, Arrowsmith, & CR Big Bands; Zandhunga & Luzna Latin Bands, Strathcona Symphony Orchestra, Herb Alpert Tribute Band; Ralph Barrat & the Sharp 7; and Just in Time Jazz Choir.