"It's clearly been my experience as a listener, that The October Trio with Brad Turner is performing some of the freshest, vital contemporary jazz on the Canadian scene today” – Ken Pickering, Artistic Director of Coastal Jazz/TD Canada Trust Vancouver International Jazz Festival
Formed in the fall of 2004 while attending Vancouver’s Capilano College Jazz Studies program, the chemistry between the three musicians was hard to miss. Opportunity presented itself when the trio was offered a regular gig during March '05 at the East Vancouver new music hub once known as Rime. During that time the trio recorded their first album "live at Rime".
"This is a CD with a tangible sense of place. 3 and 1/2 stars" – Down Beat Magazine
After their inaugural summer '05 tour, the band decided to head into the studio in February of 2006 to record their first studio album “Day In” (released on Cellar Live). That summer, the trio embarked on their second Western Canadian tour, and were again invited to play the Vancouver International Jazz festival, this time winning the 2006 CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award for best new artist.
"Looks Like Its Going To Snow has no shortage of strengths, from intriguing compositions to extraordinarily inventive players, but at its core it really is all about the ensemble."– JazzTimes
Riding on the success of Day In, which was nominated for a 2007 Western Canadian Music award for Jazz Album of the year, the trio went on to perform at the 2007 editions of the Portland Jazz Festival, Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Calgary International Jazz Festival, and Edmonton Jazz Festival.
During the spring of 2007 the trio began developing a set of new music with internationally renowned Canadian jazz trumpet player Brad Turner in mind. Continuing to pursue the depths of emotional expression and improvisational freedom, The October Trio plus Brad Turner performed memorable and engaging sets at the 2007 Seattle Earshot Jazz Festival, and the 2008 and 2009 editions of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, including an opening set for Dave Holland's Monterey Quartet in June of 2009.
2008 saw the trio perform at the National Jazz Awards in Toronto, the Upstairs Jazz Club in Montreal, as well as attend the 2008 Banff International Workshop in Jazz and Creative Music, lead by Dave Douglas.
Early 2009 saw the release of Looks Like Its Going To Snow (Songlines), the groups third release, and first with Brad Turner on trumpet. This new record was warmly welcomed by fans and the jazz press alike bringing the band to the attention of an international audience.
Hey guys! Thanks for the add. :) It was great to hear you play in Banffland. Come to Toronto and play soon! Also, where and how can I find this amazing CD I've been hearing about? Hugs to all of you,
A comment . . . a comment . . . OH! I've got a bunch of random ones from people that heard you play at the Edmonton International Jazz Festival:
"That Dan guy, the drummer? He has the biggests ears. That duo stuff he was doing with that sax player, and the way he was using the colour of the kit . . . that was wild!" - Jamie Cooper (drums)
"I can't believe that bass player wrote this tune. His name was Josh, right? I really like the strength of his lines. Nice touch too." - John Quinn (production)
"How old are these guys? Like, 12? Man, what I was doing at their age . . . this is really impressive, and I mean really impressive. It's so great to have young jazzers around that can actually successfully manipulate a tune, and make it their own. Just great." - Barth Bradley (EJFS President)
"Did you hear the tone on that sax player? Smooth, and deep, and nicely developed long lines. There is a real maturity in his playing that most young horns don't have." - Dave Babcock (saxophone)
Oh, and my favourite dialogue:
Audrey (trrombone): Wholly crap, I am so out of my league right now! Misha: What are you talking about? Audrey: These guys, their like . . . I dunno, so awesome! DId they start playing when they were like 7 or what? Misha: Actually, I think some fo them did. And Audrey, you're one of the best trombones in western Canada right now. Audrey: I so am not! And anyways, that's cheating. Starting so young. Misha: Totally.
I hope you guys had a great trip back, and thanks so much for keeping the jam together. The NJO adored you, and were saying to me in the morning that you should try to get a European tour! Keep up the great music!
I should have got you guys to sign a cd for me . . .
