Jazzworkz Concert Series: Trumpeter Brian O’Kane returns to Sudbury March 2

The third concert in the Jazzworkz Concert Series will showcase Toronto-based jazz trumpeter Brian O’Kane and the Borealis Quartet in “A Tribute to Bluenote” on Saturday, March 2, 2013. The Jazzworkz Concert Series supports the Joan Mantle Music Trust, which provides instruments to students in Rainbow Schools.

The third concert in the Jazzworkz Concert Series will showcase Brian O’Kane and the Borealis Quartet in “A Tribute to Bluenote” on Saturday, March 2, 2013. The Toronto-based jazz trumpeter will be accompanied by Allan Walsh on tenor sax, Tony Simpkin on piano, Brian Quebec on bass and Jack Broumpton on drums.

The Jazzworkz Concert Series, launched in Sudbury last year, supports the Joan Mantle Music Trust. The Trust provides musical instruments to students in Rainbow Schools.

Brian O’Kane is one of the most in-demand trumpet players in Toronto, performing in small jazz groups, big bands, theatre productions, orchestras, and radio and television jingles.  He is also a faculty member at Humber College, one of Canada’s premier jazz/contemporary music schools.

Brian O’Kane grew up in North Bay, Ontario. He began his formal studies at Humber College and later attended McGill University in Montreal.  While in Montreal, he joined the Big Band of Vic Vogel, the 12-piece band "Altsys".

Brian returned to Toronto and is busy freelancing and teaching.  He has performed with the stellar Rob McConnell, John MacLeod’s Rex Hotel Orchestra (Juno Award in 2011), the Dave McMurdo Jazz Orchestra, Hilario Duran’s Latin Jazz Big Band (Juno Award in 2007), and the Paul Read Orchestra.

Brian has also performed with the National Arts Center Orchestra in Ottawa, the Canada Pops Orchestra, and has backed up numerous acts including Herbie Hancock, Aretha Franklin, Diana Krall, Paul Anka, Carla Bley, Steve Swallow, Maria Schneider, Bill Holman, Vince Mendoza and Dave Brubeck.

Brian has performed at Jazz Festivals worldwide, has performed at venues such as Carnegie Hall (New York) as well as Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall (Toronto). He was recently a featured soloist/clinician at the 2008 International Trumpet Guild Conference held in Banff, Alberta.

The concert begins at 7:30 pm and takes place at St. Peter’s Church, 203 York Street in Sudbury. Admission is $10 for students and $20 for adults.  Tickets are available at Black Cat on Durham Street and Hair to Live For in the Cedar Pointe Mall.

Producer Jack Broumpton created the Jazzworkz Concert Series to celebrate the expanding growth and influence of jazz music in the Sudbury community that began 26 years ago.

“Audiences are now growing for each performance,” he said. “The concerts are held at St. Peter’s United Church because it has wonderful, warm acoustics. It is the perfect place to listen to live jazz.”

He added: “The series also allows us to support the Joan Mantle Music Trust. As a long-time music teacher, I recognize the importance of music in our schools and our community. The series will highlight the efforts of the Joan Mantle Music Trust and the great results it has produced to support music programs in Rainbow Schools.”

About the Joan Mantle Music Trust

The Joan Mantle Music Trust was established in the fall of 2008 to help refresh, modernize and revitalize school music programs in the Rainbow District School Board. 

The Trust allocates funding for musical instruments and equipment to selected schools on a rotating basis. The Trust also accepts the donation of new and used musical instruments and allocates them to schools in need. This ensures that there is an ongoing improvement in the condition of musical equipment throughout the Board, allowing for students to achieve more in their musical studies together.

Joan Mantle dedicated many years to music education in Rainbow Schools. She passed away on June 9, 2009, after a courageous battle with cancer.

-30-

Media Contacts:

Jack Broumpton

Producer, Jazzworkz Concert Series

705-869-1651

Ralph McIntosh

Chair, Joan Mantle Music Trust

Rainbow District School Board

705-523-3308, ext. 8250