Crofton’s Osborne Bay Pub is jazzing it up.
Sundays are in full swing for the months ahead as the pub winds down their winter and spring run of another series of jazz concerts. These afternoons that begin at 2 p.m., are hosted by Preston Davies, and sponsored by the BC Arts Council, the CVRD, and the Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society.
READ MORE: Saturday nights are hot at Crofton’s Osborne Bay Pub
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On April 28, indulge with some sweet sounds as the 10-piece brass band Decadence sizzles on stage at 2 p.m. Decadence features many talented musicians who have graced the Osborne Bay Pub stage in an array of bands in the past. This show will aim to please as it incorporates a crazy mix of swinging jazz, a Tower of Power style of funk, and re-arrangements of classic rock tunes. Tickets are $25 at the door.
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On May 12, make your Sunday a fun day with Marty Steele and the Treblemakers. This quintet features some of the island’s finest musicians with well-known drummer, James McRae keeping the pace, the dynamic Claudio Fantinato on sax, Brad Shipley on guitar, and Orith Horwitz on vocals and bass. Tickets are $20.
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On May 26, enjoy larger than life sounds with the Arrowsmith Big Band. This band, consisting of island musicians will put the swing in your Sunday as they play music in the spirit of Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington and Count Basie who were the pop stars of that era. Tickets are $25 at door.
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On June 9, the Osborne Bay Pub turns up the heat with Jazz Caliente. Nanaimo-based sax man Iain Duncan will be heading up a quintet that will delight audience members with their energetic interplay of jazz, soul, funk and Latin music.
This group includes the dynamic duo of Andrew Janusson on guitar and Nick Peck on organ, and keeping the tempo will be Hans Verhoeven on drums. Rounding off the ensemble will be a special appearance by Cuban born trumpet player Miguelito Valdes. This Sunday vibe is a great way to embrace the sounds of summer as this cool quintet aims to entertain their fans with an intoxicating mix of tunes, both classic and new that will make attendees want to break out their best boogaloo dance moves. Tickets are $20 at the door.
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On June 23, Victoria jazz veterans of the CanUs hot jazz band are making their first appearance on the Osborne Bay Pub stage since 2018, to cap off this Sunday Jazz concert series. Longtime band leader Toni Blodgett will be heading up this group of skilled musicians for an afternoon of sweet sounds with the band’s take on Dixieland and old time jazz. Tickets are $20 at the door.