The legendary trombonist Ross Ulmer, formerly of North Battleford, together with the Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra will appear at the Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts Feb. 22 as part of the Friends Remembered Tour.
The Saskatoon Jazz Ensemble is augmented with several professional Canadian musicians from Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg.
Some of the guest performers include Jon McCaslin on drums, Sheldon Corbett on tenor sax, Paul Reed on piano, Jim Brenan on tenor sax, Dean McNeil on trumpet, Ray Vasquez on trumpet and Brad Shigeta on trombone.
The resultant band, according to Ulmer, "will be the best jazz ensemble to play in Saskatchewan for decades – you simply can’t miss this."
The Friends Remember Tour will start Feb. 20 in Saskatoon at the Broadway Theatre, head to Lloydminster Feb. 21 at the Vic Juba Theatre and Feb. 22 to North Battleford for an afternoon show.
While pursuing a music career in the 1970s, Ross Ulmer played and studied with many of North America’s finest jazz ensemble musicians.
The concert features music and arrangements from those teachers and players along with stories and experiences Ulmer will share about his time with them.
The show begins with music influenced by North Battleford City Kinsmen Band director Norm Lehman and even has the feature written for Frank Rosolino as played by the Stan Kenton band in the 1950s.
Ulmer says, "My preference is for melodic music that is beautiful when slow, and exciting as all heck when it's fast – you won’t have to be a jazz ensemble lover to really enjoy the concert.”
Ulmer is well known in music circles and with the star-studded lineup of musicians performing in this show it could very well be a sell out, so get your tickets early. Tickets are available at the Dekker Centre box office in person or online.
Other events coming up at the Dekker Centre include this Friday's tribute to the Eagles. Hotel California, the original tribute to The Eagles draws crowds of all ages with different musical styles: new country, classic rock and dance, featuring hits such as Life In The Fast Lane, Take It Easy, Desperado, Get Over It and many more.
Saturday, Feb. 21 will see a performance of Obie Award-winning The Vagina Monologues.
On Sunday, March 1, JW Jones Band will be performing. JW Jones is a Billboard Magazine Top 10 selling Canadian rock and blues guitarist, songwriter and bandleader.
Heading into March at the Dekker Centre, a performance by master guitarist Pavlo, twice-nominated for a Juno, will take place March 9.
Also in March, the Celtic Tenors will be appearing on the 25th.
