This photo of The Dixie Nine was taken a couple of years ago at the Dixie Fest presented by the Vancouver Dixieland Jazz Society. The musicians were from Chilliwack High School where they have a dixieland jazz option in their music programme. This was the alma mater of Bria Skonberg. The promise they showed then was amply justified at their recent gig at the White Rock Traditional Jazz Society regular Sunday afternoon dance. Now calling themselves the Stompin' Hot Jazz Band they have reduced to a six member band with a couple of personnel changes. Their performance was excellent. Musicianship superb, arrangements minimal but effective, repertoire and style well within the New Orleans tradition. They had a large Valentines Day crowd crowding the dance floor all afternoon. I was particularly impressed by the trombone of Matthew Bowman which was precise and a propos. Bonnie Northgraves, trumpet, demonstrated a fine command of the instrument with a bravura style. The rest of the band were up to the task - Adam Van Loon, clarinet and a rhythm section of Tristan Martin,Brittany Waslen and Mitch Foster. The verve of the playing and jazz sensibility makes them a joy to listen to. They have a CD available titled 'No Grey Area' which speaks to their attitude of loyalty to the early jazz tradition.
Next Sunday WRTJS presents Bria's Hot Five - could life be better than this!
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