Jazz Vespers Performers' Bios

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Departure

This jazz quartet Departure features Saxophonist Monik Nordine, bassist Phill Albert, pianist Brent Jarvis and drummer Buff Allen.

Departure is a collaboration between Monik Nordine and Phill Albert which grew out of a recording session in Nanaimo in the winter of 2008/09. The group is newly expanded to quartet format which includes Brent Jarvis on piano and Buff Allen on drums. Monik and Phill have written most of the material for the band, and while being a fusion jazz group it has a very easy, relaxing feel to it.

Monik is a veteran of the Monday Night Big Band in Victoria and The Pat Coleman Quartet, she teaches saxophone at Vancouver Island University and runs a big band on Salt Spring Island. She has studied privately in London, England and New York City, as well as having performed with such artists as Michael Buble, Rob McConnell, P.J. Perry, Paul Horn, Chase Sanborn, Hugh Fraser, Tommy Banks, Brad Turner and Phil Nimmons.

Phill is a graduate of Vancouver Island University and is successfully launching his career as a freelancer.

Pianist and composer Brent Jarvis maintains an active performance schedule with over 170 performances per year, ranging from solo piano to big band and everything in between. Jarvis has shared the stage with the likes of Wynton Marsalis, Spyro Gyra, Vince Mendoza and Peter Erskine. As well as having recorded two CD’s, with a third close to completion, Jarvis has recorded for the CBC’s Jazz Beat. He has recently opened his own music academy, The Brent Jarvis Academy of Music.

Buff Allen is a Juno Award winner and has performed with many renowned jazz musicians including Diana Krall, Ed Bickert, Johnny Hartman, Lenny Breau, and Teddy Wilson. He is a veteran drummer and studio musician, and has toured extensively over the last 3 decades.