Fabrizio Alberico has been deeply involved with the acoustic guitar since taking it up in University as a more portable substitute for the piano he played while growing up just outside of Toronto. In the late 1980’s, he began playing and singing at Coffee Houses and Open Stages in the Toronto area, both alone and in a number of groups. Shortly after moving to Vancouver in 1993, his musical interests took an inspired turn after seeing several fingerstyle guitarists in concert. He was immediately captivated by the palette of sounds these artists drew from their guitars, and went about finding out everything he could about the style. Fabrizio began playing venues in and around Vancouver, refining his guitar and vocal skills, and writing his own music.

In 1998, Fabrizio furthered his exploration of the acoustic guitar by taking a guitarmaking apprenticeship in Ontario, and upon returning to Vancouver, opened his own shop where he began building steel-string and classical guitars. Since that time he has established himself as one of the most respected luthiers in North America.

Fabrizio views his guitar building and playing as two inextricably linked parts of a lifelong journey where music leads the way. Since 2004, the journey has included an exploration of roots music traditions, drawing from Celtic, Country Blues, Old-Time and Cajun, merging with contemporary Folk. In both his original compositions and interpretation of others’ work, he strives to find and express the pure, timeless essence of the music. The resulting performances have been described as lyrical, phrased with plenty of air and breathing room, sensitive without being sticky, romantic without losing their feet. Fabrizio is honoured to be joined on stage for part of this concert by two of the Coast’s finest musicians. Eric Norman will provide his considerable skills on guitar, vocals, and harmonica. Diana Halter, a multi-instrumentalist of Celtic heritage will also join Fabrizio, providing the joyful sounds of her harp and vocals. This promises to be a truly memorable journey.


“Fabrizio is a wonderful guitar player and musician, a very creative guitarist who plays with a unique sensitivity. I think Fabrizio has much to contribute to the guitar world.”

Steve Baughman
www.celticguitar.com

Nicholas Simons, MLA

Sechelt Creek Contracting Ltd.

Isabell Boese, Courtney Lizee, Maddy Weber

Dr. Janet Webb

Suzanne Pemberton

Karin Bergen’s love of jazz soared in 1985 when she first heard one of Vancouver’s finest vocal jazz trios, Gettin’ Off Easy (Colleen Savage, Kate Hammet-Vaughan, Bonnie Ferguson).  Since then Karin has pursued private studies with jazz notables, Colleen Savage and Jennifer Scott.  She sang with the Realtime Vocal Jazz Ensemble in Vancouver for five years under the direction of Janet Warren.  On the Sunshine Coast she has performed with local bands, Lyle Carter Sextet, Cedar Groove Quartet and Walter Martella Trio.  Karin now fronts her own groups, appearing regularly around town, in SOPA, and the Pender Harbour and Gibsons Jazz Festivals.

Local bass and guitar player Paul Steenhuis is one of the coast’s finest musicians.  His resume modestly lists guitar, bass, keyboards and extensive studio experience, and he is in high demand on the Sunshine Coast.  As a professional recording engineer, he has thousands of recording projects under his belt.  Paul is the founder and president of the Ontario Institute of Audio Recording Technology (OIART), and the director of MediaWorks.  His list of credentials as studio manager, engineer and producer is impressive.  He has recorded the likes of Duke Ellington and Joe Pass.

John Rule has been playing drums for over thirty years, and has a Bachelor of Music degree from UBC.  He has recorded, performed and toured throughout North America and Europe with various original music groups and songwriters. He has been a member of the popular Vancouver group The Colorifics for nine years, and alt pop group Bob’s Your Uncle before that.  Since moving to the Sunshine Coast with his family five years ago, John has enjoyed increased opportunities to play in the jazz genre.  He has gigged with many of the talented jazz divas of the coast such as Trudy Dinning, Verna Chan, Jackie Allen and Karin Bergen.  As a member of the Walter Martella trio he had the pleasure of accompanying session great Tom Keenlyside, pianist/ trumpeter/ composer Allan Matheson and Canadian jazz great Don Thompson.

Bill Coon is one of Canada’s most highly respected and sought after musicians.

Bill has performed with award winning artists such as Jimmy Heath, Eddie Daniels, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Dee Daniels, P.J. Perry, Louis Stewart, Campbell Ryga and Brad Turner.  Some of his more notable collaborations have been with vocalist Denzal Sinclaire, guitarist Oliver Gannon, saxophonist/pianist Ross Taggart and hip-hop artist K-OS.

His writing and performing has been documented on over thirty CDs to date, while jazz and symphony orchestras throughout the world have performed his arrangements.

 Groups that he presently plays in include the Jill Townsend Big Band, Bill Coon Quartet, BC Double Quartet, Jennifer Scott Group, Wow Jazz Orchestra, Kevin Elaschuk trio, Kate Hammett Vaughan, and the Laura Crema Quintet.

In addition to a busy performance and recording schedule, Bill is in high demand as an educator. He teaches arranging, composition and jazz guitar at Capilano University in North Vancouver.

Mary & Don Bland