Jason Walters

Originally from Vancouver, saxophonist Jason Walters spent ten years participating in Toronto’s music scene. Some of his performance experiences include: Eastern U.S. and cross Canada tours, the DuMaurier (Toronto), Hamilton and Burlington Jazz Festivals, national television, and CBC Radio. Now home in Vancouver, Jason can be heard weekly at The End Cafe in East Vancouver.

At the 2008 Vancouver Jazz Festival his newly formed trio and quartet explore original compositions and favourite standards with modern, open-minded, adventurous approaches that reflect each members individual musical influences and unique abilities.

The Musicians:

Jon Roper is a musical powerhouse on guitar that has performed nationally and internationally. Jon is much in demand as a guitarist, and has recently returned from a tour of Canada and the United States with the forward looking band Spygirl. Current projects include the Alan Matheson Septet, Ribcage, Love Seat Deluxe and Alita Dupray.

Pianist Shannon Thue performs professionally throughout the Vancouver area and has toured Canada, the United States and parts of South America. Current projects include the Shannon Thue Trio, the funk band Deep End and the traditional jazz band Mighty Aphrodite. Shannon was the first ever recipient of CBC's Jazz Award of Merit and has been featured on CBC Radio on several occasions.

Joel Kerr studied Classical Double Bass at the University of Regina, and the Glenn Gould Professional School in Toronto. Since 2001, he has mainly concentrated on Jazz. Eclectic interests and musical versatility have taken him throughout Canada, Europe, the U.S., Central America, and the Caribbean. Currently, Joel is an in demand freelance bassist and can be heard locally local with the funk/hip hop band Mello Black, jazz/funk band Stranger In The Alps, and the Vancouver Miniaturist Ensemble.

Drummer Joe Poole is a frequently requested drummer on the local and international jazz scene. Joe is a dynamic drummer that has a great combination of rhythmic fluidity, musical intuition, and natural “feel”. In addition to studying with the legendary Oscar Peterson, Joe has performed with Curtis Fuller, Marcus Belgrave, Ernestine Anderson, Red Holloway and Houston Pearson.

The Jason Walters Trio @ City Square, Friday, June 20th: Jason Walters, saxophone; Jon Roper, guitar; Joel Kerr, bass

The Jason Walters Quartet @ Tom Lee Music, Saturday, June 28th: Jason Walters, saxophone; Shannon Thue, piano; Joel Kerr, bass; Joe Poole, drums