From ancient times, there has been some sort of reverence or thanksgiving made to mark the end of the day. A Vespers service is typically a late afternoon or early evening event with prayer, music, and an opportunity for contemplation. Jazz Vespers is simply a new form of an ancient and universal tradition.
Vespers is a time when people can gather to chase away the shadows of the coming night or the day that’s been, seek comfort and sustenance, renew energy for the coming days, or find peace for an hour or so from an all too present world.
Our service will be presided by Rev Richard Stetson. Simon and Dan share original improvisations, interspersed by prayers to inspire our mind and spirit.
Simon Millerd is a local jazz musician who has been wowing the islanders since the early 2000's busking at the Saturday Market with the Young Jazz Players (YJP), and playing internationally since 2011, touring with the European Jazz Orchestra. He has a unique, warm, soft tone on the trumpet and his recent compositions are inspired by the natural beauty of Salt Spring. He was living in Montreal until moving back to the island in 2019. He has been playing with Dan for almost 15 years, since meeting at McGill University in 2009.
Dan Reynolds was born and raised in Vancouver. Growing up in a musical household, he took an interest in music from a young age. He was introduced to jazz by his father and developed a love for playing piano and writing music. After high school, Daniel moved to Montreal to study at the Schulich School of music at McGill University. Here he had a chance to study piano, arranging, theory and composition with some of Canada’s finest musicians. Daniel played in the McGill Jazz Orchestra and worked alongside guest artists such as Phil Dwyer, John Taylor, Joe Lovano, Ben Monder, Jim McNeely and Tim Ries. At McGill he was given the distinction of being a Schulich Scholar and in 2010 he was awarded the Oscar Peterson Prize for Excellence in Jazz Performance by the Hnatyshyn Foundation for the Arts.
Admission by donation