LISSA ALEXANDER
reporter@pqbnews.com
Qualicum Beach’s acclaimed jazz musician Phil Dwyer will be joined by his friend and jazz legend Don Thompson in Parksville next week, to perform in their reportedly “telepathic” style.
“Playing as much as Don and I have played together is like being married,” said Dwyer, who has received seven Juno awards. “You know, you’re finishing each other’s sentences and we’ve read the same books, listened to the same records, there’s a lot of common ground. Lots and lots of common music territory.”
Dwyer and Thompson will be playing at Knox United Church Saturday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Dwyer and Thompson met at the Banff Centre in 1982 and started playing professionally in about 1987. Over the years they have played as a duo, in symphonic orchestras and everything in between, said Dwyer and have released four albums together.
Thompson, a Toronto resident, has a long and distinguished career in music in Canada and around the world. He has won numerous Juno awards and worked with big names like George Shearing, John Handy and Paul Desmond, among others. In 2010 he was recognized for his work as a musician and an educator and named an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Dwyer said Thompson taught him jazz piano and has been his biggest mentor in music.
The duo is touring in conjunction with releasing their fourth album together, Look For The Silver Lining, and will also be playing around the Island, the Gulf Islands, Powell River and Vancouver.
With Dwyer on saxophone and Thompson on piano, the duo will play well known classical standard tunes, mostly associated with Frank Sinatra at Knox United Church April 13, and the CD will be available for purchase.
Advance tickets for the show are $20 ($25 at the door) and can be picked up at both Mulberry Bush Bookstores, Cranky Dog Music in Parksville, Oceanside Yoga Studio and the Knox office.