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Prolific performer plays trombone to the conch shell

Nick La Riviere Quartet to perform in Qualicum Beach Oct. 1
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Nick La Riviere will be bringing his four-piece band to TOSH for a performance on Sunday, Oct. 1. — Submitted by Ron Hadley

Nick La Riviere will bring his four-piece band and a mix of original and rearranged tunes to TOSH on Sunday, Oct. 1.

La Riviere has made a full-time living as a musician for the last 12 years. He has performed in many parts of the world, including Mexico, England, Ireland, Germany, Luxembourg, Austria, Switzerland, The USA, and across Canada.

La Riviere has toured with award- winning bands that play jazz, folk, pop, latin, Celtic, klezmer, classical, ska, and more. He plays trombone, conch shells, bass, and sings.

He’s also known for using a programmable harmonizer with his trombone to make one horn sound like a three-piece section.

La Riviere plays with many different bands including The Paperboys, Locarno, The HiFi, and Michael Kaeshammer, and performs multiple nights a week.

The Nick La Riviere Band features danceable and listenable original songs influenced by artists like Sam Cooke, Jamiroquai, Trombone Shorty, and others. The recent album, Another Time Around, is rich in variety and has received plenty of attention.

In addition to originals, live shows include energetic rearranged covers of tunes by Dr John, Bill Withers, The Box Tops, and more.

La Riviere’s conch shell playing is always a big hit, and brings something to the show that most people have never seen before. Festival shows always attract a dancing crowd, and hometown shows are consistently sold out.

A former jazz student of Capilano College, he’s now asked to adjudicate and be a clinician at conferences such as the BCMEA, and the West Coast Jazz Festival. As the title of his debut album suggests, there’s just Too Much To Do.

The Nick La Riviere Quartet with Ron Hadley on piano, Joey Smith on bass and Damian Graham on drums, performs Oct. 1 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at TOSH. Admission is $18. Reservations are recommended.

For more info call 250-752-6133 or visit www.theoldschoolhouse.org.

— Submitted by Ron Hadley