M3 PRESENTS
WARREN CHIASSON
@ LULA

Come And Celebrate The Holiday Season With The Return Of Vibraphone Master Warren Chiasson To Toronto!

This Nova Scotian Born Musician Has Been Called "One Of The Top Six Vibraphonists Of The Last Half Century" By The New York Times. One Of The Originators Of The Four And Multi Mallet System Of Playing The Vibes. He Will Appear With An All Star Band Consisting Of Canadian Musicians That Have Recorded Or Appeared With Him On Festivals And Concerts In The U.S. And Canada.Chiasson Brings A Wealth Of Jazz Experiance, Having Figured Prominently In The Groups Of George Shearing, Chet Baker, Tal Farlow And Showcased With Tito Puente, B.B.King , Roberta Flack, Anita O'day, Art Van Damme And Many More.

Wednesday December 28
M3 Presents Warren Chiasson All Stars

Admission $16 ADV at Soundscapes, www.ticketweb.com
Doors 7pm, Performance 9pm
Dinner reservations guarantee best seating.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Tracy Jenkins (416) 588 0307

EVENT DETAILS: Click Here

featuring:
• Lorne Lofsky - guitar
• Neil Swainson - bass
• Terry Clarke - drums
• Joe Sealy - keys
• Kevin Turcotte - trumpet

w/ Special Guest Vocalist: Genevieve Marentette

Thursday December 29
M3 Presents Warren Chiasson Latin Jazz Night

Admission $16 ADV at Soundscapes, www.ticketweb.com
Doors 7pm, Performance 9pm
Dinner reservations guarantee best seating.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Tracy Jenkins (416) 588 0307

EVENT DETAILS: Click Here

featuring:
Hilario Duran -- Piano
Alexis Baro -- Trumpet
Roberto Occhipinti -- Bass
Mark Kelso -- drums
Chendy Leon -- Timbales, Congas

Bio:

Warren Chiasson is a highly regarded musician in the jazz world who has been called one of the top 6 vibraphonists of the last half century" by the New York Times. Originally a member of the Georpe Shearing Qunitet, he has emerged as his own man with a distinctive four mallet technique that he weaves into a percussive, melodic style.

Prior to forming his own group Chiasson, who is a self-taught vibist, was for many years best known for his creative contributions to the Chet Baker Quartet, the Tal Farlow Trio and jazz/pop diva Roberta Flack. In addition to recording his own albums, he has played on over 100 recordings with such artists such as Eric Dolphy, Bill Dixon, Hank Crawford and was featured on a Grammy Award winning album with B.B. King.

His own albums include Quartessence, Good Vibes for Kurt Weill and Point Counterpoint with guitarist Chuck Wayne.

He is particularly known for his elegant and often electrifying live performances, as evidenced by the 50th anniversary re-creation of the historic 1938 Benny Goodman concert at Carnegie Hall. When Lionel Hampton was unable to appear due to a previous touring commitment, Chiasson was asked to take his place at Carnegie Hall. The result was a standing ovation performance before this knowledgeable, sold out audience. Luminaries at this event include Isaac Stern, Doc Cheatham, Panama Francis and Benny Goodman's daughter, who presented Goodman's clarinet to the hall museum.

Chiasson was bron in the tiny french Acadian fishing village of Cheticamp, Nova Scotia. He grew up in the rich, joyous culture of Cape Breton folk music. At age nine, he began his formal musical training in Sydney with classical violin lessons and by age thirteen was playing sessions with noted Scottish fiddlers of the day, performing at dances, stage shows and radio shows. later, he played the trombone in high school.

He began studying modern jazz on his own at age fifteen after hearing George Shearing's recording of "I'll Remember April" and immersed himslef in the music of Shearing, Charlie Parker, Lennie Tristano and Duke Ellington.

But perhaps the key event was seeing Lionel Hampton perform live near his town of Sydney. So inspired was he by Hampton's musicianship, that he bought a small xylophone, which he practiced over 8 hours a day. Although a college student at the time at St.Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, he decided to leave and work on a musical career. First he emlisted as a trombone player in the Royal Canadian Artillery Band, all the while working on his dream of becoming a professional jazz vibraphonist.

Finally his jazz studies paid off during a trip to NYC, when a chance meeting with a promoter led to a vibraphone audition with the George Shearing Qunitet. A week later he was part of the quintet, touring the world and playing opposite the likes of Dave Brubeck and The Modern Jazz Quartet. Warren describes his sound as somewhere between two other great jazz vibists, Milt Jackson and Red Norvo.

Since then, Chiasson has collaborated with some of the finest musicians in jazz including: Paul Bley, Ron Carter, Roland Hanna and the late Jimmy Garrison from the original John Coltrane Quintet. In the late 1960's and early 70's, the Warren Chiasson/ Jimmy Garrison Duo played regularly at Gregory's in NYC, while Chiasson also hosted a weekly jam session at the Signs of the Zodiac in Harlem. Regular guests included Charlie Haden, Lee Knonitz, Joe Farrell, Wilbur Ware and Joe Chambers.

Today, Chiasson continues to travel extensively, performing at concerts and festivals and is actively involved in jazz education.

www.warrenchiasson.com

Quotes from Critics:

"Mr. Chiasson is an adept four mallet specialist who uses the blend of guitar and vibes for performances that flow with soft, seductive colors and textures... A veteran of the George Shearing Quintet, is a vibraphonist with an unusually broad appeal. On his won, he is a polished performer and this proveds a good reason to seek him out."

~ John Wilson, New York Times

"Warren Chaisson was the centre of attention both for his fine playing and for his body english. When he goes into action, Chiasson throws himself at the vibes. Despite the demonic activity, his sound is smooth and blends perfectly."

~ Robert Butler, Kansas City Times

"Warren Chiasson, the energetic and innovative Canadian vibist, has developed a stunning independant four mallet technique of playing vibes."

~ Joe Klee, Modern Recording

"I was unprepared for Chiasson, although I had been warned. The Canadian born vibist broke up the Van Dyck nightly...The club was pleased -- a surprising number of folks braved sub zero cold."

~ John Marcille, Schenectady Gazette