As one of BC’s top and dynamic soprano and alto jazz saxophonists, Monik Nordine has a powerful, lyrical and impressive command of the saxophone. Highlights of her performance include catchy melodies as the order of the day, with standards by greats such as Kenny Wheeler, Dave Brubeck and Joe Henderson as well as compositions written by Nordine. She has shared the stage with a who’s who lineup of artists including award winning and elite musicians Ian McDougall, Rob McConnell, Guido Basso, Michael Buble, Alan Matheson, Tommy Banks, Hugh Fraser, Brad Turner, Phil Nimmons and numerous others.
Nordine has recorded several albums as a leader and a side player. Her own recent albums were recorded with the groups Departure and the Barracuda Saxophone Quartet. Nordine’s discography also includes a fun album entitled, Not just to But Over the Moon, and a quartet album with Pat Coleman, Blue Comedy, and most recently a new album with Jon Miller’s project 3 Days in Winter. Monik Nordine holds degrees from McGill University and UBC and teaches at the Victoria Conservatory and Brentwood College. Nordine currently performs with two premier jazz bands; the Victoria Jazz Orchestra and the Jon Miller Quartet.
Victoria pianist Brent Jarvis, who was formally trained at the University of Toronto, is a featured jazz performer in Nordine’s current trio. A member of Nordine’s group Departure, Jarvis has performed across Canada and the US. He has released five albums and is active as a teacher, producer and a recording engineer. Jarvis has taught piano, musicianship, ensemble, as well as conducted master classes at The Victoria Conservatory of Music, Vancouver Island University, and at his private teaching studio in Victoria.
The Monik Nordine Trio’s bassist Bruce Meikle first began playing the bass at age 9, and claims he was inspired by Gary Karr, Ray Brown and even Snoopy. Growing up in Vancouver, he divided his time between the Vancouver Youth Orchestra and playing jazz with friends. After three summers with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, he completed his music degree at the University of Ottawa as a student of David Currie. After returning to the West Coast he joined the Victoria Symphony, and he still plays regularly with many groups such as the Victoria Jazz Orchestra.
The Monik Nordine Trio will perform at Hermann’s Jazz Club, 753 View St., on Feb. 23 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $12 general admission and $8 for students/UJAM members and are available for purchase online at hermannsjazz.com and at the door. Table reservations at info@hermannsjazz.com.
