 |
||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||
 |
 |
|||||||||||
 |
 |
|||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
||||||||||
 |
 |
|||||||||||
 |
 |
|||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||
 |
 |
|||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||
 |
 |
|||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||
 |
 |
|||||||||||
 |
 |
|||||||||||
 |
 |
|||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||
 |
 |
|||||||||||
 |
 |
|||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
publicity page
The 51st Eight is a traditional jazz band based in and around Vancouver, British Columbia. They are a talented group of young musicians who are committed to continuing the tradition of authentic early jazz, while bringing their own unique style to the music.Founded in 1998 by clarinetist Colin Farquhar, the 51st Eight has evolved from high school group to high-energy professional ensemble. They are at the forefront of a new wave of young traditional jazz musicians intent on continuing the tradition and taking the music to the next level.
The 51st Eight is fronted by Bria Skonberg, who brings her fiery trumpet playing to a front line that includes Colin on reeds, Evan Arntzen on saxophone and Luke Matheson on trombone. The rhythm section really cooks with pianist Vashti Gray, Josh Roberts on banjo and guitar, Georgia Korba swinging the bass lines, and Jeremy Roberts on the drums.
The band’s unique sound is rooted firmly in the style of the early jazz masters. They feature original arrangements as well as transcriptions of the classic jazz repertoire. Their live performances are exciting, spontaneous and always thoroughly entertaining. They have filled venues at festivals from Victoria to Sacramento to Sun Valley.
Band Members:
Bria Skonberg - trumpet
Colin Farquhar - clarinet, alto saxophone
Evan Arntzen - tenor & alto saxophones
Lukas Matheson - trombone
Vashti Gray - piano
Josh Roberts - banjo, guitar
Georgia Korba - bass
Jeremy Roberts - drums
printable publicity pageHigh-Resolution Photos: Please use these for print media rather than copying images from the website. If you would like other photos please email us.
See what people have said about the 51st Eight:American Rag; July 2003, Dave Ruffner, Spotlight on Youth; Encore
Re: Chilliwack Dixieland festival and its youth revival
Leading the charge is the magnificent 51st Eight. This group was formed in 1998 in CSS by Rob Hopkins. Led by the blonde bombshell Bria Skonberg, a fiery trumpet player and vocalist, and powered also by the hot and tasty tenor saxophone of Evan Arntzen, these Lou Watters - Turk Murphy re-incarnates are leading a dixieland revival that Billy Sunday would be envious of. Aside from Skonberg and Arntzen, the band includes the excellent drumming of Jeremy Roberts, the inventive banjo playing of Jeremy's younger brother Josh, the steady playing of sousaphonist Brock Rutley, the robust trombone of Lukas Matheson, Colin Farquhar's rambling clarinet and Vashti Gray's authentic jazz piano. When I heard this group play the week prior at the Children's party at the Victoria Terrifvic jazz party, I saw the heads of many experienced jazz musicians turn in astonishment at what they were hearing. This band of early 20-somethings and late teeners is growing musically in leaps and bounds. I noticed Sun Valley's Swing'n' Dixie jazz jamboree director Tom Hazzard grin from ear to ear as he watched The 51st at the set in Chilliwack that I attended. It must do an old prophet good to see that hard work they have put in to keep jazz alive now coming to fruition. The 51st Eight makes everybody excited about Dixieland jazz.
Mississippi Rag; 2002, Jim Uhl
Re: Vancouver Dixieland Jazz festival
High spot for me was 51st Eight, the best youth band I have ever heard. They are very close to being worthy of acceptance as just a band without the appendage "youth." Their amazingly talented trumpet player, Bria Skonberg, could give lessons in the art of fronting a band.
Jazz Connection Magazine; Stephen Fratallone
Re: Sacramento Festival 2003
The group has recorded two CDs, Open To Interpretation (Dec 2002) and No Fun Intended (Aug 2002), and are fast becoming a draw at many traditional jazz fests both in the States and in their native Canada. Their musicianship can equal many established adult bands. While many of the existing members of the 51st Eight are of legal adult age, it won't be much longer that they can continue calling themselves a "youth" band. That can be a blessing as these "kids" are ready to move on toward bigger and better musical challenges......Their music is sharp with a highly-energized, tight ensemble sound.
__________________Back to Top______________________________
