Wayne Gretzky/Peter Bernstein

Last week was great!!

I'd have to say meeting Wayne Gretzky was definitely a highlight. Once a month I play in a duo at the Paliser hotel: Wednesday nights in the lounge. We play standards and generally try to be as quiet as possible. Last wednesday on the first set break Wayne Gretzky walks in. Having grown up Canadian and originally from Edmonton I spotted him right away- as he walked by I said "excuse me" we shook hands and he was on his way.......

I'm not sure how we played but it was a great gig! oh yah, Nelly Furtado's band and the cast of degrassi jr. high were there as well as a band called Down with Webster....but it was all about Wayne!

This week I am preparing for a gig with the incredible guitarist/musician Peter Bernstein!! This is one of those once in a lifetime opportunities, I'm really looking forward to it!! It features a group that I have been working with for a few years with Rubim de Toledo Bass and Jon McCaslin drums, The INVERTIGO TRIO

A busy week!

Gigs!?! it's a good week for me as I am playing at the Pasiler hotel from 6-9 on Wednesday, then I'll drop by the Wine-Oh's jam session from 9-11:30, Thursday my chordless trio meets up and Friday and Saturday I am playing with John Gray's tribute to Ray Charles Orchestra. With John I get to play the Baritone saxophone, something I love to do but have so few opportunities (full disclosure: I Do prefer playing the Tenor), at any rate it's always fun to play and really fun to be playing in so many diverse groups!

woot!

Here is a great track featuring one of my all-time favourite saxophone players: Sonny Stitt, his bari playing was exceptional!!

Meta Mofo!!! Sell OUT!

whew!!!! this past Saturday I had the great pleasure of playing with an amazing new Afro beat band. The first gig was to a sold out crowd!! In fact the room was sold out about an hour before we even played!
The grooves were infectious, the music was creative and everyone had a great time. Our next gig is Dec. 13th (Friday the 13th Christmas party) at Mikey's Juke Joint in Calgary, AB. If you do come, you may want to show up early ;)

As well as afro-beat I have been -playing a lot with two great musicians; Jon McCaslin, Rubim De Toledo and I are taking the stage again at Wine-Oh's this Wednesday (October 16th) Please come down and bring your horn, the more the merrier!

more updates to come, in the mean time I hope you enjoy this great Afro beat clip from KOKOLO!!
enjoy

Embraceable you

From my latest trip to Russia

Embraceable you featuring Richard Jackson. I had a great time in Russia!

UPDATE!

Update!!

Well, it's been a while but I thought it was time to re-start this blog/website. I have officially cancelled my jimbrenan.com dynamod site, it just seemed to cost too much for too little. We had a nice run....but now it's over! All things Jim Brenan will now be through Blogger.

The latest news is that I have really been enjoying my sabbatical from work. It has been great to have a lot more time to remember what life is really all about. I also just returned from a wonderful trip to Russia. It was my first time there and I hope to return soon, everyone was fantastic, and the gig was a lot of fun.

I hope to be much more regular with this....actually I will be much more regular, there is nothing like setting goals and sticking to them (.....could be a future blog post)

have a great fall!

Upcoming gig!!!

Friday Oct. 4th I'll be playing with Jon McCaslin at Wine-Oh's as part of the Western Canadian Music Awards showcase. We hit at 11pm, come on down, it will be great to see you there!

jim