June 28th: Paul Caldwell
Paul Caldwell is back at Coquette!
Irish singer-songwriter Paul Caldwell seamlessly blends the soul of traditional ballads with the nuance of modern folk. Growing up in Buncrana, Co. Donegal, with Irish music echoing through the rugged coastline, these traditional tunes took root in his heart, a sound he now carries with him throughout his time in Canada.
His music has earned a dedicated online following and significant airplay on stations including CBC, RTÉ, BBC, Today FM, and RTÉ 2fm.
Whether he’s drawing you in with intimate storytelling or leading you through unforgettable melodies, Paul’s live performances are truly captivating.
June 29th: The Lesley Branton Trio
The Lesley Branton Trio brings fresh interpretations of jazz standards within an acoustic framework.
Featuring Lesley Branton on vocals alongside some of Vancouver’s most sought-after instrumentalists, the trio performs a diverse mix of jazz, pop, and blues — from timeless standards and Bossa Novas to contemporary favourites. Lesley’s versatile voice draws on inspirations ranging from Ella Fitzgerald and Peggy Lee to Joni Mitchell and Carole King.
June 30th: The Dog Ears
The Dog Ears is composed of four experienced, Vancouver-based musicians with a wide range of musical backgrounds and influences.
Les Toth: GUITAR
Les has had a life-long passion for music, starting to play guitar in his teens. He studied jazz at Capilano College and over three decades was the music director at West Van Secondary School. He’s played countless gigs in a variety of genres.
KEN LEEDHAM: DRUMS
Ken has been playing drums and percussion for over 45 yrs with a wide variety of projects from pop, rock, Latin and now bringing his rudiments and passion to the Jazz/Blues genre with The Dog Ears.
BOB WALKER : SAX
Bob claims to be from the ‘outskirts of Motown’ (actually, southwestern Ontario). Listening to all those Motown hits while growing up installed a love for blues, jazz, and soul. He is happy to bring his past experience playing with jazz, blues, R & B, and soul bands to The Dog Ears.
GLENN ROWLEY: BASS
If music be the food of love… Ever since Glenn first viewed the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show he knew this was what he wanted to do. He took up guitar at an early age and switched to bass to play rock and roll. How many years and musical genres later playing bass in the Dog Ears is musically rewarding as well as so much fun.
The band plays a mixture of Jazz Standards, Swing, R & B and Blues.
July 1st: Steve Lloyd Smith Trio
For over three decades Bassist/Composer/Bandleader Steve Lloyd Smith has had the privilege
of writing over a hundred and twenty-five songs including fifteen suites, and the honour of
recording with some of the best musicians in New York (Richie Beirach, Billy Hart, Adam Rogers,
Clarence Penn, Taylor Eigsti, Eric Harland, Aaron Parks, Joe Dyson, Dayna Stephens, Victor
Gould, and Marcus Gilmore) and Vancouver (Dave Say, Kevin Elaschuk, Lisa Cay Miller, Dylan
van der Schyff, Dave Sikula, Tom Foster, Jillian Lebeck, Paul Townsend, Chris Gestrin, Joe Poole,
Dave Robbins, Andrew Skepasts, Dan Reynolds, and Nicholas Bracewell).
Bill Coon was the recipient of the 2009 National Jazz Awards, Guitarist of the Year. He leads
several of his own groups including a trio, quartet and the BC Double Quartet whose recording,
Departure with Brad Turner on trumpet and violinist Cameron Wilson was nominated for a
2019 Western Canadian Music Award. He is featured on three Western Canadian Music Award
winning recordings, including the genre-bending Jasmine Jazz, winner of the Best Instrumental
Recording of 2023. He has performed with jazz greats Jimmy Heath, Peter Bernstein, Eddie
Daniels, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Lewis Nash, Peter Washington, Lorne Lofsky, Sheila Jordan, Jiggs
Whigham, Hugh Fraser, P.J. Perry, Grant Stewart, Pat Bianchi, Scott Hamilton and Rebecca
Kilgore.
Jason de Couto is a professional Vancouver, B.C. musician focused primarily on piano and
keyboards. He works with a variety of musicians, ensembles, and multi-disciplinary artists in an
array of styles and genres. He holds degrees from UBC, SFU, Capilano, and City University, and
is currently also a teacher and counsellor working in the North Vancouver Municipal and School
District.
July 2nd: Van Django Trio
Van Django is joining us again!
music is well-rooted in the gypsy jazz of 1930’s Paris France. Since the
group’s formation in 1998, they have toured extensively in Canada as
well as international forays to the US, Europe and China.
The group has had repeat performances at Djangofest Northwest
(DFNW) in 2008-2016 sharing the stage with gypsy jazz luminaries such
as the John Jorgenson Quintet, the legendary gypsy jazz guitarist
Romane and many others.
The group have released 4 CD’s: “Tiptoe Trip”, “Waltz in the Shape of a
Tree”, “Hotel Europe” and a Christmas CD with special guests titled,
“Cool Yule”. They have been well received and played on many radio
stations including; CBC, RDI, Espace Musique, NPR and Lyric FM in
Ireland CD.
July 5th: Mad Jazz Live
Join MAD JAZZ LIVE at Brasserie Coquette!
Dane Warren has had the privilege of travelling the world, bringing his love of big band music to thousands, through concerts, tours, and as a performer and entertainer aboard Holland America and Princess Cruise Lines. He has had the pleasure of performing with some of Canada’s most talent jazz musicians, such as Juno Award winning legend Rick Kilburn. He has also performed with the likes of Tom Arntzen, Dan Brubeck, Roy Styffe, Diane Lines, Joe Poole, Derry Bird, Dean Thiessen and many more…
Mad Jazz Live brings an electrifying energy and joyful spirit to every performance. Known for their engaging stage presence and broad musical range, the group captures the spontaneity and swing of jazz in a way that resonates with audiences of all ages. An exciting and fitting finale to our Jazz Fest week.
