Community

Beach United Church is excited to present local jazz favourite Larry Bond and his quartet, as they explore the changing seasons in an afternoon concert featuring classic jazz and blues tunes.

Saturday, November 2nd, 2024 at 4:#0pm
RSVP here! (Entry is PWYC, with a suggested minimum donation of $10)

Tickets are not required; you may just show up at our doors on the day of the concert.

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Artist bios:

Larry Bond

Toronto born pianist, composer and arranger, Larry Bond, holds an ATCL Diploma in classical performance from Trinity College of Music, London, England, and a Bachelor of Music Degree from The University of Toronto. He has studied composition and arranging with Gordon Delamont as well as Latin Jazz with Ruben Vasquez.

For the past twenty years he has worked as a sought-after jazz pianist in the GTA. His credits include events for The Toronto Symphony Orchestra, The National Ballet, The Mississauga Chamber Music Society, Music Niagara, and the Government of Ontario. Larry’s trio and quartet CDs have won enthusiastic response from the CBC and Whole Note Magazine.

Steven Farrugia

Steve Farrugia is a Toronto born and raised professional drummer who has shared the stage with the top musicians in Toronto and outside the country as well.

Some notable musicians Steve has had the pleasure to play with are Richard Hadfield (Winner of Britain’s Got Talent) Reg Schwager, Robi Botos, Adrean Farrugia, Bill McBirnie, Attila Fias, Brendan Davis, Allison Au, Peter Hill, Richard Whiteman, Nathan Hiltz, Ted Quinlan, Paco Luviano, Chris Gale, Artie Roth, Bruce Cassidy, Bob Brough, Sophia Pearlman, June Garber, Elaine Overhault, George Koeller, Shelly Berger, Jeff King and many others.

John Pagnotta

John Pagnotta is a professional jazz saxophonist and flutist and jazz educator. He has been teaching jazz both privately and in a classroom / big-band setting for over twenty-five years. He was the head of jazz studies at the Claude Watson High School Arts Program for fifteen years and has been the musical director and conductor of the We Are One Jazz Orchestra, in its many configurations, since the inception of the project in 2005. He has worked with international jazz legends Dr. Barry Harris, Charles McPherson, and Canadian jazz icons Don Thompson, Jane Bunnette, Pat Labarbera, Kirk MacDonald, Guido Basso, Lorne Lofsky to name a few. John is currently completing his Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies at York University in Toronto, Canada.

Leon Racine

Leon has been active in the Toronto Music scene for 50 years in a variety of capacities. He has played trombone, piano, and bass in dozens of big bands and small groups as a jazz musician, and filed the orchestra pit in a staggering number of musical theatre productions. He’s spent time on the road with Rock groups. He’s even spent time as a principal in local orchestras. He’s happy that he has found the Larry Bond group to enjoy his love of quartet jazz.

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Beach United’s warm, inviting hall serves as the perfect backdrop for this concert – the concert is pay-what-you-can, and proceeds support our year-round community programs.

Beach United Church is excited to present our kick-off Jazz and Reflection concert for the season, “Through the Looking Glass” with local guitarist David Occhipinti. Joined by Carol Lynn Fujino on violin, Catherine Gray on Viola, and Mary-Katherine Finch on Cello, David explores new sounds he’s been experimenting with on the electric guitar, guided by the theme of Lewis Carroll’s famous work.

Saturday, October 5th, 2024
4:30pm
RSVP here! (Entry is PWYC, with a suggested minimum donation of $10)

Tickets are not required; you may just show up at our doors on the day of the concert.

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Artist bios:

David Occhipinti is a composer, and guitarist whose music crosses borders from jazz and improvised music, into contemporary classical music and beyond. David’s musical accomplishments have earned him two Chalmers Arts Fellowships, as well as multiple JUNO nominations for his work as a recording artist. Among his nominated works are his critically acclaimed album Forty Revolutions in 2007; and Duologue, in collaboration with saxophonist Mike Murley, in 2003.

Camera, (2012) is a recording that features David’s chamber music compositions and guitar improvisations. It was heralded by his mentor, Jim Hall as: “an absolute gem… his writing is unique, his playing is completely original and stunning… an absolute work of art!”

David has performed and toured across Canada, the U.S., Europe, and Japan. He has performed Canadian premieres of works by Steve Reich and Gabriel Prokofiev.

Carol Lynn Fujino – violin
Carol Fujino has been a member of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra string section since 1991, having previously played with the National Ballet and Canadian Opera Company orchestras. An avid chamber musician, Carol regularly performs with Continuum Contemporary Ensemble, a group dedicated to championing new compositions and emerging composers. She has also appeared with the Amici Chamber Ensemble and the Gryphon Trio.

Catherine Gray – viola
Originally from Calgary, AB, Toronto based violist Catherine Gray is a JUNO nominated ensemble and orchestral musician. Ms. Gray is a tenured member of the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra and regularly performs with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra. She has been heard on CBC Radio, CBC Television, and BBC3, and has been described as “glorious… Gray is an immense talent… performer of superb musicianship and high quality”

Mary-Katherine Finch – cello

Cellist Mary-Katherine Finch enjoys a diverse performing career with numerous ensembles andin a wide variety of musical genres. She has appeared with the orchestra of the National Ballet of Canada, Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, Esprit Orchestra, Kitchener Waterloo Symphony, and has served as guest principal cellist with Hamilton Philharmonic, Windsor Symphony, and Niagara Symphony, and is principal cellist of Mississauga Symphony. 

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Beach United’s warm, inviting hall serves as the perfect backdrop for this concert – the concert is pay-what-you-can, and proceeds support our year-round community programs.