Mike Reveley tribute

Three Generations of Jazz Musicians say thanks and farewell to Mike Reveley, founder of the Capilano College Jazz Studies Program When: Wednesday, February 28th at 8pm Where: Capilano College Performing Arts Theatre, North Van Cost: Free. Seats should be reserved in advance at (604)984-4951 On Wednesday, February 28th, musicians and fans of jazz will gather to pay tribute to Mike Reveley, the founder of the Jazz Studies Program at Capilano College. Mike is retiring after 33 years, leaving us the legacy of one of Canada's finest jazz education programs and many fine young musicians who will keep creative music alive for years to come. The event will feature the nationally acclaimed Jill Townsend Big Band, just back from New York City where they represented Canada at the annual International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE) conference. Led by trombonist/composer/arranger Jill Towsend, the JTBB boasts a virtual who's who of the west coast jazz scene, including saxophonists Campbell Ryga and Ross Taggart, guitarist Bill Coon, trombonists Rod Murray and Dennis Esson, bassist Jodi Proznick, drummer Dave Robbins, and more. The band will play music composed by Mike Reveley as well as some of their original charts. Also on the bill, small groups including legendary Vancouver saxophonist Al Wold, vocalists Kate Hammett-Vaughan and Steve Maddock, rising stars and Cap graduates Shannon Thue and Carman J. Price, and others! The event is free, but people should reserve a seat by calling (604) 984-4951 About Mike Reveley During the 1970s, Mike worked as a trombonist and arranger in Vancouver. As a freelancing musician he performed with the Bob Hales Big Band, with various small groups, for CBC radio and BCTV, on advertising jingles and as a sideman for visiting artists such as Mitzi Gaynor and Tom Jones. He arranged music for radio and television, live club shows and records, and was the house arranger for the Buchart Gardens summer revue for 12 years. His big band jazz writing was featured on CBC's Jazz Radio Canada program. In the ‘80s, Mike owned and operated a small recording studio and for a short time wrote and produced advertising jingles. When Mike graduated from high school in the mid ‘60s there were no institutions in Canada that offered training in jazz. Like most musicians who sought formal education locally, he entered the UBC music program. At that time Jazz was not encouraged at UBC, and after a short period it became obvious that this was not what he was looking for. A classmate told him about the Berklee College of Music in Boston and the next year he enrolled in their program. Aware of the difficulties he had encountered when seeking an education in jazz and the need for a similar program in the Vancouver area, Mike approached Capilano College in 1974 with a proposal for a jazz program. He began teaching an elementary theory course, then a big band course, and soon the two-year Commercial Music Program was underway. Under Mike's leadership the program went through a number of changes and growing pains but with a strong faculty consisting of some of Vancouver’s top professional musicians it gradually grew in strength and reputation. In the early 1990s Mike developed the idea of offering a four year degree cooperatively with the BC Open University. All the courses would be taught at Capilano College then transfered to the BCOU which in turn, through their license would grant a Bachelor of Music In Jazz Studies degree. After much consultation the concept was accepted and the Jazz Studies four-year degree program began in 1991. In 2003 the BC government passed an order allowing Capilano College to offer the degree internally. In 1997 Mike stepped down as coordinator of the program to teach full time. In his final year, he is teaching theory and acting as Academic Coordinator for the Jazz Studies program. Mike is respected and loved by his colleagues and students. We look forward to a great night of music that will pay tribute to great musician and an educating visionary. [submitted by Kate Hammett-Vaughan]