Karl Schwonik – Drums
James Davis – Trumpet
Derek Difilippo - Bass
‘Chicago Goes West’ is drummer Karl Schwonik’s 4th Canadian tour as a leader at the young age of 23. Each tour has featured a special guest from south of the border; this year James Davis from Chicago will join Schwonik. Davis is one of Chicago’s most exciting, in-demand young trumpet players and brings years of touring, performing and teaching experience to this vibrant group.
As an improviser and composer, James Davis is involved in a diverse group of musical communities in the Chicago area. Davis has toured and performed with the The Glenn Miller Orchestra, the U. North Texas One O’Clock Lab Band, Chuchito Valdes, Alan Gresik’s Swing Shift Orchestra, the Tomorrow Music Orchestra, Zing!, the Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra and the Texas Wind Symphony amongst many other groups. He is currently on faculty at Triton College in Chicago, IL, as director of Jazz Ensembles. James has been a finalist in both the International Trumpet Guild Jazz Improvisation Competition and the Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Competition.
Gwynne, AB native Karl Schwonik has been described as, “versatile”, “accomplished”, “impressive” and "one of Canada's youngest, hardest working and most creative musicians". Schwonik has been the recipient of many awards and honours such as: receiving 3 AFA Grants, an ACD Grant, the Queen’s Jubilee Award, the Richard Cowie Scholarship, a RBC YES Scholarship, a Louise McKinney award, 3 Anne Burrows Music Foundation Grants and a Student Downbeat Award; performing at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Centre, and at many jazz festivals throughout North America. Schwonik has performed with: Dave Douglas, Chucho Valdes, Dave Liebman, Sonny Fortune, David Braid, Jens Lindeman, P.J. Perry, Tommy Banks, Hugh Fraser and many others.
Schwonik will be releasing his first recording, ‘Visions from the Farm’, in late 2009. He has also become president of the Wetaskiwin Jazz Society and is artistic director of the Wetaskiwin Jazz Camp, which will have its first session in July 2009.
‘Chicago Goes West’ has been made possible by support from: Parkland Fertilizers, Dr. David Hewko and Brenda Hewko of Wetaskiwin, Wetaskiwin Elks Lodge No. 91, Denham Inn & Suites, Montgomery Glen Golf and Country Club, Pioneer Chrysler Jeep Wetaskiwin, and Adam’s Pontiac GMC.
TOUR SCHEDULE:
Jan 3: SideShows (plus Colin Story: Guit.): White Rock, BC
Jan 4: Cellar Jazz Club (plus Colin Story: Guit.): Vancouver, BC www.cellarjazz.com
Jan 6: WCHS Clinic: Wetaskiwin, AB
Jan 6: CCHS Clinic: Camrose, AB
Jan 6: Augustana Campus - University of Alberta: Camrose, AB
Jan 7: WCHS Clinic: Wetaskiwin, AB
Jan 7: Gwynne School Clinic: Gwynne, AB
Jan 8: WCHS Clinic: Wetaskiwin, AB
Jan 8: Four Rooms: Edmonton, AB
Jan 9: WCHS Clinic: Wetaskiwin, AB
Jan 9: Rosebrier School Clinic: Rosebrier, AB
Jan 9: Four Rooms: Edmonton, AB
Jan 10: Beat Niq Jazz Club (Live recording for CBC!): Calgary, AB www.beatniq.com
Jan 11 WCHS: Wetaskiwin, AB
Jan 11: Palace Theatre (and Charlie Austin: Piano): Daysland, AB
Jan 14: The Matchbox: Red Deer, AB www.thematchbox.com
Jan 15: Mad Hatter Coffee Roastery: Medicine Hat, AB
Jan 15: Ottoman Lounge: Medicine Hat, AB
Jan 16: Merchant's Coffee House: Camrose, AB
Jan 17: Bassment Jazz Club: Saskatoon, SK www.saskatoonjazzsociety.com
