Tango in Montreal

While boarding the Beaubien bus one day with my bass (check that alliteration), I met Leila Boily-Afriat, a Tango dance guru, who soon introduced me to Tango pianist Victor Simon.  Every Thursday, at Cafe de Lima, he hosts a Tango Jam Session.  I went and heard Victor play with bass-clarinetist Matthew Belanger.  They blew me away.  They were freely improvising in the tango context.  It was like Eric Dolphy meets Astor Piazzolla.  I am now very happy to be studying tango bass with Victor.  Check out his group:  Ensemble Montreal Tango.  

Jakes play Jazz at Zitto e Mangia

Every wednesday night we will be playing standard jazz at my favorite neighborhood restaurant, Zitto e Mangia, across the street from my house in Little Italy, Montreal.  

Wednesdays 7-9 pm

Zitto e Mangia

Corner of Clark and St. Zotique Ouest

Jake Henry - Trumpet

Jake K. Leckie - Bass

TBA - Drums

BYOB

Free Entry

Orchestra Concert in Rosemère

Saturday, June 13, I will play double bass with OSC du Québec.  We will play Haydn Trumpet Concerto, The Opus 50 Romance of Beethoven, The concerto for 2 violins and strings of JS Bach, 2 pieces of JS Bach (Bist du bei mir, and the 2nd mvt of the 3rd suite), and the Symphony 14 of Mozart. 

Birdcages

Here is a little tune I wrote called "Birdcages" performed by Melissa Hullman (violin), Susan Alcorn (Pedal Steel) and myself (Bass) at The Red Room in Baltimore.

It's title is a reference to an installation by Erika Kierulf, a visual artist in Montreal.  Check out her website and click on the link to "It's All The Same To You"

Down to Baltimore

I am very excited to return to Baltimore this week.  This is where I will be playing:

Sunday May 10, 3pm - AHL trio at The Hexagon

Monday May 11, 7-9pm - Boostimus at the Hopkins B&N

Thursday May 14 - Restaurant

Tuesday May 19 - Out Out of Your Head Collective at the Windup Space

Saturday May 23, 8:30pm - AHL trio at The Red Room (See Poster Above)

Montreal is treating me well.  I am teaching, playing, and freelancing as an audio engineer.  I look forward to mixing a jazz quartet record when I return from the states.  I ate 5 Saint Viator bagels yesterday, and I continue my daily rituals of swimming at the Y and drinking a latte.  My friend Pemi has lent me an interesting book by Alan Watts, but I think I have been trying to read it too late at night for it to make any sense.  

I got a new toy.  An Oxygen8 Midi Controller, which will make the process of composing music on the computer more efficient.  It will help me with with arranging, sequencing, and film scoring.

Monday Nights at L'Escalier

For the past few months, we have been hosting a weekly jam at L'Escalier.  

This is what Jeff and I look like when we play, according to Xav.  

McGill Baroque Orchestra Spring Concert

I will be performing long low notes on the Double Bass with The McGill Baroque Orchestra on Thursday April 9, 8pm in Redpath Hall at McGill.  Ooooold school.
"Hear the McGill Baroque Orchestra in their final concert of the 2008-2009 season! Showcasing works by Locatelli, Boccherini, Vivaldi, and W.F Bach, the orchestra will be joined by virtuoso violinist Mark Fewer. This is sure to be a fantastic evening of music! Tickets are a bargain at only $10, too."

Thursday April 9

8pm-10pm

Redpath Hall on McTavish

Montral, QC