Born and raised in Keremeos, Jonnie has strong ties to the area. His most recent connection was a two year stint teaching music at Similkameen Elementary Secondary School from 2010-2012.
Jonnie has performed in and around Keremeos in the past with various groups including the jazz/flamenco fusion quartet, Alboa and a unique jazz collective, Cherry-Pickle-O.
Jonnie also holds the distinction of performing at every “Music Under the K” festival in some way, shape or form during its ten year run. This time he is doing it in style with four concerts in five days from Keremeos to Kelowna, July 4-8, 2013.
Jonnie currently resides in Victoria where he is making a name for himself as a saxophonist in the city’s vibrant music scene. He currently plays with several local jazz groups, a blues band and 11-piece Hip-hop/funk dance band, The New Groovement, which will be playing some of Vancouver Island’s biggest festivals this summer including the Victoria Jazzfest and Skafest.
The group he is bringing on tour is the Ajna jazz trio featuring Jonnie on alto, tenor and baritone sax, Nick Mintenko, who is one of Victoria’s most in demand young bass players, and Naramata based jazz guitar guru, Shpengla. The group of highly skilled musicians will be performing their own unique arrangements of a wide variety of traditional and modern jazz standards as well as original compositions.
The tour kicks off on Thursday, July 4 in Naramata with a performance at the Cobblestone Wine Bar at the Naramata Heritage Inn. Friday, July 5 the band will be performing at the Cawston Hall and on July 6, they will be performing at the Elite in Penticton. This performance will also feature several special guests and an opportunity for local musicians to sit in with the group. The final performance takes place on Monday, July 8 at the Minstrel Café and Bar in Kelowna.
To keep up to date with all the details of the tour go to https://www.facebook.com/ajnajazztrio or check out Jonnie’s music blog https://www.facebook.com/jonniebmusicpage.
Ajna jazz trio summer tour dates:
July 4 – 7:30 p.m., Cobblestone Wine Bar at the Naramata Heritage Inn, 3625 1st street, Naramata, Tel. 250-496-6808 Reservations recommended.
July 5 – 7:30 p.m., doors at 7 p.m., $10, Cawston Hall, 2119 Main St, Cawston.
July 6 – 8 p.m, Donation ($5 min.), The Elite, 340 Main St Penticton, (250) 492-3051
July 8 – 8 p.m., $5 The Minstrel Café & Bar, 4638 Lakeshore Road, Kelowna BC, Tel. 250-764-2301
Contact:
For more information please contact:
Jonnie Bridgman
Saxophonist, music teacher, manager of Ajna Jazz Trio