March 07, 2005 -

Ottawa -- The concert series 5 Shades of Geggie will heat up with an impassioned concert of improvised music featuring bassist John Geggie joined by New York-based saxophonist Donny McCaslin and drummer Jim Doxas. Expect an evening of challenging and swinging original compositions, in the spirit of such saxophone masters as Sonny Rollins and Wayne Shorter. The concert takes place at the NAC’s Fourth Stage on March 12, 2005 at 8pm.

Brooklyn-based, Donny McCaslin is one of New York’s most in demand tenor saxophonists. In addition to his own solo career, McCaslin balances his time as bandleader for Lan Xang, an edgy free blowing quartet, and his work with a varied array of the top jazz artists in the US. Recently, Donny was nominated for a Grammy Award for “Best Instrumental Jazz Solo” for his work on “Buleria, Solea Y Rumba” from Maria Schneider’s new release “Concert in The Garden” (ArtistShare label.) Other performing credits include Brazilian duo Flora Purim and Airto Noreira, Danilo Perez, The Manhattan Transfer, Pat Metheny, and The Mingus Big Band.

Montreal-native Jim Doxas, cited in the National Post as 'an improviser of uncommon promise' is a well-known fixture on the Montreal music scene as a co-leader of the trio By Product. Since his studies at McGill University, Jim has performed with such musicians as Dave Douglas, Joe Lovano, Ben Monder, Pat Labarbera and Ingrid Jensen. Last year, he was invited to play as part of John Geggie’s series at the Fourth Stage, with saxophonist Mike Murley.

No stranger to the creative music world, John Geggie is excited to be returning to the Fourth Stage.  Geggie is extremely active in the Canadian music scene as a freelance double bass player and teacher. His association with the award-winning jazz group Chelsea Bridge and the Juno-nominated D. D. Jackson Trio is well known.  This past summer and for the fifth consecutive year, John hosted the immensely popular late-night jam sessions at the Ottawa International Jazz Festival.  During that time, he also appeared with such international artists as John Scofield, Courtney Pine, Wynton Marsalis, Ravi Coltrane and Joe Lovano.  Last July, he performed a highly-acclaimed concert with world-renowned pianist Marilyn Crispell that was recorded for broadcast by Radio-Canada.  His concert credits also include performances with such jazz luminaries as Gene Lees, Henry Mancini, David Murray, Andrew Cyrille and Billy Hart.  In addition to his jazz commitments, Geggie maintains a busy schedule of concerts with the National Arts Centre Orchestra and the Thirteen Strings Chamber Orchestra.

The final concert in the 5 Shades of Geggie series takes place on May 14 and features a duo concert with two double basses. John’s guest will be the internationally known American double bass virtuoso, Mark Dresser.

Individual tickets are $20 and are available at the NAC Box Office (in person) and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 755-1111.  Ticketmaster can also be accessed through the NAC’s website at www.nac-cna.ca.

For additional information, visit the NAC website at www.nac-cna.ca and click on the Fourth Stage logo.

For further information please contact:
Laïla-Gabrielle Côté
Media Relations
(613) 562-8394
laila-gcote@sympatico.ca

Sarah Rooney
Marketing Coordinator, Fourth Stage
(613) 947-7000 ext.526
srooney@nac-cna.ca