Phil Dwyer at the Rotary Arts Centre

Multi Juno Award winning saxophonist Phil Dwyer delivered two sets of burning jazz at the Rotary Arts Centre in the atrium tonight in front of a small but appreciative crowd. The long time Toronto resident who now calls Vancouver Island home performed inspired interpretations of many jazz standards and clearly showed how he has managed to play on 9 Juno Award winner records. The man made even the scariest lines and excursions look like child's play. He also displayed an impressive range of dynamics and tone. His treatment of Body and Soul alone would have been worth the price of admission. With many in attendance students from local jazz programs, this concert could easily have served as a master class.

Dwyer was backed up by some of Kelowna's very best jazz players with Neville Bowman on piano, Bernie Addington on upright bass, and Martin Lord on drums. These cats are always up to the challenge and several moves brought huge grins to Dwyer's face as Addington and Bowman in particular inserted nice phrases or interesting substitutions. A great night of jazz from a Canadian jazz giant and Kelowna's best.