The Pearl Company

HEILLIG MANOEUVRE: Friday, December 4. 8:00pm. $20 door/$15 artists/students/un(der)waged. Friendly. Contemporary. Jazz! Heillig Manoeuvre is a Toronto-based quartet formed by Manteca bassist/Musical Director Henry Heillig.  The band’s repertoire is primarily original material which Heillig describes as “friendly, contemporary jazz”.  Of his writing style, Heillig says: “Many of my compositions are inspired by people and places, even the odd cartoon character. Like many a jazz standard, they are written as songs, and they become jazz as we perform them.”
Drummer Charlie Cooley still plays with Manteca; Saxophonist Alison Young has been heard with Joe Sealy, Red Hot Ramble, Big Rude Jake. Pianist Stacie McGregor was Musical Director for the late Archie Alleyne’s  bop ensemble Kollage. They are all accomplished musicians who bring a variety of styles and strengths to the ensemble. The pleasure they derive from each other’s playing is obvious to the listener (and viewer). Heillig says he often feels like Snoopy playing his ‘doghouse’ , smiling and dancing, surrounded by his musical friends.
Heillig Manoeuvre recently released its fourth CD “Wait, There’s More!” Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZFrWL6AyF4 Website:  www.heilligman.com

Shari Vandermolen & David Brideau: Saturday May 5.  Doors: 7:30pm. Show: 8:00. Tickets: $20. Shari Vandermolen is a renowned vocalist and award-winning performer in Hamilton and the Greater Toronto Area who has been entertaining audiences for 15 years with her Quartet, Trio or 5-piece band Quarter to Nine.  She is also the lead vocalist for the 10-piece jazz combo SwingLine.  On May 5th Shari brings her powerful and impressive vocal stylings back to the Pearl Company for a more intimate evening of song with jazz guitarist David Brideau, James Gannett on bass and Vince Waters on drums.  “…hear Vandermolen make jelly of your emotions with her voice and her art… one example is Stormy Weather… I barely weathered that storm intact.”  – View Magazine
David Brideau is a Canadian jazz guitarist, composer, and teacher who has been an active musician for over 15 years. A Hamilton native, and honours graduate from the Mohawk Jazz program, David has played all around the GTA with his own group, the David Brideau Trio and Quartet, as well as being prominently featured in groups with Michael Morobito, Amber-Leigh Palka, and Lauren Perreira among others. He studied under jazz greats Bob Shields, Pat Collins, Kim Ratcliffe, and Mark Ucci and is currently continuing his studies at McMaster University. David often composes his own standards, and released the sold-out EP “Addicted To You” in 2016. He is a recipient of the Dave McMurdo Music Bursary, the Antony Roberts Music Bursary, and the Richard Newell Memorial Scholarship.
Ticets: https://www.ticketscene.ca/events/21098/