Island Jazz Intensive

Ryan Oliver

Director

Saxophonist Ryan Oliver steeped his concept and artistry in the creative fires of Amsterdam, honed his craft in Toronto and realized his dream of joining thousands of saxophonists at crowded jam sessions for several years in the jazz metropolis of New York City before returning to British Columbia and the natural beauty of Vancouver Island.

Cookers Quintet

The Cookers Quintet is an exciting, straight-ahead collective of some of Canada's finest jazz musicians. The group's debut recording, "The Cookers, Volume 1" was warmly received by Canada's jazz community, and was played extensively on CBC, JazzFM, CJRT and college stations across the country. The Cookers Quintet is an exciting, straight-ahead collective of some of Canada's finest jazz musicians. The group's debut recording, "The Cookers, Volume 1" was warmly received by Canada's jazz community, and was played extensively on CBC, JazzFM, CJRT and college stations across the country.

Tim Hamel

Instructor

A thirty-plus year veteran of the Toronto jazz scene, the sound of Tim Hamel’s trumpet has graced stages across North America and beyond. He has performed at most of the major jazz clubs and festivals in Canada.

Alex Coleman

Instructor

Bassist Alex Coleman spent 2 decades in Toronto before moving back to Nanaimo where he maintains a busy schedule as one of the Island’s most dynamic bass players. Alex holds a degree from the University of Toronto and has performed across Canada with artists including P.J. Perry, Terry Clarke, Barry Elmes, Gary Williamson and his uncle and mentor, Pat Coleman.

Joe Poole

Instructor

Vancouver-based, Juno award winning drummer Joe Poole earned his degree in Jazz Performance under the guidance of Oscar Peterson, gaining Jazz Report Magazine’s Best Post-Secondary Jazz Musician award along the way. He has performed in over 25 different countries, from Aruba to Spain, Denmark to St. Martin, and of course, numerous cities throughout North America.