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Jazz concert at Westacres to build the future

Jaclyn Guillou and her quintet to perform Aug. 14 in Maple Ridge
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Jaclyn Guillou is a vocal instructor at the Bergthorson Academy of Musical Arts. She performs at Westacres in Maple Ridge Aug. 14.

Fresh from her appearance at the 2014 Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, Jaclyn Guillou and her talented quintet will play an intimate concert in Maple Ridge next week.

A collaboration with the Bergthorson Community Music Education Performance Society, the evening will also create an opportunity for young aspiring jazz musicians to perform.

In 2009, Guillou was the recipient of a CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award after her very first performance at  the Vancouver International Jazz Festival and has been setting good stride since then.

She has toured throughout Europe, Canada and the United States and performed at some of the most recognized jazz clubs, festivals and cities with shows at Yoshi’s in San Francisco, the Birdland Jazz Club, Rataplan in Belgium, L’Inoui in Luxembourg, Yardbird Suit and the now-defunct Cory Weeds’ Cellar Jazz Club in Vancouver.

Guillou has had the pleasure of studying with some of the world’s best jazz singers which include American vocal luminaries Nancy King, Jay Clayton and Sheila Jordan.

Gillou's latest album The Lover's Walk, released in January 2014, is a collaboration between pianist Bram Weijters and a group of Belgian musicians featuring Piet Verbist on bass, Toon Van Dionant on drums, who have contributed to her new contemporary sound. They perform entirely original music, romantic and melancholic with a touch of groove in all the right moments.  This group continues to tour and perform in Europe, exploring new ideas and supporting Guillou in all facets of her spontaneous creative ideas.

In addition to her very hectic performance schedule, Guillou is also is a vocal instructor at the   Bergthorson Academy of Musical Arts, based in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.

Rob Hornsey with Bergthorson said Guillou has a passion for living life with pure intention and being true to natural musical instincts.

“She treasures life in all of its raw, unique moments and continues to be inspired on a daily life, contributing what she can in her compositions, lyrics and genuine voice,” he adds.

Opening the evening performance will be several young aspiring jazz students from Gillou’s roster, including Isabella Manderson, Nicholas Larsen, Gillian and Derek Caughy, Lucas McKinnon and Justin Cho and Madison Deroche.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for youth 18 and under. Seating is limited so reservations are highly recommended. This will prove to be an evening to remember.

• Building The Future Concert  takes place Thursday, August 14 at 7 p.m.at West Acres. To reserve tickets, call Robert Hornsey at 778-230-0543 or email info@bergthorson.com.