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21| W aterloo C hronicle | T hursday,June 7,2018 w aterloochronicle.ca 50 off every thing* *silent auction items excluded Special Extended Hours 7am - 9pm Jun 14 50 Kent Ave | Kitchener | 519-886-6226 | thriftonkent.com Thursday, The Grand River Jazz Society presents three events this weekend start- ing with the legendary drummer Bernie Carroll and the Bernie Carroll pro- ject. They are followed by the Jazz Room's artistic direc- tor Mark Kelso, who will be at the room for the first time as a band leader on June 9. The monthly Jazz Jam also goes Saturday af- ternoon for anyone inter- ested. Following their trium- phant performances at the Jazz Room during the Win- ter Jazz Festival in 2016, and The Registry Theatre in 2017, The Bernie Carroll Pro- ject returns to The Jazz Room. Veteran drummer Ber- nie Carroll will be joined by outstanding local jazz mu- sicians Dave Wiffen on ten- or saxophone, flutist Doug Wicken, bassist Al Rich- ardson and pianist Ralph Hetke. Collectively, the band represents more than 150 years of playing jazz in all of its formats, from duos to 18 piece big bands - and ev- erything in-between. An eclectic mix of music from some of the jazz leg- ends ... Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and others, will be featured alongside original tunes penned by band members Doug Wick- en and Dave Wiffen. Originally hailing from Belfast, Northern Ireland, Canadian drummer Mark Kelso has made Toronto, Canada his home for quite some time. Not only is he a skilled musician who plays drums and percussion, but he is also a singer, producer, composer and band leader as well. He is also been the head of the percussion de- partment at Humber Col- lege in Toronto since 2005. Aside from playing many TV and radio jingles and movie soundtracks, Kelso has also been fea- tured in Drums ETC, Cana- dian Musician, Drumhead, Drum Scene and Modern Drummer magazines. He has also been a fea- tured clinician/performer at the Montreal Drumfest, IAJE, Musicfest, KOSA, Percussive Arts Society, Regina Drum Festival, The Stickman drum experi- ence, Whack Bam Thudd festival, Victoria Drum Festival and the Cape Bret- on Drum Festival. The Mark Kelso trio fea- tures Brian Dickinson on piano and Mike Downes and bass. On Saturday afternoon from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. you can practice your improvi- sational skills by playing jazz on the Jazz Room stage at the monthly Jazz Room jam session. It' is a great opportunity for local musicians to meet and play together, share ideas and learn new tricks. If you ever wanted to play jazz music, but don't have a place or band to play with it's your chance to do so. The Grand River Jazz Society is an all volunteer organization. Volunteers are always welcome to help greet patrons at the door and generally assist in managing the events. Friday and Saturday concerts start at 8:30 p.m. The Jazz Jam starts at 3 p.m. For more information visit kwjazzroom.com. MUSIC Jazz Room features two great drummers this weekend Monthly Jazz Jam this Saturday Jazz legend Bernie Carroll and his band play the Jazz Room this Friday. There will also be a Jazz Jam Saturday afternoon followed by a performance by Mark Kelso Saturday night. Doug Wicken photo