Ranging from the traditional jazz repertoire to contemporary and popular New Orleans styles, Homzy’s NightHawks present familiar and new material in an exciting and fresh way through creative, interesting arrangements and a unique instrumentation of two trumpets, two trombones, clarinet, baritone sax and a four-piece rhythm section.Popular and contemporary New Orleans pieces such as The Meters’ Cissy Strut and Randy Newman songs are yanked-in to the jazz world, while a piece by Lillian Hardin Armstrong - yes, Louis’ wife - is transformed into an engaging rhumba replete with collective improvisation.Classic jazz pieces associated with Bix Beiderbecke and Hoagy Carmichael sit alongside those of Wynton Marsalis and Thelonious Monk.
Andrew Homzy and his NightHawks bring all the music associated with and inspired by New Orleans to one place - without the restriction of categories.
"To list the incredible mentors these musicians have had, and to list the fine jazz musicians they have played with, would fill pages. Suffice it to say, these band members have such a wealth of talent, experience, expertise and jazz passion that the evening will be nothing less than outstanding –"
Treat yourself to an evening of fabulous music and, perhaps, dancing -
Musicians :
Dean Boland & Alfons Fear - Trumpets
Darren Nilsson & Craig Burnett - Trombones
Larry Miller - Baritone Sax
Claudio Fantinato - Clarinet
Sean Robson - Bass
Andrew Janusson - Guitar
James McRae - Drums
Brian Whitty - OCV (Our Charming Vocalist)
Andrew Homzy - Piano & Arrangements
Homzy's NightHawks have quickly become Vancouver Island favourites:
Sold out audiences in Courtenay (twice), Nanaimo, Crofton, and a Jazz Vespers in Mill Bay, were treated to an astonishing array of New Orleans music - something for everyone.
Join them at Hermann's when they cross the Malahat and descend onto Victoria - reservations are recommended - Tel: (250) 388-9166
A Nanaimo citizen since 2009, Homzy was a moving force on the Montreal jazz scene for more than 40 years.The Andrew Homzy Jazz Orchestra was featured many times at the Montréal Jazz Festival and many of their concerts were broadcast over Radio-Canada.In 1999, Homzy was commissioned to direct a special concert/broadcast celebrating Duke Ellington’s 100th birthday. The orchestra assembled for that event comprised musicians from 15 countries.
Many thanks to the 200+ people who attended our Nanaimo debut - and to the musicians who have given so much of their time to help me fulfil my vision of a new jazz experience in this wonderful town -
The first set was a formal concert celebrating milestones in traditional jazz. During the intermission, we rolled-up the carpet to expose the dance floor. The 2nd set began with a a traditional parade piece and as the band "sashayed" to the stage, we were followed by a 2nd line contingent - complete with decorative umbrellas/parasols - all lead by our Grand Marshall, Brian Whitty, OCV. From there we played a set of more modern New Orleans idioms and the dance floor was packed -
Below is a list of Artists and Resources in the database. We have worked hard to collect as many individuals and bands as possible, though we are certainly aware that this list is incomplete. There may be inaccuracies in the collected information. Please contact us if you find anything that needs correcting, or click the + sign at the top right of this page to add People and Resources who are missing from the listings.
