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The building at 753 View St. does not offer much in the way of curbside appeal. But behind the nondescript glass doors lives the longest continually running jazz club in the country — one that has survived a damaging fire, changes in ownership, and the death of its much-loved founder during four decades of operation.
So how does a group of five local musicians each with his own strong opinions on the matter settle on a scant 23 songs for a run of eight upcoming concerts saluting John, Paul, George and Ringo? By treading lightly, it would appear. “We’re dealing with a band of seasoned professionals who are also friends,” said singer-pianist Brooke Maxwell. “None of us are younger than 49, so we’re crusty old bastards. But there’s not really a band leader, and we don’t really want to have a dictatorial leader. So we made it democratic.” Maxwell is joined in the group by Chris Frye, who will sing and handle electric and acoustic guitars for the run of livestream performances staged by Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre. They are joined by drummer Damian Graham, bassist Peter Dowse and violist Richard Moody, who will also sing. The friends play together in several incarnations around town, and are often associated with the musical hubs at Pagliacci’s restaurant and Hermann’s J
And that means gender parity in professional music is not where it should be, says Walkden. “It’s still an industry where it’s not equal,” she said. “Musicians from Toronto do note [the all-women team] when they come here to play a show, because it is uncommon. I don’t deal with women very often in what I do, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do it, simply because we’re women.” A concert set for Hermann’s on Sunday will illuminate the point. Timed to recognize International Women’s Day, which falls on Monday this year, the event was conceived by local singer Maria Manna as a showcase by, for and about the women who make a lot of their living playing music professionally in Victoria.