The Big Easy is coming to the Royal City.
The Heritage Grill is starting New Orleans-style jazz brunches on Sundays, featuring the sounds of the RazzMaJazz trio and special guests.
The Sunday jazz brunches will start March 2, running noon to 4 p.m.
RazzMaJazz is dedicating to performing traditional jazz in the New Orleans style.
A press release notes that they are influenced by the King of Swing, Benny Goodman, with a "hot smooth swingin' style" that engages audiences and gets them dancing and singing along.
The trio, led by Dave Quinn on clarinet and saxophone, traces its roots back to 1986 when they played at the Quay and called themselves the Fraser River Rats. Over the years, Quinn played in a number of bands and eventually put together the RazzMaJazz Trio, with two well-known local musicians - guitarist Don Ogilvie and acoustic bass player Casey Tolhurst.
RazzMaJazz started playing at the Heritage Grill when it opened in 2006 and has been playing there monthly ever since.
"Dave Quinn and the boys really know how to make people smile," said Paul Minhas, owner of the Heritage Grill, in a press release. "The joy that comes through in their playing touches the hearts of young and old."
RazzMaJazz will be joined each Sunday by a special featured artist. On March 2, it will be veteran jazz and blues drummer Loren Etkin.
Future featured artists include Cindy Lee, a local jazz and R-and-B singer; Glenn Tremblay, a master traditional jazz trumpet player; and Bruce Gerrish, a New Orleans vocalist and guitar player.
The Heritage Grill is at 447 Columbia St. in downtown New Westminster.
For more information about RazzMaJazz, see www.razzmajazz.ca. For full music listings for the Heritage Grill, see www.theheritagegrill.com.
