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New jazz music series premiering at Anvil Theatre in New West

A Juno-winning jazz musician has joined forces with Piva Modern Italian restaurant to put on new jazz music series – and to perform
Jazz Tom Keenlyside
Juno-winning artist Tom Keenlyside not only helped plan the new Piva Presents: Jazz at the Anvil music series but will perform at upcoming concerts.

A new music series at the Anvil Theatre aims to introduce audiences to the rich world of jazz.

Piva Presents: Jazz at the Anvil is a new jazz music series that will feature seven monthly concerts showcasing musical talents from New Westminster and beyond.

“The goal of the series is to not only elevate the appreciation of music and tell the story of jazz,” said Tom Keenlyside, “but also to provide an opportunity to engage, strengthen, and amplify the arts in New Westminster.”

Jazz at the Anvil is being spearheaded and financially supported by Piva Modern Italian restaurant in collaboration with Keenlyside, a New Westminster-based and Juno-award winning jazz musician. The two came together with a vision to share their love of jazz music with the New Westminster community and pitched the idea to the Anvil Theatre team, who embraced the idea.

“With new takes, as well as nods to classic artists like Dave Brubeck and Ella Fitzgerald, and arrangements inspired by warm nights in New Orleans and Havana, these shows will move audiences in new ways and introduce them to the rich world of jazz,” said a press release.

The series kicks off on Tuesday, Sept. 27 with Piva Presents: A Night of Dave Brubeck featuring Tom Keenlyside. The concert runs from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Anvil Theatre, 777 Columbia St.

The series continues with: A Night of Ella Fitzgerald, featuring Jennifer Scott, on Oct. 18; A Night of Oscar Peterson Featuring Miles Black on Nov. 29; A Jazz Christmas Featuring Karin Plato on Dec. 6; A Night in Rio Featuring Tom Keenlyside on Jan. 24, 2023; A Night in Havana Featuring Jack Duncan on Feb. 14; and A Night in New Orleans Featuring Doc Fingers on March 21.

“The city is thrilled to welcome Jazz at the Anvil to our venue,” said Todd Ayotte, the city’s manager of community arts and theatre. “This cabaret-inspired series is a perfect fit for the Anvil Theatre and a great opportunity to welcome audiences from across the region to experience what New Westminster has to offer.  And, for local music lovers, a chance to come out and enjoy live music in their own community.”

Tickets for all concerts in the series are on sale now, and can be purchased at anviltheatre.ca. They range from $35 to $55, plus service charges.

All proceeds from Piva Presents: Jazz at the Anvil will be used to support the music programs at New Westminster Secondary School.

A grand addition

The Piva Presents: Jazz at the Anvil series will be one of the first opportunities to showcase the theatre’s latest asset: a brand new grand piano.

The theatre was able to purchase a new Yamaha C5X Grand Piano through the support of Tom Lee Music, Yamaha Canada, Piva Modern Italian, and Tom and Nicki-Lea Keenlyside. The city’s capital plan included funding for the purchase of the new instrument.

“The city is committed to supporting the continued growth and development of the local performing arts community and creative economy, and this new asset will help support this goal for many years to come,” Mayor Jonathan Cote said in a news release.

Ayotte also acknowledged the support of our community partners in helping the city to secure a “beautiful new grand piano” for Anvil Theatre. 

“This is a wonderful asset that will serve to expand programming opportunities at the theatre,” he said.