Oasis Vocal Jazz Ensemble: 1999-2000 season

Oasis Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Toronto, CANADA

The 1999-2000 Season

"Java Jive II"
Toronto ArtsWeek festival
September 28, 1999
River Cafe, Toronto
Once again this year, as part of the ArtsWeek festival, Oasis performed a free set of 12 songs at River, a cosy restaurant in the west end. It was our new musical director Heather Bambrick's first gig. The audience and Oasis had a great time despite the torrential rain outside. Doug, those synth patches on Centerpiece were oh so fancy! Thanks go to Diane Engelstad and our contacts at ArtsWeek and River, and to bass singer Nick Holman who this time wore the Production hat too.

The Body Shoppe
November 28, 1999
Toronto Eaton Centre
Oasis performed an 8-song set at The Body Shop at the Toronto Eaton Centre, to the delight of holiday shoppers. The set comprised mostly songs Oasis performed at River in September, with one new song. Thanks to Tony Hamill at The Body Shop, and to our own Colin Swift for arranging the appearance.

"Circle Of Song"
as guests of IRIS - The Toronto Women's Chorus
December 4, 1999
Bloor Street United Church, Toronto
Oasis last performed with IRIS in 1998 when both groups were guests of Forte - The Toronto Men's Chorus. This year, as guests of IRIS, Oasis performing a 4-song a cappella set of vocal jazz pieces that included 3 songs composed or arranged by women, and a finale on stage together with IRIS. Our thanks to Nina Darrigo of IRIS and our own Derick Hoffman for arranging our appearance, to Colin Swift for handling the introductions on stage, and to our pianist Doug Scaife for working around a scheduling conflict at the last minute in order to perform with us.

"Oasis - Twisted!"
January 29, 2000
The Music Gallery, Toronto
Oasis performed its first full concert in almost 2 years by doing two shows at The Music Gallery. It was Heather's first real concert as Musical Director, and the first full-length performances by Lisa and Nick. Thanks go to our fabulous guest musicians, drummer Davide DiRenzo and bassist Ross MacIntyre. Thanks also to the Music Gallery crew including manager Jim Montgomery and technical guru Steve Gordonmarsh. Among the new songs Oasis sang were Twisted written by Wardell Gray and Annie Ross, arranged by Keith Power; Wanting Memories written by Ysaye Barnwell; and the B-52s' Love Shack. Audience favourites were augmented by songs from Oasis concerts long ago, as well as four solo pieces. For the concert programme, click here.

Ross MacIntyre

Davide DiRenzo

Woodgreen United Church
Sunday May 28, 2000
Oasis performed a 9-song set of secular and religious-themed music as part of the church's regular Sunday service.

"Music To Soothe The Soul"
as guests of Just Friends
Tuesday May 30, 2000
Tweedsmuir Presbyterian Church, Orangeville
Oasis performed 12 songs as guest performers at the annual concert of the Orangeville women's choir "Just Friends". Orangeville is the home town of three Oasis members: Colin, Claire and Doug. The audience was amazing, and everyone had a great time. Thanks to Colin and Claire for organizing Oasis' participation. We certainly hope to return to Orangeville some day.

CN Tower
Wednesday June 14, 2000
Oasis performed a 3-song set at the 360 Restaurant for the 50th anniversary celebration of friends of the group. Beforehand during warm-ups in a secluded corner of the observation deck, Oasis received several enthusiastic rounds of applause from tourists who thought the warm-ups were part of the CN Tower's regular entertainment.

Pride Toronto Festival
Free Zone Stage
Sunday June 25, 2000
Oasis kicked off an evening of jazz entertainment in the "Free Zone" immediately following Toronto's Pride Parade in downtown Toronto. Pride Toronto is an annual week-long celebration of Toronto's gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gendered communities, and Oasis was pleased to be performing again on the Pride stage after an absence of several years.

The Phoenix Club
Wednesday July 12, 2000
Oasis joined the UK group Medieval Baebes, a cappella guy groups Roar and Cadence, Daughters of the Rock, Los Campensinos, vocalist Alana Bridgewater and Toronto jazz foursome The Beehive Singers in an evening of vocal magic. Thanks to heather Bambrick for organizing Oasis' participation in this event.

[ History ]

Copyright © 1998, 1999, 2000, Oasis Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Toronto, CANADA

	Oasis Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Toronto, CANADA
	The 1999-2000 Season

	"Java Jive II" Toronto ArtsWeek festival September 28, 1999 River Cafe, Toronto Once again this year, as part of the ArtsWeek festival, Oasis performed a free set of 12 songs at River, a cosy restaurant in the west end. It was our new musical director Heather Bambrick's first gig. The audience and Oasis had a great time despite the torrential rain outside. Doug, those synth patches on *Centerpiece* were oh so fancy! Thanks go to Diane Engelstad and our contacts at ArtsWeek and River, and to bass singer Nick Holman who this time wore the Production hat too.

	The Body Shoppe November 28, 1999 Toronto Eaton Centre Oasis performed an 8-song set at The Body Shop at the Toronto Eaton Centre, to the delight of holiday shoppers. The set comprised mostly songs Oasis performed at River in September, with one new song. Thanks to Tony Hamill at The Body Shop, and to our own Colin Swift for arranging the appearance.

	"Circle Of Song" as guests of IRIS - The Toronto Women's Chorus December 4, 1999 Bloor Street United Church, Toronto Oasis last performed with IRIS in 1998 when both groups were guests of Forte - The Toronto Men's Chorus. This year, as guests of IRIS, Oasis performing a 4-song a cappella set of vocal jazz pieces that included 3 songs composed or arranged by women, and a finale on stage together with IRIS. Our thanks to Nina Darrigo of IRIS and our own Derick Hoffman for arranging our appearance, to Colin Swift for handling the introductions on stage, and to our pianist Doug Scaife for working around a scheduling conflict at the last minute in order to perform with us.

	"Oasis - Twisted!" January 29, 2000 The Music Gallery, Toronto Oasis performed its first full concert in almost 2 years by doing two shows at The Music Gallery. It was Heather's first real concert as Musical Director, and the first full-length performances by Lisa and Nick. Thanks go to our fabulous guest musicians, drummer Davide DiRenzo and bassist Ross MacIntyre. Thanks also to the Music Gallery crew including manager Jim Montgomery and technical guru Steve Gordonmarsh. Among the new songs Oasis sang were Twisted written by Wardell Gray and Annie Ross, arranged by Keith Power; Wanting Memories written by Ysaye Barnwell; and the B-52s' Love Shack. Audience favourites were augmented by songs from Oasis concerts long ago, as well as four solo pieces. For the concert programme, click here.


	Woodgreen United Church Sunday May 28, 2000 Oasis performed a 9-song set of secular and religious-themed music as part of the church's regular Sunday service.

	"Music To Soothe The Soul" as guests of Just Friends Tuesday May 30, 2000 Tweedsmuir Presbyterian Church, Orangeville Oasis performed 12 songs as guest performers at the annual concert of the Orangeville women's choir "Just Friends". Orangeville is the home town of three Oasis members: Colin, Claire and Doug. The audience was amazing, and everyone had a great time. Thanks to Colin and Claire for organizing Oasis' participation. We certainly hope to return to Orangeville some day.

	CN Tower Wednesday June 14, 2000 Oasis performed a 3-song set at the 360 Restaurant for the 50th anniversary celebration of friends of the group. Beforehand during warm-ups in a secluded corner of the observation deck, Oasis received several enthusiastic rounds of applause from tourists who thought the warm-ups were part of the CN Tower's regular entertainment.


	Pride Toronto Festival Free Zone Stage Sunday June 25, 2000 Oasis kicked off an evening of jazz entertainment in the "Free Zone" immediately following Toronto's Pride Parade in downtown Toronto. Pride Toronto is an annual week-long celebration of Toronto's gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gendered communities, and Oasis was pleased to be performing again on the Pride stage after an absence of several years.

	The Phoenix Club Wednesday July 12, 2000 Oasis joined the UK group Medieval Baebes, a cappella guy groups Roar and Cadence, Daughters of the Rock, Los Campensinos, vocalist Alana Bridgewater and Toronto jazz foursome The Beehive Singers in an evening of vocal magic. Thanks to heather Bambrick for organizing Oasis' participation in this event.

	[ History ]
	Copyright © 1998, 1999, 2000, Oasis Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Toronto, CANADA