The continuing St. Mark's Concert Series has a an early Valentine's Day treat in store for Peninsula music lovers.
Smooth-toned Vancouver baritone Steve Maddock will be the featured artist in the next presentation, Hot Jazz for a Cool Season, Sunday, Feb. 8 at 2 p.m. at St. Mark's, Ocean Park.
The versatile vocalist, whose credits range from musical theatre to working with big bands and jazz trios, has been noted for continuing in the swinging tradition of such legends as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Mel Torme.
Maddock's passion for jazz started when he played trumpet in his high school big band, but over the course of 20 years he has honed his singing chops while working with and learning from some of Canada's top musicians.
Following a debut album in 1999 he released Memory Cafe in 2009 – a mix of standards and original jazz compositions written by Canadian songwriter Craig Salkeld. The album featured a core group of Miles Black (piano), Jody Proznick (bass) Bill Coon (guitar) and Craig Scott (drums), plus special guests the late Ross Taggart on tenor sax, Campbell Ryga on alto and baritone saxes, Rod Murray on trombone and trumpeters Brad Turner and Kent Wallace.
Maddock has been featured on the CBC radio shows Hot Air, Tonic, Disc Drive, Early Edition and Sounds Like Canada, and he has also been a soloist with the Dal Richards Orchestra and the VSO.
Among his musical theatre credits are George Kittredge in High Society (Arts Club Theatre), El Gallo in The Fantasticks (Vancouver Playhouse), Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music (Footlight Theatre) and the Beast in Disney's Beauty and the Beast (Arts Club).
Funds raised through ticket sales go to St Mark's ministries based on needs at the time.
St. Mark's is located at 12953 20 Ave.
Tickets ($15 plus a service charge, including refreshments) are available online at http://www.brownppertickets.com/event/1147796
Tickets and more information are also available from the church office at 604-535-8841
– Alex Browne