Monday, April 17, 2023 – Vancouver, BC – 2023 JUNO-Winner (and Fulbright Scholar) Florian Hoefner Trio, featuring Andrew Downing on bass and Nick Fraser on drums, came to Lions Bay to perform a repertoire of originals from their 2023 JUNO-Winning “Best Jazz Album-Group” album “DesertBloom” and 2021 JUNO -Nominated “FirstSpring” at the Village Hall on Sat, Apr 15, 2023 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM PDT.

What made this concert uniquely special in that it was an “electric” performance, very unique stunning one-off, with the NORD Fender-Rhodes sound. All other performances are are usually done on an acoustic Steinway piano (per the recording). So the band was hearing this for the first time, in this style, too. So we were very lucky in that regard to be part of this ephemeral experience.

by MC Tamara Leger

Born and raised in Germany, trained in New York City on a Fulbright Scholarship and now based in Newfoundland Canada, jazz pianist and composer Florian Hoefner draws from a myriad of influences that culminate in his unique Award-Winning brand of modern jazz.

Florian initially began his musical studies in Bavaria, where he played the trumpet and accordion, in addition to piano. After obtaining his first degree in jazz piano from the University of Arts in Berlin, he was granted a Fulbright Scholarship to complete a Master of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music in New York City where he studied with Jason Moran, Dave Liebman, and Garry Dial.

I was so happy to be invited to this concert as Westcoast German News and Germans in Vancouver. It was my first time in the Lions Bay Village Hall.

Tamara Leger, a Community Engagement Consultant, began organizing “Lions Bay House Concerts” in 2015, established to promote community and personal connection through remarkable and unique shared experiences. She wanted to get folks out of their silos and create an active social environment where newcomer could easily mix with the old-timer and connect, or reconnect, in new ways.

“House Concerts” means the production of musical events staged in private residences within the Village of Lions Bay and also includes any events staged in Broughton Hall and any Eat Together events in Lions Bay Beach Park.

Tamara started the event with an icebreaker asking people where they volunteer and asking them to describe 3 separate projects they have worked on. After discovering that several people in the audience spoke German, she asked them to stand in front of the crowd and personally welcome Florian Hoefner, German artist, in his native language. There were even a few other members of the audience who spoke German!

What is an event without art? Below are Rain Senra-Francois (left), Elizabeth Cross (middle) and Arega Grigoryan (right) who were all from Art Vancouver – Canada’s western most prestigious art fair that brings the international art world together at the Vancouver Convention Centre West. It features reputable galleries and artists from across Canada and around the world. Art Vancouver Founder Lisa Wolfin curated the artist display ([email protected]) that added that special touch to this already amazing event.

All of the pictures seen above are on sale, but two of my favourites were:

The Florian Hoefner Trio are a Canadian jazz trio from St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Since 2018, Hoefner has been working with his trio, which features Andrew Downing on bass and Nick Fraser on drums. Their Juno-nominated debut album First Spring focuses on Hoefner’s arrangements of folk tunes from around the world. Their 2023 Juno-winning follow-up album, Desert Bloom, includes original compositions that showcase Hoefner’s hallmark lyricism.

Some snippets of this concert have been placed on my TikTok channel. https://www.tiktok.com/@elke.pr

Beatrice and I are standing with gold sponsor Thyra McKilligan of Re/Max Masters (middle), who has been a North Shore resident for over 25 years, but her specialty is Lions Bay. Once a musician herself, she actively supports the arts and live events that help create a sense of community. Selling or buying a home in Lions Bay, call her. Other realtors do! https://www.thyramckilligan.com/

MC Tamara Leger (left in the picture below) also wanted to be a launch pad for seriously talented musical artists who were passing through and perhaps looking to pick up an extra gig in an exquisite environment. So, every month she invites culture lovers to gather and have an absolutely marvellous time sharing delicious food, unique music and showcase local famous and emerging artists. All of these events are also 19+.

Her experience as an innovator, entrepreneur, and Director of Special Projects reflects her enjoyment of launching new products and translating vision into action.

Florian found her online and contacted her back in 2021 to talk to her about touring in BC and after the pandemic finally lifted most restrictions, this concert has finally taken place!

Lions Bay Councillors Marcus Reuter (German-speaking), Neville Abbott, Michael Broughton presented the three artists with flowers.

Elizabeth Cross has a website that can be found here: http://www.elizabethcross.ca/. Rain Senra-Francois has a website rainsenrafrancoic.com/

This event brought culture lovers of all ages together.

If you would like to see more about this artist, you can visit her Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/aregagrigorya/

All good things must come to an end. If you missed this concert and really wanted to hear some live jazz music, you could see Florian Hoefner in Nanimo on Monday, April 17, BlueShore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, April 18, or in Kelowna on Wednesday, April 19, 2023.

Other concert dates can be found here: https://florian-hoefner.com/live-dates/

If you would like to know a little more about the German Canadian Business Association (GCBA), who has a mission to promote cultural, business & professional interests in the German-speaking Community in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, visit https://www.germancanadianbusiness.com/

Finally, if you would like me to attend an event and write a story like the one above, please fill in a contact form and we can arrange a time for a discussion over Zoom, Whatsapp or on the phone.

MORE ABOUT LIONS BAY HOUSE CONCERTS
Founded in 2015, Lions Bay House Concerts was created to present world-class music + art and community events in local settings. In the past 8 YEARS, over 4800 Attendees have enjoyed 120 Concerts and Events FEATURING 300 National and International Touring Musicians, in 36 UNIQUE private homes and public spaces. The series is supported by longtime sponsor, local realtor Thyra McKilligan of Re/Max Masters, and grantors like West Vancouver Foundation – Neighbourhood Small Grants. We often collaborate with other community-based organizations, like Art Vancouver to enrich the artist and attendee experience.

Contact Information:

Tamara Leger |778-928-7071 

Founder |LionsBayHouseConcerts

Music + Art. Experience

The post The Florian Hoefner Trio in Lions Bay first appeared on Westcoast German News.