Some of the most well-known musicians and singers on the planet have shared the stage with Paul Wainwright and Steve Duben. Together they join Phil Newns, Michael O’Leary and John Pimm for an evening of great blues/jazz music Saturday night at the Legion.

Wainwright has played with the likes of Kenny Loggins, Stevie Nicks, Michael Buble, Martha Reeves, Jim Byrnes, Donny Walsh (Mr. Downchild), Vic Damone, and many more. He and his bands have opened for Herbie Hancock, Manhattan Transfer, Etta James, k.d. lang, Melissa Etheridge, the “Great Guitars” (Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel, Charlie Byrd), and the Rippingtons. He has performed at the Las Vegas and the Sacramento Jazz Festivals to standing-room-only crowds and regularly plays festivals, clubs, casinos, private functions and conventions throughout Canada and the U.S.A.

Paul Wainwright & SaxSafari formed in 2004 when Wainwright left his vocal swing band of many years the Big Band Trio. Partnering with bassist Steve Duben they put together the group to honour their roots and make music in the tradition of Weather Report, Spyro Gyra and the Crusaders. In 2006 they released Plank Spankin’ which received critical acclaim and considerable airplay across North America. They have a regular gig every Tuesday night at Swans in Victoria.

Composing collaborator and bassist/producer Steve Duben will be providing his unique style with his infectious Caribbean-approach to the bass. HIs solid jazz sense has led him to become the master of the wide body groove.

Originally from Guyana, Duben has played with some great performers including Oscar Peterson, Tommy Banks and P.J. Perry. Earlier this month he accompanied Diana Krall with an international line-up of musicians at the Jubilee Auditorium in Calgary.

South African pianist Phil Newns just returned from Ottawa where he was recognized for his groundbreaking work with students at Brentwood College, where he serves as Music Director.

Local guitarist John Pimm will be joining the group. He spent the winter performing in southern California while based in the Palm Springs area.

Drummer Michael O’Leary brings unparalelled groove-ability and catalyzes the unique Sax Safari sound. He has studied with some of North America’s top drummers. He continues to study through phone lessons with Kevin Crab, one of Los Angeles’s most sought after instructors.

Together, the group will play selections from their latest release Plank Spankin’ and new music slated for future release.

Their newly designed website features streaming audio of all tracks on the cd plus a new education section featuring articles previously written by Wainwright for Canadian Musician magazine.

In addition, they have begun to make available sheet music of the music on the cd which is a free download. Presently four titles are available with more being added in the weeks to come. Music students and other interested players are invited to take advantage of this and attend one of their upcoming shows where a seminar is offered beforehand.

See their website for more details. www.paulwainwright.com.