Contributed
Lennart Axelsson, a Swedish-born trumpet player now living in Germany, is considered to be the best European jazz trumpet player around.
For many years, Axelsson was the lead and solo trumpet player with James Last Big Band, who toured all over the world and is featured on more than one hundred of Last’s recordings with many going gold in Europe.
There is a unique opportunity for a limited number of Vernon jazz lovers to attend Axelsson and company’s open concert rehearsal Sept. 6 at the Okanagan Center for Spiritual Living in preparation for the Penticton Jazz Festival.
Axelsson is now a frequent guest soloist at various jazz festivals and clubs primarily in Europe as well as several appearances in Western Canada. Axelsson dubs his company’s style “Happy Jazz.” Throughout his music career, Axelsson has made guest performances with Chet Baker, Henry Mancini, Bill Horman, Sal Nestiko, Toots Thieleman, and others, including sitting in with Count Basie, Buddy Rich, and Quincy Jones orchestras.
The public rehearsal is Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Okanagan Centre for Spiritual Living, 2913-29th Ave. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are limited and are available for $10 each and are available at the centre. For more information, call 250 549-4399.