Candice McMahon
For The Morning Star
Vancouver soul dynamo Dawn Pemberton has a deep musical foundation rooted in tradition as those attending her concert at the Vernon Jazz Club Saturday, March 11 will see.
Pemberton is heavily influenced by rhythm and is drawn to the percolating undercurrent of soul-jazz and funk, which is infused in everything that she does.
“I’ve got a rhythmic stream running through me at all times. It’s all about the groove for me,” she said.
Pemberton’s creative voice has been bubbling to the surface for the better part of a decade. She spent her formative years surrounded by a family of multi-instrumentalists and developed a true love of music as a young girl.
A staple of the West Coast music scene, Pemberton can be found tearing it up as a vocalist, arranger, and go-to for live performances and studio sessions. In addition to regularly collaborating on the projects of her peers and having an educated background in jazz voice and piano, she is a talented and passionate songwriter in her own right.
Her proven track record as a singer and performer has been undeniable and the time finally came for her to express her unique vision, which resulted in her album, Say Somethin’
“I enjoyed helping others bring their projects to life and after a while I wanted to experience the process for myself, from beginning to end. It was important to be in full control of the musical choices so that they truly reflected my personality and vibe,” she said.
Joining Pemberton will be her band, including bassist Scott Tucker, who is best known for becoming something of an overnight internet sensation back in 2007, when his debut album Delivery Bros went viral.
Tucker’s hypnotic blend of funk-pop songs started gaining in popularity, and his shows in the Vancouver area have become just as trendy as the hits on his website.
Johnny Andrews is a professional drummer who tours internationally with various artists. He has lent his expertise to many pop, jazz, funk, hip hop, and rock recordings and has performed on entertainment shows that include MTV, David Letterman, Jay Leno, and Conan O’Brien.
Keyboardist Max Zipursky specializes in hip hop, jazz, and soul. Categorized as a “smooth, jazz pianist” at the Blue Martini Jazz Café and a “jazz pro” by Showcase Pianos, Zipursky has built up quite a reputation. He plays old and new favourites, and originals with a special twist that makes him unique to Vancouver’s circuit of players.
Gutiarist Gavin Youngash is a graduate of the Capilano University Jazz Studies program and the recipient of honours, including the CARAS award for excellence in jazz performance. He is an in-demand artist for recording and performance work throughout the city of Vancouver.
Dawn Pemberton takes the stage at the Vernon Jazz Club (3000-31st St.) Saturday at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $20 online at www.vernonjazz.com and at Expressions of Time (2901-30th Ave.), with a $5 rebate at the gig for VJS members.