Vancouver musician Al Foreman has dabbled in a lot of different genres, particularly one he calls New Orleans gumbo.
Now, through Jazz in the Fort鈥檚 monthly concert series, Foreman is coming to Beatniks Bistro in Fort 91原创 Oct. 26 to play a wide mixture of sizzling tunes.
鈥淚 started in 1968, so got a few miles under my belt,鈥� Foreman laughed, recounting the number of bands and shows he鈥檚 been in for the past five decades.
鈥淟ittle Daddy and the Bachelors鈥� featuring Tommy Chong from the classic comedy duo Cheech and Chong, Scrubbaloe Caine in the early seventies, the Foreman Young band, which opened for The Beach Boys at Vancouver Coliseum, and a blues band with Jim Byrnes are just a few of the highlights.
Foreman additionally studied music therapy at Capilano University and worked in that field for most of the 2000s.
Lately, the Coquitlam resident said he鈥檚 been filling in for other musicians and playing the odd gig when he feels like it, most recently Port Moody鈥檚 RibFest this past summertime.
A longtime friendship with Fort 91原创 Jazz and Arts Festival organizer鈥檚 Karen Zukas and Dave Quinn led him to be part of the festival this summer 鈥� a gig he was more than happy to take.
鈥淚 quite enjoyed it. My set was quite late in the day and I went out specifically to see a 15 peice band; the whole-set up and number of stages were really quite good,鈥� Foreman said. 鈥淚 was really pleased with how it went.鈥�
Jazz in the Fort was started this fall by Dave Quinn and Karen Zukas to pick up where the Fort 91原创 Jazz and Arts Festival left off, offering live music in different venues and events around the village.
Read More: Fort 91原创 Jazz festival goes year-round
Foreman鈥檚 performance is the second in that line-up, following Nina Michelle鈥檚 performance at Mangia e Scappa in September.
鈥淲hat I鈥檒l do at Beatniks will be songs taken from my New Orleans show,鈥� Foreman explained. 鈥淕umbo music with a variety of styles; my roots are with the blues and I cut my teeth on rock; I鈥檒l do some boogie woogie piano and a bit of country. The only thing I really can鈥檛 do for you is probably contemporary.鈥�
Foreman added that he will be a performer next summer at the third annual Fort 91原创 Jazz & Arts Festival.
Quinn and Zukas have just announced that they are accepting applications from professional, emerging and young jazz musicians interested in performing at the festival, which will happen July 24 to 26, 2020.
Interested applicants can visit to apply.
Those interested in catching Foreman鈥檚 Oct. 26 show, 7 to 10 p.m. at Beatniks Bistro, 9194 Glover Rd.
There are no tickets as the event is free; people are encouraged to come early and grab a seat as Beatniks does not take reservations.
鈥淎l [Foreman] is one of those talented and entertaining musicians that can play and sing most anything,鈥� said Quinn. 鈥淧eople are going to love his show.鈥�
Next up, Jennifer Scott Trio will play Saba Bistro on Nov. 30, and Paul Pigat comes to Beatniks Bistro, Dec. 15.
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Email: ryan.uytdewilligen@langleyadvancetimes.com
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