JEANS ‘N CLASSICS: THE MUSIC OF QUEEN

MAY 18, 2024

7:00 PM

POTTER CENTER

Experience an electrifying fusion of classical and classic rock like never before at the Jackson Symphony Orchestra’s spring pops concert, presented in partnership with Jeans ‘n Classics. Prepare to be enthralled as the symphony orchestra joins forces with a phenomenal live band to deliver an unforgettable evening of “The Music of Queen.” Featuring David Blamires on lead vocals. The best of epic rock band Queen expertly arranged for rock band, vocals and full symphony. From “We Will Rock You” to “Don’t Stop Me Now”, to “Bohemian Rhapsody”, these songs continue to inspire and enthrall audiences worldwide. Arrangements by Jeans ’n Classics.

JEANS ‘N CLASSICS

Jeans ‘n Classics has been bringing their impressive symphonic rock catalogue to symphony audiences for the past 2+ decades. A star performer in the arts and entertainment scene, this company of top players and vocalists tours year round to perform as special guests of symphonies across North America. Closer to home, they have their very own full symphony: the Jeans ’n Classics Rock Symphony. Most definitely not a tribute act, Jeans ‘n Classics faithfully interprets the music of legendary rock and pop albums and artists, with their own special and signature flair.

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David Blamires
Lead Vocals

David Blamires was born in Yorkshire, England but grew up in London, Ontario, Canada. David got his start in music as a very busy session vocalist in Toronto, singing on thousands of jingles, album recordings, and soundtracks. As a member of the (U.S.-based) Pat Metheny Group from 1986-1997, he appeared on three Grammy Award-winning albums and performed for multitudes of fans all over the world.

During this time he also recorded and released his own self-titled contemporary jazz album, “The David Blamires Group”, throughout the U.S. and Canada.

In 1997, David and his family moved from Toronto to Chicago, where he began working as a staff composer for a very successful music and audio production company. David writes and records music for TV and radio commercials, for clients such as American Airlines, Coors, Proctor & Gamble, McDonald’s, Kraft, and many more.

David performs regularly around the Chicago area, both as a solo artist and as a guest vocalist with “Tributosaurus”, a phenomenally successful tribute/cover band. David is the father of an AAA hockey-playing daughter, and is consequently never home and always broke.

Andrea Koziol
Backing Vocals

Andrea Koziol is a performing songwriter, improvisor and actor based in Toronto Canada. She has released 6 solo albums to date, the most recent of which is “I’ll Be Seeing You” (2019), with renowned Newfoundland jazz pianist and composer Bill Brennan. Andrea has toured festivals, concert halls and clubs across North America fronting her own ensembles and supporting numerous collaborations.

She has been honoured with a residency at the Banff Centre for the Arts, the KM Hunter Award for Music, and recognition from Canadian arts councils at every level.

Recent theatre credits include The Cave (Soulpepper/Luminato, 2019) a groundbreaking interspecies song cycle. She is a lover of beat based improv, musical cliff jumping, and using her voice to make people feel something.

Andrea is always proud to take the stage with Jeans ’n Classics, and bring the unparalleled magic of symphony orchestra to audiences everywhere.

Stephanie Martin
Backing Vocals

Stephanie Martin is a bilingual Canadian songwriter, singer and actor who has performed all over the world in award-winning theatrical productions and concert tours. In the theatre, she has played leading roles in Les Misérables, Napoleon and Schwartz’s, the musical among others. In studio, she sang the voice of Pocahontas in the French version of the Disney movie as well as performing on many cast albums. On the concert scene, she has performed with symphony orchestras across North America, Europe and Asia.

Her creative songwriting is inspired by a lifelong spiritual inquiry and a passionate conviction that music has an unparalleled unitive power. Her first recording of original songs shape, line and harmony was produced by Chad Irschick (Susan Aglukark, Ron Hynes, The Rankins) and received widespread airplay and was critically acclaimed (“Among the year’s best new releases” – CBC Radio One).

Her second album April Snow also produced by Irschick, was released in 2016 and reached #2 in the Top 100 iTunes Adult Contemporary Chart in Canada and received rave reviews (“Luminous vocalist/composer Stephanie Martin not only possesses a delicious vocal instrument, but on her new, completely appealing recording, she also demonstrates her considerable chops as a composer of accessible, highly musical material” – The Whole Note).

Adam Martin
Featured Guitar

Adam hails from Burlington, Ontario and has been performing live across North America for the last 25 years. Apart from being a guitarist, Adam also has his audio engineer diploma from the Recording Arts Program of Canada, and is an active singer songwriter, and studio engineer. Adam performs regularly with Jeans ‘n Classics vocalist Michael Shotton, and is an original member in Eagles tribute band, Hell Freezes Over. Adam has been playing guitar with Jeans ‘n Classics for many years now and has loved working with the many great symphony orchestras they have met along the way.

John Regan
Keyboards

John Regan has been a member of Jeans ’n Classics since the early 1990’s. Classically trained but conditioned by rock, pop and folk music, John’s repertoire is vast. Prior to joining Jeans ’n Classics he worked with Second City in London, Ontario and did solo work across southwestern Ontario. John cites Joe Jackson, Tom Waits, Elton John and Roy Bittan as influences.

Since becoming a Jeans ’n Classics regular performer, John has shared the piano with such notables as Roger Hodgson (Supertramp), Lawrence Gowan (Styx), as well as his good friend Don Paulton (Lighthouse, Jeans ’n Classics). He has performed with more than 50 orchestras across North America. in addition to the piano, John often plays host and emcee in J’nC concerts, offering insight and whimsy to the musical selections.

A high school teacher and football coach by day, John lives in London with his wife and two small children.

Mitchell Tyler
Electric Bass

Conductor, arranger, bassist and educator Mitchell Tyler is an Honours Bachelor of Music (Theory & Composition) and Bachelor of Education graduate of Western University, and has been a member of the Jeans ‘n Classics Band since 1992. As a performer he has shared the stage with many artists including Rik Emmett (Triumph), Alan Frew (Glass Tiger), Roger Hodgson (Supertramp) and Lawrence Gowan (Styx), and played in the touring productions of Chicago (2015) and Mamma Mia (2012).

Mitchell is a part time contract teacher of string music and classical guitar with the Thames Valley District School Board in London, Ontario and has been a professional educator since 1993. He served as Orchestra London Canada’s Education Director from 2010 to 2013. He has extensive experience writing, developing, programming and conducting curriculum-linked educational content for symphony orchestras, currently offered through his company, Symphonic Kids. He has been the musical director for beloved children’s entertainment troupe, Dufflebag Theatre since 2008.

As a conductor, Mitchell has had the privilege of working with a wide variety of orchestras across North America. Recent guest conductor appearances include the Springfield Symphony, the Erie Philharmonic, the Duluth Superior Symphony, the Colorado Symphony, the Jacksonville Symphony and the Cleveland Pops Orchestra. He continues to immensely enjoy his work as Conductor with the Jeans ‘n Classics Rock Symphony, a local symphony add-on to the JNC rock band, formed in 2012 for select performances closer to home.

In his spare time, Mitchell enjoys coaching high school and club travel baseball, touring the ballparks of Major League Baseball and supporting his beloved Boston Red Sox.

Jeff Christmas
Drums

Jeff Christmas is a Canadian composer, arranger, conductor, drummer and percussionist who studied at York University (Toronto), Western University (London), and Berklee College of Music (Boston). He has conducted and performed with symphony orchestras across Canada and the United States, appearing with artists such as Denny Doherty, Michael Burgess, The Rankins, Ashley MacIsaac, J.P. Cormier, Jackie Richardson, Martin Fry (ABC), Roger Hodgson (formerly of Supertramp), and was recently conductor for legendary and multi-Grammy Award winning Michael Bolton.

He has been the guest conductor with many orchestras including Tucson Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic, Fresno Philharmonic, Winnipeg Symphony, Roanoke Symphony, Thunder Bay Symphony, Victoria Symphony, South Dakota Symphony, Vancouver Island Symphony, Lansing Symphony, Springfield Symphony, Stratford Symphony, International Symphony, Lexington Philharmonic, and Jacksonville Symphony.

Jeff’s original compositions, With Glowing Hearts, and Carry the Light were featured in the documentary “Vancouver 2010 – Olympic Torch Relay”. He was also the Musical Director/Arranger for the opening of the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, where he conducted the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra with guest artists Randy Bachman, Burton Cummings, Tom Cochrane, Doc Walker and Chantal Kreviazuk.

As a drummer and guest conductor for Jeans ‘n’ Classics, Jeff has appeared with artists such as Amy Sky, Marc Jordan, Lorraine Segato (Parachute Club), Alan Frew (Glass Tiger), Rik Emmett (Triumph), Brian Vollmer (Helix), Lawrence Gowan, Jim Witter, Thomas Wade, The Spoons, and the late Kenny McLean (Platinum Blonde).

Jeff’s many original compositions for live performance include Opening Ceremonies music for the Canada Games, film and television work, musical theatre, and arrangements for numerous Pops shows.

Awards include: Multiple London Music Awards (for composing), the 2005 Jack Richardson Award for Classical Soloist/Conducting, and a 2013 induction into Western University’s Don Wright Faculty of Music “Wall of Fame”.

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