Kelby MacNayr Quintet
Where: Hermann’s Jazz Club
When: Tonight and Friday, 8 p.m.
Tickets: $20/$18 ($15 students) at Hermann’s Jazz Club, Larsen’s Music
The name Gino Vannelli conjures up a sex-symbol singer with cascading curly hair — emanating from both head and chest.
Most of us are familiar with the Italian-Canadian stallion’s 1970s and ’80s pop hits Black Cars, I Just Wanna Stop and Wild Horses.
Yet Kelby MacNayr, a Victoria drummer, learned there’s a lesser-known arrow in Vannelli’s musical quiver: jazz record mixer.
The Kelby MacNayr Quintet launches a double-date CD release party tonight at Hermann’s Jazz Club to celebrate the release of MacNayr’s new album, The Measure of Night. The concerts and the disc, showcasing the drummer’s original songs, feature top jazz musicians such as saxophonist Phil Dwyer, trumpeter Dan Lapp, pianist Miles Black and bassist Tom Wakeling.
The album, a mix of ballads and uptempo tunes, is a sparkling success. MacNayr’s incisive drumming propels the combo with an understated yet insistent drive. Dwyer’s playing is daring and brilliant; Lapp’s Chet Baker/Miles Davis-influenced trumpet is contemplative and beautiful. Black, a gifted pianist, teams with Wakeling to provide a virtuoso rhythmic framework.
The quintet was recorded live at Hermann’s over two nights back in February 2012. Vannelli subsequently mixed and did post-production at his studio in Portland, Ore., where the Montreal native lives.
Vannelli was recommended by a musician friend of MacNayr’s who had also used him as a producer. The name didn’t initially ring a bell with the 37-year-old drummer, who was just two when I Just Wanna Stop shot to No. 1.
“I just thought it sounded like a great name for an engineer,” MacNayr said.
When he finally met Vannelli in Portland, the 61-year-old was in full regalia.
“He’s got big hair. He was wearing sunglasses. I remember an army jacket, custom-ripped pants and some high, white boots. I thought, ‘This is great!’ ”
Vannelli looked the 1970s rock star, but his work ethic was anything but sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll. After listening to the raw recordings to ensure they were worthwhile musically and in terms of fidelity, he required MacNayr’s solemn pledge.
“He asked, ‘Are you willing to make an exceptional recording?’ I was like, ‘Yes.’ And he said, ‘No, no. Are you committed?’ ”
MacNayr was indeed committed. The pair spent eight days, eight hours a day, fine-tuning the nine songs on the recording. Vannelli was a perfectionist who would zero in on any flaw.
MacNayr was equally opinionated, given the record was his baby. They had their share of disagreements (“lots of arguments and head butts”) yet overall, the drummer found the process both educational and illuminating.
“He has exceptional ears,” MacNayr said.
“It’s like anyone can make you a hamburger. But when you go to a really great chef, you may not know what the difference is, but somehow, they do something different and it’s extraordinary.”
MacNayr has made his own mark as a drummer, composer and bandleader who has worked full-time in music since he was 18. Although busy in town, he performs often outside Victoria, with regular gigs at the Jazz Port Townsend festival in Washington and the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival in Idaho.
He has performed on more than 50 recordings. MacNayr did record once previously as a bandleader to support a 2011 tour — but he considers The Measure of Light to be his official debut disc.
He’s pleased with the results — and is happy to be reunited with his musician pals once more.
“I feel so blessed to work with these guys,” MacNayr said.
The Kelby MacNayr Quintet will also perform at Studio Live! in Cumberland on Saturday and at Cory Weeds’ Jazz Cellar in Vancouver on Sunday. The Measure of Light is available at Ditch Records or at kelbymacnayr.com.
