James Greer Trio
Boshko Marac (drums)
Steve Boudreau (bass)
James Greer burst onto the Ottawa jazz scene in 2022, at the age of twelve. A student of local jazz luminary Steve Boudreau, James has played at local jam sessions and as the youngest-ever member of the Nepean All-City Jazz Band. This past summer, as part of the Stingray Youth Jazz Summit, James opened for Herbie Hancock at the Ottawa Jazz Festival, performing a full set, including one of his own compositions.
Ottawa Citizen jazz critic Peter Hum describes James as “a poised and articulate improviser” and “as talented a prodigy” as he has seen up close.
For this upcoming concert, James will pay tribute to the often-overlooked jazz and bebop legend Elmo Hope, who was a contemporary of piano icons Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk. Hope’s compositions are celebrated for their complexity and uniqueness.
A video of James performing Elmo Hope’s best-known song, “De-Dah,” on YouTube recently caught the attention of Elmo Hope’s widow, Bertha (a great composer and pianist in her own right). Through music producer Don Sickler, Bertha reached out to James to perform some of Elmo Hope's songs in New York City. Inspired by his meeting with Bertha, James will present an extended setlist of Elmo Hope’s songs at 10,000 Hour Studios.
James will be joined on stage by two exceptional musicians: the up-and-coming jazz talent Boshko Maric on drums and the venerable Steve Boudreau on bass.