From New York, The Groover – Mike Ledonne plays Earth, Wind & Fire

Date and Venue April 6, 2017 8pm | The Shadbolt Centre, 6450 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby

Reviewer Karen Fitzgibbon



This is jazz at its best. The music was intricate, classy and they played as one.

We are in awe with the instrumentals of Mike Ledonne on his collectible Hammond B3 organ, Cory Weeds – saxophone, Steve Kaldestad - tenor saxophone, Dave Sikla - guitar and Joe Farnsworth-drums.

As we enter the Shadbolt Theatre we are romanced by the dark room with round tables lit with candles. This was a pleasant surprise to have that feel of a popular New York dinning club. Tonight is a packed house. Many of the smiling faces are from the days of the Cellar which Weeds owned. He invited some of the top jazz musicians from the New York Jazz scene to the Cellar which I had visited so many years ago.

Ledonne played complex works with ease and exuded a style of his own. He appears laid back, confident and shows a love for his art. Each musician did their own solo with true mastery. How they are able to play such complex jazz numbers is beyond me and I appreciate every note.

Farnsworth is one of the best drummers I’ve heard in a long time. Sikla made me envious of his smooth guitar moves.

Weeds and Kaldestad play well together on their saxophones. I am biased when it comes to my favorite instrument. Weeds and Kaldestad could make anyone fall in love with the saxophone

The intertwining of these five instruments made for a night of great jazz. What a wonderful performance to see on a rainy night in Vancouver. It is just too bad that this is a one night performance. I would love to invite you down for another performance. On that note I would suggest that you keep an eye on the Jazz events. You may get to hear these five masters hopefully on a dry evening in BC.

© 2017 Karen Fitzgibbon