Plan to attend the Annual General Meeting of the Kingston Jazz Society. The Society is devoted to the production, perpetuation, promotion, preservation and performance of live jazz as a thriving cultural and artistic force in Kingston. You don’t have to be a member of the society to attend the AGM, but we are interested in your feedback and input. Which jazz artists would you like the Society to bring to Kingston? What venues ought the Society use to present jazz artists?

The AGM will feature short reports from the Board of Directors:

Ø The President’s Report: Over of 2002 and Projections for 2003-4

Ø The Treasurer’s Report: The Current Fiscal Status

Ø The Operations & Communications Report: Venues, Sound & Audience Turnout

Creation Dream: The Songs of Bruce Cockburn

Toronto guitarist/composer Michael Occhipinti – following in a long tradition of jazz icons including Miles and Bird – is currently enjoying great praise for his Juno-nominated recording Creation Dream: The Songs of Bruce Cockburn. Featuring innovative jazz arrangements of Cockburn's songs, the recording has been heralded by The Toronto Star as "imaginative, entertaining and something of an eye-opener, with broad appeal and excellent playing" and by Alex Varty of The Georgia Strait as "a definite contender for this listener's 2000 top 10 list."

Occhipinti is best known as the co-leader and composer (along with pianist/composer Paul Neufeld) for the 16-piece group NOJO, winners of the 1996 JUNO Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album. NOJO has established itself as an innovative large ensemble, and has performed with such jazz greats as Don Byron, Joe Lovano, Ray Anderson, and Kenny Wheeler. Creation Dream is Occhipinti's third album, following 1998's Surrealist Blues and his 1994 debut CD Who Meets Who? Recording Creation Dream was an opportunity for Michael to fulfill many of his beliefs about contemporary music in today's jazz world. Occhipinti's twelve arrangements are beautifully constructed and range, sonically, from gritty to elegant. Produced by Jon Goldsmith, internationally renowned clarinetist Don Byron adds his inimitable playing to the stellar cast of performers found on the record. Occhipinti's guitar work is complemented by the superb rhythm team of bassist Andrew Downing and drummer Barry Romberg, with additional help from Jean Martin. Add trumpeter Kevin Turcotte, violinist Hugh Marsh and saxophonist Mike Murley, and you have combined the talents of some of the most formidable musicians Canada has produced. Add the touch of Bruce Cockburn's own guitar mastery to the mix, and you have the exceptional performers who shine on this special recording.

The lineup on the 27^th features Michael Occhipinti (Guitar), Kevin Turcotte (Trumpet), Barry Romberg (Drums) and Roberto Occhipinti (Bass).