Glass Slipper

B.C. Music Insider

B.C. MUSIC INSIDER venue focus:
not on live venues such as:

Alma Street Cafe
Carnegies
Rossini’s
The Blue Note
The Yale
etc.

But on “the GLASS SLIPPER“

(2714 Prince Edward Street, Vancouver, BC) (behind the Biltmore Hotel at 12th & Kingsway)

INTRO (author unknown):

The new Glass Slipper opened on June 25, 1993 for the DuMaurier Jazz Festival after three months of extensive renovations to the original building.
This wood framed building was originally a church and dates back to the turn of the century.

The Glass Slipper is operated by the Musart Cultural society, an artist-run, non-profit society.
The Glass Slipper has been supporting the creative arts community since it was founded by Roger Baird in 1988.

The renovations to the new location were accomplished by the hard work of a few dedicated volunteers.
Given the lack of funds available for the project it was nothing short of a miracle that everything was completed with such wonderful results.
Several companies generously supplied some of the materials.
Two plaques bearing the names of volunteers and corporate contributors are on display at the bar which was built by David Young.

The Slipper is an important cultural resource within the community and is unique in several aspects.
It is open five to seven nights a week with approximately seventy-five local groups enjoying regular exposure through their performances there.
Co-op radio sponsors a regular Sunday evening live broadcast from the Slipper.
CBC radio has also done several live broadcasts.
For the last three years the Coastal Jazz and Blues Society has utilized the Slipper for the annual DuMaurier Jazz Festival in Vancouver for two
shows a night consisting of local and international performers.
The Slipper enjoys a great reputation locally and internationally among fans and performers of contemporary creative music making it the only
local venue in this field to put Vancouver on the world map.

Henry Boudin Trio, Glass Slipper, 1992 (photo: Willy Cakette)

The Slipper owes its existence to an unpaid staff consisting of board members and volunteers.
Roger Baird and Ralph Eppel (both composers, musicians and bandleaders) manage the Slipper.
The cover charge at the door is paid directly to the performers.
Rent and operational expenses come from membership monies and primarily the profit on refreshments.
Benefits are held once or twice a year to improve the facilities.
The Coastal Jazz and Blues Society, Pro Musica, the New Orchestra Workshop, the Little Chamber Music Series and Vancouver Community College
Music Department also use the Glass Slipper for programming.

The Slipper is well equipped as a performance venue, having a state-of-the-art sound system and a new six foot concert grand piano.

Note: Don had no notes for February and May 1994 due to health

RECOLLECTIONS and REFLECTIONS (by Don):

The GLASS SLIPPER year 1994 included/saw the following:

Note: Don had no notes for February and May 1994 due to health

“Musart Cultural Society” (my personal notes say they are a hard working caring Society+) (love and passion).
Note: In January 1994 Don understood the 5 Board members to be:
- Roger Baird, President
- Tony Wilson/VP
- Hsin Harker/VP
- John Ferguson, Secretary
- Ralph Eppel, Treasurer.
  
  And Board concerns included:
- Lights
- Piano
- Props
- Sound System
- and Stage.

“Gypsalero” (Transports you back to another place and time, from czardas – gypsy jazz – hot club swing – rumba – tango – waltz) (my personal notes say they all make real music+).
- One June group included: Ron Thompson/guitar – Brent Gubbels/bass – Budge Schachte/guitar) (Special Guests: Sal Ferreras/percussion – Marcelle Nokony/violin – Don Powrie/drums).
- One June group included: Ron Thompson/guitar – Marc Rogers/bass – Budge Schachte/guitar – Craig Scott/drums – Jesse Zubot/violin.
- One October group included: Ron Thompson/guitarist – Brent Gubbels/bass – John Reischman/mandolin wizard – Budge Schachte/guitar – Craig Scott/drums.
- One December group included: Ron Thompson/guitar – Brent Gubbels/bass – Marcelle Nokony/violin – Budge Schachte/guitar (Special Guests: Lindsey Davis/vocals – Ellen Kennedy/vocals – John Reischman/mandolin).

Note: A friend of mine got Roger Baird’s written signature around July 1994, and it is now in my possession.

“Pacific Bluegrass and Heritage Society” (Pacific Bluegrass/Pacific Bluegrass Society) (doing Jam, Jam & Open Stage, Open Stage, and Workshop) (my personal notes say they are a hard working caring Society+).
“Singing for Suppers” (all proceeds go to the Vancouver Food Bank) (my personal notes say all are real quality singers+)
- In 1994 some singers included: (Standard Changes) Coco Alcorn – Renee Doruyter – Cynthia Rose – Colleen Savage – Jennifer Scott and Christine Duncan/special guest (Glenna Powrie Trio).
- In 1995 some singers included: (Standard Changes/jazz quintet) Renee Doruyter – Jennifer Foster – Cynthia Rose – Colleen Savage – Jennifer Scott and Steve Maddock/special guest (The Chris Sigerson Trio).
- In 1996 some singers included: Jenny Emery – Lily Ann MacDonald – Cynthia Rose – Colleen Savage and Bonnie Ferguson/guest vocalist.
“Vancouver Co-operative Radio CFRO”
- Co-op Radio/102.7 FM
- live from the Glass Slipper
- multi-cultural radio station
- my personal notes say they are a hard working radio station+

More 1994:
(quartet = 4) (quintet = 5) (sextet = 6) (septet = 7) (octet = 8)

(Alan Matheson Septet/1996 includes: Alan – Craig – Dave – Julia – Namateet – Rob – Tony) (Al Matheson Septet/1994) (Al/Alan Matheson Big Band)
Alan Youngblood Quintet (Alan Youngblood & Glenna Powrie)
Anne Dyer Trio (from San Fran)
Bill Clark Sextet
Bill Horvitz Trio
Brad Muirhead Quintet
Brad Turner/Andre Lachance Quartet
Brian Harding Quartet
Bruce Freedman Quartet (may include: Bruce/sax – Andre/bass –
Dan/piano – Dylan/drums/1995) (Bruce Freedman Group)
Chad Makela Quintet
Charles Gayle Trio (from NYC)
Clint Sargent Quartet
Daryl Jahnke Quintet
Dennis Essen Quintet
Elaschuk/Say Quintet
Etienne Brachet Trio
Francois Bourassa Trio
Francois Houle Trio
Henry Boudin Trio
Hugh Fraser Trio (Hugh Fraser Quintet) (Hugh Fraser & the 13 piece VEJI Band)
Ian Coleman Quartet (Ian Coleman Quintet)
Jane Gowan Trio (Jane Gowan/John Roper)
Jeff Mahoney Quartet (Jeff Mahoney Quintet/1994 includes: Jeff – Ridley – Danny – Greg – John) (Jeff Mahoney & Emergence)
Jim Nolet Trio/Paul Plimley & Francois Houle
Joe Lovano Quartet
John Stech Quartet with Seamus Blake
Julian Priester & the John Hansen Trio
Karen Graves Quintet (Karen Graves Group)
Kerilie MacDowell Quartet
Len Aruliah Quartet
Miles Black Quartet
Miles Black/Sean Drabbit Quintet
Monique Nordine Quartet
NAFTA Ensemble
Paul Beckett Trio
Paul Dutton Ensemble
Peter MacDonald Quartet
Ralph Eppel Quartet (Ralph Eppel Quintet)
Ray Anderson Quartet
Ridley Vinson Quartet
Robert Dyck/Gary Wildeman Duo
Ron Thompson Quartet – MACH Benefit (Ron Thompson & Michael
Dunn – Tribute to Django)
Ross Taggart Trio (Ross Taggart Quartet)
Seamus Blake Quartet
Sean Drabitt Quartet
Splatter Duo with Paul Plimley
Stan Taylor Trio
Steve Lacy/Irene Aeby Duo
Talking Pictures/Stellar Sax Quartet
Terry Dean Quartet (Coco Alcorn with Terry Dean Quartet)
The Quartet
Tim Posgate Quartet (from Toronto)
Tony Wilson Sextet/Kate Hammett Vaughan was a guest (Bugs Inside with Tony Wilson) (Tony Wilson & the Ethnocentrics) (Tony Wilson & the Monkaholics) (Tony Wilson Septet – Duke Tribute)
VCC Jazz Bands (VCC Jazz Ensembles) (VCC Jazz Quintet)

More 1994:

Action Poets
Adel Awad’s 1001 Nights (Adel is a drummer) (middle eastern dance)
Alison Hogan – vocalist (Hogan sings Holiday/1996?)
Arabian Songs & Dance
Asza
Babkas
Balzac
Barry Livingston Group
Bernie Senensky/Gary Bartz
Bo:teki (African Sounds)
Bob Bell & Necropolis
Bongo Bob
Brass Roots
Bugs Inside (Bugs Inside with Tony Wilson)
Celtic Works
Chris Terry Group
Cineworks – Indie Filmmakers (Cineworks Independent Filmmakers)
Cineworks – Van. Filmmakers
Circle of Voices
Claude Ranger & Dave Say
CLOSED
Co-op Radio Benefit
Coat Cooke & the Evolution
Coco Alcorn (Coco Love Alcorn) (Coco Alcorn & Friends) (Coco Alcorn with Terry Dean Quartet)
Dizzy Reece (from NYC)
Djole with Neil Golden (world music)
Drum Prayers
Earl Peach and Friends
88 Madness – Great Jazz Piano! (88 Madness Piano Benefit)
Emergence
Emmanuel Thanka
Fear of Drinking
Fifth Avenue
Flowers for Albert
Fort Worth Travelogue
Garbo’s Hat
Glass Eyes – Vancouver Cineworks
Glenna Powrie (from NYC)
Gregg Simpson/West Coast Modernists
Guilt Edged Blonde
Human Feel
Hammerschlag/Samworth Group
Ian McIntosh
Ihiala/African Sounds (Kwasi & Ogedengbe Drummers & Ihiala/African Show & Dance Party)
Impromptu Jazz Ensemble
International Jazz Festival
Jennifer Scott
Joe Bjornson Band
John Tchicai & the Archetypes
Kane/Taylor Explosion
Kate Loves Cole
Keypoints
Koch, Schultz, Studer, NOW Orchestra
Korby Layker
Kwasi (Kwasi & the Ogedengbe Drums) (Kwasi & Ogedengbe Drummers) (Kwasi & Ogedengbe Drummers & Ihiala/African Show & Dance Party)
Len Aruliah Group
Little Chamber Music Series
Lorne Etkin & Friends
Maya (Sounds of India) (Maya Sounds of India)
McPhee, Ellis, Baird (International Jazz Festival)
Moreen Meriden
N.O.W. Orchestra (Koch, Schultz, Studer, NOW Orchestra)
Out of the Woods
Patacumpa
Plimley/Baird with Elyra Campbell
Plimley, Ellis, Baird (International Jazz Festival)
Primal Orbit
Rain Forest Benefit
Rhumba Calzada
Roger Baird and/& MuseArt (Ed Powell & Roger Baird/Sitar/Tabla)
Ron Samworth
Ron Thompson & Michael Dunn – Tribute to Django
Saul Berson Group (Quartet included: Saul Berson/alto sax – Dan Parker/bass – Dylan van der Schyff/drums – Tony Wilson/guitar)
Say/Wiertz Project
Shango Ashe
Shelley Livingstone/Paul Townsend
Slipsinc 5
Sound and Fury
Steve Fisk (Steve Fisk & Freeplay)
Strange Weather
Stratochiefs (The Stratochiefs)
Sylvia Zaradic & Friends
Takeo Yamashiro/Themba Tana & Friends
Talking Pictures
Tar-Zen
Tarig Abubakar & Afro-nubians
The Larks
Time Flies
Tongue of the Slip
Traditions with Patrick Ezeadi
Troy Grugett
Tsimmes
Vancouver Cineworks
Words & Music (included: Dave Say/saxophone – Ralph Eppel/trombone – Roger Baird/drums – Tony Wilson/guitar)

RECOLLECTIONS and REFLECTIONS (by Don):

The GLASS SLIPPER year 1995 included/saw the following:

Note: Don had no notes for August 1995 due to health

“Gypsalero” (Transports you back to another place and time, from czardas – gypsy jazz – hot club swing – rumba – tango – waltz) (Django Festival: Gypsalero/guests)
(included: Ron Thompson/guitar – Brent Gubbels/bass – Budge Schachte/guitar – Craig Scott/drums – Jesse Zubot/violin)
“Musart Cultural Society” (hard working caring Society+).
“Pacific Bluegrass Society/Pacific Bluegrass” (hard working caring Society+) (doing Jam, Open Stage, and Workshop) (Sweetheart Serenade) (Women in Bluegrass) (Workshop – Song Swap) (Banjo Workshop) (Crescent Ranch) (Dan Crary) (Allouette River Band) (AGM & Jam) (hotline 322-1480)
“Singing for Suppers” (FoodBank Benefit) (all proceeds go to the Vancouver Food Bank) (my personal notes say all are real quality singers+) In 1995 some singers included: (Standard Changes/jazz quintet) Renee Doruyter – Jennifer Foster – Cynthia Rose – Colleen Savage – Jennifer Scott and Steve Maddock/special guest (The Chris Sigerson Trio)(Standard Changes – Singing for Suppers)
“Co-op/Co-op Radio/102.7 FM” (hard working radio station+) (LIVE! from the Glass Slipper) (Co-op Radio Winter Waltz Finale)

More 1995:
(quartet = 4) (quintet = 5) (sextet = 6) (septet = 7) (octet = 8)

Add Trio
Alan Matheson Big Band with Phil Nimmons (Glass Slipper Benefit with Al Matheson+)
Brad Muirhead Quintet
Brad Turner Quartet (Bebop & Destruction with the Brad Turner Quartet) (SKYWALK with Brad Turner solo piano)
Bruce Freedman Quartet (The Bruce Freedman Quartet) (Bruce Freedman/soprano saxophone – Andre Lachance/bass – Dan Graham/piano – Dylan van der Schyff/drums)
Bruno Hubert Trio
Chris Sigurson Trio
Darcy Hepner Quartet
from NYC: Charles Gayle Trio
from New York City: Matt Jorgensen Quartet
from Seattle: Bebop & Destruction with the Brad Turner Quartet
Graham Andrews Band
Ian Coleman Quartet
Impromptu Jazz Ensemble
Jeff Mahoney Quartet (Jeff Mahoney’s Little Big Band)
Joe Bjornson Band
John Doheny Quintet
Jon Roper Quartet
Ken Aldcroft Trio (Ken Aldcroft Quartet)
Kerilee McDowall Quartet
Kevin Elaschuk Quintet
Lily Ann MacDonald Sextet
Mark Nodwell Quartet
Namateet Quartet
Nick Riebeck Quintet
Ralph Eppel Quintet
Ridley Vinson Quartet
Rudy Petschauer/Jill McCarron Octet
Saul Berson Quartet
Sean Bray Quartet
Sean Drabitt Quartet
Stephan Bauer Quartet
Tony Wilson Sextet (Tony Wilson Septet)
VCC Jazz Ensemble Concerts (VCC Jazz Choirs & Orchestra)

More 1996:

Arabian Nights with Mohammed
Asza
Barshi/Kuma/Arnesen
Billy Cowsill (folk)
Bluebird North
Bo: Teki
Bobby Taylor/Henry Young
Bobby Wiseman
Celso Machado
Celtic Works
Christian Ecoude
Cineworks Independent Filmmakers (Cineworks – Vancouver Filmmakers)
Coco Alcorn
Corin Corschellas & the Recyclers
Cosmic Journey with Ray Fuse
Culture Shock
Dave Douglas String Group
Django Mini-Fest with Ron Thompson
Douglas College Night Band
Eddie Prevost & Paul Plimley
Elizabeth Fischer Group
Ellen Kennedy & Ron Thompson
Elyra Campbell Group
Ethnocentrics
Fantazea
from LA: Dave Scott/Tony Malaby
from Oregon: Margaret Slovak
from Seattle: Beth Winter
from Seattle: Toby Schneider
Fortworth Travelogue
Glass Slipper Benefit with Al Matheson+
Global Spirit
Harold Arlen Tribute with Koralee Tonack
Hogan sings Holiday
Hugh Fraser, Brad Turner, Bruno Hubert and Friends
Ian Craig Group
Intimate Eve with Gail Bowen/Michael Creber
Jesse Jane
John Sobol’s Action Poetry Cabaret
Karen Graves Group
Kate Hammett-Vaughan
Kwasi’s 100 drummers jamboree
Macedonian Mazl’tov
MetroGnomes
Mother of Pearl
Nancy King with Chris Nelson, John Stowell
Out of the Woods
Pan-Opti-Con (in August)
Pan-Optic-Con (in September)
Pastime with Good Company
Pearl Django
Rainforest at the Slipper – COOP benefit
Relish and Aimless
Renee Doruyter CD Release/Birthday
Rhumba Calzada
Rob Wilson & Time Waits (folk)
Roger Baird & MuseArt (included: Roger Baird/percussion – Jim Munro/violin – Peggy Lee/cello – Stu Brinton/saxophone)
Salsa Brava
Scott, Duncan and Gunn
Shelly Livingstone
Sherri D. Wilson
Ship of Fools cd release party
SKYWALK with Brad Turner solo piano
SKYWALK with Paul Plimley solo piano
Slipper Jam Night (Slipper Jam Night – Musicians Welcome) (Slipper Jam – all musicians welcome) (Slipper Jam Session – all musicians welcome)
Sludge 2000
Soul Crib
Straight from the Kitchen (folk)
Strange Angels (folk)
Sumako featuring Suzanne DuPlessis (Sumako with Suzanne DuPlessis)
Susan Everett Group
Talking Pictures
Tamarack
The Stratochiefs
Theatre-in-the-Raw
Themba Tana and Friends (Themba Tana’s “an African Night”)
Tim Williams (folk)
Time Waits
Time Wrap
Tippy Agogo/Ian McIntosh
to *PER*FORM performance art evening
Tom Lavin & Powder Blues
Tongue of the Slip
Vancouver International Jazz Orchestra Workshop ’96 (VIJOW)
VIJOW ’96 Classical & New
VIJOW ’96 Improvising
VIJOW ’96 Jazz Orchestra
VIJOW ’96 Afro-Latin
VIJOW ’96 Muhal Richard Abrams
Verna Chan
Walter Zuber Armstrong
William O. Smith/Francois Houle/Michael Bisio/Ed Pias
Women in Jazz

The bottom line:

I didn’t know culture was this much fun!

(author unknown/written by August 1996):
No such thing as Canadian culture?
Don’t bet on it!
The Glass Slipper has been supporting the creative music community since 1988, as a venue for live performance and rehearsal.
Operated by Musart Cultural Society, an artist-run, non-profit society, the Slipper also supports the other contemporary arts: poetry, film, dance and the visual arts.
In the 8 years the Slipper has been around a diverse wealth of talent has enriched the lives of audiences.
The Slipper has provided that rare space where artistic freedom is encouraged.
Artists are able to share their vision with audiences in a constantly evolving fashion.
From improvised cutting edge to music from around the world along with jazz, new music and classical, there are always new sounds to uplift, liberate, challenge and enthrall.
Co-op Radio (102.7FM) broadcasts live on Sunday evenings.
Coastal Jazz and blues Society, New Orchestra Workshop, Pacific Bluegrass & Heritage Society, Cineworks Independent Filmmakers, Vancouver Community College and
Capilano Community College Music Departments also use the Slipper for events.
Founder, percussionist/improvisor Roger Baird has managed and programmed the Slipper since its inception along with co-manager trombonist/composer Ralph Eppel.
The dedication of board members, management and especially the crew of wonderful volunteers make the whole operation possible.
The extensive renovations to the turn-of-the-century church that houses the Glass Slipper have made it into the finest intimate venue in town for enjoying music.
Please check us out and get some culture at the same time.
Bring a friend.
We’re here for you and would love to see you grow with us!

The DEVASTATING Glass Slipper FIRE (by Don):

NOTE 1: Don knew the fire to be a tragic loss for innumerable persons, and changed many lives forever!
As we go into the future, kindly do what you can to support the many artists, composers, musicians, performers, singers, songwriters, etc.
Do not forget to also appreciate the donors, fans, managers, members, sponsors, and very caring volunteers.

The GLASS SLIPPER was deliberately burned down on December 20, 1996
Among the many costly, valuable things destroyed were the very costly grand piano and the costly sound system, etc., Etc., ETC.

The Vancouver ECHO newspaper on Wednesday, January 8, 1997 had a Mike Bell story titled: “Arsonist turns up heat, shatters Glass Slipper“

The Vancouver Courier newspaper on Sunday, January 12, 1997 had a Fiona Hughes story titled: “Jazzy Slipper hopes to rise from ashes“

A benefit is held at the W.I.S.E. on January 17, 1997 (9 pm) featuring Christine Duncan, joined by Dave Robbins/drums, Ken Lister/bass, Miles Black/piano.

A big Glass Slipper “Fire Benefit” is held at the Vogue Theatre on Sunday, February 9, 1997 (6 pm) featuring these caring, loving, outgoing persons/groups (plus many, many others):
    Celso Machado
    Christine Duncan
    Coco Alcorn
    Jennifer Scott
    Kate Hammett-Vaughn
    Michael Malcolm
    Brad Turner Quartet
    Gypsalero with John Reischman
    Sal Ferraras & Friends
    Spontaneous Combustion (improvisation)
    Art Auction
    Live Painters
    plus Surprise Guests
THANKS to:
    Vogue Theatre
    Coastal Jazz and Blues Society
    Creative Lighting
    Georgia Straight
    Rocky Mountain Sound
    Ticketmaster
    all Performers
    all Volunteers
NOTE 2: Don found himself crying and rather emotional over the real loss of the Glass Slipper!
His hopes for it to be repaired, rebuilt, and reopened in Vancouver, BC were never realized.

NOTE 3: Don has seen too many precious music venues come and go between the 1960’s and to date.
There have been too many arsons, fires, suspected arsons, and suspicious blazes over the years.
If you know what the authorities and media do not know, please contact them NOW.
The Glass Slipper will be sorrily missed by innumerable people.

NOTE 4: Don hears well meaning persons with no end of suggestions for music venues!
Despite lots of red tape and many roadblocks, persons have suggested that we could “arrange” to make use of:
    Churches
    Community Centres
    Fire Halls
    Libraries
    Parks
    Schools
    etc.