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The Battlefords Jazz Society is excited about an upcoming show March 14 featuring locally grown talent.

The Connor Newton Quintet will be performing, along with Sean Newton and the Blank Stares Saturday, March 14, at the Sloan Auditorium, which is the lower level of the North Battleford branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Along with saxophonist Connor Newton, the quintet members are Don Tatchell, drums, Ross Nykiforuk, keyboards, Adam Steisel, trumpet and Tom Kroczynski, bass.

Growing up in the city of North Battleford, Newton started playing at a very young age. After graduating from North Battleford Comprehensive High School, he moved to Edmonton, Alta. to study saxophone performance at Grant MacEwan University for two years. There he studied with the great players, the likes of Kent Sangster and Jerrold Dubyk.

After two years in Edmonton, Newton made the move east to Toronto, Ont. to begin finishing his bachelor degree in jazz performance at the University of Toronto. There Connor had the opportunity to perform regularly with the University of Toronto Jazz Orchestra, as well as to study with Canadian tenor, Mike Murley. He has played in many different settings and different groups throughout his career. In Toronto, Connor had residencies at King Rustic every Thursday with his house band, as well as performing a 10-night residency during the Toronto International Film Festival.

He also plays around Toronto with the jazz quartet Uproot with members from Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Most recently, Newton has been back in North Battleford, working at John Paul II Collegiate, saving up to continue with his education while playing and performing around Saskatchewan.

March 14, Newton will be joined by some of the best of the best from the Battlefords and area. 

Perennial jazz favourite Don Tatchell will join Connor on drums. Tatchell is a tremendously well respected musician who has been playing in and around the Battlefords and western Canada for many years.

Ross Nykiforuk is a seasoned keyboardist, songwriter and producer residing in Saskatoon. He has played his hometown North Battleford in the past on many occasions as a session player.

Newton’s own step-dad, Tom Kroczynski, will be holding down the bass part for the show. Another perennial favourite in the Battlefords, Kroczynski has played with many musicians and groups over the years, establishing his reputation as a talented bassist.

Former Battlefords resident Adam Streisel will join the band on trumpet. Streisel is a musician, songwriter and teacher who plays consistently with many groups in Saskatchewan and is well known for playing trumpet for Absofunkinlutely.

Connor's younger brother Sean Newton, also a musician, will be a guest along with Blank Stare’s Sam Burns and Eddie Keller. Expect to hear some original music from this group.

The doors open at 7:30 p.m. with the show to begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 and available at Nufloors, Bee-J’s Office Plus and Jazz Society Directors or by phoning 306-446-3210.