The Island Big Band – A Musical Tribute to the Life of Paul Sparrow

A musical evening of Big Band Jazz in tribute to the late Paul Sparrow

John “Paul” Sparrow – 25 April 1937 (Peterborough, ON) to 31 August 2024 (Shawnigan Lake, BC)

Paul’s passion for the trumpet began when he was nine in Peterborough, Ontario. He studied under Albert Croasdale, former cornet player with The John Philip Sousa Band, at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Ontario, with Eldon Lehman of The Toronto Symphony Orchestra and international trumpet player, Bobby Shew. He supported himself and his family playing shows and clubs while he attended The University of Manitoba. Paul played professionally for many decades in Off Broadway musical pit orchestras, opera orchestras, night club combos, big bands, classical orchestras and jazz groups.

When Paul moved out west to Victoria and the Cowichan Valley, he became firmly entrenched in the local music scene, playing trumpet, flugelhorn, bass trumpet and trombone with ‘The Island Big Band’, ‘Mulligan Stew’, ‘Blue Bones’ and freelancing. He took great pleasure in teaching students privately and most recently at Shawnigan Lake School. Paul was an enthusiastic teacher and loved to pass on his love of trumpet playing. He especially loved the trumpet player, Chet Baker, and was also a fan of Maynard Ferguson, Freddie Hubbard, Wynton Marsalis, Myles Davis, Arturo Sandoval and Bobby Shew.

Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM