The Rose Gellert Hall concert series opens next weekend with a performance by the Four Jays quartet on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 7:30 p.m., in the concert hall at 91原创 Community Music School (LCMS). 
 
Quartet members violinist Joan Blackman, pianist Jane Hayes, bassist Jodi Proznick, and saxophonist Julia Nolan are  versatile in different musical genres, with backgrounds in traditional classical repertoire, contemporary music, and jazz. 
 
Together, as a quartet, they entertain audiences with programs that explore the luscious sounds of classical-jazz fusion. In celebration of Canada Music Week, their program will include compositions written and/or arranged for the quartet by Proznick and Fred Stride. 
 
鈥淚鈥檝e had the pleasure to hear these artists perform, and I look forward to seeing them stun the audience on the 23rd!鈥� said Elizabeth Bergmann, LCMS' artistic director of concerts. 
 
Blackman is the artistic director of Vancouver鈥檚 Vetta Chamber Music Society. The former associate concertmaster of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra has performed and recorded as soloist with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Victoria Symphony Orchestra, CBC Radio Orchestra, Turning Point Ensemble, and the Banff Festival Orchestra.

She is well known throughout Canada and the U.S. as a stellar chamber and musician. 
 
Since her debut with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Hayes鈥� concerts have taken her around the world, as soloist with orchestra to chamber collaborator. An active recording artist, she has over 30 CDs available on many prestigious labels, and is a member of Vancouver鈥檚 Turning Point Ensemble, Yarilo Ensemble, and the Stellar Jays. 
 
Nolan is an active performer and recording artist. She performed the U.S. premiere of Jeffrey Ryan鈥檚 concerto Brazen with the Lubbock Symphony and premiered the concerto Cool Cut by John Oliver with Vancouver鈥檚 Turning Point Ensemble. Dr. Nolan teaches saxophone at UBC and the VSO School of Music and is an Artist-Clinician for Yamaha, Canada and Rousseau Musical Products. 
 
Proznick is a popular jazz bassist, composer, educator and producer. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including jazz artist of the year at the Western Canadian Music Awards, and she has been nominated for three Juno Awards. She was also a recipient of the British Columbia Lieutenant Governor鈥檚 arts and music awards. 
 
鈥淭he Four Jays are an exceptional quartet, and the concert program is going to be spectacular,鈥� said Bergmann. 鈥淲e invite everyone to join us and help us kick off our exciting concert series.鈥�  
 
In addition to the Nov. 23 Four Jays concert, the 2024-25 exciting Saturday night lineup includes pianist Jane Coop and cellist Henry Shapard on March 1, Quartetto Gelato on April 12, and violinist Jasper Wood, cellist Joseph Elworthy, and the Bergmann Piano Duo on May 3.

 
Single Tickets for the Rose Gellert Hall series are $35 for adults, $32 for seniors, $18 for students and $10 for LCMS students. Season subscriptions (for all four concerts) are $119 for adults, $109 for seniors, $62 for students and $39 for LCMS students.  
 
Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at 604-534-2848, online at Eventbrite, or in-person at the door. The Rose Gellert Hall is located at 4899 207 St. People can visit 91原创Music.com to learn more.