Grand Dominion Jazz Band

New Orleans-Style Traditional Jazz Ensemble

The Grand Dominion Jazz Band came together in 1982 as the musical vision of Vancouver banjoist Mike Cox (7), immigrant to Canada from Wales, who was steeped in the music of the New Orleans revivalist musicians such as George Lewis, Bunk Johnson, Kid Ory, Baby Dodds and others. Mike and his expatriate friends in Vancouver had grown up in the UK listening to Ken Colyer, Chris Barber , Humphrey Lyttelton, and others on the trad jazz scene. Mike decided to put a band of like-minded players together from both sides of the Canada - US border, a band that embodied all the rough-and-ready, hard-driving, ensemble playing characteristics of the revivalist bands. For two weekend concerts, July 16 - 17th, 1982, Mike assembled members of three Pacific Northwestern bands to play two concert dances at the Hot Jazz Club in Vancouver. The band just clicked, and has been going ever since. Inevitably there have been changes over the years and the band has seen the coming and going of some wonderful musicians and friends. There are still three of the original members in the band – leader and piano player Bob Pelland, Gerry Green (2) and Jim Armstrong (3). The newest member of the band is Clint Baker, a great asset, as his love and knowledge of the music helps the band continue to 'Keep The Spirit Alive'. (c) Grand Dominion Jazz Band