geoff peters trio

Bios

Geoff Peters - piano
Mark White - bass
Colin Defreitas - drums

Kevin Shan - saxophone

Geoff Peters - piano

Geoff has a deep passion for his instrument, having studied jazz and classical piano since he was six years old. Recent highlights were his performances in the 2005 and 2003 Vancouver International Jazz Festival with his trio at the Yale Jazz Showcase (2005) and with Lounge Consortium at Capones (2003).

Geoff's style, while uniquely his own, draws upon the tradition of great jazz players such as Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, and Marian McPartland. Geoff is also influenced by other contemporary artists, such as Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Cedar Walton, Kenny Barron, and Renee Rosnes.

Geoff is always seeking to explore new styles of music to add depth to his jazz playing. In addition to his jazz trio, Geoff performs regularly with the Sybaritic String Band, an old-time folk/country contradance band.

Some of Geoff's recent musical adventures include creating a soon-to-be-released solo piano album with original compositions, recording a studio session with saxophonist Jeff Cuell, and performing at the YVR (Vancouver International Airport Authority) corporate Christmas party with saxophonist Tyler Summers.

Geoff studied classical piano through the Toronto Royal Conservatory of Music. He then studied jazz piano with Chris Sigerson while attending university, also completing a B.Sc. in Computing Science and Business from SFU. Geoff combined his love of music with his interest in technology, through creating www.songtapper.com, a web site that allows people to search for music by tapping the rhythm on their space bar.

Geoff's web site and work was recently featured in the Vancouver Sun (front page, Feb. 25th 2006). He was also interviewed on CBC Radio's national afternoon music and culture program, Freestyle, on March 21st, 2006. His web site was also featured on BBC Radio 2 in the UK.

As well as the ensemble music samples on this web site, some of Geoff's solo piano compositions can be found by clicking here.

Mark White - bass

In addition to his fine work on bass, Mark is a talented multi-instrumentalist. His first instrumental interest was the alto saxophone, which he first picked up in elementary school, and continued to play throughout high school. In Grade 12 he made a sudden shift in interest to focus on the trumpet, which he had learned to play on his own. By the end of the year, he was playing with the Greater Vancouver Youth Honour band, as well as concert and jazz bands at his high school.

In 2000, while in his first year at Simon Fraser University studying Biochemistry, he joined the SFU Jazz Club and played with their big band for the next 2 years. In 2001, he joined a 7-piece jazz-funk band called Nice Ride, which was later renamed Leisure Lab. Leisure Lab was a musical presence in Vancouver’s jazz scene for many years.

Mark was part of the formation of Lounge Consortium in 2002, in which he began a serious study of the bass. He discovered a newly awakened passion for the instrument, which he demonstrates through his solid rhythmic support and understanding of jazz harmony.

Colin Defreitas - drums

Known in local circles as a veritable "funk God", for his work on vocals and bass in bands such as Leisure Lab, Colin is also a talented and versatile drummer. His infections rhythms are laced with mischievous creativity and energy that propels the trio to new levels of cohesiveness and beauty. 

Colin's main influences are Tony Williams, Stanton Moore, and Billy Martin. He is currently working on "Cargo Cult" - a Cuban percussion and voice project with percussionist Chris Denis. Through his explorations in music, Colin is attempting to blur the boundaries between percussion and melody. 

Past bands include Cook-up Rice (world music), Leisure Lab (jazz-funk), Lounge Consortium (jazz), and Vuja De (free groove).

Kevin Shan- saxophone

Kevin is a Vancouver based arranger, composer, and tenor saxophonist. Kevin’s interest in jazz led him to study at Capilano College’s Jazz Studies program where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Performance. Kevin studied tenor saxophone with Stan Karp and Mike Allen, piano with Ross Taggart, composition with Brad Turner, jazz theory and arranging with Mike Reveley and Rob McKenzie. In addition, Kevin has a certificate in Arts and Entertainment Management.

Kevin’s style is diverse and flexible. His understanding of different styles allows him to explore many genres of music with his skills rooted in the tradition of bebop and post-bop. His main influences are John Coltrane, David Liebman, Michael Brecker, Stan Getz, and Bird. He also draws inspirations from other great jazz giants, such as McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones, Bill Evans, Miles Davis, Bill Dobbins, Sammy Nestico, and many more.

Kevin has performed with various musical groups at numerous venues in the city. He has been seen performing with the James Productions Orchestra at the Michael J. Fox Theatre, Theatre Under The Stars in Stanley Park, Royal City Musical at the Massey Theatre, Bruce James Orchestra at the Commodore Ballroom, Hot Jazz Club, and Maple Ridge Jazz Festival. Other groups include Capilano Jazz Band, Douglas College Jazz Band, and Fat Jazz. Other venues include VTV Breakfast Entertainment Hour, Maple Ridge Arts Centre Theatre, Waterfront Centre Fountain Terrace, Latin Quarter, Roxy, Club Millennium, Purple Onion, and Jazz Cellar.

Kevin’s arrangements, compositions, and saxophone solos are featured on numerous recordings that include jazz, funk, hip-hop, pop, big band, and musical theatre. Besides being an active freelancer within the Vancouver music scene, he also teaches at Lynn Valley Music in North Vancouver where he shares his love and passion for music with others.