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Courses taught at UVic

MUS 101a: Language of Music

Biography

Brent Jarvis is a Canadian jazz pianist and composer.

Following in a tradition of lyrical, dynamic, and rhythmically complex piano players; Brent’s work has been described as: “captivating... a collaboration between the sensual and the intellectual... music that sparks the senses and transcends genres” (Laura Fernandez - JAZZ.FM91 Toronto), and "romantic but never cloying”(Katie Malloch - CBC Jazz Beat).

Brent studied music at the University of Toronto (BMUS JAZZ Performance) and musicology at the ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø (MA Musicology). Brent now teaches at Vancouver Island University and the ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø.

Brent's latest album is entitled Dragonfly. This recording combines traditional Cuban rhythms with contemporary jazz music and features original compositions for piano, trumpet, alto sax, tenor sax, bass, timbales, and congas. Fantastic contributions to the recording were made by Miguelito Valdes, Monik Nordine, Ben Henriques, Steve MacDonald, and Jose Sanchez.

Brent’s previous recorded works include: The Medium, which was loosely based on Marshall McLuhan's book: The Medium is the Message. The Medium combines elements of traditional Cuban rhythm, bebop, standard repertoire, and contemporary composition, arranged for a 10 piece band. The Medium was named a favourite of 2015 as part of JAZZ.FM91 Toronto's annual retrospective. In 2009 Brent released Daedalus, archiving a composition project that set the poetry of Dorothy Livesay to jazz music. The album featured vocalists Anne Schaefer and Melinda Whitaker, as well as Jesse Cahill on drums, and Ken Lister and Sean Drabitt on bass. In 2007 Brent recorded an album entitled Solo Piano that explores the improvisational potential of 'standard' jazz repertoire. In 2005, Brent's debut album Sequences, that featured Canadian jazz icon Pat Coleman and multi juno-award recipients Ken Lister and Buff Allen, was named "Best Jazz Album of 2005" by CJAM FM (Windsor - Detroit).

Brent's interest in music has always overlapped with an interest in audio recording. This is evident in his recorded work, his academic work, and his numerous recorded collaborations. Brent collaborates, plays the piano, and co-produces many recordings made in his studio (Harbourview Studio).