Archbishop Carney alumni perform together at restaurants
The B.C. Catholic
COQUITLAM
“Fly me to the moon, let me play among the stars.” The jazz song, commonly associated with Frank Sinatra, flowed smoothly from the instruments of four young men.
Jamie De Guia ran his fingers over the keyboard, while his deep voice sang the lyrics. Anthony Maljevac strummed the electric bass with equal parts ferocity and rhythm. Kalen Dofher grooved into the saxophone, body swaying to the beat. Steven Pringle’s infectious beat was guiding and liberating.
The four of them have formed a group called Clavinova Nights, having made it their mission to serenade the Lower Mainland with smooth crooner jazz at local events and restaurants. “We enjoy making music, and it’s nice to be able to make a bit of a job out of it,” Maljevac said. “Although it is work, we’re also playing music, so it doesn’t necessarily feel like work.”
The group has its roots in the Archbishop Carney Regional Secondary School music program, where all four have had some experience.
“Jamie and I met in Grade 8, when we found we had a similar taste in music as well as an appreciation for it,” said Maljevac. “From there, we met Kalen through the jazz program at Carney, and Steven is my cousin, but we knew he was an amazing drummer and called him up.”
“We all met through the music program and other friends, and we were fortunate to have those opportunities.”
Though they now identify as a band, the group’s musical journey did not begin as such. “We didn’t actually make a band,” De Guia laughed. “We made something because of necessity. I was playing (keyboard), and it wasn’t enough. Then Anthony joined, and that wasn’t enough. Then Kalen joined, and finally Steven. Now I think we’re good!”
De Guia and Maljevac, the founders of the band, chose jazz because of De Guia’s strength, and his weakness: his deep voice. “My voice had a problem; I could only sing crooner jazz,” De Guia admitted. “I couldn’t sing like Bruno Mars or other crazy high-pitched people.”
One of the best experiences of the band was performing at the Vancouver Christmas market. “Jazz is already great music, but Christmas music gives you the feeling of the happiest time of the year,” said Maljevac. “We’re also able to play some Christian songs; we sneak it in really subtly, and it’s awesome. You really get the best of both worlds.”
For aspiring musicians, the group had some tips and tricks. “Branch out what kind of music you play,” Dofher said. “I know we play a lot of swing, but if you play just one kind of music, it gets a little boring.”
“But I love swing,” he added hastily in response to the group’s catcalls.
