Cory Weeds, a tenor saxophonist who has an expressive sound that is rooted in Jazz tradition and a label owner tirelessly documenting unsung Jazz heroes, one Canada’s most influential Jazz impresarios, and the hardest-working man working in Jazz business, is all these things and more. Weeds is perhaps best known for founding and running Cory Weeds Cellar Jazz Club in Vancouver. This club was a success story that he ran for over 13 years. The Cellar was built by Weeds to be one of North America’s most prestigious Jazz clubs. It hosted masters like George Coleman, Jeff Hamilton and Louis Hayes. Dr. Lonnie Smith and some of the best Jazz musicians from Vancouver and Canada. He wasn’t the only club owner. Weeds, a saxophonist who studied at Capilano College and the University of North Texas, spent many nights on Cellar’s bandstand as both a leader or sideman. When he performed with Joey DeFrancesco or Christian McBride, he was able to hold his own. Weeds also recorded eight albums with Steve Davis as a leader. These include: As of Now (with Harold Mabern Trio), Let’s Go (with Steve Davis), Juno-nominated Up A Step(Cory Weeds Quartet), Just Like That [with Lewis Nash, Peter Washington], The Many Deeds Cory Weeds) (with Joey DeFrancesco), All’s Coming Up Weeds, Jim Rotondi, and Big Weedonne, Mike LeDonne and Joe Farnsworth) The Cellar is now a fond memory. However, Weeds is still a viable record label that was established in 2001. Cellar Live has released close to 100 recordings. Many of these have been on the JazzWeek charts. There are many more planned. Weeds was also a producer on over 80 recordings. Weeds also founded the Cellar Jazz Society, a non-profit organization that focuses on presentation. The Society is committed to public education, understanding and appreciation of Jazz through performances at public venues and educational institutions. CJS accomplished exactly that when it presented its first series of Jazz concerts at Pyatt Hall in April 2014. This theatre is a state-of the-art in downtown Vancouver. In June 2014, the society will present additional shows at Pyatt hall as part of TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival. The fall 2014 edition of the festival will also feature more shows. Weeds will also be programming Jazz on Tuesdays, and Blues on Fridays at the 1789 Restaurant Lounge in Vancouver’s West End. Weeds is also a strong advocate for New York City. He has performed, toured and recorded with many of the Jazz Mecca’s best players. He has led the New York With Weeds tour through NYC four times, drawing on his knowledge of the New York scene. Each tour takes Weeds to Jazz clubs off-the-beaten track or private recording sessions. The fifth tour will take place in February 2015. The fifth tour will take place in February 2015. He was also a jazz disc jockey at Vancouver Co-Op Radio. Visit www.coryweeds.com
