05/18/2026
Tunes You Know, Played the Way You Love
The Ryan Oliver Quartet Brings the Hits to Life
When acclaimed saxophonist Ryan Oliver returns to the Comox Valley, audiences can expect an evening of music that is joyful, familiar, and irresistibly engaging. With his dynamic quartet, Oliver presents Tunes People Like — a lively collection of fresh, imaginative arrangements of beloved songs that invite listeners in from the very first note.
Rooted in swing, soul, and groove, the Ryan Oliver Quartet delivers music that balances virtuosity with accessibility — a night of jazz that feels both sophisticated and warmly welcoming. Whether reimagining standards or breathing new life into familiar favourites, Oliver and his band know exactly how to connect with an audience.
Ryan Oliver — Saxophone
Dr. Tony Genge — Piano
Steve Wallace — Bass
Joe Poole — Drums
Juno-nominated saxophonist Ryan Oliver has shaped his artistry across Canada and around the world, with formative years spent in Amsterdam, Toronto, and New York City before returning to the natural beauty of Vancouver Island. For more than 15 years, he toured internationally with the legendary jazz-funk ensemble Shuffle Demons, performing across Canada, India, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Europe, and the United States.
A respected bandleader, educator, and community builder, Oliver is widely recognized as one of Canada’s foremost saxophonists. His partnership with Toronto’s Do Right Music has produced four acclaimed recordings, including the 2024 release Live in Vancouver, featuring celebrated vocalist Dee Daniels alongside Canadian jazz icons Terry Clarke and Neil Swainson.
Oliver holds a Master’s degree in music from Rutgers University and has shared his expertise through clinics and workshops at universities worldwide for more than two decades. Today, as founder and director of the West Coast Jazz Academy in Victoria, he mentors the next generation of musicians, directing student and adult ensembles and hosting an annual week-long saxophone camp.
His contributions to the jazz community extend beyond performance and teaching. Oliver has served as an adjudicator for prestigious scholarships and festivals, including the Fraser MacPherson Scholarship and the Victoria and Powell River Jazz Festivals, and has been recognized with numerous honours, including a Juno nomination, a Prix de Jazz nomination at the Montreal Jazz Festival, and Western Canadian Jazz Musician of the Year in 2022.
With Tunes People Like, Ryan Oliver and his quartet promise an evening of great songs, great musicianship, and the kind of feel-good energy that keeps audiences coming back for more.
To explore the full lineup of artists in the Thursday Night Jazz series, visit:
www.georgiastraightjazz.com
Tickets are available on Eventbrite: $25 for members, $30 non-members, or at the door for $30 members, $35 non-members and $10 for students
