Yardbird Suite
Hear about one of Canada's hippest Jazz venues.
Edmonton's Yardbird Suite is a fixture in the city's lively jazz scene. Run by the volunteers of the Edmonton Jazz Society, the Yardbird also supports the Littlebirds Big Band (a big band for high-schoolers).
In the video, the band leader and sax player is Don Berner. Lead Alto player in the Edmonton Jazz Orchestra and busy performer and teacher, he started out in the Littlebirds Big Band. On Saturday afternoons, Don hosts A Time for Jazz on CKUA radio.
The man wearing the funky hat is Yardbird volunteer Craig Magill. He has been involved with the Yardbird Suite since 1957 and has been on the board for 30 years. Craig loves Edmonton for the jazz.
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Yardbird Suite
The Yardbird Suite is run entirely by volunteers and is home to North American jazz legends P.J. Perry and Tommy Banks. From the middle of September to the end of June, the club hosts jazz shows every weekend as well as a jam session every Tuesday night. As anyone who’s been to the Yardbird will tell you, there isn’t a bad seat in the house. If you want to see musicians up close and personal, this is the place to be.
