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Jazzbirds Romance and jazz on the bill at the Waterloo Entertainment Centre azz and romance â€" they go ]hand in hand. And, just in time for Valentine‘s Day, the Waterloo Entertainment Centre is presenting three upâ€"andâ€" coming jazz singers in an evening of standards by Gershwin and Duke Ellington, among others. "There is really nothing like the sizzling and sultry sounds of jazz vocalism to set the backdrop for romance," said Genevieve DeMerâ€" chant, the theatre‘s manager of marketing and publicity. " The Jazzbirds â€" three distinct musicians â€" are "sure to please" the audience at the uptown Waterâ€" loo theatre this weekend, said music director Joe Sealy. "Most of the music will be familiar, and anything that isn‘t will definitely be accessible," he said. "We don‘t leave our audience behind â€" we like to sweep them up and take them on the journey with us." Sealy‘s career in the music industry has spanned many years and provinces. He eventually moved to Toronâ€" to, Ont., in 1976, and has worked in everything from theatre and film, to television and radio. "I certainly enjoy performing as well as composing, I write a lot of music," he said of his passions. It all began when his parents bought a piano with the hope he would be drawn to it. "My dad‘s idea was that if I was I would be very popular in college," he joked. "I was so popular I dropped college and kept playing the piano." "We don‘t leave our audience behind â€" we like to sweep them up and take them on the journey with us." By Jennirer OrmsTON Chronicle Staff â€"Joe Seah Musician Musician Joe Sealy and the Jazzbirds â€" three jazz singers with diverse styles â€" are coming to the Waterloo Enterâ€" tainment Centre on Feb. 9. The Juno Award winner has performed with jazz greats, including Joe Williams and Milt Jackson. Career highlights for him have included working with some of the "jazz greats" â€" Joe Williams and Milt Jackson â€" and winning a Juno Award for his CD, called Africville Suite. "The Juno is special because the project was really close to my heart," he said. "Even though I‘d been nomi ARTS FOCUS nated other times for Junos, that one was the one that I had a lot of heart in." The CD consists of individual performances, poetry and choral music. "I wrote, basically, a suite of music about the oldest urban black community in Canada, called Africville, which was on the With Jazzbirds, three diverse singers will take the stage with solo performances as well as some duets. _ edge of Halifax," he said. "That‘s where my dad was born, and as a tribute to him after he died, I decided to start writing something about the community." Julie Michels "is almost like a WATERLOO CHRONICLE + Wednesday, February 6, 2008 * 19 "It‘s really, in a way, like a variâ€" ety show of singers who are bringâ€" ing their own specialized performâ€" ances." Tickets cost $37.50 for adults, $33 for seniors and $14 for chilâ€" dren. Sealy, a pianist, will backup the singers with his trio, which will also perform some instrumental music. The Jazzbirds work well togethâ€" er, and have received a standing ovation for a past performance. "Each of them is a very dynamic performer," he said, adding they exude their individual styles on stage. DeMerchant agrees, saying the audience can expect a highâ€"calibre and entertaining show. "Any one of these artists alone would be exciting, but together they‘re dynamite," she said. "With so many great performâ€" ers on one bill, this show will be a real treat." The Jazzbirds will perform on Feb. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Waterloo Entertainment Centre, at 24 King St. N. For information or tickets, go to www.waterlodentertainmentcenâ€" tre.com or call 519â€"883â€"0300. Bette Midler," Sealy said. "She does a blistering version of a tune called Ding Dong the Witch is Dead. > "She‘s a great scat singer and she‘ll also be doing some ballads." Cabaret singer Adi Braun will likely sing some Gershwin and Cole Porter, as well as tunes from her new CD. ~_ "She has a lovely, rich voice," Sealy said of the performer. Meanwhile, Gillian Margot has more of a sultry style. She will perâ€" form a song Sealy wrote called I Love Your Eyes. "With so many great performers on one bill, this show will be a real treat." â€" Genevieve DeMerchant Publicitymanager at the Waterloo Entertainment Centre