Hard Rubber Orchestra, Canada’s 18-piece jazz powerhouse, is bringing back its tribute to the legendary Mahavishnu Orchestra for the first time in over a decade. Led by artistic director John Korsrud, the ensemble will perform original arrangements by Korsrud, Fred Stride, Bill Runge, and others, with special guests Randall Stoll on drums and Chris Gestrin on keyboards.
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Formed in 1990, Hard Rubber Orchestra has been one of Canada’s most active and unpredictable ensembles of creative music, known for their innovative concerts, large-scale productions, and collaborations with some of the country’s top composers. This group has recorded five albums, toured Canada and Europe, and was awarded the prestigious Alcan Arts Award.
In the early ‘70s, Mahavishnu Orchestra, led by guitarist John McLaughlin, broke musical boundaries with its fusion of jazz, Indian ragas, and high-volume rock, earning a cult following. Now, Vancouver audiences have the rare chance to experience this legendary music reimagined by Hard Rubber Orchestra.
The evening also features special guests The Fits (Veda Hille & Patsy Klein) and a selection of short music films before the main event.
“John Korsrud likes a good challenge. Last year, he and his Vancouver-based 18-piece Hard Rubber Orchestra performed two big-band concerts of songs by the Mahavishnu Orchestra, the 1970 jazz-rock quintet that favoured odd time signatures and high-octane delivery. To these ears, that second concert was the best show at last year’s jazz festival.”
— Marke Andrews, Vancouver Sun
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Event Details:
📅 Date: Saturday, May 31, 2025
🕒 Schedule (subject to change):
• 7:30 PM – Short music films
• 8:15 PM – The Fits
• 9:00 PM – Hard Rubber Orchestra
📍 Location: Rio Theatre, 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver, BC
🎟️ Cost:
• Main Floor (Designated Seating) – $30 | $25 | $20 (sliding scale)
• Balcony (General Seating) – $15
🔗 Tickets: riotheatretickets.ca/events/34558-hard-rubber-orchestra
📩 More Info: [email protected]
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