By JANICE RANDALL

For The Beachcomber

Island jazz lovers can revel in a double-bill of their favorite kind of music at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, when the Portland-based Latin jazz trio Key of Dreams is paired with local jazz singer Maggie Laird on the Blue Heron stage.

Key of Dreams is comprised of guitarists Eric Schultheis and Abe Wirth, who are joined by percussionist Doug Narry. The band’s music is drawn from traditional and new age jazz, rock, classical, flamenco, world, slack key, finger style and funk.

The trio has been compared to the likes of Pat Metheny, Ottmar Liebert and Joe Satriani.

A review in the Portland music magazine Music Spectator said, “Key of Dreams has the ability to take a conventional and traditional Latin riff and rhythm and turn it into a huge showcase piece with very little effort.”

Their long-awaited CD, “Unlocked,” will be available at the show.

Wisconsin native Maggie Laird, Vashon’s own jazz diva, will perform a rare solo set featuring a selection of her favorite jazz tunes. Known for her up-front performances with Island Jazz Quintet and Portage Fill, the versatile singer’s repertoire ranges from Hank Williams to Gershwin.

Her cabaret style piano/vocal performance will serve up music from the 1920s to now, including some swing, a ballad or two and some originals.

Multi-talented Laird has also created a number of original multimedia works, including “Paradise,” a performance that included music, dance and visual images. The show was performed at Blue Heron, the Bathhouse Theatre and On the Boards.

Laird, who has played piano since age 4, teaches privately from her Vashon home studio.

The concert is part of Vashon Allied Arts’ Panache Jazz Series, which brings accomplished jazz artists to the the Island. Complimentary champagne and desserts are included in the ticket price of $14 for VAA members and seniors, $16 general admission.

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