North Vancouver jazz pianist Cat Toren pays homage to her grandparents on her new album, Goodbye Farm.

The nine-track disc, recorded by the Capilano College grad in Toronto and Vancouver, features mostly original tunes which convey an intense passion for both the jazz tradition and Western classicism.

In Toren’s musical universe we get the romantic lyricism of Chopin and the modernist edge of Thelonious Monk, often in the same song. Goodbye Farm was made for 21st century ears with a spiritual bop influenced by listening to the likes of Bud Powell, Arvo Part, Keith Jarrett, Wayne Shorter, Dmitri Shostakovich and Portishead.

The two tunes she didn’t write Toren chose because of their significance to her grandparents. The traditional hymn, “Gott ist Die Liebe,” was her grandfather’s favourite and we hear it on the disc in a new arrangement for a jazz quartet. The popular Mennonite hymn, “So Nimm Denn Meine Hande,” which Toren performs solo on piano also brings back memories of her Opa and Oma.

At this year’s Vancouver International Jazz Festival, the Pugs and Crows, a quintet the young pianist is a member of, was awarded the prestigious Galaxy Rising Star Award. Go to www.myspace.com/catherinetoren for some live samples from the jazz fest including an extended workout on “Monk’s Dream/Evidence.”

Toren performs around town regularly especially at the Libra Room on Commercial Dr. — sometimes solo, sometimes with a band. Her website, www.cat-toren, has a full schedule of upcoming dates. Sept. 27 will be a farewell jam session before Toren heads off for New York City.

— John Goodman