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Ally Fiola

Ally Fiola is a Nova Scotian saxophonist, film composer, and bandleader of The Next Quest, a groove-based jazz ensemble. Known for blending memorable melodies with infectious grooves inspired by funk, soul, and New Orleans brass bands, Ally’s emotionally charged jazz compositions have earned recognition, including a nomination at the 2022 Marvin Hamlisch International Music Awards and multiple Music Nova Scotia award nominations.

Her 2023 album Interblaze — a bold and soulful exploration of grief, passion, and resilience — features standout collaborations with Grammy-winning musicians such as saxophonist Jeff Coffin (Béla Fleck & the Flecktones, Dave Matthews Band) and keyboardist Glenn Patscha (Bonnie Raitt). The record showcases Ally’s strength as a composer, performer, and producer, and has resonated with international listeners for its emotional depth and musical sophistication.

Also a resourceful film composer with a background in jazz and classical studies, Ally often experiments with sonic and harmonic elements, blending traditional and contemporary styles with influences of her experiences as a professional saxophonist. The majority of her writing contains an element of storytelling, which is a creative framework that she values immensely, having worked on films across North America and Europe. She is an active board member for the Screen Composers Guild of Canada, and received her Masters in Film Composition from Kingston University in London, UK.

Ally's artistic development includes a music residency at the Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity where she worked with the Quasar Saxophone Quartet, and was part of the Canadian Academy's ‘Women in Post’ 2024-2025 cohort for composition and post-production sound. In 2023, she was selected for the La Napoule Canadian Artist Residency in France, where she composed a Canada Council-funded orchestral piece on climate change’s impact on coastal communities, and was a co-artist in residence alongside award-winning accordionist Mary Beth Carty at the 2025 Deep Roots Residency at Ross Creek Centre for the Arts.

Gear

1958 Conn 6m, Meyer New York Bros mouthpiece, Vandoren optimum ligature

Ally Fiola & The Next Quest: Interblaze

Read "Interblaze" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan
March 18, 2023

Nova Scotian alto saxophonist Ally Fiola considers the themes of grief, wonder, fear and passion with her octet The Next Quest, on Interblaze. With a lot of low-end brass--baritone saxophone, trombone, sousaphone--the sound has a New Orleans brass band feel. It is also fun, celebratory music. The title tune and opening number sounds like a prance down Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras--beads flying through the air, people in outlandish dress dancing. An insouciant organ opens “Backtrack"; the horns ...

"Fiola shines as a composer with a crack band in tow. Her alto playing is just one ingredient in the mix, as she spreads the soloists around democratically. Her ability to mesh contemporary jazz with the NOLA brass band sound is impressive. She bears watching."

Jim Hynes – Making a Scene

"Interblaze is a fresh and exciting listening experience for modern jazz connoisseurs, highly recommended!"

Jim Cox - Midwest Book Review

"Swinging, funky, thoughtful and engaging, Fiola's Interblaze is an exciting second album from this Canadian talent. It's also a celebration of Nova Scotia's finest musicians, making it sound like they're just down the road from New Orleans."