Results for "Toronto"

Suzi Wesson

Born: September 13, 1958

Singer. Songwriter. Teacher. Actor. Mom. Suzi has worn many hats, sometimes several at the same time. Suzi cut her teeth on jazz, learning to phrase from greats like Sarah Vaughan and Peggy Lee, developing an ear for harmony from the Four Freshmen, and learning to cut loose from Louis Jourdan. Growing up in a household where "Funny Girl" and "Gypsy" alternated with Nat King Cole and Stan Kenton, Suzi learned early on that a song is really a story, with or without words, and that you have to believe it to tell it effectively. Not surprisingly, Suzi began singing - jazz, blues, pop, rock 'n roll, swing and Dixieland - and acting in musical theatre

Kalya Ramu

Born: August 14, 1993

Kalya Ramu, Canadian jazz vocalist, composer, educator, and visual artist, has carved out a distinctive presence within Toronto's vibrant jazz community. From the age of 12, Kalya found herself immersed in the world of jazz, frequenting jam sessions and touring with community big bands. Her musical journey led her to study Jazz Performance at the esteemed Humber College in Toronto. A storyteller at heart, Kalya has a remarkable ability to reinvent classic jazz tunes while infusing her original compositions with fresh, evocative narratives.

In 2019, Kalya released her debut full-length album, "Living in a Dream", generously supported by FACTOR. Shortly after this release, the title track was featured on the soundtrack of CBC show "Frankie Drake Mysteries." Her second album, "Duo" (2021), is a close collaboration with pianist and composer Ewen Farncombe. The five-track album of original material highlights their artistic synergy. In the past year Kalya released two singles with Brazilian guitarist André Valério. The first, "Algo Contigo” (2023), features the composition of Argentinian songwriter Chico Novarro, and the second “Hold Me Close” (2024) is an original composition by Ramu and Valério and features the playing of flutist Rob Christian. Currently Kalya has been working on a brand new album called Trio, coming out on November 29 2024.

Chris Platt

Born: June 24, 1991

Already an accomplished guitarist in his teens, Chris connected with the guitarists Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, whose music inspired him to develop his skills, write songs, and lead a band of his own. Following high school, he attended Mohawk College and graduated with an Applied Music Diploma. It was there that he developed his passion for jazz, studying with Bob Shields and listening to musicians such as Lenny Breau, Ed Bickert, Jim Hall, and Reg Schwager. Following Mohawk, Chris went on to complete a Degree in Jazz Performance at the University of Toronto, where he had the privilege of studying under Mike Murley, Kelly Jefferson, Chase Sanborn, Geoff Young, Andrew Downing, and Dave Young

Lucian Gray

Known for his relaxed feel and commanding sound, Lucian Gray is a virtuosic young guitarist with a deep respect for the jazz tradition. Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Lucian Gray was born into a musical family. His father is one of Canada’s foremost trumpet players, and his mother the head of her own music school. He started playing the piano at the age of 4. Upon entering high school, Lucian decided to pick up the guitar and played in various rock and fusion groups throughout his teens. After being introduced to the music of Wes Montgomery, he decided he wanted to be a jazz guitarist. In 2008, Lucian was awarded the Slaight Scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music on a full scholarship

Hannah Burge

Baer onBass

Born: June 28, 1954

On the heels of a 38yr career in studio recording as composer-arranger-producer creating music for IMAX, CBC-TV, Solitudes and numerous educational music programs for kids, having had over 7000 of his arrangements recorded, and having been honoured with several JUNO nominations for his work, Howard, a Warkworth resident, has changed musical direction. Previously a keyboardist, trumpet player and conductor, Howard now enjoys playing various styles of music:  jazz, swing, blues, country, bluegrass, R&B, folk and classical …as an upright bassist.  His main focus has been playing in various jazz configurations and coordinating music presentations for dining venues, festivals, weddings & special events

Galen Weston

Born: November 29, 1973

Toronto Jazz Guitarist, Galen Weston, is a bringing a fresh new sound to jazz with his beautiful guitar tones and undeniable skills. Galen first picked up a guitar at age 11, a Sears acoustic guitar - the consolation to the electric guitar he had actually wanted for his birthday. There was only one thing to do, save his own money for the next two years to purchase an electric guitar. The new guitar in hand, Galen started experimenting by plugging it into an amplifier and boom box, to less than ideal results at first! But he was hooked, and happily gave up academic ambition to focus on the guitar, which he would play up to 10 hours a day. Without a television at home, and parents who didn’t approve of rock ‘n roll, Galen’s musical education began with the clandestine ACDC and KISS records he snuck home

Jeff LaRochelle

Jeff LaRochelle is an saxophonist/clarinetist and composer who has been a fixture of the Toronto creative music scene for nearly 10 years. A graduate of Humber College in 2010, LaRochelle started working with many Toronto and Canadian artists in the jazz/improvised music scene such as Roberto Occhipinti, Andrew Downing, Phil Dwyer, Justin Haynes, the Soren Nissen Quintet, Les Petits Nouveaux, Andrew McAnsh, Rich Brown, and many others. He co-leads the collaborative jazz trio Autobahn, which was nominated for the Montreal Grand Prix du Jazz in 2016 following their released of their album "Of The Tree". LaRochelle is now forging his own sound with his new album “Lenses Extend”

Eliza Pope

Born: July 4

Don't let the album title fool you. There is absolutely nothing misguided or foolish about Call Me A Fool, the astonishingly assured debut album from 20-year-old Toronto jazz/pop songstress Eliza Pope. To be launched at local jazz hub The Jazz Bistro on May 19, it introduces us to a young artist of immense potential. The idea of even making a record arose spontaneously last summer, Pope recalls. "I had a gig with [ace bassist] Ross MacIntyre and [guitarist] Nathan Hiltz, and I was picking Ross' brain as to the next best step for an artist in my situation," Eliza recalls. "He suggested recording an album, and I loved the idea." Things moved quickly once renowned pianist/arranger Mark Kieswetter (Emilie- Claire Barlow, Harry Manx) came on board

LJ Folk

Born: May 7, 1958

L J Folk has been making music since the late 70's, as a songwriter, guitarist, producer, educator, and,

most rewarding for his listeners: Singer.

His award-winning voice has been described as, “Sheer perfection,” (Lesley Mitchell-Clarke -WholeNote Magazine).

His live shows showcase his ability to vocally lift well-known songs to newer, exciting places.

The highlight of his latest, NEAR ME is a duet with Canada’s jazz vocal jewel, Emilie-Claire Barlow, on L J's arrangement of Bacharach/David's

"The Look of Love."  View it here: https://youtu.be/Rt2OvtN7fjM