Results for "Toronto"

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

Diane Roblin

Born: March 31

Diane Roblin’s dynamic career has earned her a place among Canada’s most respected women in jazz. Known for her powerful compositions and expressive keyboard style, Diane’s performances blend technical agility with a deep commitment to the connective power of music. As a composer, pianist, electric keyboardist, improviser, and bandleader, Diane’s spirited, genre-crossing work has led to collaborations with artists ranging from avant-garde improviser Charles Gayle to the iconic rock band Rough Trade. Her new album, Breath of Fresh Air, released on Zsan Records in late 2024, continues this legacy. It showcases Roblin’s expansive musical voice, weaving jazz, funk, and impressionist harmony into compositions that are both adventurous and deeply moving. Leading her six-piece ensemble, Life Force, Diane explores high-energy soundscapes punctuated by intricate, emotionally resonant improvisations. Critics have praised her work:JAZZFM91 calls her compositions “fascinating,” while WholeNote writes, Roblin reminds us of her skill, not only as a pianist but as a new music composer." A classical pianist by training, Diane pursued a diverse music education at York University in Toronto, immersing herself in jazz improvisation, world music, and electronic composition with David Rosenboom. She has also studied with mridangam master Trichy Sankaran and participated in the Ornette Coleman/Karl Berger workshop in NYC, where she worked with luminaries like Lee Konitz, and in the Dutch Improv Academy with drummer Hans Bennink.

Peter Campbell

With a voice described as "soaring" and "supernal," Peter Campbell has been performing for over thirty years. From cabaret appearances with fellow young performers from the worlds of theater, film and television, Peter went on to work in commercial jingles and to cabaret performances from New York to New England and the Midwest. He has performed throughout Toronto and the GTA since relocating to Canada from his native New York City in 2012. His work has been broadcast on radio stations in Canada, the U.S. and internationally, including CBC, JAZZ91.FM and NPR.

Peter's 2017 release "Loving You: Celebrating Shirley Horn" has received critical acclaim both in Canada and internationally

Badbadnotgood

Marcus Ali

Born: June 20

Born in Canada (of Trinidadian decent), schooled at York University in Toronto (B.A. in jazz studies), Marcus Ali (younger sibling to trumpeter Brownman Ali) is one of the most called upon alto saxophonists residing in Toronto. A multi-instrumentalist, studio musician and educator, Marcus is a core member of Brownman's CRUZAO (Latin-jazz), DRUMHAND (African), RICKY FRANO & The P-CREW ORCHESTRA (Salsa) and too many more to list here.