Results for "Toronto"

Danny Weis

Born: January 1, 1956

Raised in San Diego, California, Danny was taught guitar by his father Johnny, a well known country jazz guitarist who performed with many Grand Ole Opry stars including Johnny Cash and Tex Ritter. At their home, legendary jazz guitar great Barney Kessel was frequently found jamming and trading guitar licks in the living room with Danny and his dad. These early influences formed the foundation of Danny’s strong sense of melody, bluesy lines, and the unique funky rhythmic style that define his trademark guitar sound. At 18 Danny co founded Iron Butterfly and performed in famous Sunset Strip clubs such as The Whisky A Go Go and The Troubador

Bartosz Hadala

Born: June 27, 1977

Bartosz Hadala was born in Stalowa Wola, Poland and started his musical education at the age 7 at the local School of Music. Still as a teenager he participated in competitions, workshops and festivals. He became the youngest finalist in the Mieczyslaw Kosz International Jazz Piano Competition at the age of 15. Two years later he was awarded a scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. In 1996, he left for Odessa, Ukraine, to study at the Odessa Conservatory with professor Anatoliy Kardashev. In 1998, Bartosz went to the USA to study jazz at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI

George Evans

Born: January 23, 1963

Recognized as one of the foremost vocal interpreters of standards on the Canadian scene, George Evans has been celebrated diversely as "a ballad's best friend" (All-Canadian Jazz Festival) and "an agile voice and always swinging" (National Post) and praised for lively, polished performances in cities such as New York, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and Shanghai. Since 1997 George self-released seven CDs as a leader, including a ballad collection. The current album, "LIVE at the Cellar" has been heard on jazz outlets on five continents. Getting his start in New York Cabaret in the 80s, George became a part of the Montréal club scene in the 90s

Oscar Peterson

Born: August 15, 1925

One of the most admired pianists in jazz, Oscar Peterson has rightfully claimed the same sort of status as earlier greats such as James P. Johnson, Art Tatum, Teddy Wilson, Fats Waller, Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, and Bill Evans. Possibly the most successful artist produced by Canada, he appeared on well over 200 albums spanning six decades and won numerous awards, including eight Grammys. During his career he performed and recorded with, among others, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, and Charlie Parker. He was beyond doubt an authentic jazz piano virtuoso, with a remarkable and prolific legacy of recordings and performances.

Kieran Overs

Toronto-born bassist Kieran Overs has been active on the Canadian music scene since 1970, first on guitar and electric bass, and for the past 34 years on acoustic bass. Overs holds an Honours Diploma from Humber College, a B. Mus. from Humber/BCOU and an M. Mus. from McGill University (Montreal). He has also studied privately with renowned Danish bassist Neils-Henning Orsted-Petersen and arranger Rick Wilkins. He has toured internationally with Moe Koffman/Dizzy Gillespie, Jane Bunnett, Sophie Milman, Carol Welsman and Emilie-Claire Barlow, among others. Having worked in Toronto as a sideman with such artists as Zoot Sims, Chet Baker, Bill Charlap, Harold Mabern Jr., Carol Sloane/ Bill Mays, Brian Dickinson, Pat Labarbera, Alex Dean and Kirk MacDonald, Overs has established a solid reputation in Canadian jazz

Rob McConnell

Born: February 14, 1935

Rob McConnell (valve trombonist, arranger, composer, big band leader) was born on February 14, 1935 in London, Ontario, and passed away on May 1, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario at the age of 75 McConnell took up the valve trombone in high school and began his performing career in the early 50’s, performing with saxophonist Don Thompson in Edmonton, Bobby Gimby and fellow Canadian Maynard Ferguson.He also studied arranging and composition with Gordon Delamont. In 1968, Rob formed the Boss Brass, a big band that would become his primary performing and recording unit through the 1970’s and 80’s. A unique musical voice, cutting wit and meticulous leadership on the bandstand were just a few of McConnell’s trademarks.He was consummate professional, a perfectionist and difficult task master- an arranger of the highest order and one hell of a trombone player

Kirk MacDonald

Born: October 2, 1959

With an established reputation as one of Canada’s leading saxophonists, Kirk MacDonald cut his first record at the age of thir-teen. Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards, and has worked with many leading musicians in a variety of musical genres. He has performed on over fifty CDs as both leader and sideman, and has participated in numerous national broadcast recordings for CBC Radio. In addition to performing extensively throughout Canada, he has also performed in the USA, Spain, France, Italy, Holland, Monaco, Australia, Korea, Bermuda, and the Bahamas. For over thirty years Kirk has worked and recorded with many leading Canadian, U.S

Steve Holt

Born: May 9, 1954

Steve Holt is a two-time JUNO Award-nominated musician and one of Canada’s most respected jazz pianists.  This year The Steve Holt Jazz Impact Quintet received a 2026 JUNO Award nomination for Jazz Album of the Year for IMPACT — marking a major milestone for the acclaimed Canadian pianist, composer, and bandleader.

In 1981 Steve received McGill University’s first-ever Bachelor of Music majoring in Jazz performance and studied piano in NYC with world-renowned pianist Kenny Barron

Robin Banks

Joe Sorbara

Born: November 5, 1977

Joe Sorbara is a highly inventive drummer and percussionist with a penchant for coaxing music out of practically anything. Joe's drumkit is regularly augmented with found and prepared material that ensures that the sounds at his ready disposal are practically orchestral in scope. He combines these skills with an extraordinary time-feel that makes him one of the most swinging drummers in Canada when the music demands it of him. He leads Other Foot First, a 'seven-or-more-tet' that is the primary outlet for his inventive compositions. Elsewhere, Joe plays in the Remnants Trio, Ken Aldcroft's Convergence Ensemble, and the AIMToronto Orchestra as well as in numerous ongoing and ad hoc collaborations with other improvisers