Dan Bodanis Big Band
april 27 @ 2:00 PM

No Reservations
Cover Charges
$15 Front Section
$10 Back Section

With a rich history of individual accomplishment, the musicians in The Dan Bodanis Big Band have collectively performed as sidemen and band leaders for Diana Krall, Mel Torme, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Natalie Cole, Cleo Laine, Dizzy Gillespie, Moe Koffman, Peter Appleyard, Count Basie, Woody Herman, Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass, Buddy Rich, Billy Cobham, The Brecker Brothers, Santana, Lighthouse, Blood, Sweat & Tears, and more!

Featuring the very finest Studio Musicians in Canada, The Dan Bodanis Band have been engaged to perform for American Presidents: Obama, Bush 1&2, and Clinton; Canadian Prime Ministers P.E. Trudeau, Chrétien, Martin, Mulroney, Clark, and Campbell. Dan’s smaller band, The Dan Bodanis Band, was selected as the official Jazz Band of the G20 Summit in Toronto. The Dan Bodanis Band also performed for several other world leaders. Additionally, the band has performed for Miss Universe, The Rogers Cup International Tennis Tournament, the Inauguration of Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie, and several other top-profile events on stage, film, radio, internet, and television.

If you like jazz from the “Great American Songbook,” The Dan Bodanis Band, featuring Bernie Senensky and Steve Wallace performed every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Azure Restaurant and Bar, for years, in the Intercontinental Hotel.

June 2021, Dan Bodanis was recognized and awarded with the “50 Year Pin for Outstanding Contribution and Musicianship,” by the President of Local 149, of the Toronto Musicians Association/American Federation of Musicians.

As a Professional Studio Drummer, Dan performed on the TV Show “Live It Up, for many years, played on countless TV/Radio Commercials, and more ‘45’s & albums’ than he can now remember!

Neil Swainson Group
April 24, 25, 26, 27 @ 8:30 PM

Neil Swainson - Bass
Kevin Turcotte - Trumpet
Mark Eisenman - Piano
Joel Haynes - Drums

Four-time Juno award winner and recipient of the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Toronto Musician’s Association, Neil Swainson is among the most respected and accomplished bassists on the jazz scene today.

Born in Victoria, British Columbia in 1955, Neil discovered the acoustic bass in high school and primarily taught himself how to play. From 1975 to 1977, he toured Canada with one of the early pioneers of new age music, the flutist Paul Horn. Soon after, Neil relocated east to Toronto where for the next decade, he worked with such Canadian jazz masters as Rob McConnell, Ed Bickert, Moe Koffman and Peter Appleyard. During this time he was also the bassist of choice for many visiting American musicians including saxophonists James Moody, George Coleman, Lee Konitz, Sonny Stitt and Joe Farrell, pianists Jay McShan, Tommy Flanagan, Joanne Bracken, and guitarists Barney Kessel and Herb Ellis. Internationally,

Neil frequently shared the stage with the innovative and dynamic trumpeter Woody Shaw, touring Europe with him in 1985 and again 1987. He recorded two albums with him: In My Own Sweet Way (In’n Out), and Solid (Muse). Both Shaw and tenor sax legend Joe Henderson were featured on Neil’s 1989 debut album, 49th Parallel (Concord Records), and showcased five Swainson compositions.

Valued for his intuitive accompanying skills, harmonic depth, technical prowess and stylistic versatility, Neil also caught the ear of the great, British pianist George Shearing, who invited him to join his band. Neil appeared on over a dozen recordings with the pianist, and together they worked with Canadian composer and arranger Robert Farnon, singers Mel Tormé, Nancy Wilson, Joe Williams and Diana Krall. It was a relationship that would last from

Dan Pitt Quintet
April 28 @ 8:30 PM

Dan Pitt - Guitar
Naomi McCarroll-Butler - Saxophone
Pat Smith - Saxophone
Alex Fournier - Bass
Nick Fraser - Drums

Dan Pitt is a guitarist, composer, educator and improviser who has been a part of Toronto’s jazz and improvised music scene for the past several years. He has studied with notable musicians such as Geoff Young, Dave Restivo, Ben Monder, Brad Shepik and Michael Formanek. Aside from managing a solo, trio and quintet project, Dan has played guitar in a variety of bands with musicians such as Dave Young, Pat Collins, Terry Clarke, Terry Promane, Tim Berne and Michael Attias. He has also worked and recorded with Noah Franche-Nolan, Harrison Vetro, Lina Allemano, Nick Fraser and Andrew Downing.

Dan released four albums as a bandleader including two trio albums ("Fundamentally Flawed" and "Stages") one solo album ("Monochrome") and a quintet album ("Wrongs"). With music referred to as "atmospheric with guts" (All About Jazz), Dan works to blend influences from across the music spectrum with jazz serving as the foundation of all his bands and music. 

Dan and his quintet return to the Rex to perform a new book of original music to prepare for the upcoming recording of their next album. The group features Dan's longtime trio of Alex Fournier on Double Bass and Nick Fraser on drums along with Patrick Smith and Naomi McCarroll-Butler bringing a tetrad of woodwind instruments to the mix.

“Dan Pitt is one of Toronto’s brightest jazz lights. Whether he’s solo, leading his trio or quintet, he’s a bubbling cauldron of creative ideas and stellar improvisation.” (Mike Greenblatt - Goldmine Magazine)

"Sharp, angular jazz clearly loaded with modern edges, this is a welcome home for the ears of tomorrow." (Chris Spector – Midwest Record)

"Together these musicians present a diverse, dynamic vibe that works as a strong example of great contemporary jazz." (Keith Black - Winnipeg Free Press)

CHRIS GALE TRIOS
APRIL 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 @ 5:30 PM

Chris Gale - Saxophone
Harley Card - Guitar ( April 2, 9, 16)
Pat Collins - Bass ( April 2, 9, 16)
John Macleod - Organ(April 23, 30)
Jeff Halischuk - Drums (April 23, 30)

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Chris Gale is a Toronto-based nationally recognized saxophonist, composer, producer and educator whose driving style and rich tone can be heard on over one hundred and fifty recordings. As as leader and a sideman, Gale has performed around the globe in theatres, clubs and at festivals, impressing crowds with his lyrical sensibility and soulful approach. Chris has performed with Colin
James, Michael Kaeshammer, Blue Rodeo, Jeff Healy,
Arkells, Ron Sexsmith, Brandi Disterheft, Johnny Reid,
The Powder Blues Band and more. Gale is also a long
standing member of The Worst Pop Band Ever and
Gordon Mowat’s Skeleton Crew. As a leader, Chris
recently released Uncharted with his group Hector;
featuring Ted Quinlan (guitar), Jeff McLeod (Hammond B3
organ) and Chris Wallace (drums).

“I’ll quite happily go out of my way to hear Chris Gale, a
tenor saxophonist – among Toronto’s finest – who has
matched an impressively sure, though not showy
command of the instrument to a strong sense of it’s older
and newer traditions in the service of a distinctive style
that is timelessly melodic yet distinctively modern.”
~Mark Miller, critic/author – jazz history and biography

New york’s Jon Gordon Group
may 1, 2, 3, 4 @ 8:30 PM

Jon Gordon - Saxophone
Fabio Ragnelli - Drums
Ewen Farncombe - Piano
Dan Fortin - Bass

A native New Yorker, saxophonist and composer Jon Gordon was born into a musical family and began playing at age ten. In addition to private saxophone studies he attended Performing Arts High School and won numerous competitions, including the Performing Arts Concerto competition. This led to performances as a soloist with the Julius Grossman orchestra, Goldman Band and the Performing Arts Orchestra.
In his mid-teens Jon’s love for Jazz was sparked after a friend played him a Phil Woods record. He began sitting in regularly with Eddie Chamblee at Sweet Basil and started lessons with Phil Woods. From 1984-88 he attended Manhattan School of Music. During this time Jon began sitting in with Charles McPherson, Doc Cheatham, Phil Woods, Mike Stern, Jacky Terrason, and others, as well as working professionally with Red Rodney, Roy Eldridge, Barney Kessel, Al Grey, Eddie Locke, Mike LeDonne, Mel Lewis, Doc Cheatham, Larry Goldings, Ben Monder, Peter Bernstein, Leon Parker, et al.

In November of 1996, Jon won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition. Judges for this important event were Wayne Shorter, Jackie McLean, Joe Lovano, Jimmy Heath and Joshua Redman. 
Since the early 1990's, Jon has worked with Maria Schneider, Ron McClure, Clark Terry, Benny Carter, Phil Woods, T.S. Monk, Rufus Reid, Aretha Franklin, The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Bill Charlap, Ray Barreto, Mark Turner, George Colligan, Chico Hamilton, Jimmy Cobb, Ben Riley, Harry Connick jr., Bob Mintzer, Bill Mobley, Tony Bennett, Bruce Springsteen, Max Weinberg, The N.Y. Pops Orchestra, The Carolina Philharmonic, The Winnipeg Symphony orchestra, among many others. Jon also appears regularly as a member of the Jazz Nativity, whose other featured artists have included Tito Puente, Ron Carter, Clark Terry, Dave Brubeck, Savion Glover, Slide Hampton, Harold Nicholas and others.
Jon has led his own groups at various European, Canadian and U.S. jazz festivals and clubs including Ronnie Scott's and The Pizza Express, (London), The Sunside, The Sunset, and Le Bal Blomet, (Paris), The Brecon Jazz Festival (Wales), The Oslo Jazz Festival, The Torino Jazz Festival, The Ottowa Jazz Festival, The Winnipeg Jazz Festival, The Royal Caribbean Floating Jazz Festival, Savannah on Stage, The Savannah Jazz Festival, The Wolftrap Festival, and others. He has performed as a sideman at dozens of other festivals, clubs and concert halls around the world, including Carnegie Hall, L'Olympia (Paris), The Royal Albert Hall (London), The Beacon Theater, Radio City Music Hall, Alice Tully Theater, Lincoln Center, Damrausch Park, The Allen Room, et al.
Recent N.Y. appearances include Dizzy's, The Kitano, Smalls, Birdland, The Iridum, The Jazz Standard, Jazz in July at the 92nd Street Y, the JVC Jazz Festival, the Village Vanguard, Fat Cat, The Charlie Parker Festival, and others. He has been mentioned in many Down Beat polls in multiple saxophone categories and the composition category since the late 90s.

His 1997 release, "Along The Way", was selected by Peter Watrous of the NY times as the 2nd best jazz release of 1997. Jon's 2008 CD, "Within Worlds" was selected by Down Beat as one of the top jazz recordings of the decade. His 2009 recording, "Evolution", was selected by several jazz journalists and publications as one of the best CDs of the year, as was his 2021 CD, "Stranger Than Fiction". It was also nominated for a JUNO award for best jazz release of 2021. His next recording, "7th Ave South", will be released in May of 2024.

chris platt Trio
May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 @ 5:30 PM

Chris Platt - Guitar

Pat Collins - Bass

Lorie Wolf - Drums

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Chris Platt is an accomplished Toronto-based guitarist and composer. He regularly performs at well-known venues around the city as a leader and sideman, and has played with legendary musicians such as Dave Liebman, Norma Winstone, Jerry Bergonzi, Mike Murley, Dave Young, and Reg Schwager. Chris holds a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Performance from the University of Toronto and a diploma from Mohawk College. Currently, he teaches jazz guitar at McMaster University.

He is a featured soloist and accompanist on the album Sweet Ruby Suite (feat. Norma Winstone and Dave Liebman) as part of the University of Toronto Jazz Orchestra, as well as on Angela Turone’s debut EP Drift to You, and Marie Goudy 12tet’s The Bitter Suite.

Chris’ original music and style of playing is rooted in the jazz idiom, but also features striking characteristics from the Brazilian and Blues genres. This can be heard on his debut instrumental trio album, Sky Glow, which received a nomination for the Julian Award of Excellence in 2019. In 2020, he co-released the album, Sounds of Brazil, alongside vocalist and pianist Angela Turone, which has received reviews and radio play around the world.

Chris is a proud sponsor of MJS Custom Pickups. Having met MJS founder Mike “Smitty” Smyth when he was just beginning to play guitar, Smitty convinced Chris that the pickups he was playing could be swapped out for something better. Once Chris heard the difference a hand wound pickup could make, he was hooked. Not only does he now use MJS pickups in all of his guitars, but he is also the happy owner of three custom built MJS guitars as well: the “Dove,” the “Crossroads,” and the “Beacon.” You can see and hear these one of a kind instruments all over the music Chris has recorded.

New york’s Jon Gordon Group
may 1, 2, 3, 4 @ 8:30 PM

Jon Gordon - Saxophone
Fabio Ragnelli - Drums
Ewen Farncombe - Piano
Dan Fortin - Bass

A native New Yorker, saxophonist and composer Jon Gordon was born into a musical family and began playing at age ten. In addition to private saxophone studies he attended Performing Arts High School and won numerous competitions, including the Performing Arts Concerto competition. This led to performances as a soloist with the Julius Grossman orchestra, Goldman Band and the Performing Arts Orchestra.
In his mid-teens Jon’s love for Jazz was sparked after a friend played him a Phil Woods record. He began sitting in regularly with Eddie Chamblee at Sweet Basil and started lessons with Phil Woods. From 1984-88 he attended Manhattan School of Music. During this time Jon began sitting in with Charles McPherson, Doc Cheatham, Phil Woods, Mike Stern, Jacky Terrason, and others, as well as working professionally with Red Rodney, Roy Eldridge, Barney Kessel, Al Grey, Eddie Locke, Mike LeDonne, Mel Lewis, Doc Cheatham, Larry Goldings, Ben Monder, Peter Bernstein, Leon Parker, et al.

In November of 1996, Jon won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition. Judges for this important event were Wayne Shorter, Jackie McLean, Joe Lovano, Jimmy Heath and Joshua Redman. 
Since the early 1990's, Jon has worked with Maria Schneider, Ron McClure, Clark Terry, Benny Carter, Phil Woods, T.S. Monk, Rufus Reid, Aretha Franklin, The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Bill Charlap, Ray Barreto, Mark Turner, George Colligan, Chico Hamilton, Jimmy Cobb, Ben Riley, Harry Connick jr., Bob Mintzer, Bill Mobley, Tony Bennett, Bruce Springsteen, Max Weinberg, The N.Y. Pops Orchestra, The Carolina Philharmonic, The Winnipeg Symphony orchestra, among many others. Jon also appears regularly as a member of the Jazz Nativity, whose other featured artists have included Tito Puente, Ron Carter, Clark Terry, Dave Brubeck, Savion Glover, Slide Hampton, Harold Nicholas and others.
Jon has led his own groups at various European, Canadian and U.S. jazz festivals and clubs including Ronnie Scott's and The Pizza Express, (London), The Sunside, The Sunset, and Le Bal Blomet, (Paris), The Brecon Jazz Festival (Wales), The Oslo Jazz Festival, The Torino Jazz Festival, The Ottowa Jazz Festival, The Winnipeg Jazz Festival, The Royal Caribbean Floating Jazz Festival, Savannah on Stage, The Savannah Jazz Festival, The Wolftrap Festival, and others. He has performed as a sideman at dozens of other festivals, clubs and concert halls around the world, including Carnegie Hall, L'Olympia (Paris), The Royal Albert Hall (London), The Beacon Theater, Radio City Music Hall, Alice Tully Theater, Lincoln Center, Damrausch Park, The Allen Room, et al.
Recent N.Y. appearances include Dizzy's, The Kitano, Smalls, Birdland, The Iridum, The Jazz Standard, Jazz in July at the 92nd Street Y, the JVC Jazz Festival, the Village Vanguard, Fat Cat, The Charlie Parker Festival, and others. He has been mentioned in many Down Beat polls in multiple saxophone categories and the composition category since the late 90s.

His 1997 release, "Along The Way", was selected by Peter Watrous of the NY times as the 2nd best jazz release of 1997. Jon's 2008 CD, "Within Worlds" was selected by Down Beat as one of the top jazz recordings of the decade. His 2009 recording, "Evolution", was selected by several jazz journalists and publications as one of the best CDs of the year, as was his 2021 CD, "Stranger Than Fiction". It was also nominated for a JUNO award for best jazz release of 2021. His next recording, "7th Ave South", will be released in May of 2024.

New york’s Jon Gordon Group
may 1, 2, 3, 4 @ 8:30 PM

Jon Gordon - Saxophone
Fabio Ragnelli - Drums
Ewen Farncombe - Piano
Dan Fortin - Bass

A native New Yorker, saxophonist and composer Jon Gordon was born into a musical family and began playing at age ten. In addition to private saxophone studies he attended Performing Arts High School and won numerous competitions, including the Performing Arts Concerto competition. This led to performances as a soloist with the Julius Grossman orchestra, Goldman Band and the Performing Arts Orchestra.
In his mid-teens Jon’s love for Jazz was sparked after a friend played him a Phil Woods record. He began sitting in regularly with Eddie Chamblee at Sweet Basil and started lessons with Phil Woods. From 1984-88 he attended Manhattan School of Music. During this time Jon began sitting in with Charles McPherson, Doc Cheatham, Phil Woods, Mike Stern, Jacky Terrason, and others, as well as working professionally with Red Rodney, Roy Eldridge, Barney Kessel, Al Grey, Eddie Locke, Mike LeDonne, Mel Lewis, Doc Cheatham, Larry Goldings, Ben Monder, Peter Bernstein, Leon Parker, et al.

In November of 1996, Jon won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition. Judges for this important event were Wayne Shorter, Jackie McLean, Joe Lovano, Jimmy Heath and Joshua Redman. 
Since the early 1990's, Jon has worked with Maria Schneider, Ron McClure, Clark Terry, Benny Carter, Phil Woods, T.S. Monk, Rufus Reid, Aretha Franklin, The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Bill Charlap, Ray Barreto, Mark Turner, George Colligan, Chico Hamilton, Jimmy Cobb, Ben Riley, Harry Connick jr., Bob Mintzer, Bill Mobley, Tony Bennett, Bruce Springsteen, Max Weinberg, The N.Y. Pops Orchestra, The Carolina Philharmonic, The Winnipeg Symphony orchestra, among many others. Jon also appears regularly as a member of the Jazz Nativity, whose other featured artists have included Tito Puente, Ron Carter, Clark Terry, Dave Brubeck, Savion Glover, Slide Hampton, Harold Nicholas and others.
Jon has led his own groups at various European, Canadian and U.S. jazz festivals and clubs including Ronnie Scott's and The Pizza Express, (London), The Sunside, The Sunset, and Le Bal Blomet, (Paris), The Brecon Jazz Festival (Wales), The Oslo Jazz Festival, The Torino Jazz Festival, The Ottowa Jazz Festival, The Winnipeg Jazz Festival, The Royal Caribbean Floating Jazz Festival, Savannah on Stage, The Savannah Jazz Festival, The Wolftrap Festival, and others. He has performed as a sideman at dozens of other festivals, clubs and concert halls around the world, including Carnegie Hall, L'Olympia (Paris), The Royal Albert Hall (London), The Beacon Theater, Radio City Music Hall, Alice Tully Theater, Lincoln Center, Damrausch Park, The Allen Room, et al.
Recent N.Y. appearances include Dizzy's, The Kitano, Smalls, Birdland, The Iridum, The Jazz Standard, Jazz in July at the 92nd Street Y, the JVC Jazz Festival, the Village Vanguard, Fat Cat, The Charlie Parker Festival, and others. He has been mentioned in many Down Beat polls in multiple saxophone categories and the composition category since the late 90s.

His 1997 release, "Along The Way", was selected by Peter Watrous of the NY times as the 2nd best jazz release of 1997. Jon's 2008 CD, "Within Worlds" was selected by Down Beat as one of the top jazz recordings of the decade. His 2009 recording, "Evolution", was selected by several jazz journalists and publications as one of the best CDs of the year, as was his 2021 CD, "Stranger Than Fiction". It was also nominated for a JUNO award for best jazz release of 2021. His next recording, "7th Ave South", will be released in May of 2024.

CHRIS HUNT TENTET +2
may 4 @ 2:00 PM

No Reservations
Cover Charges
$15 Front Section
$10 Back Section

Composer, arranger, trombonist Chris Hunt is a graduate of the University of Toronto’s Jazz Performance program. Chris works as a freelance musician in his native Toronto, in a variety of settings. Years of experience with brass quintets and musicals, big bands and smaller jazz ensembles have solidified Chris’ reputation as a truly versatile performer and composer. As well as teaching private students, Chris is also on faculty at Seneca College. In 2003, Chris attended the Banff International Jazz Workshop. In May of 2004, he released The Chris Hunt Tentet’s first full-length album, First X’s Free. His quintet, Big Lots, released a limited edition EP in 2005. In spring of 2006 The Tentet recorded the Dirrty Dog live at the Rex Hotel.

Mattaus Gretzinger
may 4 & 25th @ 5:30 PM

Mattaus Gretzinger - Saxophone

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

New york’s Jon Gordon Group
may 1, 2, 3, 4 @ 8:30 PM

Jon Gordon - Saxophone
Fabio Ragnelli - Drums
Ewen Farncombe - Piano
Dan Fortin - Bass

A native New Yorker, saxophonist and composer Jon Gordon was born into a musical family and began playing at age ten. In addition to private saxophone studies he attended Performing Arts High School and won numerous competitions, including the Performing Arts Concerto competition. This led to performances as a soloist with the Julius Grossman orchestra, Goldman Band and the Performing Arts Orchestra.
In his mid-teens Jon’s love for Jazz was sparked after a friend played him a Phil Woods record. He began sitting in regularly with Eddie Chamblee at Sweet Basil and started lessons with Phil Woods. From 1984-88 he attended Manhattan School of Music. During this time Jon began sitting in with Charles McPherson, Doc Cheatham, Phil Woods, Mike Stern, Jacky Terrason, and others, as well as working professionally with Red Rodney, Roy Eldridge, Barney Kessel, Al Grey, Eddie Locke, Mike LeDonne, Mel Lewis, Doc Cheatham, Larry Goldings, Ben Monder, Peter Bernstein, Leon Parker, et al.

In November of 1996, Jon won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition. Judges for this important event were Wayne Shorter, Jackie McLean, Joe Lovano, Jimmy Heath and Joshua Redman. 
Since the early 1990's, Jon has worked with Maria Schneider, Ron McClure, Clark Terry, Benny Carter, Phil Woods, T.S. Monk, Rufus Reid, Aretha Franklin, The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Bill Charlap, Ray Barreto, Mark Turner, George Colligan, Chico Hamilton, Jimmy Cobb, Ben Riley, Harry Connick jr., Bob Mintzer, Bill Mobley, Tony Bennett, Bruce Springsteen, Max Weinberg, The N.Y. Pops Orchestra, The Carolina Philharmonic, The Winnipeg Symphony orchestra, among many others. Jon also appears regularly as a member of the Jazz Nativity, whose other featured artists have included Tito Puente, Ron Carter, Clark Terry, Dave Brubeck, Savion Glover, Slide Hampton, Harold Nicholas and others.
Jon has led his own groups at various European, Canadian and U.S. jazz festivals and clubs including Ronnie Scott's and The Pizza Express, (London), The Sunside, The Sunset, and Le Bal Blomet, (Paris), The Brecon Jazz Festival (Wales), The Oslo Jazz Festival, The Torino Jazz Festival, The Ottowa Jazz Festival, The Winnipeg Jazz Festival, The Royal Caribbean Floating Jazz Festival, Savannah on Stage, The Savannah Jazz Festival, The Wolftrap Festival, and others. He has performed as a sideman at dozens of other festivals, clubs and concert halls around the world, including Carnegie Hall, L'Olympia (Paris), The Royal Albert Hall (London), The Beacon Theater, Radio City Music Hall, Alice Tully Theater, Lincoln Center, Damrausch Park, The Allen Room, et al.
Recent N.Y. appearances include Dizzy's, The Kitano, Smalls, Birdland, The Iridum, The Jazz Standard, Jazz in July at the 92nd Street Y, the JVC Jazz Festival, the Village Vanguard, Fat Cat, The Charlie Parker Festival, and others. He has been mentioned in many Down Beat polls in multiple saxophone categories and the composition category since the late 90s.

His 1997 release, "Along The Way", was selected by Peter Watrous of the NY times as the 2nd best jazz release of 1997. Jon's 2008 CD, "Within Worlds" was selected by Down Beat as one of the top jazz recordings of the decade. His 2009 recording, "Evolution", was selected by several jazz journalists and publications as one of the best CDs of the year, as was his 2021 CD, "Stranger Than Fiction". It was also nominated for a JUNO award for best jazz release of 2021. His next recording, "7th Ave South", will be released in May of 2024.

New York’s Dan Weiss’ Even Odds
May 5 & 6 @ 8:30 PM

Dan Weiss - Drums
Featuring Special Guests:
Miguel Zenon - Saxophone
Matt Mitchell - Piano

Three time Shifting Foundation grantee Dan Weiss has been hailed as one of the top five jazz drummers by The New York Times, and his large ensemble recording “Fourteen” made the top ten list of their best recordings of 2014. Weiss’s innovative drumming and forward-thinking compositions have been pushing musical limits for decades. Weiss’s intense study of jazz, classical Indian, contemporary classical, west African, and metal sets a musical platform that creates a sound that transcends conventional style or genre. His compositional trademarks are angular yet emotive melodies, complex through-composed drum parts, rhythmic cycles native to many non-western music, and melodic shapes drawing directly from the raga system found in Indian classical music.

He has released four recordings with his trio: “Now Yes When” (2006), “Timshel” (2011), “Utica Box” (2019), and “Dedication” (2022), which have been critically-acclaimed for their unique approach to song structure and endlessly creative improvisation. Weiss also leads his sixteen-piece large ensemble that features some of New York City’s most gifted musicians. The two albums “Fourteen” (2014) and “Sixteen: Drummers Suite” (2016), released on the Pi Recordings label, have made numerous critic polls. His project, Starebaby, which features Craig Taborn, Matt Mitchell, Ben Monder, and Trevor Dunn, is an amalgam of jazz, metal, and new music. They have two releases: “Starebaby” (2018) and “Natural Selection” (2020), both also on Pi.

Weiss has been studying tabla under Pandit Samir Chatterjee for twenty-five years. He has performed with the legendary Ashish Khan and Ramesh Misra and recorded a solo tabla CD “3dcd” (2007). Weiss recorded two groundbreaking CDs “Teental Drumset Solo” (2005) and “Jhaptal Drumset Solo” ( 2011) where he performs classical Indian repertoire on drum set. Recently Weiss and longtime collaborator Miles Okazaki released a double LP titled “Music for Drums and Guitar” (2021). In 2023 Weiss will put out a new trio record featuring Miguel Zenon and Matt Mitchell.

Eric West Quartet
May 6, 13, 20, 27 @ 5:30 PM

Eric West - Drums
Leland Whitty - Saxophone
Jen Lo - Piano
Julian Anderson-Bowes - Bass

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Similar to many musicians, Eric West grew up in a musical household. His journey began at the age of 5 when his uncle donated an old drumset to him and his brother. At 12 years old, he began formal training at Humber College's Community Music Program. It was there that he fostered his love for jazz under the mentorship of Kirk MacDonald, Steve Mancuso, Barry Romberg, Jane Fair, and Don Palmer. Eric went on to continue his post secondary studies at Humber College where he received a Bachelors Degree in Music. Since then, he has gone on to be an active member of the Toronto jazz community, as well as branching out to pop and indie rock scenes. He has toured throughout Europe, USA, and Canada, with notable acts such as, The Tenors, Banners and Pram Trio. In 2012, he was awarded the Sabian Cymbal Award by Humber College for outstanding achievement and in 2014, was awarded the prestigious Grande Prix de Jazz at the Montreal Jazz Festival as a member of co-led group Pram Trio. Eric continues to be an active member of the Toronto music scene. He's held a residency at Poetry Jazz Cafe since 2012, as well as continuing to play at other establishments around the city. Over the past year Eric began composing for his own project, The Eric West Group, and in December 2019 released his debut EP.

New York’s Dan Weiss’ Even Odds
May 5 & 6 @ 8:30 PM

Dan Weiss - Drums
Featuring Special Guests:
Miguel Zenon - Saxophone
Matt Mitchell - Piano

Three time Shifting Foundation grantee Dan Weiss has been hailed as one of the top five jazz drummers by The New York Times, and his large ensemble recording “Fourteen” made the top ten list of their best recordings of 2014. Weiss’s innovative drumming and forward-thinking compositions have been pushing musical limits for decades. Weiss’s intense study of jazz, classical Indian, contemporary classical, west African, and metal sets a musical platform that creates a sound that transcends conventional style or genre. His compositional trademarks are angular yet emotive melodies, complex through-composed drum parts, rhythmic cycles native to many non-western music, and melodic shapes drawing directly from the raga system found in Indian classical music.

He has released four recordings with his trio: “Now Yes When” (2006), “Timshel” (2011), “Utica Box” (2019), and “Dedication” (2022), which have been critically-acclaimed for their unique approach to song structure and endlessly creative improvisation. Weiss also leads his sixteen-piece large ensemble that features some of New York City’s most gifted musicians. The two albums “Fourteen” (2014) and “Sixteen: Drummers Suite” (2016), released on the Pi Recordings label, have made numerous critic polls. His project, Starebaby, which features Craig Taborn, Matt Mitchell, Ben Monder, and Trevor Dunn, is an amalgam of jazz, metal, and new music. They have two releases: “Starebaby” (2018) and “Natural Selection” (2020), both also on Pi.

Weiss has been studying tabla under Pandit Samir Chatterjee for twenty-five years. He has performed with the legendary Ashish Khan and Ramesh Misra and recorded a solo tabla CD “3dcd” (2007). Weiss recorded two groundbreaking CDs “Teental Drumset Solo” (2005) and “Jhaptal Drumset Solo” ( 2011) where he performs classical Indian repertoire on drum set. Recently Weiss and longtime collaborator Miles Okazaki released a double LP titled “Music for Drums and Guitar” (2021). In 2023 Weiss will put out a new trio record featuring Miguel Zenon and Matt Mitchell.

Jake Wilkinson Group
May 7, 14, 21, 28 @ 5:30 PM

Jake Wilkinson - Trumpet

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Born in England in 1971, Jake Wilkinson Jake Wilkinson moved to Denmark at the age of three and came to Canada in 1978. He was raised in a musical family; his father was a church organist and pianist. At the age of nine, he began studying slide trombone and played in local community bands, orchestras and rock groups.

At sixteen, while at the Claude Watson School For The Arts, he developed a more serious interest in music as acareer. After receiving two awards in high school musical competitions he switched to valve trombone and began working on piano. During this time he worked around Toronto with Grant Stewart and spent time sitting in with jazz greats such as Bob Mover and Don Thompson and studied privately with Rob McConnell.

Beginning in 1990, Jake studied with Joanne Brackeen on a scholarship at the New School Of Music in New York City. Here he had the opportunity to play with Larry Willis, Cecil Payne, and pianist for the Joshua Redman group – Brad Meldhau. He returned to Toronto in 1991 and changed instruments again – this time to trumpet and the following year spent more time studying in New York with support from the Canada Council.

Jake works with Bob Mover and Don Thompson in the Toronto Jazz Quartet, the Norman Marshall Villeneuve Sextet, and his own quintet for whom he preparing material for a recording session this spring. He has recently recorded with vocalists Liberty Silver and Priscilla Wright and done numerous recording dates for the CBC’s JazzBeat program. Jake freelances with a number of other bands around the Toronto area and will be playing with Rob McConnell’s Boss Brass.

Amos Hoffman Quartet
May 8, 9, 10, 11 @ 8:30 Pm

Amos Hoffman - Guitar & Oud
Noam Lemish - Piano
Justin Gray - Bass
Derek Gray - Drums

AMOS HOFFMAN (pronounced AH-mus) is an Israeli Jazz Guitarist & Oudist known worldwide as a pioneer in fusing the rhythms and melodic themes of the Middle East with Modern Jazz. 

Hoffman started playing guitar at the age of 6, and the oud a few years later. He studied guitar privately, and later attended the prestigious Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem. His search for new musical experiences led him first to Amsterdam, and then to New York City, where he played jazz with both established musicians and up-and-coming talents like Jason Lindler, bassist Avishai Cohen, and Claudia Acuna.

To date, Hoffman has recorded 5 solo albums: The Dreamer (1999), Na’ama (2006), Evolution (2008), Carving (2010), and his most recent release, Back to the City (2015).  He has also contributed on dozens more for artists in Israel and worldwide including Avishai Cohen, Kiko Berenguer (Spain), and Jan Mlynarski (Poland).  

In 2013, Amos was awarded one of Israel’s most prestigious prizes – The Landau Prize for Arts and Sciences for Outstanding Achievement in the field of Jazz. Now based in the U.S., Hoffman looks forward to creating new musical adventures and reaching an even larger audience.

chris platt Trio
May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 @ 5:30 PM

Chris Platt - Guitar

Michael Herring - Bass

Ian Wright - Drums

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Chris Platt is an accomplished Toronto-based guitarist and composer. He regularly performs at well-known venues around the city as a leader and sideman, and has played with legendary musicians such as Dave Liebman, Norma Winstone, Jerry Bergonzi, Mike Murley, Dave Young, and Reg Schwager. Chris holds a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Performance from the University of Toronto and a diploma from Mohawk College. Currently, he teaches jazz guitar at McMaster University.

He is a featured soloist and accompanist on the album Sweet Ruby Suite (feat. Norma Winstone and Dave Liebman) as part of the University of Toronto Jazz Orchestra, as well as on Angela Turone’s debut EP Drift to You, and Marie Goudy 12tet’s The Bitter Suite.

Chris’ original music and style of playing is rooted in the jazz idiom, but also features striking characteristics from the Brazilian and Blues genres. This can be heard on his debut instrumental trio album, Sky Glow, which received a nomination for the Julian Award of Excellence in 2019. In 2020, he co-released the album, Sounds of Brazil, alongside vocalist and pianist Angela Turone, which has received reviews and radio play around the world.

Chris is a proud sponsor of MJS Custom Pickups. Having met MJS founder Mike “Smitty” Smyth when he was just beginning to play guitar, Smitty convinced Chris that the pickups he was playing could be swapped out for something better. Once Chris heard the difference a hand wound pickup could make, he was hooked. Not only does he now use MJS pickups in all of his guitars, but he is also the happy owner of three custom built MJS guitars as well: the “Dove,” the “Crossroads,” and the “Beacon.” You can see and hear these one of a kind instruments all over the music Chris has recorded.

Amos Hoffman Quartet
May 8, 9, 10, 11 @ 8:30 Pm

Amos Hoffman - Guitar & Oud
Noam Lemish - Piano
Justin Gray - Bass
Derek Gray - Drums

AMOS HOFFMAN (pronounced AH-mus) is an Israeli Jazz Guitarist & Oudist known worldwide as a pioneer in fusing the rhythms and melodic themes of the Middle East with Modern Jazz. 

Hoffman started playing guitar at the age of 6, and the oud a few years later. He studied guitar privately, and later attended the prestigious Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem. His search for new musical experiences led him first to Amsterdam, and then to New York City, where he played jazz with both established musicians and up-and-coming talents like Jason Lindler, bassist Avishai Cohen, and Claudia Acuna.

To date, Hoffman has recorded 5 solo albums: The Dreamer (1999), Na’ama (2006), Evolution (2008), Carving (2010), and his most recent release, Back to the City (2015).  He has also contributed on dozens more for artists in Israel and worldwide including Avishai Cohen, Kiko Berenguer (Spain), and Jan Mlynarski (Poland).  

In 2013, Amos was awarded one of Israel’s most prestigious prizes – The Landau Prize for Arts and Sciences for Outstanding Achievement in the field of Jazz. Now based in the U.S., Hoffman looks forward to creating new musical adventures and reaching an even larger audience.

Amos Hoffman Quartet
May 8, 9, 10, 11 @ 8:30 Pm

Amos Hoffman - Guitar & Oud
Noam Lemish - Piano
Justin Gray - Bass
Derek Gray - Drums

AMOS HOFFMAN (pronounced AH-mus) is an Israeli Jazz Guitarist & Oudist known worldwide as a pioneer in fusing the rhythms and melodic themes of the Middle East with Modern Jazz. 

Hoffman started playing guitar at the age of 6, and the oud a few years later. He studied guitar privately, and later attended the prestigious Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem. His search for new musical experiences led him first to Amsterdam, and then to New York City, where he played jazz with both established musicians and up-and-coming talents like Jason Lindler, bassist Avishai Cohen, and Claudia Acuna.

To date, Hoffman has recorded 5 solo albums: The Dreamer (1999), Na’ama (2006), Evolution (2008), Carving (2010), and his most recent release, Back to the City (2015).  He has also contributed on dozens more for artists in Israel and worldwide including Avishai Cohen, Kiko Berenguer (Spain), and Jan Mlynarski (Poland).  

In 2013, Amos was awarded one of Israel’s most prestigious prizes – The Landau Prize for Arts and Sciences for Outstanding Achievement in the field of Jazz. Now based in the U.S., Hoffman looks forward to creating new musical adventures and reaching an even larger audience.

Robin Jessome & Blunt Objects
May 11 @ 2:00 pm

Robin Jessome -Trombone


No Reservations
Cover Charges
$15 Front Section
$10 Back Section

Blunt Object is a Toronto-based 11-piece jazz ensemble performing energetic, creative music; balancing unique improvisors with quirky and compelling arrangements. Featuring the music of Carla Bley, the ensemble presents engaging music with a refreshing sense of humour.

Trombonist Robin Jessome has been based in Kitchener/Waterloo and performing around the Tri-Cities as well as Hamilton and Toronto, making loud and intriguing creative music. Robin likes things dark, with a quirky sense-of-humour — deeply influenced by the likes of Carla Bley, Tom Waits, Kenny Wheeler and Charles Mingus. Originally from Nova Scotia, Robin received a Bachelor of Music at St. Francis Xavier University (2003) and then completed a Master of Music in Jazz Performance at the University of Toronto (2009). While at UofT he studied trombone with William Carn and Terry Promane; composition with Phil Nimmons and David Braid.

Amos Hoffman Quartet
May 8, 9, 10, 11 @ 8:30 Pm

Amos Hoffman - Guitar & Oud
Noam Lemish - Piano
Justin Gray - Bass
Derek Gray - Drums

AMOS HOFFMAN (pronounced AH-mus) is an Israeli Jazz Guitarist & Oudist known worldwide as a pioneer in fusing the rhythms and melodic themes of the Middle East with Modern Jazz. 

Hoffman started playing guitar at the age of 6, and the oud a few years later. He studied guitar privately, and later attended the prestigious Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem. His search for new musical experiences led him first to Amsterdam, and then to New York City, where he played jazz with both established musicians and up-and-coming talents like Jason Lindler, bassist Avishai Cohen, and Claudia Acuna.

To date, Hoffman has recorded 5 solo albums: The Dreamer (1999), Na’ama (2006), Evolution (2008), Carving (2010), and his most recent release, Back to the City (2015).  He has also contributed on dozens more for artists in Israel and worldwide including Avishai Cohen, Kiko Berenguer (Spain), and Jan Mlynarski (Poland).  

In 2013, Amos was awarded one of Israel’s most prestigious prizes – The Landau Prize for Arts and Sciences for Outstanding Achievement in the field of Jazz. Now based in the U.S., Hoffman looks forward to creating new musical adventures and reaching an even larger audience.

Paul DeLong’s One Word
may 12 & 13 @ 8:30 PM

Paul DeLong - Drums
Victoria Yeh - Violin
Michael Murray - Guitar
Marco Luciani - Keyboards
Steve Lucas - Bass

Best known for his multi-platinum success with rock artist Kim Mitchell, Paul has forged a career which encompasses funk, fusion, jazz and latin, working with such diverse artists as Tom Scott, Domenic Troiano, David Blamires, Lawrence Gowan, Dave Restivo, Colm Wilkinson, Doug Riley, Hilario Duran, David Clayton-Thomas, Roger Hodgson, Rik Emmett, and Lighthouse to name a few. As a Juno award winner and respected session player Paul has performed at P.I.T. and the N.A.M.M. shows in L.A., twice at the Montreal Drumfest, at the Cape Breton Drumfest, and most recently at the Quebec International Drumfest in 2017. He is one of SABIAN cymbals most popular and effective clinicians. Always active on the studio scene, Paul has recorded numerous jingles and worked on TV shows such as Degrassi Junior High, Top Cops, Counterstrike, E.N.G. and more recently, How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?
Paul taught part-time at Humber College in Toronto for 33 years, and has written several articles for Modern Drummer magazine. He also taught and performed at KOSA 2010,  and at the Stickman Drum Experience 2013, and has done online video lessons for Drumhang and Drumeo. Paul has two books “DeLong Way” To Polyrhythmic Creativity On The Drumset  and “DeLong Way -To Musical Phrasing On The Drumset”. (Both books are available in hard copy, and as eBooks, from the “My Books” links on this site.)

In 1994 Paul became involved in musical theatre, first subbing on shows such as Tommy, Joseph and Rent in Toronto, and then touring across Canada and the U.S. with those same productions. He was the first sub on the Toronto production of The Lion King for three and a half years and in 2004 was first chair for the musical Hairspray. Next came Hair in 2006 and Peter Pan in 2007.

Paul has his own band – ONE WORD, which plays fusion classics by the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Tony Williams Lifetime, and Return To Forever, etc. (click on tab in the menu above for more info).

For the past 15 years he has performed with Jeans ‘n Classics, which pairs a rock band with a symphony orchestra, and played with various tribute acts including, Brass Transit (Chicago tribute) , and Pretzel Logic (Steely Dan tribute).

As well, Paul stays busy recording drum tracks for various artists, at his home studio in Toronto.
Current endorsements include Gretsch drums, Sabian cymbals, Remo drumheads, LP Percussion and Vater sticks.

Eric West Quartet
May 6, 13, 20, 27 @ 5:30 PM

Eric West - Drums
Leland Whitty - Saxophone
Jen Lo - Piano
Julian Anderson-Bowes - Bass

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Similar to many musicians, Eric West grew up in a musical household. His journey began at the age of 5 when his uncle donated an old drumset to him and his brother. At 12 years old, he began formal training at Humber College's Community Music Program. It was there that he fostered his love for jazz under the mentorship of Kirk MacDonald, Steve Mancuso, Barry Romberg, Jane Fair, and Don Palmer. Eric went on to continue his post secondary studies at Humber College where he received a Bachelors Degree in Music. Since then, he has gone on to be an active member of the Toronto jazz community, as well as branching out to pop and indie rock scenes. He has toured throughout Europe, USA, and Canada, with notable acts such as, The Tenors, Banners and Pram Trio. In 2012, he was awarded the Sabian Cymbal Award by Humber College for outstanding achievement and in 2014, was awarded the prestigious Grande Prix de Jazz at the Montreal Jazz Festival as a member of co-led group Pram Trio. Eric continues to be an active member of the Toronto music scene. He's held a residency at Poetry Jazz Cafe since 2012, as well as continuing to play at other establishments around the city. Over the past year Eric began composing for his own project, The Eric West Group, and in December 2019 released his debut EP.

Paul DeLong’s One Word
may 12 & 13 @ 8:30 PM

Paul DeLong - Drums
Victoria Yeh - Violin
Michael Murray - Guitar
Marco Luciani - Keyboards
Steve Lucas - Bass

Best known for his multi-platinum success with rock artist Kim Mitchell, Paul has forged a career which encompasses funk, fusion, jazz and latin, working with such diverse artists as Tom Scott, Domenic Troiano, David Blamires, Lawrence Gowan, Dave Restivo, Colm Wilkinson, Doug Riley, Hilario Duran, David Clayton-Thomas, Roger Hodgson, Rik Emmett, and Lighthouse to name a few. As a Juno award winner and respected session player Paul has performed at P.I.T. and the N.A.M.M. shows in L.A., twice at the Montreal Drumfest, at the Cape Breton Drumfest, and most recently at the Quebec International Drumfest in 2017. He is one of SABIAN cymbals most popular and effective clinicians. Always active on the studio scene, Paul has recorded numerous jingles and worked on TV shows such as Degrassi Junior High, Top Cops, Counterstrike, E.N.G. and more recently, How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?
Paul taught part-time at Humber College in Toronto for 33 years, and has written several articles for Modern Drummer magazine. He also taught and performed at KOSA 2010,  and at the Stickman Drum Experience 2013, and has done online video lessons for Drumhang and Drumeo. Paul has two books “DeLong Way” To Polyrhythmic Creativity On The Drumset  and “DeLong Way -To Musical Phrasing On The Drumset”. (Both books are available in hard copy, and as eBooks, from the “My Books” links on this site.)

In 1994 Paul became involved in musical theatre, first subbing on shows such as Tommy, Joseph and Rent in Toronto, and then touring across Canada and the U.S. with those same productions. He was the first sub on the Toronto production of The Lion King for three and a half years and in 2004 was first chair for the musical Hairspray. Next came Hair in 2006 and Peter Pan in 2007.

Paul has his own band – ONE WORD, which plays fusion classics by the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Tony Williams Lifetime, and Return To Forever, etc. (click on tab in the menu above for more info).

For the past 15 years he has performed with Jeans ‘n Classics, which pairs a rock band with a symphony orchestra, and played with various tribute acts including, Brass Transit (Chicago tribute) , and Pretzel Logic (Steely Dan tribute).

As well, Paul stays busy recording drum tracks for various artists, at his home studio in Toronto.
Current endorsements include Gretsch drums, Sabian cymbals, Remo drumheads, LP Percussion and Vater sticks.

Jake Wilkinson Group
May 7, 14, 21, 28 @ 5:30 PM

Jake Wilkinson - Trumpet

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Born in England in 1971, Jake Wilkinson Jake Wilkinson moved to Denmark at the age of three and came to Canada in 1978. He was raised in a musical family; his father was a church organist and pianist. At the age of nine, he began studying slide trombone and played in local community bands, orchestras and rock groups.

At sixteen, while at the Claude Watson School For The Arts, he developed a more serious interest in music as acareer. After receiving two awards in high school musical competitions he switched to valve trombone and began working on piano. During this time he worked around Toronto with Grant Stewart and spent time sitting in with jazz greats such as Bob Mover and Don Thompson and studied privately with Rob McConnell.

Beginning in 1990, Jake studied with Joanne Brackeen on a scholarship at the New School Of Music in New York City. Here he had the opportunity to play with Larry Willis, Cecil Payne, and pianist for the Joshua Redman group – Brad Meldhau. He returned to Toronto in 1991 and changed instruments again – this time to trumpet and the following year spent more time studying in New York with support from the Canada Council.

Jake works with Bob Mover and Don Thompson in the Toronto Jazz Quartet, the Norman Marshall Villeneuve Sextet, and his own quintet for whom he preparing material for a recording session this spring. He has recently recorded with vocalists Liberty Silver and Priscilla Wright and done numerous recording dates for the CBC’s JazzBeat program. Jake freelances with a number of other bands around the Toronto area and will be playing with Rob McConnell’s Boss Brass.

New York’s Avi Granite 6
May 14 @ 8:30 pm

Avi Granite - Guitar
Jim Lewis - Trumpet
Peter Lutek - Saxophone
Tom Richards - Trombone
Neal Davis - Bass
Ted Warren - Drums

Avi Granite is a guitarist and composer best known for his Toronto based improvisational sextet Avi Granite 6. Granite calls New York City home where his work is performed by his NYC based quartet Verse and experimental project Graphic Tongue. Granite has performed around the globe and studied with some of the best. As a composer he has been commissioned by play-writes and string quartets. He has composed for commercials, tv shows, and film. Honored as guest lecturer at several universities Granite has also developed creative workshops for corporate education. He is sole proprietor of Pet Mantis Records.

EGBO TRIO
May 15, 16, 17, 18 @ 8:30 PM

Thompson Egbo Egbo - Piano
Randall Hall - Bass
Jeff Halischuk - Drums

Acclaimed Toronto composer and pianist Thompson Egbo-Egbo is always in key. Deeply rooted

in his upbringing – moving to Canada from Nigeria at age four, commencing his dedication to

playing the piano at the age of six – his innate aptitude and affection for the instrument

resonates with him to this day. The key that keeps everything aligned is one where Thompson is

in tune with his environment, collaborators, community and a signature approach to the art.

On his forthcoming project, set for release via MNRK Music Group this fall, Thompson will draw

from themes of transition, rebirth, realignment, joy, and optimism for the future. Partly

inspired by the shifts and impact the last two years of the pandemic has placed on both a

personal and professional level, audiences will experience the growth and depth of Thompson’s

writing, as an offering of sonic catharsis and hope.

The project’s first single, Smells Like Teen Spirit, is a classic cover that many may have heard in

one of Thompson’s live performances. The reimagined version shows that, no matter where it’s

played or who it’s played for, it connects with people of all generations and cultures. 

Before Thompson began playing his way through landmark venues across Toronto, he honed

his skill in the heart of the city. At Dixon Hall, a community center down the street from where

he grew up in Toronto's Regent Park, he was able to take piano lessons at two dollars a

session. Growing up in subsidized government development area of Toronto, Egbo-Egbo was

awed by the fact a group of people thought enough of the residences to build a musical school

so that the children of the neighborhood could enjoy to enjoy the neighbourhood could enjoy

the access of affordable music lessons. 

As this experience struck a chord in his youth, giving back is a trademark note of Thompson’s

ethos. Thompson served as a member of the board at Dixon Hall for many years and is

currently, on the board at Jazz FM 91. His own organization, The Thompson T. Egbo-Egbo Arts

Foundation, and Evolving Through the Arts program, targets elementary school students

recognizing that a positive change and a sense of self-worth should be instilled in children early

and they be afforded opportunities that all children should receive. The foundation aims to fill a

void in the education of music and arts not found in many communities, and partners with

talented Canadian musicians and artists to provide a well-rounded and focused curriculum,

dedicated to creating a resource for underprivileged Canadian youth to advance in music and

the arts, empowers them through a safe environment to learn and express themselves

artistically, and provides a platform for children to build their confidence, leadership and

teamwork skills.

With degrees in Music from Humber College, and music production at the Berklee College of

Music in Boston, to releasing numerous works and collaborating with some of the world’s most

renowned artists, Thompson’s involvement in music has seen many opportunities come his

way. Last year, Thompson portrayed a young Oscar Peterson in an episode of Historica

Canada’s Heritage Minutes, honouring the artist’s life and career. While he was set to cross the

pond for a recording opportunity at Abbey Road Studios in London, UK, Thompson was still able

to proceed in Toronto to write and record Oddly Familiar – an album released and archived

with Audio Network’s sync library.

Looking ahead, listeners can expect to hear music from the new album in a docuseries project

by Luminato Festival called Golden Hour. The trio will perform at a selection of Ontario festival

dates including Toronto International Film Festival, Kensington Market Jazz Festival, and Orillia

Jazz Festival. Next year, Thompson will be performing Oscar Peterson's music for a special

concert with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra in February 2023.

Thompson Egbo-Egbo shares his experience, ideas and vision with vibrant energy. The key to his

success is not solely unlocked by memorable, harmonically complex compositions that have at

their core a deep, abiding groove, but the connections they create and the doors they open

within the listener.

chris platt Trio
May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 @ 5:30 PM

Chris Platt - Guitar

Pat Collins - Bass

Ian Wright - Drums

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Chris Platt is an accomplished Toronto-based guitarist and composer. He regularly performs at well-known venues around the city as a leader and sideman, and has played with legendary musicians such as Dave Liebman, Norma Winstone, Jerry Bergonzi, Mike Murley, Dave Young, and Reg Schwager. Chris holds a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Performance from the University of Toronto and a diploma from Mohawk College. Currently, he teaches jazz guitar at McMaster University.

He is a featured soloist and accompanist on the album Sweet Ruby Suite (feat. Norma Winstone and Dave Liebman) as part of the University of Toronto Jazz Orchestra, as well as on Angela Turone’s debut EP Drift to You, and Marie Goudy 12tet’s The Bitter Suite.

Chris’ original music and style of playing is rooted in the jazz idiom, but also features striking characteristics from the Brazilian and Blues genres. This can be heard on his debut instrumental trio album, Sky Glow, which received a nomination for the Julian Award of Excellence in 2019. In 2020, he co-released the album, Sounds of Brazil, alongside vocalist and pianist Angela Turone, which has received reviews and radio play around the world.

Chris is a proud sponsor of MJS Custom Pickups. Having met MJS founder Mike “Smitty” Smyth when he was just beginning to play guitar, Smitty convinced Chris that the pickups he was playing could be swapped out for something better. Once Chris heard the difference a hand wound pickup could make, he was hooked. Not only does he now use MJS pickups in all of his guitars, but he is also the happy owner of three custom built MJS guitars as well: the “Dove,” the “Crossroads,” and the “Beacon.” You can see and hear these one of a kind instruments all over the music Chris has recorded.

EGBO TRIO
May 15, 16, 17, 18 @ 8:30 PM

Thompson Egbo Egbo - Piano
Randall Hall - Bass
Jeff Halischuk - Drums

Acclaimed Toronto composer and pianist Thompson Egbo-Egbo is always in key. Deeply rooted

in his upbringing – moving to Canada from Nigeria at age four, commencing his dedication to

playing the piano at the age of six – his innate aptitude and affection for the instrument

resonates with him to this day. The key that keeps everything aligned is one where Thompson is

in tune with his environment, collaborators, community and a signature approach to the art.

On his forthcoming project, set for release via MNRK Music Group this fall, Thompson will draw

from themes of transition, rebirth, realignment, joy, and optimism for the future. Partly

inspired by the shifts and impact the last two years of the pandemic has placed on both a

personal and professional level, audiences will experience the growth and depth of Thompson’s

writing, as an offering of sonic catharsis and hope.

The project’s first single, Smells Like Teen Spirit, is a classic cover that many may have heard in

one of Thompson’s live performances. The reimagined version shows that, no matter where it’s

played or who it’s played for, it connects with people of all generations and cultures. 

Before Thompson began playing his way through landmark venues across Toronto, he honed

his skill in the heart of the city. At Dixon Hall, a community center down the street from where

he grew up in Toronto's Regent Park, he was able to take piano lessons at two dollars a

session. Growing up in subsidized government development area of Toronto, Egbo-Egbo was

awed by the fact a group of people thought enough of the residences to build a musical school

so that the children of the neighborhood could enjoy to enjoy the neighbourhood could enjoy

the access of affordable music lessons. 

As this experience struck a chord in his youth, giving back is a trademark note of Thompson’s

ethos. Thompson served as a member of the board at Dixon Hall for many years and is

currently, on the board at Jazz FM 91. His own organization, The Thompson T. Egbo-Egbo Arts

Foundation, and Evolving Through the Arts program, targets elementary school students

recognizing that a positive change and a sense of self-worth should be instilled in children early

and they be afforded opportunities that all children should receive. The foundation aims to fill a

void in the education of music and arts not found in many communities, and partners with

talented Canadian musicians and artists to provide a well-rounded and focused curriculum,

dedicated to creating a resource for underprivileged Canadian youth to advance in music and

the arts, empowers them through a safe environment to learn and express themselves

artistically, and provides a platform for children to build their confidence, leadership and

teamwork skills.

With degrees in Music from Humber College, and music production at the Berklee College of

Music in Boston, to releasing numerous works and collaborating with some of the world’s most

renowned artists, Thompson’s involvement in music has seen many opportunities come his

way. Last year, Thompson portrayed a young Oscar Peterson in an episode of Historica

Canada’s Heritage Minutes, honouring the artist’s life and career. While he was set to cross the

pond for a recording opportunity at Abbey Road Studios in London, UK, Thompson was still able

to proceed in Toronto to write and record Oddly Familiar – an album released and archived

with Audio Network’s sync library.

Looking ahead, listeners can expect to hear music from the new album in a docuseries project

by Luminato Festival called Golden Hour. The trio will perform at a selection of Ontario festival

dates including Toronto International Film Festival, Kensington Market Jazz Festival, and Orillia

Jazz Festival. Next year, Thompson will be performing Oscar Peterson's music for a special

concert with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra in February 2023.

Thompson Egbo-Egbo shares his experience, ideas and vision with vibrant energy. The key to his

success is not solely unlocked by memorable, harmonically complex compositions that have at

their core a deep, abiding groove, but the connections they create and the doors they open

within the listener.

EGBO TRIO
May 15, 16, 17, 18 @ 8:30 PM

Thompson Egbo Egbo - Piano
Randall Hall - Bass
Jeff Halischuk - Drums

Acclaimed Toronto composer and pianist Thompson Egbo-Egbo is always in key. Deeply rooted

in his upbringing – moving to Canada from Nigeria at age four, commencing his dedication to

playing the piano at the age of six – his innate aptitude and affection for the instrument

resonates with him to this day. The key that keeps everything aligned is one where Thompson is

in tune with his environment, collaborators, community and a signature approach to the art.

On his forthcoming project, set for release via MNRK Music Group this fall, Thompson will draw

from themes of transition, rebirth, realignment, joy, and optimism for the future. Partly

inspired by the shifts and impact the last two years of the pandemic has placed on both a

personal and professional level, audiences will experience the growth and depth of Thompson’s

writing, as an offering of sonic catharsis and hope.

The project’s first single, Smells Like Teen Spirit, is a classic cover that many may have heard in

one of Thompson’s live performances. The reimagined version shows that, no matter where it’s

played or who it’s played for, it connects with people of all generations and cultures. 

Before Thompson began playing his way through landmark venues across Toronto, he honed

his skill in the heart of the city. At Dixon Hall, a community center down the street from where

he grew up in Toronto's Regent Park, he was able to take piano lessons at two dollars a

session. Growing up in subsidized government development area of Toronto, Egbo-Egbo was

awed by the fact a group of people thought enough of the residences to build a musical school

so that the children of the neighborhood could enjoy to enjoy the neighbourhood could enjoy

the access of affordable music lessons. 

As this experience struck a chord in his youth, giving back is a trademark note of Thompson’s

ethos. Thompson served as a member of the board at Dixon Hall for many years and is

currently, on the board at Jazz FM 91. His own organization, The Thompson T. Egbo-Egbo Arts

Foundation, and Evolving Through the Arts program, targets elementary school students

recognizing that a positive change and a sense of self-worth should be instilled in children early

and they be afforded opportunities that all children should receive. The foundation aims to fill a

void in the education of music and arts not found in many communities, and partners with

talented Canadian musicians and artists to provide a well-rounded and focused curriculum,

dedicated to creating a resource for underprivileged Canadian youth to advance in music and

the arts, empowers them through a safe environment to learn and express themselves

artistically, and provides a platform for children to build their confidence, leadership and

teamwork skills.

With degrees in Music from Humber College, and music production at the Berklee College of

Music in Boston, to releasing numerous works and collaborating with some of the world’s most

renowned artists, Thompson’s involvement in music has seen many opportunities come his

way. Last year, Thompson portrayed a young Oscar Peterson in an episode of Historica

Canada’s Heritage Minutes, honouring the artist’s life and career. While he was set to cross the

pond for a recording opportunity at Abbey Road Studios in London, UK, Thompson was still able

to proceed in Toronto to write and record Oddly Familiar – an album released and archived

with Audio Network’s sync library.

Looking ahead, listeners can expect to hear music from the new album in a docuseries project

by Luminato Festival called Golden Hour. The trio will perform at a selection of Ontario festival

dates including Toronto International Film Festival, Kensington Market Jazz Festival, and Orillia

Jazz Festival. Next year, Thompson will be performing Oscar Peterson's music for a special

concert with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra in February 2023.

Thompson Egbo-Egbo shares his experience, ideas and vision with vibrant energy. The key to his

success is not solely unlocked by memorable, harmonically complex compositions that have at

their core a deep, abiding groove, but the connections they create and the doors they open

within the listener.

Christian Overton’s Composers Collective Big Band
may 18 @ 2:00 PM

No Reservations
Cover Charges
$15 Front Section
$10 Back Section

Originally started as a writers workshop, this group has evolved into one of the most original and dynamic big bands in Canada. Their live show consists of the most eclectic mix of music you've ever heard from straight ahead swing to hip-hop to classical and everything in between as seen through the lens of Canada's top contemporary jazz composers.  

EGBO TRIO
May 15, 16, 17, 18 @ 8:30 PM

Thompson Egbo Egbo - Piano
Randall Hall - Bass
Jeff Halischuk - Drums

Acclaimed Toronto composer and pianist Thompson Egbo-Egbo is always in key. Deeply rooted

in his upbringing – moving to Canada from Nigeria at age four, commencing his dedication to

playing the piano at the age of six – his innate aptitude and affection for the instrument

resonates with him to this day. The key that keeps everything aligned is one where Thompson is

in tune with his environment, collaborators, community and a signature approach to the art.

On his forthcoming project, set for release via MNRK Music Group this fall, Thompson will draw

from themes of transition, rebirth, realignment, joy, and optimism for the future. Partly

inspired by the shifts and impact the last two years of the pandemic has placed on both a

personal and professional level, audiences will experience the growth and depth of Thompson’s

writing, as an offering of sonic catharsis and hope.

The project’s first single, Smells Like Teen Spirit, is a classic cover that many may have heard in

one of Thompson’s live performances. The reimagined version shows that, no matter where it’s

played or who it’s played for, it connects with people of all generations and cultures. 

Before Thompson began playing his way through landmark venues across Toronto, he honed

his skill in the heart of the city. At Dixon Hall, a community center down the street from where

he grew up in Toronto's Regent Park, he was able to take piano lessons at two dollars a

session. Growing up in subsidized government development area of Toronto, Egbo-Egbo was

awed by the fact a group of people thought enough of the residences to build a musical school

so that the children of the neighborhood could enjoy to enjoy the neighbourhood could enjoy

the access of affordable music lessons. 

As this experience struck a chord in his youth, giving back is a trademark note of Thompson’s

ethos. Thompson served as a member of the board at Dixon Hall for many years and is

currently, on the board at Jazz FM 91. His own organization, The Thompson T. Egbo-Egbo Arts

Foundation, and Evolving Through the Arts program, targets elementary school students

recognizing that a positive change and a sense of self-worth should be instilled in children early

and they be afforded opportunities that all children should receive. The foundation aims to fill a

void in the education of music and arts not found in many communities, and partners with

talented Canadian musicians and artists to provide a well-rounded and focused curriculum,

dedicated to creating a resource for underprivileged Canadian youth to advance in music and

the arts, empowers them through a safe environment to learn and express themselves

artistically, and provides a platform for children to build their confidence, leadership and

teamwork skills.

With degrees in Music from Humber College, and music production at the Berklee College of

Music in Boston, to releasing numerous works and collaborating with some of the world’s most

renowned artists, Thompson’s involvement in music has seen many opportunities come his

way. Last year, Thompson portrayed a young Oscar Peterson in an episode of Historica

Canada’s Heritage Minutes, honouring the artist’s life and career. While he was set to cross the

pond for a recording opportunity at Abbey Road Studios in London, UK, Thompson was still able

to proceed in Toronto to write and record Oddly Familiar – an album released and archived

with Audio Network’s sync library.

Looking ahead, listeners can expect to hear music from the new album in a docuseries project

by Luminato Festival called Golden Hour. The trio will perform at a selection of Ontario festival

dates including Toronto International Film Festival, Kensington Market Jazz Festival, and Orillia

Jazz Festival. Next year, Thompson will be performing Oscar Peterson's music for a special

concert with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra in February 2023.

Thompson Egbo-Egbo shares his experience, ideas and vision with vibrant energy. The key to his

success is not solely unlocked by memorable, harmonically complex compositions that have at

their core a deep, abiding groove, but the connections they create and the doors they open

within the listener.

Charlie Ballantine Quartet
may 19 & 20 @ 8:30 PM

Charlie Ballantine - Guitar
Amanda Gardier - Saxophone
Quinn Sternberg - Bass
Dave King - Drums

amed as one of the top 200 living guitarists by All About Jazz Magazine, Charlie Ballantine is acclaimed as one of the finest and most versatile  young guitarists on the scene today. JAZZ TIMES MAGAZINE hails his playing as “teeming with intricate grooves and maniacal precision his guitar work is both beautiful and complex” and VINTAGE GUITAR MAGAZINE described his style by stating “Jazz, rock, and folk music peacefully coexist in Charlie Ballantine’s world”. 

   Equipped with an impressive body of original compositions on albums like “Vonnegut” and “Cold Coffee”, Ballantine also displays a great reverence for the jazz tradition through the inclusion of standards like ‘My One and Only Love’, ‘East of the Sun’ and an entire double album dedicated to the music of Thelonious Monk released September 2021.  “In the vein of fellow guitarists like John Scofield, Bill Frisell and Julian Lage, Ballantine reconciles his educational background in jazz with the stylistic background of his instrument. He approaches the gratifying tonal and harmonic language of rock/roots with the groove, ambition and improvisational focus of a jazz musician” - (JAZZIZ MAGAZINE)

   After graduating from the Jacobs School of Music under the direction of David Baker, Ballantine relocated to Indianapolis and quickly developed a name for himself with a string of high energy performances at clubs like the Jazz Kitchen and Chatterbox Jazz Club. After releasing two solo albums Ballantine was able to attain global recognition with his award winning third album “Life is Brief: The Music of Bob Dylan” which ALL ABOUT JAZZ named in their top ten jazz albums of the year. “From the opening bars of "The Times They Are a-Changin'" it is clear that something special is happening” - (ALL ABOUT JAZZ) 

   Although primarily a front man for his own projects with tours and frequent appearances throughout the US and Canada at venues and festivals such as the Indianapolis Jazz Festival, The Winnipeg International Jazz Festival and The Elkhart Jazz Festival, Ballantine also has an extensive list of side man credits having performed with names like Rob Dixon, Emmett Cohen, and Amanda Gardier helping to further solidify him as a creative force and  put him in the highest of ranks as a performer.  

Eric West Quartet
May 6, 13, 20, 27 @ 5:30 PM

Eric West - Drums
Leland Whitty - Saxophone
Jen Lo - Piano
Julian Anderson-Bowes - Bass

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Similar to many musicians, Eric West grew up in a musical household. His journey began at the age of 5 when his uncle donated an old drumset to him and his brother. At 12 years old, he began formal training at Humber College's Community Music Program. It was there that he fostered his love for jazz under the mentorship of Kirk MacDonald, Steve Mancuso, Barry Romberg, Jane Fair, and Don Palmer. Eric went on to continue his post secondary studies at Humber College where he received a Bachelors Degree in Music. Since then, he has gone on to be an active member of the Toronto jazz community, as well as branching out to pop and indie rock scenes. He has toured throughout Europe, USA, and Canada, with notable acts such as, The Tenors, Banners and Pram Trio. In 2012, he was awarded the Sabian Cymbal Award by Humber College for outstanding achievement and in 2014, was awarded the prestigious Grande Prix de Jazz at the Montreal Jazz Festival as a member of co-led group Pram Trio. Eric continues to be an active member of the Toronto music scene. He's held a residency at Poetry Jazz Cafe since 2012, as well as continuing to play at other establishments around the city. Over the past year Eric began composing for his own project, The Eric West Group, and in December 2019 released his debut EP.

Charlie Ballantine Quartet
may 19 & 20 @ 8:30 pm

Charlie Ballantine - Guitar
Amanda Gardier - Saxophone
Quinn Sternberg - Bass
Dave King - Drums

amed as one of the top 200 living guitarists by All About Jazz Magazine, Charlie Ballantine is acclaimed as one of the finest and most versatile  young guitarists on the scene today. JAZZ TIMES MAGAZINE hails his playing as “teeming with intricate grooves and maniacal precision his guitar work is both beautiful and complex” and VINTAGE GUITAR MAGAZINE described his style by stating “Jazz, rock, and folk music peacefully coexist in Charlie Ballantine’s world”. 

   Equipped with an impressive body of original compositions on albums like “Vonnegut” and “Cold Coffee”, Ballantine also displays a great reverence for the jazz tradition through the inclusion of standards like ‘My One and Only Love’, ‘East of the Sun’ and an entire double album dedicated to the music of Thelonious Monk released September 2021.  “In the vein of fellow guitarists like John Scofield, Bill Frisell and Julian Lage, Ballantine reconciles his educational background in jazz with the stylistic background of his instrument. He approaches the gratifying tonal and harmonic language of rock/roots with the groove, ambition and improvisational focus of a jazz musician” - (JAZZIZ MAGAZINE)

   After graduating from the Jacobs School of Music under the direction of David Baker, Ballantine relocated to Indianapolis and quickly developed a name for himself with a string of high energy performances at clubs like the Jazz Kitchen and Chatterbox Jazz Club. After releasing two solo albums Ballantine was able to attain global recognition with his award winning third album “Life is Brief: The Music of Bob Dylan” which ALL ABOUT JAZZ named in their top ten jazz albums of the year. “From the opening bars of "The Times They Are a-Changin'" it is clear that something special is happening” - (ALL ABOUT JAZZ) 

   Although primarily a front man for his own projects with tours and frequent appearances throughout the US and Canada at venues and festivals such as the Indianapolis Jazz Festival, The Winnipeg International Jazz Festival and The Elkhart Jazz Festival, Ballantine also has an extensive list of side man credits having performed with names like Rob Dixon, Emmett Cohen, and Amanda Gardier helping to further solidify him as a creative force and  put him in the highest of ranks as a performer.  

Jake Wilkinson Group
May 7, 14, 21, 28 @ 5:30 PM

Jake Wilkinson - Trumpet

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Born in England in 1971, Jake Wilkinson Jake Wilkinson moved to Denmark at the age of three and came to Canada in 1978. He was raised in a musical family; his father was a church organist and pianist. At the age of nine, he began studying slide trombone and played in local community bands, orchestras and rock groups.

At sixteen, while at the Claude Watson School For The Arts, he developed a more serious interest in music as acareer. After receiving two awards in high school musical competitions he switched to valve trombone and began working on piano. During this time he worked around Toronto with Grant Stewart and spent time sitting in with jazz greats such as Bob Mover and Don Thompson and studied privately with Rob McConnell.

Beginning in 1990, Jake studied with Joanne Brackeen on a scholarship at the New School Of Music in New York City. Here he had the opportunity to play with Larry Willis, Cecil Payne, and pianist for the Joshua Redman group – Brad Meldhau. He returned to Toronto in 1991 and changed instruments again – this time to trumpet and the following year spent more time studying in New York with support from the Canada Council.

Jake works with Bob Mover and Don Thompson in the Toronto Jazz Quartet, the Norman Marshall Villeneuve Sextet, and his own quintet for whom he preparing material for a recording session this spring. He has recently recorded with vocalists Liberty Silver and Priscilla Wright and done numerous recording dates for the CBC’s JazzBeat program. Jake freelances with a number of other bands around the Toronto area and will be playing with Rob McConnell’s Boss Brass.

Dave Young quartet
may 22, 23, 24, 25 @ 8:30 PM

Dave Young - Bass
Kevin Turcotte - Trumpet
Brian Dickinson - Piano (May 22 & 23)
Reg Schwager - Guitar (May 24 & 25)
Davide DiRenzo - Drums (May 22 & 23)
Ethan Ardelli - Drums (May 24 & 25)

Toronto-based and Winnipeg-born multiple award-winning bassist and composer Dave Young, is, without a doubt, one of Canada’s most valuable and beloved musical exports. Whether he’s performing as part of a classical symphony, or as an integral member of an iconic jazz trio (with the likes of the late Oscar Peterson), or leading any of his dynamic ensembles, Dave remains a total musician, with artistic soul in abundance. He first began studying the guitar and violin at age ten, but a turn of events at his first gig (a University dance band) compelled him to pick up the bass. Equally comfortable in the worlds of orchestral classical music and jazz, Dave is a multiple threat. As a classical musician, he has been a member of The Edmonton Symphony, The Winnipeg Symphony and The Hamilton Philharmonic. As a jazz artist, he is a chameleon-like bassist, who often shines brightest in collaborative efforts with other musicians. Because of his technical skill, few bassists (jazz or otherwise) are able to dig in, swing hard and still render a lyrical arco solo as Dave can.

"Dr. Dave Young is a master musician, an Order of Canada recipient and throughout his stellar career, has been featured on countless recordings. Originally from Winnipeg, he played with Oscar Peterson for about 35 years - and there is a reason that OP loved playing with him so much. Oscar once said, “To my way of thinking, Dave Young is one of the most talented bassists on the jazz scene. His harmonic simpatico and unerring sense of time, have kept him in the foreground of the jazz picture."

-Renee Rosnes, Artistic Director

(Oscar Peterson International
Jazz Festival)

chris platt Trio
May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 @ 5:30 PM

Chris Platt - Guitar

Pat Collins - Bass

Ian Wright - Drums

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Chris Platt is an accomplished Toronto-based guitarist and composer. He regularly performs at well-known venues around the city as a leader and sideman, and has played with legendary musicians such as Dave Liebman, Norma Winstone, Jerry Bergonzi, Mike Murley, Dave Young, and Reg Schwager. Chris holds a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Performance from the University of Toronto and a diploma from Mohawk College. Currently, he teaches jazz guitar at McMaster University.

He is a featured soloist and accompanist on the album Sweet Ruby Suite (feat. Norma Winstone and Dave Liebman) as part of the University of Toronto Jazz Orchestra, as well as on Angela Turone’s debut EP Drift to You, and Marie Goudy 12tet’s The Bitter Suite.

Chris’ original music and style of playing is rooted in the jazz idiom, but also features striking characteristics from the Brazilian and Blues genres. This can be heard on his debut instrumental trio album, Sky Glow, which received a nomination for the Julian Award of Excellence in 2019. In 2020, he co-released the album, Sounds of Brazil, alongside vocalist and pianist Angela Turone, which has received reviews and radio play around the world.

Chris is a proud sponsor of MJS Custom Pickups. Having met MJS founder Mike “Smitty” Smyth when he was just beginning to play guitar, Smitty convinced Chris that the pickups he was playing could be swapped out for something better. Once Chris heard the difference a hand wound pickup could make, he was hooked. Not only does he now use MJS pickups in all of his guitars, but he is also the happy owner of three custom built MJS guitars as well: the “Dove,” the “Crossroads,” and the “Beacon.” You can see and hear these one of a kind instruments all over the music Chris has recorded.

Dave Young quartet
may 22, 23, 24, 25 @ 8:30 PM

Dave Young - Bass
Kevin Turcotte - Trumpet
Brian Dickinson - Piano (May 22 & 23)
Reg Schwager - Guitar (May 24 & 25)
Davide DiRenzo - Drums (May 22 & 23)
Ethan Ardelli - Drums (May 24 & 25)

Toronto-based and Winnipeg-born multiple award-winning bassist and composer Dave Young, is, without a doubt, one of Canada’s most valuable and beloved musical exports. Whether he’s performing as part of a classical symphony, or as an integral member of an iconic jazz trio (with the likes of the late Oscar Peterson), or leading any of his dynamic ensembles, Dave remains a total musician, with artistic soul in abundance. He first began studying the guitar and violin at age ten, but a turn of events at his first gig (a University dance band) compelled him to pick up the bass. Equally comfortable in the worlds of orchestral classical music and jazz, Dave is a multiple threat. As a classical musician, he has been a member of The Edmonton Symphony, The Winnipeg Symphony and The Hamilton Philharmonic. As a jazz artist, he is a chameleon-like bassist, who often shines brightest in collaborative efforts with other musicians. Because of his technical skill, few bassists (jazz or otherwise) are able to dig in, swing hard and still render a lyrical arco solo as Dave can.

"Dr. Dave Young is a master musician, an Order of Canada recipient and throughout his stellar career, has been featured on countless recordings. Originally from Winnipeg, he played with Oscar Peterson for about 35 years - and there is a reason that OP loved playing with him so much. Oscar once said, “To my way of thinking, Dave Young is one of the most talented bassists on the jazz scene. His harmonic simpatico and unerring sense of time, have kept him in the foreground of the jazz picture."

-Renee Rosnes, Artistic Director

(Oscar Peterson International
Jazz Festival)

Dave Young quartet
may 22, 23, 24, 25 @ 8:30 PM

Dave Young - Bass
Kevin Turcotte - Trumpet
Brian Dickinson - Piano (May 22 & 23)
Reg Schwager - Guitar (May 24 & 25)
Davide DiRenzo - Drums (May 22 & 23)
Ethan Ardelli - Drums (May 24 & 25)

Toronto-based and Winnipeg-born multiple award-winning bassist and composer Dave Young, is, without a doubt, one of Canada’s most valuable and beloved musical exports. Whether he’s performing as part of a classical symphony, or as an integral member of an iconic jazz trio (with the likes of the late Oscar Peterson), or leading any of his dynamic ensembles, Dave remains a total musician, with artistic soul in abundance. He first began studying the guitar and violin at age ten, but a turn of events at his first gig (a University dance band) compelled him to pick up the bass. Equally comfortable in the worlds of orchestral classical music and jazz, Dave is a multiple threat. As a classical musician, he has been a member of The Edmonton Symphony, The Winnipeg Symphony and The Hamilton Philharmonic. As a jazz artist, he is a chameleon-like bassist, who often shines brightest in collaborative efforts with other musicians. Because of his technical skill, few bassists (jazz or otherwise) are able to dig in, swing hard and still render a lyrical arco solo as Dave can.

"Dr. Dave Young is a master musician, an Order of Canada recipient and throughout his stellar career, has been featured on countless recordings. Originally from Winnipeg, he played with Oscar Peterson for about 35 years - and there is a reason that OP loved playing with him so much. Oscar once said, “To my way of thinking, Dave Young is one of the most talented bassists on the jazz scene. His harmonic simpatico and unerring sense of time, have kept him in the foreground of the jazz picture."

-Renee Rosnes, Artistic Director

(Oscar Peterson International
Jazz Festival)

Mattaus Gretzinger
may 4 & 25th @ 5:30 PM

Mattaus Gretzinger - Saxophone

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Dave Young quartet
may 22, 23, 24, 25 @ 8:30 PM

Dave Young - Bass
Kevin Turcotte - Trumpet
Brian Dickinson - Piano (May 22 & 23)
Reg Schwager - Guitar (May 24 & 25)
Davide DiRenzo - Drums (May 22 & 23)
Ethan Ardelli - Drums (May 24 & 25)

Toronto-based and Winnipeg-born multiple award-winning bassist and composer Dave Young, is, without a doubt, one of Canada’s most valuable and beloved musical exports. Whether he’s performing as part of a classical symphony, or as an integral member of an iconic jazz trio (with the likes of the late Oscar Peterson), or leading any of his dynamic ensembles, Dave remains a total musician, with artistic soul in abundance. He first began studying the guitar and violin at age ten, but a turn of events at his first gig (a University dance band) compelled him to pick up the bass. Equally comfortable in the worlds of orchestral classical music and jazz, Dave is a multiple threat. As a classical musician, he has been a member of The Edmonton Symphony, The Winnipeg Symphony and The Hamilton Philharmonic. As a jazz artist, he is a chameleon-like bassist, who often shines brightest in collaborative efforts with other musicians. Because of his technical skill, few bassists (jazz or otherwise) are able to dig in, swing hard and still render a lyrical arco solo as Dave can.

"Dr. Dave Young is a master musician, an Order of Canada recipient and throughout his stellar career, has been featured on countless recordings. Originally from Winnipeg, he played with Oscar Peterson for about 35 years - and there is a reason that OP loved playing with him so much. Oscar once said, “To my way of thinking, Dave Young is one of the most talented bassists on the jazz scene. His harmonic simpatico and unerring sense of time, have kept him in the foreground of the jazz picture."

-Renee Rosnes, Artistic Director

(Oscar Peterson International
Jazz Festival)

Harry Bartlett Trio
may 26 @ 8:30 PM

Harry Bartlett - Guitar
David Hodgson - Saxophone
Andrew Downing - Bass

Harry Bartlett is a Canadian guitarist and composer. With a background in jazz and an affinity for Americana music, Harry’s compositions “transcend a single genre” (Textura). Blending an improvisational approach with old time, folk, and western influences, his music is at once recognizably nostalgic and markedly fresh.

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Harry moved to Toronto in 2016 to study jazz guitar with Geoff Young at the University of Toronto.  While he performs regularly as a band leader and a sideperson across North America, coastal BC continues to inspire much of his work. 

Performing his own compositions with his band, Harry has appeared in festivals and venues including The 5 Spot (Nashville), Jazz YYC (Calgary), Music Niagara (Niagara), The Rex Hotel (Toronto), The  Brookstreet Hotel (Ottawa), Resonance Café (Montreal), Tangent Cafe  (Vancouver), Herman’s Jazz Club (Victoria), and the  Lighthouse Bistro (Nanaimo).

In 2021 the Harry Bartlett Trio recorded Wildwood, which “blends Jazz, Folk, and Western music styles into an extraordinarily creative listening experience” (Midwest Book Review). The compositions were written and recorded over a 6 month period on Gambier Island BC. The rugged, isolated  character of the BC coast permeate this record lending qualities of reverence and peace. Wildwood was released November 18th  2022

In addition to an active performing career, Harry has toured public schools across Canada leading improvisation workshops. He developed these workshops in 2019 with the aid of the FMUA.

Harry holds a Bachelor of Music degree with honours from the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music (2016-2020) and attended the School of Improvised Music in Brooklyn, New York (2019). He is the recipient of multiple awards including the Suba Institute Award for Performance Excellence, the Mary Alice Stuart Jazz Scholarship, and the TD Niagara Jazz Festival Jazz for the Ages Award.

Eric West Quartet
May 6, 13, 20, 27 @ 5:30 PM

Eric West - Drums
Leland Whitty - Saxophone
Jen Lo - Piano
Julian Anderson-Bowes - Bass

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Similar to many musicians, Eric West grew up in a musical household. His journey began at the age of 5 when his uncle donated an old drumset to him and his brother. At 12 years old, he began formal training at Humber College's Community Music Program. It was there that he fostered his love for jazz under the mentorship of Kirk MacDonald, Steve Mancuso, Barry Romberg, Jane Fair, and Don Palmer. Eric went on to continue his post secondary studies at Humber College where he received a Bachelors Degree in Music. Since then, he has gone on to be an active member of the Toronto jazz community, as well as branching out to pop and indie rock scenes. He has toured throughout Europe, USA, and Canada, with notable acts such as, The Tenors, Banners and Pram Trio. In 2012, he was awarded the Sabian Cymbal Award by Humber College for outstanding achievement and in 2014, was awarded the prestigious Grande Prix de Jazz at the Montreal Jazz Festival as a member of co-led group Pram Trio. Eric continues to be an active member of the Toronto music scene. He's held a residency at Poetry Jazz Cafe since 2012, as well as continuing to play at other establishments around the city. Over the past year Eric began composing for his own project, The Eric West Group, and in December 2019 released his debut EP.

Jake Wilkinson Group
May 7, 14, 21, 28 @ 5:30 PM

Jake Wilkinson - Trumpet

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Born in England in 1971, Jake Wilkinson Jake Wilkinson moved to Denmark at the age of three and came to Canada in 1978. He was raised in a musical family; his father was a church organist and pianist. At the age of nine, he began studying slide trombone and played in local community bands, orchestras and rock groups.

At sixteen, while at the Claude Watson School For The Arts, he developed a more serious interest in music as acareer. After receiving two awards in high school musical competitions he switched to valve trombone and began working on piano. During this time he worked around Toronto with Grant Stewart and spent time sitting in with jazz greats such as Bob Mover and Don Thompson and studied privately with Rob McConnell.

Beginning in 1990, Jake studied with Joanne Brackeen on a scholarship at the New School Of Music in New York City. Here he had the opportunity to play with Larry Willis, Cecil Payne, and pianist for the Joshua Redman group – Brad Meldhau. He returned to Toronto in 1991 and changed instruments again – this time to trumpet and the following year spent more time studying in New York with support from the Canada Council.

Jake works with Bob Mover and Don Thompson in the Toronto Jazz Quartet, the Norman Marshall Villeneuve Sextet, and his own quintet for whom he preparing material for a recording session this spring. He has recently recorded with vocalists Liberty Silver and Priscilla Wright and done numerous recording dates for the CBC’s JazzBeat program. Jake freelances with a number of other bands around the Toronto area and will be playing with Rob McConnell’s Boss Brass.

BARRY ELMES QUINTET may 29, 30, 31, &
june 1 @ 8:30 PM

Barry Elmes - Drums
Chris Gale - Saxophone
Brian O’Kane - Trumpet
Lorne Lofsky - Guitar
Pat Collins - Bass

International performer, drummer, composer, record producer, educator and multi-award winning Barry Elmes is a mainstay of the Canadian jazz scene. His work has been documented on over 90 jazz CDs and he has performed and/or recorded with many renowned jazz artists, including Dizzy Gillespie, Tommy Flanagan, Charlie Haden, Hank Crawford, Diana Krall, Joe Henderson, John Abercrombie, Oliver Jones, Cedar Walton, Phil Nimmons, Ray Bryant, and many others. In 1991 he formed the Barry Elmes Quintet, featuring a "who’s who" of the best in Canadian jazz. A success from the beginning, this group has toured internationally and released six acclaimed recordings. Barry’s quintet returns to the Rex for four nights to perform music selected from all their recordings plus new compositions in preparation for an upcoming release.

chris platt Trio
May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 @ 5:30 PM

Chris Platt - Guitar

Michael Herring - Bass

Ian Wright - Drums

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Chris Platt is an accomplished Toronto-based guitarist and composer. He regularly performs at well-known venues around the city as a leader and sideman, and has played with legendary musicians such as Dave Liebman, Norma Winstone, Jerry Bergonzi, Mike Murley, Dave Young, and Reg Schwager. Chris holds a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Performance from the University of Toronto and a diploma from Mohawk College. Currently, he teaches jazz guitar at McMaster University.

He is a featured soloist and accompanist on the album Sweet Ruby Suite (feat. Norma Winstone and Dave Liebman) as part of the University of Toronto Jazz Orchestra, as well as on Angela Turone’s debut EP Drift to You, and Marie Goudy 12tet’s The Bitter Suite.

Chris’ original music and style of playing is rooted in the jazz idiom, but also features striking characteristics from the Brazilian and Blues genres. This can be heard on his debut instrumental trio album, Sky Glow, which received a nomination for the Julian Award of Excellence in 2019. In 2020, he co-released the album, Sounds of Brazil, alongside vocalist and pianist Angela Turone, which has received reviews and radio play around the world.

Chris is a proud sponsor of MJS Custom Pickups. Having met MJS founder Mike “Smitty” Smyth when he was just beginning to play guitar, Smitty convinced Chris that the pickups he was playing could be swapped out for something better. Once Chris heard the difference a hand wound pickup could make, he was hooked. Not only does he now use MJS pickups in all of his guitars, but he is also the happy owner of three custom built MJS guitars as well: the “Dove,” the “Crossroads,” and the “Beacon.” You can see and hear these one of a kind instruments all over the music Chris has recorded.

BARRY ELMES QUINTET may 29, 30, 31, &
june 1 @ 8:30 PM

Barry Elmes - Drums
Chris Gale - Saxophone
Brian O’Kane - Trumpet
Lorne Lofsky - Guitar
Pat Collins - Bass

International performer, drummer, composer, record producer, educator and multi-award winning Barry Elmes is a mainstay of the Canadian jazz scene. His work has been documented on over 90 jazz CDs and he has performed and/or recorded with many renowned jazz artists, including Dizzy Gillespie, Tommy Flanagan, Charlie Haden, Hank Crawford, Diana Krall, Joe Henderson, John Abercrombie, Oliver Jones, Cedar Walton, Phil Nimmons, Ray Bryant, and many others. In 1991 he formed the Barry Elmes Quintet, featuring a "who’s who" of the best in Canadian jazz. A success from the beginning, this group has toured internationally and released six acclaimed recordings. Barry’s quintet returns to the Rex for four nights to perform music selected from all their recordings plus new compositions in preparation for an upcoming release.

BARRY ELMES QUINTET may 29, 30, 31, &
june 1 @ 8:30 PM

Barry Elmes - Drums
Chris Gale - Saxophone
Brian O’Kane - Trumpet
Lorne Lofsky - Guitar
Pat Collins - Bass

International performer, drummer, composer, record producer, educator and multi-award winning Barry Elmes is a mainstay of the Canadian jazz scene. His work has been documented on over 90 jazz CDs and he has performed and/or recorded with many renowned jazz artists, including Dizzy Gillespie, Tommy Flanagan, Charlie Haden, Hank Crawford, Diana Krall, Joe Henderson, John Abercrombie, Oliver Jones, Cedar Walton, Phil Nimmons, Ray Bryant, and many others. In 1991 he formed the Barry Elmes Quintet, featuring a "who’s who" of the best in Canadian jazz. A success from the beginning, this group has toured internationally and released six acclaimed recordings. Barry’s quintet returns to the Rex for four nights to perform music selected from all their recordings plus new compositions in preparation for an upcoming release.

BARRY ELMES QUINTET may 29, 30, 31, &
june 1 @ 8:30 PM

Barry Elmes - Drums
Chris Gale - Saxophone
Brian O’Kane - Trumpet
Lorne Lofsky - Guitar
Pat Collins - Bass

International performer, drummer, composer, record producer, educator and multi-award winning Barry Elmes is a mainstay of the Canadian jazz scene. His work has been documented on over 90 jazz CDs and he has performed and/or recorded with many renowned jazz artists, including Dizzy Gillespie, Tommy Flanagan, Charlie Haden, Hank Crawford, Diana Krall, Joe Henderson, John Abercrombie, Oliver Jones, Cedar Walton, Phil Nimmons, Ray Bryant, and many others. In 1991 he formed the Barry Elmes Quintet, featuring a "who’s who" of the best in Canadian jazz. A success from the beginning, this group has toured internationally and released six acclaimed recordings. Barry’s quintet returns to the Rex for four nights to perform music selected from all their recordings plus new compositions in preparation for an upcoming release.

Huntertones June 25 & 26 @ 8:30 PM

​Dan White: Saxophones
Jon Lampley: Trumpet/Sousaphone​
Chris Ott: Trombone/Beatbox
Adam DeAscentis: Bass
John Hubbell: Drums
Josh Hill: Guitar

Huntertones brings people together around the globe with fun, imaginative and fearless music. Their high energy, horn-driven sound features genre bending composition and unconventional covers. Every show is a social experience celebrating the joy of music.

Over the years, they’ve captivated massive audiences at such esteemed festivals as Umbria Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, and Toronto Jazz Festival, performing in over 25 countries world wide sharing the stage with acts like Lake Street Dive, Charlie Hunter, Kurt Elling, Louis Cato, and Cory Wong. Huntertones claims more authority than ever as they drive into their 10th year. 

“Honest, genuine, skillfully executed music without limitations that is uplifting and cannot be quantified.” -Jon Batiste

“Soulful, tasty and groovy. I dare you not to dance or be in a good mood during and after listening to this beautiful music” -Lionel Loueke

​

Huntertones June 25 & 26 @ 8:30 PM

​Dan White: Saxophones
Jon Lampley: Trumpet/Sousaphone​
Chris Ott: Trombone/Beatbox
Adam DeAscentis: Bass
John Hubbell: Drums
Josh Hill: Guitar

Huntertones brings people together around the globe with fun, imaginative and fearless music. Their high energy, horn-driven sound features genre bending composition and unconventional covers. Every show is a social experience celebrating the joy of music.

Over the years, they’ve captivated massive audiences at such esteemed festivals as Umbria Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, and Toronto Jazz Festival, performing in over 25 countries world wide sharing the stage with acts like Lake Street Dive, Charlie Hunter, Kurt Elling, Louis Cato, and Cory Wong. Huntertones claims more authority than ever as they drive into their 10th year. 

“Honest, genuine, skillfully executed music without limitations that is uplifting and cannot be quantified.” -Jon Batiste

“Soulful, tasty and groovy. I dare you not to dance or be in a good mood during and after listening to this beautiful music” -Lionel Loueke

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