johnny griffith quartet
April 4, 11, 18 & 25 @ 5:30 PM

Johnny Griffith & Alex Dean - Saxophone

Michael Herring - Bass

Nick Fraser - Drums

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Angela Pincente jazz orchestra
APRIL 12 @ 2:00 PM

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

Angela Pincente is a trombone player, composer, and arranger based in the Greater Toronto Area. She is in her final year of her Bachelor of Music degree at Humber College and is set to release a debut EP next year. She has studied under many well-renowned musicians in Toronto such as Kelsley Grant, Joselyn Gould, Mike Downes, Alastair Kay, and Vanessa Fralick. Pincente is diversified in many genres including jazz, classical, and pop, playing in bands such as the Toronto All-Star Big Band, Hannaford Youth Band, and Trash Panda Brass Band. Pincente is currently leading two projects, the Angela Pincente Quintet and the Carandang Pincente Jazz Orchestra, which she co-leads with fellow musician Dain Carandang. This group has been featured at The Rex, as well as the Humber Music 50th anniversary concert. Pincente writes within the jazz idiom with a focus on large ensemble music and vocal jazz. You can find her performing at many venues across the city, and on Instagram and Facebook @angelapincente.

Rhapsodius aka Andrew Craig
April 13 @ 2 Pm

Rhapsodius aka Andrew Craig - Vocals and Piano

Primarily first-come, first-served, Limited VIP tickets are available for guaranteed premium seating and meet & greet.
Cover Charges
$15 Front Section
$10 Back Section

Rhapsodius - literally, “made of rhapsody” - is a confluence of things. Singer, multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, director, producer, playwright, educator, activist - all these rivers, and more, flow one into the other to create this artist whose boundary-crossing work defies convention. Artists aren’t supposed to do all of these things - and yet, Rhapsodius - aka Andrew Craig - moves between disciplines and styles with ease. Rhapsodius has worked with a who’s who of artists in music, theatre, dance, and film, both in Canada and abroad. He has directed high-profile tributes to icons Quincy Jones and Oscar Peterson, opened for Bobby McFerrin, and performed for Nelson Mandela - twice.

Deeply and equally schooled in the Western European Art music tradition and various branches of African Diasporic music, and unwaveringly dedicated to groove, Rhapsodius brings new sounds, images, and ideas into the space - that are everything you know and nothing you recognize, all at once. A dedicated artivist (artist + activist) in the lineage of Harry Belafonte, Ai Weiwei and Banksy, Rhapsodius dedicates himself to the creation of art that intentionally edifies, provokes thought, discussion, and dialogue, challenges conventions, and hopefully, inspires positive change in the world.

Rhapsodius presents a rare solo show, featuring original music and innovative covers, and drawing upon his multiple musical influences. It’s a performance you don’t want to miss!

Charlie Ballantine Trio
April 13 & 14 @ 8:30 Pm

Charlie Ballantine - Guitar
Quinn Sternberg - Bass
Paul Wells - Drums

Named 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.  

Jakob durst quartet
APRIL 14 & 21@ 5:30 pm

Jakob Durst - Saxophone

Nathan Tran - Piano

Hiro Tanaka - Bass

Graham Coster - Drums

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Jakob Durst (b. 2003) is a Canadian saxophonist currently residing in Toronto. Drawing his main influence from the Black American Art-form “Jazz”,

Jakob cites Lester Young, Ben Webster and Charlie Parker as his greatest inspirations. Jakob has had the opportunity to play alongside Terry Clarke, Neil Swainson and Reg Schwager, among many other names in Canadian Jazz. He currently attends the University of Toronto, where he studies Human Biology and Ecology.

Charlie Ballantine Trio
April 13 & 14 @ 8:30 Pm

Charlie Ballantine - Guitar
Quinn Sternberg - Bass
Paul Wells - Drums

Named 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.  

Portland’s Bryn Roberts 4tet
April 16, 17, 18, 19 @ 8:30 PM

Bryn Roberts - Piano
Dan Fortin - Bass
Fabio Ragnelli - Drums

featuring special guests:

Allison Au - Alto Saxophone (Apr 17)

Kelly Jefferson: Tenor Saxophone (Apr 18)

Michael Davidson: Vibraphone (Apr 19)

Bryn Roberts is pianist, keyboardist and composer who is in demand in a broad range of musical contexts.

Roberts makes his home in Portland, Oregon, while continuing to spend much of his time in New York City, where he lived for 15 years. He plays, tours and records widely both as a leader and sideman, and is a frequent performer at clubs like Smalls, Mezzrow, the Jazz Gallery, the Kitano and Dizzy's.

An acclaimed composer and bandleader, Roberts has five albums out featuring his own music: his debut “Present Tense”, “Ludlow” (featuring Seamus Blake, Drew Gress and Mark Ferber), “Fables” (featuring Seamus Blake, Orlando le Fleming and Johnathan Blake) and two duo albums with guitarist Lage Lund, “Nightsong” and “Hide the Moon and the Stars”.

Roberts has toured with his own groups, including festival, radio and club appearances across the USA, Canada, the UK, Spain and Japan with some of New York’s finest musicians: Matt Penman, Jochen Rueckert, Rodney Green, Joe Martin, Jaleel Shaw, Johnathan Blake, Mark Ferber, Will Vinson and Seamus Blake.

Roberts is an original member of the Nonet led by Grammy nominee Alan Ferber, and has recorded with the group for a series of critically-acclaimed releases: “Scenes from an Exit Row”, “The Compass”, “Chamber Songs” and “Roots and Transitions”. He also plays in saxophonist Jon Gordon’s quartet (whose 2019 release, “Answer” was recorded at the historic Rudy Van Gelder Studio) and with groups led by bassist Chuck Israels.

In addition to his work in jazz and improvised music, Roberts has played and toured with many artists in the singer-songwriter world, including Grammy award winners Rosanne Cash and John Leventhal, Shawn Colvin, Stax records legend William Bell, and folk icon Dar Williams.

chris platt Trio
April 3, 10, 17 & 24 @ 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.

Portland’s Bryn Roberts 4tet
April 16, 17, 18, 19 @ 8:30 PM

Bryn Roberts - Piano
Dan Fortin - Bass
Fabio Ragnelli - Drums

featuring special guests:

Allison Au - Alto Saxophone (Apr 17)

Kelly Jefferson: Tenor Saxophone (Apr 18)

Michael Davidson: Vibraphone (Apr 19)

Bryn Roberts is pianist, keyboardist and composer who is in demand in a broad range of musical contexts.

Roberts makes his home in Portland, Oregon, while continuing to spend much of his time in New York City, where he lived for 15 years. He plays, tours and records widely both as a leader and sideman, and is a frequent performer at clubs like Smalls, Mezzrow, the Jazz Gallery, the Kitano and Dizzy's.

An acclaimed composer and bandleader, Roberts has five albums out featuring his own music: his debut “Present Tense”, “Ludlow” (featuring Seamus Blake, Drew Gress and Mark Ferber), “Fables” (featuring Seamus Blake, Orlando le Fleming and Johnathan Blake) and two duo albums with guitarist Lage Lund, “Nightsong” and “Hide the Moon and the Stars”.

Roberts has toured with his own groups, including festival, radio and club appearances across the USA, Canada, the UK, Spain and Japan with some of New York’s finest musicians: Matt Penman, Jochen Rueckert, Rodney Green, Joe Martin, Jaleel Shaw, Johnathan Blake, Mark Ferber, Will Vinson and Seamus Blake.

Roberts is an original member of the Nonet led by Grammy nominee Alan Ferber, and has recorded with the group for a series of critically-acclaimed releases: “Scenes from an Exit Row”, “The Compass”, “Chamber Songs” and “Roots and Transitions”. He also plays in saxophonist Jon Gordon’s quartet (whose 2019 release, “Answer” was recorded at the historic Rudy Van Gelder Studio) and with groups led by bassist Chuck Israels.

In addition to his work in jazz and improvised music, Roberts has played and toured with many artists in the singer-songwriter world, including Grammy award winners Rosanne Cash and John Leventhal, Shawn Colvin, Stax records legend William Bell, and folk icon Dar Williams.

johnny griffith quartet
April 4, 11, 18 & 25 @ 5:30 PM

Johnny Griffith & Alex Dean - Saxophone

Michael Herring - Bass

Nick Fraser - Drums

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Portland’s Bryn Roberts 4tet
April 16, 17, 18, 19 @ 8:30 PM

Bryn Roberts - Piano
Dan Fortin - Bass
Fabio Ragnelli - Drums

featuring special guests:

Allison Au - Alto Saxophone (Apr 17)

Kelly Jefferson: Tenor Saxophone (Apr 18)

Michael Davidson: Vibraphone (Apr 19)

Bryn Roberts is pianist, keyboardist and composer who is in demand in a broad range of musical contexts.

Roberts makes his home in Portland, Oregon, while continuing to spend much of his time in New York City, where he lived for 15 years. He plays, tours and records widely both as a leader and sideman, and is a frequent performer at clubs like Smalls, Mezzrow, the Jazz Gallery, the Kitano and Dizzy's.

An acclaimed composer and bandleader, Roberts has five albums out featuring his own music: his debut “Present Tense”, “Ludlow” (featuring Seamus Blake, Drew Gress and Mark Ferber), “Fables” (featuring Seamus Blake, Orlando le Fleming and Johnathan Blake) and two duo albums with guitarist Lage Lund, “Nightsong” and “Hide the Moon and the Stars”.

Roberts has toured with his own groups, including festival, radio and club appearances across the USA, Canada, the UK, Spain and Japan with some of New York’s finest musicians: Matt Penman, Jochen Rueckert, Rodney Green, Joe Martin, Jaleel Shaw, Johnathan Blake, Mark Ferber, Will Vinson and Seamus Blake.

Roberts is an original member of the Nonet led by Grammy nominee Alan Ferber, and has recorded with the group for a series of critically-acclaimed releases: “Scenes from an Exit Row”, “The Compass”, “Chamber Songs” and “Roots and Transitions”. He also plays in saxophonist Jon Gordon’s quartet (whose 2019 release, “Answer” was recorded at the historic Rudy Van Gelder Studio) and with groups led by bassist Chuck Israels.

In addition to his work in jazz and improvised music, Roberts has played and toured with many artists in the singer-songwriter world, including Grammy award winners Rosanne Cash and John Leventhal, Shawn Colvin, Stax records legend William Bell, and folk icon Dar Williams.

ROBIN JESSOME & BLUNT OBJECTS
APRIL 19 @ 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.

Portland’s Bryn Roberts 4tet
April 16, 17, 18, 19 @ 8:30 PM

Bryn Roberts - Piano
Dan Fortin - Bass
Fabio Ragnelli - Drums

featuring special guests:

Allison Au - Alto Saxophone (Apr 17)

Kelly Jefferson: Tenor Saxophone (Apr 18)

Michael Davidson: Vibraphone (Apr 19)

Bryn Roberts is pianist, keyboardist and composer who is in demand in a broad range of musical contexts.

Roberts makes his home in Portland, Oregon, while continuing to spend much of his time in New York City, where he lived for 15 years. He plays, tours and records widely both as a leader and sideman, and is a frequent performer at clubs like Smalls, Mezzrow, the Jazz Gallery, the Kitano and Dizzy's.

An acclaimed composer and bandleader, Roberts has five albums out featuring his own music: his debut “Present Tense”, “Ludlow” (featuring Seamus Blake, Drew Gress and Mark Ferber), “Fables” (featuring Seamus Blake, Orlando le Fleming and Johnathan Blake) and two duo albums with guitarist Lage Lund, “Nightsong” and “Hide the Moon and the Stars”.

Roberts has toured with his own groups, including festival, radio and club appearances across the USA, Canada, the UK, Spain and Japan with some of New York’s finest musicians: Matt Penman, Jochen Rueckert, Rodney Green, Joe Martin, Jaleel Shaw, Johnathan Blake, Mark Ferber, Will Vinson and Seamus Blake.

Roberts is an original member of the Nonet led by Grammy nominee Alan Ferber, and has recorded with the group for a series of critically-acclaimed releases: “Scenes from an Exit Row”, “The Compass”, “Chamber Songs” and “Roots and Transitions”. He also plays in saxophonist Jon Gordon’s quartet (whose 2019 release, “Answer” was recorded at the historic Rudy Van Gelder Studio) and with groups led by bassist Chuck Israels.

In addition to his work in jazz and improvised music, Roberts has played and toured with many artists in the singer-songwriter world, including Grammy award winners Rosanne Cash and John Leventhal, Shawn Colvin, Stax records legend William Bell, and folk icon Dar Williams.

Jay Blues Trio

April 20 @ 2 PM

Jwoel “Jay” Benn - Guitar / Vocals

Ben Graffam - Drums

Kyle Colesanti - Bass

Primarily first-come, first-served, Limited VIP tickets are available for guaranteed premium seating and meet & greet.
Cover Charges
$15 Front Section
$10 Back Section

Jazz In Toronto’s “Songbird Series”welcomes The Jay Blues Trio for their 3rd appearance at Toronto’s legendary Jazz & Blues Venue, The Rex Hotel!

The Jay Blues Trio are a Canadian Psychedelic Blues & Funk band from Toronto composed of Jwoel “Jay” Benn (guitar/vocals), Ben Graffam (drums) & Kyle Colesanti (Bass). The band formed in 2023 from a collective of Blues, Rnb, Jazz and Funk lovers who met busking and preforming within the local scene. Channeling the styles of Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, Albert King, BB King, Muddy Waters, The Spinners, Sly & The Family Stone and Jimi Hendrix. Their unique brand of entertainment fuses Chicago Blues, 70’s Funk, and Whirling solos with Slow Sultry Acid-Blues and a tight rhythm section that will make you want to groove.

Jakob durst quartet
APRIL 14 & 21@ 5:30 pm

Jakob Durst - Saxophone

Nathan Tran - Piano

Hiro Tanaka - Bass

Graham Coster - Drums

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Jakob Durst (b. 2003) is a Canadian saxophonist currently residing in Toronto. Drawing his main influence from the Black American Art-form “Jazz”,

Jakob cites Lester Young, Ben Webster and Charlie Parker as his greatest inspirations. Jakob has had the opportunity to play alongside Terry Clarke, Neil Swainson and Reg Schwager, among many other names in Canadian Jazz. He currently attends the University of Toronto, where he studies Human Biology and Ecology.

New York’s Peter Bernstein Quartet
Feating Lorne Lofsky
April 23, 24, 25, 26 @ 8:30 Pm

Peter Bernstein - Guitar
Lorne Lofsky - Guitar
Neil Swainson - Bass
Barry Romberg - Drums

Peter Bernstein was born in New York City in 1967. He has been playing and recording since 1990 when he first appeared on recordings with Lou Donaldson and the organ trio of Larry Goldings and Bill Stewart, a group still touring and recording today. Peter played in Lou Donaldson's group for 10 years as well as performing and recording with Joshua Redman's group 1995-97. Other associations and collaborations include Jimmy Cobb, Dr. Lonnie Smith, David Fathead Newman, Brad Mehldau, Etta Jones, Melvin Rhyne, Diana Krall, Bobby Hutcherson, Lee Konitz, Nicholas Payton, George Coleman, and Sonny Rollins. Peter has played on festival, concert, and club stages all over the world since the early 90's. He has appeared on over 300 recordings with these musicians and many of his contemporaries as well as 14 records under his own name. These recordings have featured many of his own compositions and musicians such as Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, Greg Hutchinson, Jimmy Cobb, Bill Stewart, Larry Grenadier, Gerald Clayton, Sullivan Fortner, Peter Washington, Doug Weiss, and Joe Farnsworth among others. His latest recording on the Smoke Sessions label is "Better Angels", and features Brad Mehldau, Vicente Archer, and Al Foster.

chris platt Trio
April 3, 10, 17 & 24 @ 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.

New York’s Peter Bernstein Quartet
Feating Lorne Lofsky
April 23, 24, 25, 26 @ 8:30 Pm

Peter Bernstein - Guitar
Lorne Lofsky - Guitar
Neil Swainson - Bass
Barry Romberg - Drums

Peter Bernstein was born in New York City in 1967. He has been playing and recording since 1990 when he first appeared on recordings with Lou Donaldson and the organ trio of Larry Goldings and Bill Stewart, a group still touring and recording today. Peter played in Lou Donaldson's group for 10 years as well as performing and recording with Joshua Redman's group 1995-97. Other associations and collaborations include Jimmy Cobb, Dr. Lonnie Smith, David Fathead Newman, Brad Mehldau, Etta Jones, Melvin Rhyne, Diana Krall, Bobby Hutcherson, Lee Konitz, Nicholas Payton, George Coleman, and Sonny Rollins. Peter has played on festival, concert, and club stages all over the world since the early 90's. He has appeared on over 300 recordings with these musicians and many of his contemporaries as well as 14 records under his own name. These recordings have featured many of his own compositions and musicians such as Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, Greg Hutchinson, Jimmy Cobb, Bill Stewart, Larry Grenadier, Gerald Clayton, Sullivan Fortner, Peter Washington, Doug Weiss, and Joe Farnsworth among others. His latest recording on the Smoke Sessions label is "Better Angels", and features Brad Mehldau, Vicente Archer, and Al Foster.

johnny griffith quartet
April 4, 11, 18 & 25 @ 5:30 PM

Johnny Griffith & Alex Dean - Saxophone

Michael Herring - Bass

Nick Fraser - Drums

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

New York’s Peter Bernstein Quartet
Feating Lorne Lofsky
April 23, 24, 25, 26 @ 8:30 Pm

Peter Bernstein - Guitar
Lorne Lofsky - Guitar
Neil Swainson - Bass
Barry Romberg - Drums

Peter Bernstein was born in New York City in 1967. He has been playing and recording since 1990 when he first appeared on recordings with Lou Donaldson and the organ trio of Larry Goldings and Bill Stewart, a group still touring and recording today. Peter played in Lou Donaldson's group for 10 years as well as performing and recording with Joshua Redman's group 1995-97. Other associations and collaborations include Jimmy Cobb, Dr. Lonnie Smith, David Fathead Newman, Brad Mehldau, Etta Jones, Melvin Rhyne, Diana Krall, Bobby Hutcherson, Lee Konitz, Nicholas Payton, George Coleman, and Sonny Rollins. Peter has played on festival, concert, and club stages all over the world since the early 90's. He has appeared on over 300 recordings with these musicians and many of his contemporaries as well as 14 records under his own name. These recordings have featured many of his own compositions and musicians such as Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, Greg Hutchinson, Jimmy Cobb, Bill Stewart, Larry Grenadier, Gerald Clayton, Sullivan Fortner, Peter Washington, Doug Weiss, and Joe Farnsworth among others. His latest recording on the Smoke Sessions label is "Better Angels", and features Brad Mehldau, Vicente Archer, and Al Foster.

York University Jazz Orchestra
april 26th @ 2:00 pm

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

The University of York Jazz Orchestra is a single-seat, auditioned jazz orchestra playing contemporary arrangements for big band. The Jazz Orchestra is led by a guest director — previous years have included James Mainwaring and John Warren. They perform jazz classics as well as more recent works by John Law, John Warren, Kenny Wheeler and others. We also welcome any players interested in composition to write for the ensemble. There are two concerts each year, which offer collaborations with musicians such as Iain Dixon, Malcolm Earle Smith and Nikki Iles. In the summer term, they perform at the National Centre for Early Music in York.

New York’s Peter Bernstein Quartet
Feating Lorne Lofsky
April 23, 24, 25, 26 @ 8:30 Pm

Peter Bernstein - Guitar
Lorne Lofsky - Guitar
Neil Swainson - Bass
Barry Romberg - Drums

Peter Bernstein was born in New York City in 1967. He has been playing and recording since 1990 when he first appeared on recordings with Lou Donaldson and the organ trio of Larry Goldings and Bill Stewart, a group still touring and recording today. Peter played in Lou Donaldson's group for 10 years as well as performing and recording with Joshua Redman's group 1995-97. Other associations and collaborations include Jimmy Cobb, Dr. Lonnie Smith, David Fathead Newman, Brad Mehldau, Etta Jones, Melvin Rhyne, Diana Krall, Bobby Hutcherson, Lee Konitz, Nicholas Payton, George Coleman, and Sonny Rollins. Peter has played on festival, concert, and club stages all over the world since the early 90's. He has appeared on over 300 recordings with these musicians and many of his contemporaries as well as 14 records under his own name. These recordings have featured many of his own compositions and musicians such as Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, Greg Hutchinson, Jimmy Cobb, Bill Stewart, Larry Grenadier, Gerald Clayton, Sullivan Fortner, Peter Washington, Doug Weiss, and Joe Farnsworth among others. His latest recording on the Smoke Sessions label is "Better Angels", and features Brad Mehldau, Vicente Archer, and Al Foster.

Thyron Lee Whyte
April 27 @ 2 PM

Thyron Lee Whyte - Vocals
Reg Schwager - Guitar
Mike Downes - Bass

Primarily first-come, first-served, Limited VIP tickets are available for guaranteed premium seating and meet & greet
Cover Charges
$15 Front Section
$10 Back Section

Thyron Lee Whyte, a Toronto-based singer-songwriter, is celebrated for his emotionally rich and highly textured vocal style. His musical journey effortlessly spans across Jazz Standards, R and B, and Pop genres.

Thyron has had the privilege of performing alongside some of Canada’s most esteemed musicians. With just a single note, he has the power to transport listeners to new and marvelous places. This trio performance will showcase the remarkable skills of Reg Schwager on guitar, and Mike Downes on bass.

John Macleod’s Rex Hotel Orchestra
april 28 @ 8:30 PM

John MacLeod - Trumpet / Flugelhorn
20-piece Juno Award-winning Jazz Big Band

Canada’s Finest Big Band Jazz Ensemble

The life and career of John MacLeod is intricately bound to the history of jazz and big band music in Toronto. A native of this city, he took a very early interest in jazz and by the time he began studying the trumpet at age 12 was already an aficionado of New Orleans, Chicago and swing styles of the music. His earliest local hero was trumpeter "Trump" Davidson and by his early teens he was attending t.v. recording sessions where he would be amazed by studio greats such as Guido Basso, Moe Koffman and Teddy Roderman. A decade later, John would be playing with many of these early heros. In fact he would have professional involvement with every name listed in this release from Benny Louis to Ron Collier to Guido Basso. He even took his boyhood hero "Trump" Davidson's place in Trump's band. Few other musicians of his generation can claim as much direct connection to the entire history of jazz and big band music in Toronto. His long association with Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass would also have a profound effect on his approach to arranging and composing. While his writing may be uniquely his own, the sound of his band is unmistakably "Toronto".

Dave Young Quintet
april 30, May 1, 2, 3 @ 8:30 pm

Johnny Johnson- Sax

Kevin Turcotte- Trumpet

Reg Schwager - Guitar

Dave Young - Bass

Davide DiRenzo - Drums 

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 Quintet
april 30, May 1, 2, 3 @ 8:30 pm

Johnny Johnson- Sax

Kevin Turcotte- Trumpet

Reg Schwager - Guitar

Dave Young - Bass

Davide DiRenzo - Drums 

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 Quintet
april 30, May 1, 2, 3 @ 8:30 pm

Johnny Johnson- Sax

Kevin Turcotte- Trumpet

Reg Schwager - Guitar

Dave Young - Bass

Davide DiRenzo - Drums 

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)

Big City Big Band
MAY 3 @ 2:00pm

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

Founded in 2008, the Big City Big Band is a Toronto-based 17-piece jazz and dance orchestra. ” We perform regularly at jazz venues, festivals, and private events.”

Dave Young Quintet
april 30, May 1, 2, 3 @ 8:30 pm

Johnny Johnson- Sax

Kevin Turcotte- Trumpet

Reg Schwager - Guitar

Dave Young - Bass

Davide DiRenzo - Drums 

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)

New York’s Michael Sarian’s Esquina
May 4 & 5 @ 8:30 PM

Michael Sarian - Trumpet/EFX
Satiago Liebson - Keys
Marty Kenny - Bass

Nathan Ellman-Bell - Drums

Eric Liang
MAY 5, 12, 19, 26 @ 5:30 pm

Eric Liang - Piano
Band :TBA

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Eric Liang (b. 2003) is a pianist and composer born in Canada. He is currently completing his Bachelor of Music at the University of Toronto and has studied with notable musicians including Glenn Zaleski and Steven Feifke among others. Eric has performed with Neil Swainson, Morgan Childs, and Laura Anglade, among other big names in the jazz world.

New York’s Michael Sarian’s Esquina
May 4 & 5 @ 8:30 PM

Michael Sarian - Trumpet/EFX
Satiago Liebson - Keys
Marty Kenny - Bass

Nathan Ellman-Bell - Drums

Jim Lewis Quartet
May 6, 13, 20, 27 @ 5:30 Pm

Jim Lewis - Trumpet
Harley Card - Guitar
Dan Fortin - Bass
Ethan Ardelli - Drums

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Marc Decho TRIOS
May 7, 14, 21, 28 @ 8:30 PM

Marc Deco - Bass

Jeremy Ledbetter - Piano (May 7)

James Hill - Piano (May 14& 28)

Roshane Wright - Percussion (May 7)

Marito Marques - Drums (May 14) 

Amhed Mitchel - Drums (May 21)

Ian Wright - Drums (May 28)

No Reservations

Montreal-born electric bassist Marc Decho has established himself as an incredibly versatile and creative artist. Along with being a highly in demand electric bass player in Canada, Marc is additionally a composer, bandleader and educator. He has recorded one album as a leader, and appears as a sideman on a plethora of recordings ranging from Jazz, Fusion, Latin Jazz to Funk to traditional Cuban, Salsa & Folk music. Decho is longstanding member of the legendary Cuban pianist "Miguel De Armas Quartet" and has performed with a wide variety of artists such as Jane Bunnett, Grammy winning bassist/producer Roberto Riveron, Latin-Grammy Winning percussionist Amado Dedeu Garcia, Petr Cancura, Rachel Therrien, Okan, George Crotty, Jeremy Ledbetter, Luis Deniz, Sarah Thawer, Marito Marques, Danae Olano, Rafael Zaldivar, Gabriel Palatchi among many others. He leads multiple groups including his most recent project the Marc Decho Quartet.

New york’s Jon Gordon Group
may 7, 8, 9, 10 @ 8:30 PM

Jon Gordon - Saxophone
Fabio Ragnelli - Drums
Will Bonness - 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 7, 8, 9, 10 @ 8:30 PM

Jon Gordon - Saxophone
Fabio Ragnelli - Drums
Will Bonness - 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 7, 8, 9, 10 @ 8:30 PM

Jon Gordon - Saxophone
Fabio Ragnelli - Drums
Will Bonness - 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.

Angela Pincente jazz orchestra
MAY 10 @ 2:00 PM

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

Angela Pincente is a trombone player, composer, and arranger based in the Greater Toronto Area. She is in her final year of her Bachelor of Music degree at Humber College and is set to release a debut EP next year. She has studied under many well-renowned musicians in Toronto such as Kelsley Grant, Joselyn Gould, Mike Downes, Alastair Kay, and Vanessa Fralick. Pincente is diversified in many genres including jazz, classical, and pop, playing in bands such as the Toronto All-Star Big Band, Hannaford Youth Band, and Trash Panda Brass Band. Pincente is currently leading two projects, the Angela Pincente Quintet and the Carandang Pincente Jazz Orchestra, which she co-leads with fellow musician Dain Carandang. This group has been featured at The Rex, as well as the Humber Music 50th anniversary concert. Pincente writes within the jazz idiom with a focus on large ensemble music and vocal jazz. You can find her performing at many venues across the city, and on Instagram and Facebook @angelapincente.

New york’s Jon Gordon Group
may 7, 8, 9, 10 @ 8:30 PM

Jon Gordon - Saxophone
Fabio Ragnelli - Drums
Will Bonness - 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.

Eric Liang
MAY 5, 12, 19, 26 @ 5:30 pm

Eric Liang - Piano
Band :TBA

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Eric Liang (b. 2003) is a pianist and composer born in Canada. He is currently completing his Bachelor of Music at the University of Toronto and has studied with notable musicians including Glenn Zaleski and Steven Feifke among others. Eric has performed with Neil Swainson, Morgan Childs, and Laura Anglade, among other big names in the jazz world.

Jim Lewis Quartet
May 6, 13, 20, 27 @ 5:30 Pm

Jim Lewis - Trumpet
Harley Card - Guitar
Dan Fortin - Bass
Ethan Ardelli - Drums

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Marc Decho TRIOS
May 7, 14, 21, 28 @ 8:30 PM

Marc Deco - Bass

Jeremy Ledbetter - Piano (May 7)

James Hill - Piano (May 14& 28)

Roshane Wright - Percussion (May 7)

Marito Marques - Drums (May 14) 

Amhed Mitchel - Drums (May 21)

Ian Wright - Drums (May 28)

No Reservations

Montreal-born electric bassist Marc Decho has established himself as an incredibly versatile and creative artist. Along with being a highly in demand electric bass player in Canada, Marc is additionally a composer, bandleader and educator. He has recorded one album as a leader, and appears as a sideman on a plethora of recordings ranging from Jazz, Fusion, Latin Jazz to Funk to traditional Cuban, Salsa & Folk music. Decho is longstanding member of the legendary Cuban pianist "Miguel De Armas Quartet" and has performed with a wide variety of artists such as Jane Bunnett, Grammy winning bassist/producer Roberto Riveron, Latin-Grammy Winning percussionist Amado Dedeu Garcia, Petr Cancura, Rachel Therrien, Okan, George Crotty, Jeremy Ledbetter, Luis Deniz, Sarah Thawer, Marito Marques, Danae Olano, Rafael Zaldivar, Gabriel Palatchi among many others. He leads multiple groups including his most recent project the Marc Decho Quartet.

Egbo Trio
May 14, 15, 16, 17 @ 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 14, 15, 16, 17 @ 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 14, 15, 16, 17 @ 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 14, 15, 16, 17 @ 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.

Bob Brough Quartet
May 18 @ 8:30 PM

Bob Brough - Saxophone
David Occhipinti - Guitar

Adrean Farrugia - Piano
Artie Roth - Bass
Terry Clarke - Drums

Born in 1948 in Toronto, at 14 Bob was handed a baritone saxophone, his first musical instrument, in high school. Within days, his artistic vision was born

'to make music and be heard.'

Bob is 'The Senator' of Globe & Mail jazz critic Mark Miller’s book 'Boogie, Pete, and The Senator' - published by Nightwood Editions in 1987.

Studies: woodwind performance, harmony, and arranging with Paul Brodie and Gordon Delamont mid to late 1960s. Followed into the mid-seventies by private flute lessons. In 1990, Bob obtained a Canada Council Arts B Grant for composition and over that year he wrote several compositions which have since been recorded. In 2001, he was invited to a short-term residency in jazz performance at the Banff Centre For the Arts.

Performer: Bob is best known as a tenorman who’s appeared over the years with various rock, jazz, and classical artists and has recorded as a sideman on many recordings including 2 Juno-nominated CDs with 'Time Warp' during the 1980’s. More recently recorded examples of particular note are his solo and ensemble performances on tenor saxophone on Richard Underhill’s 2003 Juno-award winning CD 'tales from the blue lounge.'

Composer/Arranger/Bandleader/Producer: November 2003, Bob produced and released his debut instrumental CD 'A Decade Of Favorites.' Its best charting achievement was at #1 on the National Canadian campus jazz charts 'ChartAttack' and ‘Earshot.’ May 2005, he released a vocal CD 'Like A Spring Day' featuring 9 of his own compositions with lyrics written by Sonja Tran and sung by Carol McCartney. Best charting achievement was #1 on the National Canadian campus jazz charts 'ChartAttack' and ‘Earshot.’ November 2008, will see the release of another instrumental CD ‘Time Away’ featuring 7 of his compositions plus 1 composition by Adrean Farrugia. All performed with sidemen Adrean Farrugia on piano, Artie Roth on bass, and Terry Clarke on drums.

…60 years later, Bob’s original artistic vision, 'to make music and be heard,' continues.

Jim Lewis Quartet
May 6, 13, 20, 27 @ 5:30 Pm

Jim Lewis - Trumpet
Harley Card - Guitar
Dan Fortin - Bass
Ethan Ardelli - Drums

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Marc Decho TRIOS
May 7, 14, 21, 28 @ 8:30 PM

Marc Deco - Bass

Jeremy Ledbetter - Piano (May 7)

James Hill - Piano (May 14& 28)

Roshane Wright - Percussion (May 7)

Marito Marques - Drums (May 14) 

Amhed Mitchel - Drums (May 21)

Ian Wright - Drums (May 28)

No Reservations

Montreal-born electric bassist Marc Decho has established himself as an incredibly versatile and creative artist. Along with being a highly in demand electric bass player in Canada, Marc is additionally a composer, bandleader and educator. He has recorded one album as a leader, and appears as a sideman on a plethora of recordings ranging from Jazz, Fusion, Latin Jazz to Funk to traditional Cuban, Salsa & Folk music. Decho is longstanding member of the legendary Cuban pianist "Miguel De Armas Quartet" and has performed with a wide variety of artists such as Jane Bunnett, Grammy winning bassist/producer Roberto Riveron, Latin-Grammy Winning percussionist Amado Dedeu Garcia, Petr Cancura, Rachel Therrien, Okan, George Crotty, Jeremy Ledbetter, Luis Deniz, Sarah Thawer, Marito Marques, Danae Olano, Rafael Zaldivar, Gabriel Palatchi among many others. He leads multiple groups including his most recent project the Marc Decho Quartet.

Jacob Chung Quintet
May 21, 22, 23, 24 @ 8:30 PM

Jacob Chung - Saxophone
Mason Millard - Trumpet
Tyler Henderson - Piano
Caleb Tobocman - Bass
Willie Bowman - Drums
And special guests:
Ale Nunez - voice (May 21 & 22)

Jazz saxophonist/composer Jacob Chung’s commitment to swing has charmed audiences in his hometown Toronto and in New York City, where he is currently based. Having established himself as one of the most exciting players in Toronto, he relocated to NYC in 2022 to find Vincent Herring at Manhattan School of Music. Herring’s mentorship and advocacy for Jacob’s talent led to the recording of Jacob’s sophomore album in December 2023 for the Cellar Music Group label, featuring both Herring and drummer Joe Farnsworth. In the summer of 2023, Jacob performed twice at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington D.C., and at the Burlington Jazz Festival (VT) as a member of the prestigious Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program. Since moving to NYC, Jacob has also performed with Peter Washington, the Mingus Big Band, and the Erena Terakubo Septet.

The Jacob Chung Quintet’s 2022 debut album Epistle was received with critical acclaim for its embodiment of the spirit of jazz; “A bunch of swingers that know the history without the baggage, they zip the ears open with a delightful sound that uplifts while it makes you smile” (Chris Spector, Midwest Record). Jacob’s aesthetic direction has drawn comparison to that of the 1990s neo-bop renaissance. Will Chernoff (Rhythm Changes) writes that “Jacob and the band are part of a full-on second generation of Young Lions,” a sentiment expanded upon by Jamie Lee Rake (Shepherd Express): “What they are about is connecting the dots between the sophisticated heat of jazz royalty such as Duke Ellington and Count Basie with a post-bop drive.” The Jacob Chung Quintet has played at several major Toronto venues and festivals including The Rex Hotel, The Jazz Bistro, TD Toronto Jazz Festival, TD Markham Jazz Festival, and Toronto International Film Festival.

Jacob Chung Quintet
May 21, 22, 23, 24 @ 8:30 PM

Jacob Chung - Saxophone
Mason Millard - Trumpet
Tyler Henderson - Piano
Caleb Tobocman - Bass
Willie Bowman - Drums
And special guests:
Ale Nunez - voice (May 21 & 22)

Jazz saxophonist/composer Jacob Chung’s commitment to swing has charmed audiences in his hometown Toronto and in New York City, where he is currently based. Having established himself as one of the most exciting players in Toronto, he relocated to NYC in 2022 to find Vincent Herring at Manhattan School of Music. Herring’s mentorship and advocacy for Jacob’s talent led to the recording of Jacob’s sophomore album in December 2023 for the Cellar Music Group label, featuring both Herring and drummer Joe Farnsworth. In the summer of 2023, Jacob performed twice at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington D.C., and at the Burlington Jazz Festival (VT) as a member of the prestigious Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program. Since moving to NYC, Jacob has also performed with Peter Washington, the Mingus Big Band, and the Erena Terakubo Septet.

The Jacob Chung Quintet’s 2022 debut album Epistle was received with critical acclaim for its embodiment of the spirit of jazz; “A bunch of swingers that know the history without the baggage, they zip the ears open with a delightful sound that uplifts while it makes you smile” (Chris Spector, Midwest Record). Jacob’s aesthetic direction has drawn comparison to that of the 1990s neo-bop renaissance. Will Chernoff (Rhythm Changes) writes that “Jacob and the band are part of a full-on second generation of Young Lions,” a sentiment expanded upon by Jamie Lee Rake (Shepherd Express): “What they are about is connecting the dots between the sophisticated heat of jazz royalty such as Duke Ellington and Count Basie with a post-bop drive.” The Jacob Chung Quintet has played at several major Toronto venues and festivals including The Rex Hotel, The Jazz Bistro, TD Toronto Jazz Festival, TD Markham Jazz Festival, and Toronto International Film Festival.

Jacob Chung Quintet
May 21, 22, 23, 24 @ 8:30 PM

Jacob Chung - Saxophone
Mason Millard - Trumpet
Tyler Henderson - Piano
Caleb Tobocman - Bass
Willie Bowman - Drums
And special guests:
Ale Nunez - voice (May 21 & 22)

Jazz saxophonist/composer Jacob Chung’s commitment to swing has charmed audiences in his hometown Toronto and in New York City, where he is currently based. Having established himself as one of the most exciting players in Toronto, he relocated to NYC in 2022 to find Vincent Herring at Manhattan School of Music. Herring’s mentorship and advocacy for Jacob’s talent led to the recording of Jacob’s sophomore album in December 2023 for the Cellar Music Group label, featuring both Herring and drummer Joe Farnsworth. In the summer of 2023, Jacob performed twice at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington D.C., and at the Burlington Jazz Festival (VT) as a member of the prestigious Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program. Since moving to NYC, Jacob has also performed with Peter Washington, the Mingus Big Band, and the Erena Terakubo Septet.

The Jacob Chung Quintet’s 2022 debut album Epistle was received with critical acclaim for its embodiment of the spirit of jazz; “A bunch of swingers that know the history without the baggage, they zip the ears open with a delightful sound that uplifts while it makes you smile” (Chris Spector, Midwest Record). Jacob’s aesthetic direction has drawn comparison to that of the 1990s neo-bop renaissance. Will Chernoff (Rhythm Changes) writes that “Jacob and the band are part of a full-on second generation of Young Lions,” a sentiment expanded upon by Jamie Lee Rake (Shepherd Express): “What they are about is connecting the dots between the sophisticated heat of jazz royalty such as Duke Ellington and Count Basie with a post-bop drive.” The Jacob Chung Quintet has played at several major Toronto venues and festivals including The Rex Hotel, The Jazz Bistro, TD Toronto Jazz Festival, TD Markham Jazz Festival, and Toronto International Film Festival.

ROBIN JESSOME & BLUNT OBJECTS
May 24 @ 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.

Jacob Chung Quintet
May 21, 22, 23, 24 @ 8:30 PM

Jacob Chung - Saxophone
Mason Millard - Trumpet
Tyler Henderson - Piano
Caleb Tobocman - Bass
Willie Bowman - Drums
And special guests:
Ale Nunez - voice (May 21 & 22)

Jazz saxophonist/composer Jacob Chung’s commitment to swing has charmed audiences in his hometown Toronto and in New York City, where he is currently based. Having established himself as one of the most exciting players in Toronto, he relocated to NYC in 2022 to find Vincent Herring at Manhattan School of Music. Herring’s mentorship and advocacy for Jacob’s talent led to the recording of Jacob’s sophomore album in December 2023 for the Cellar Music Group label, featuring both Herring and drummer Joe Farnsworth. In the summer of 2023, Jacob performed twice at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington D.C., and at the Burlington Jazz Festival (VT) as a member of the prestigious Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program. Since moving to NYC, Jacob has also performed with Peter Washington, the Mingus Big Band, and the Erena Terakubo Septet.

The Jacob Chung Quintet’s 2022 debut album Epistle was received with critical acclaim for its embodiment of the spirit of jazz; “A bunch of swingers that know the history without the baggage, they zip the ears open with a delightful sound that uplifts while it makes you smile” (Chris Spector, Midwest Record). Jacob’s aesthetic direction has drawn comparison to that of the 1990s neo-bop renaissance. Will Chernoff (Rhythm Changes) writes that “Jacob and the band are part of a full-on second generation of Young Lions,” a sentiment expanded upon by Jamie Lee Rake (Shepherd Express): “What they are about is connecting the dots between the sophisticated heat of jazz royalty such as Duke Ellington and Count Basie with a post-bop drive.” The Jacob Chung Quintet has played at several major Toronto venues and festivals including The Rex Hotel, The Jazz Bistro, TD Toronto Jazz Festival, TD Markham Jazz Festival, and Toronto International Film Festival.

Mike DeiCont Trio
May 25 @ 8:30 PM

Mike DeiCont - Bass
Leland Whitty - Saxophone
Eric West -Drums

Mike is a bass player, music writer, improviser, and podcaster. He can be heard performing regularly throughout New York and Southern Ontario with DeiCont | Philips Collective, Northern Danger, and DeiCont/Cohen/Kirkpatrick.

Eric Liang
MAY 5, 12, 19, 26 @ 5:30 pm

Eric Liang - Piano
Band :TBA

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Eric Liang (b. 2003) is a pianist and composer born in Canada. He is currently completing his Bachelor of Music at the University of Toronto and has studied with notable musicians including Glenn Zaleski and Steven Feifke among others. Eric has performed with Neil Swainson, Morgan Childs, and Laura Anglade, among other big names in the jazz world.

John Macleod’s Rex Hotel Orchestra
mAY 26 @ 8:30 PM

John MacLeod - Trumpet / Flugelhorn
20-piece Juno Award-winning Jazz Big Band

Canada’s Finest Big Band Jazz Ensemble

The life and career of John MacLeod is intricately bound to the history of jazz and big band music in Toronto. A native of this city, he took a very early interest in jazz and by the time he began studying the trumpet at age 12 was already an aficionado of New Orleans, Chicago and swing styles of the music. His earliest local hero was trumpeter "Trump" Davidson and by his early teens he was attending t.v. recording sessions where he would be amazed by studio greats such as Guido Basso, Moe Koffman and Teddy Roderman. A decade later, John would be playing with many of these early heros. In fact he would have professional involvement with every name listed in this release from Benny Louis to Ron Collier to Guido Basso. He even took his boyhood hero "Trump" Davidson's place in Trump's band. Few other musicians of his generation can claim as much direct connection to the entire history of jazz and big band music in Toronto. His long association with Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass would also have a profound effect on his approach to arranging and composing. While his writing may be uniquely his own, the sound of his band is unmistakably "Toronto".

Jim Lewis Quartet
May 6, 13, 20, 27 @ 5:30 Pm

Jim Lewis - Trumpet
Harley Card - Guitar
Dan Fortin - Bass
Ethan Ardelli - Drums

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Marc Decho TRIOS
May 7, 14, 21, 28 @ 8:30 PM

Marc Deco - Bass

Jeremy Ledbetter - Piano (May 7)

James Hill - Piano (May 14& 28)

Roshane Wright - Percussion (May 7)

Marito Marques - Drums (May 14) 

Amhed Mitchel - Drums (May 21)

Ian Wright - Drums (May 28)

No Reservations

Montreal-born electric bassist Marc Decho has established himself as an incredibly versatile and creative artist. Along with being a highly in demand electric bass player in Canada, Marc is additionally a composer, bandleader and educator. He has recorded one album as a leader, and appears as a sideman on a plethora of recordings ranging from Jazz, Fusion, Latin Jazz to Funk to traditional Cuban, Salsa & Folk music. Decho is longstanding member of the legendary Cuban pianist "Miguel De Armas Quartet" and has performed with a wide variety of artists such as Jane Bunnett, Grammy winning bassist/producer Roberto Riveron, Latin-Grammy Winning percussionist Amado Dedeu Garcia, Petr Cancura, Rachel Therrien, Okan, George Crotty, Jeremy Ledbetter, Luis Deniz, Sarah Thawer, Marito Marques, Danae Olano, Rafael Zaldivar, Gabriel Palatchi among many others. He leads multiple groups including his most recent project the Marc Decho Quartet.

JABFUNG
May 28, 29, 30, 31 @ 8:30 pm

Julian Anderson-Bowes - Bass
Anthony Fung - Drums
Luis Deniz - Saxophone
Raphael Zaldivar - Keys

Special Guest: New York’s Adam O’Farrill - Trumpet (May 30 & 31)

JabFung, a project helmed by bassist Julian Anderson-Bowes and Richmond Hill-born, LA-based drummer Anthony Fung, has emerged in recent years as one of Toronto’s leading presenters of collaborative jazz residencies. Anchored by the core rhythm section of Anderson-Bowes and Fung, the group’s past performances have featured excellent local and international guest musicians, including saxophonist Kelly Jefferson, pianist James Hill, guitarist Andrew Marzotto, French vibraphonist Simon Mouiller, and, for two nights at The Rex this past July, the eminent American saxophonist George Garzone.

JABFUNG
May 28, 29, 30, 31 @ 8:30 pm

Julian Anderson-Bowes - Bass
Anthony Fung - Drums
Luis Deniz - Saxophone
Raphael Zaldivar - Keys

Special Guest: New York’s Adam O’Farrill - Trumpet (May 30 & 31)

JabFung, a project helmed by bassist Julian Anderson-Bowes and Richmond Hill-born, LA-based drummer Anthony Fung, has emerged in recent years as one of Toronto’s leading presenters of collaborative jazz residencies. Anchored by the core rhythm section of Anderson-Bowes and Fung, the group’s past performances have featured excellent local and international guest musicians, including saxophonist Kelly Jefferson, pianist James Hill, guitarist Andrew Marzotto, French vibraphonist Simon Mouiller, and, for two nights at The Rex this past July, the eminent American saxophonist George Garzone.

JABFUNG
May 28, 29, 30, 31 @ 8:30 pm

Julian Anderson-Bowes - Bass
Anthony Fung - Drums
Luis Deniz - Saxophone
Raphael Zaldivar - Keys

Special Guest: New York’s Adam O’Farrill - Trumpet (May 30 & 31)

JabFung, a project helmed by bassist Julian Anderson-Bowes and Richmond Hill-born, LA-based drummer Anthony Fung, has emerged in recent years as one of Toronto’s leading presenters of collaborative jazz residencies. Anchored by the core rhythm section of Anderson-Bowes and Fung, the group’s past performances have featured excellent local and international guest musicians, including saxophonist Kelly Jefferson, pianist James Hill, guitarist Andrew Marzotto, French vibraphonist Simon Mouiller, and, for two nights at The Rex this past July, the eminent American saxophonist George Garzone.

megacity big band
MAY 31 @ 2:00pm

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

Toronto’s own MegaCity Swing Band burst onto the scene in 2000 and is one of the swingingest bands in the GTA. We are a full sized jazz band – all 18 of us! We are comprised of some to Toronto’s best musicians performing the best jazz, latin, and swing tunes in Toronto.

Megacity enjoys performing at special events, weddings, parties, and corporate events all across the Toronto area. In the past we have been nominated for several awards at the CNE Big Band Festival. They have been guests at the Sunday Serenade Series in Mel Lastman Square. The band has been featured on Breakfast Television. Megacity has performed at Casa Loma, the Royal Ontario Museum, as well as at many golf clubs and retirement homes in the Toronto area. They can be seen every fourth Monday of the month at The 744 on Mt. Pleasant.

Megacity is one of the few (if not the only) big band that plays original compositions. The leader writes original tunes for the band, and these can usually be heard at the 744 gigs when they play on Monday nights.

In addition to our vocalist, the fabulous Gillian Steyck, this eighteen piece band is often joined on Monday nights by at least two –sometimes three – guest vocalists that guarantee to bring the house down.

JABFUNG
May 28, 29, 30, 31 @ 8:30 pm

Julian Anderson-Bowes - Bass
Anthony Fung - Drums
Luis Deniz - Saxophone
Raphael Zaldivar - Keys

Special Guest: New York’s Adam O’Farrill - Trumpet (May 30 & 31)

JabFung, a project helmed by bassist Julian Anderson-Bowes and Richmond Hill-born, LA-based drummer Anthony Fung, has emerged in recent years as one of Toronto’s leading presenters of collaborative jazz residencies. Anchored by the core rhythm section of Anderson-Bowes and Fung, the group’s past performances have featured excellent local and international guest musicians, including saxophonist Kelly Jefferson, pianist James Hill, guitarist Andrew Marzotto, French vibraphonist Simon Mouiller, and, for two nights at The Rex this past July, the eminent American saxophonist George Garzone.

Toronto Jazz Festival and The Rex Hotel Presents:
Kneebody
June 25 @ 8:30 PM

Adam Benjamin -Keyboard
Shane Endsley - Trumpet
Ben Wendel - Saxophone
Nate Wood - Drums / Bass

If you arrive later than 9:15 PM, we will not be able to honor your ticket.

Kneebody has created a genre and style all its own. Their sound is explosive rock energy and high-level nuanced chamber ensemble playing set within the frames of highly wrought compositions that are balanced with adventurous no-holds-barred improvising. Kneebody is keyboardist Adam Benjamin, trumpeter Shane Endsley, saxophonist Ben Wendel and drummer/bassist Nate Wood. The band has no leader or rather, each member is the leader; they’ve developed their own musical language, inventing a unique cueing system that allows them each to change the tempo, key, style, and more in an instant.

Toronto Jazz Festival and The Rex Hotel Presents:
Kneebody
June 25 @ 10:30 PM

Adam Benjamin -Keyboard
Shane Endsley - Trumpet
Ben Wendel - Saxophone
Nate Wood - Drums / Bass

If you arrive later than 11:15 PM, we will not be able to honor your ticket.

Kneebody has created a genre and style all its own. Their sound is explosive rock energy and high-level nuanced chamber ensemble playing set within the frames of highly wrought compositions that are balanced with adventurous no-holds-barred improvising. Kneebody is keyboardist Adam Benjamin, trumpeter Shane Endsley, saxophonist Ben Wendel and drummer/bassist Nate Wood. The band has no leader or rather, each member is the leader; they’ve developed their own musical language, inventing a unique cueing system that allows them each to change the tempo, key, style, and more in an instant.

Toronto Jazz Festival and The Rex Hotel Presents:
Kneebody
June 26 @ 8:30 PM

Adam Benjamin -Keyboard
Shane Endsley - Trumpet
Ben Wendel - Saxophone
Nate Wood - Drums / Bass

If you arrive later than 9:15 PM, we will not be able to honor your ticket.

Kneebody has created a genre and style all its own. Their sound is explosive rock energy and high-level nuanced chamber ensemble playing set within the frames of highly wrought compositions that are balanced with adventurous no-holds-barred improvising. Kneebody is keyboardist Adam Benjamin, trumpeter Shane Endsley, saxophonist Ben Wendel and drummer/bassist Nate Wood. The band has no leader or rather, each member is the leader; they’ve developed their own musical language, inventing a unique cueing system that allows them each to change the tempo, key, style, and more in an instant.

Toronto Jazz Festival and The Rex Hotel Presents:
Kneebody
June 26 @ 10:30 PM

Adam Benjamin -Keyboard
Shane Endsley - Trumpet
Ben Wendel - Saxophone
Nate Wood - Drums / Bass

If you arrive later than 11:15 PM, we will not be able to honor your ticket.

Kneebody has created a genre and style all its own. Their sound is explosive rock energy and high-level nuanced chamber ensemble playing set within the frames of highly wrought compositions that are balanced with adventurous no-holds-barred improvising. Kneebody is keyboardist Adam Benjamin, trumpeter Shane Endsley, saxophonist Ben Wendel and drummer/bassist Nate Wood. The band has no leader or rather, each member is the leader; they’ve developed their own musical language, inventing a unique cueing system that allows them each to change the tempo, key, style, and more in an instant.

toronto jazz festival & the rex hotel presents:
Mike Stern Band
June 27 @ 8:30 PM

Mike Stern - Guitar
Dennis Chambers - Drums
Noam Tanzer - Bass
Bob Franceschini - Saxophone
Leni Stern - Guitar

If you arrive later than 9:15pm, we will not be able to honor your ticket.

Mike Stern is one of the most esteemed electric guitarists of his generation, playing with the likes of Blood, Sweat & Tears, Miles Davis, Jaco Pastoriu, honing his own sound with searing lines informed mainly by bebop and the blues, played with a rock-tinged intensity

toronto jazz festival & the rex hotel presents:
Mike Stern Band
June 27 @ 10:30 PM

Mike Stern - Guitar
Dennis Chambers - Drums
Noam Tanzer - Bass
Bob Franceschini - Saxophone
Leni Stern - Guitar

If you arrive later than 11:15pm, we will not be able to honor your ticket.

Mike Stern is one of the most esteemed electric guitarists of his generation, playing with the likes of Blood, Sweat & Tears, Miles Davis, Jaco Pastoriu, honing his own sound with searing lines informed mainly by bebop and the blues, played with a rock-tinged intensity