Andrew Scott Quartet
DECEMBER 5, 12, & 19 @ 5:30

Andrew Scott - Guitar

Nat Bega - (Guitar/Voice/Clarinet)

Taylor Maslin - (Guitar/Voice/Clarinet)

Jake Wilkinson - Trumpet / Piano

Chris Adriaanse - Bass

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Dr. Andrew Scott’s professional work has impacted many aspects of the music industry. As a guitarist/arranger and composer, Andrew has amassed a considerable discography and gigography performing and/or recording with a diverse roster of groups and players that includes Gene DiNovi, Jim Clayton, Four80East, Jackie Richardson, Bernie Senensky, Archie Alleyne, Mike Downes and Marc Jordan. Andrew is the recipient of the, Toronto Independent Music, Canadian Urban Music, and four Canadian “Smooth” Jazz Awards. Andrew’s compositions have been heard in such films and television shows as Pretend We’re Kissing, Cubicle Warriors, Old Stock, Pop Switch, Mothers and Daughters, CBC’s The Border. As a scholar, Andrew, who earned his PhD in 2006, has lectured at universities and for conferences across North America. He has been published in the New Grove Dictionary of Jazz and many other journals. As a culmination of these diverse interests and experiences, Andrew is Acting Dean of the School of Creative and Performing Arts at Humber’s where he oversees the Music Business and Music Marketing areas and acts in the capacity of Humber Music’s Academic Advisor. Andrew, an advocate for interdisciplinary applied research and work that lies at the nexus of Music and Business, is currently serving as the Acting Director (2014/2015 academic year) for Humber College’s Bachelor of Music Degree

New York’s Mark Mclean Quintet
December 18, 19, 20, 21 @ 8:30 PM

Mark McLean - Drums
Ted Quinlan - Guitar
Jeremy Ledbetter - Keys
Marc Rogers - Bass
Special Guest : Lester McLean - Vocals

Mark McLean is a very dynamic and versatile studio and touring musician.  If you ask him about his biggest musical influences, the answer is likely to take more time than you have. Even if you ask for just the 'main ones' the list will go on and on.  And it is a diverse list; from Johann Sebastian Bach to James Brown (and those are only the 'B's).  And for that reason he has been the grooving spark behind many jazz, pop and soul legends whose music and influence span multiple generations.  The late legendary producer Phil Ramone, who began hiring him for numerous sessions starting in 2003, called McLean “a tasty, sure handed drummer, a song man’s musician”- but that’s only part of the in-demand musician’s powerful story and evolving artistry.  Whether playing a sensitive ballad with Andrea Bocelli, swinging mightily with Jamie Cullum or laying down a funky backbeat for George Michael, Mark McLean is always in his element. 

Over the past few years, while maintaining a steady flow of prestigious gigs as a sideman and music director, the Toronto born, New York City based drummer/composer/producer has emerged as a popular band leader, performing numerous gigs with his own group and releasing two acclaimed solo recordings that showcase his expansive musical passions.    In an industry that often prefers pigeonholing to expansive creative expression, the multi-talented artist — whose credo is “I don’t want to be seen as a drummer, I want to be known as a musician whose instrument just happens to be drums” — breaks all the rules on his eclectic 11 track sophomore album Feel Alright, sharing his love for everything from old school soul, down and dirty blues/funk and traditional jazz to Southern folk-pop with a zydeco twist, Rat Pack-like swing, edgy pop/rock and New Orleans brass band music.  Mark believes that freedom from the burden of musical categorization enables him to fully explore his own voice. 

Shannon Butcher Quartet
DECEMBER 6, 13, 20 & 27 @ 5:30

Shannon Butcher - Vocals
Michael Shand - Piano
Ross Maclntyre - Bass

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Shannon Butcher is an acclaimed Canadian singer, songwriter, arranger and record producer. She charms audiences with her joyful wit and warm energy - her performances capturing the unique spirit of each song while also celebrating the playful nature of jazz.

She has toured across Canada, including performances at Victoria’s Hermann’s Jazz Club, Edmonton’s Yardbird Suite, Montreal’s Upstairs Jazz and the major jazz festivals in Ontario. She has performed across The United States and in England.  

Shannon’s original songs reveal the breadth of her influences, from the sounds of Big Band music halls to Yorkville folk coffee houses. As an arranger, she interprets chart topping pop songs with a fresh and exciting jazz perspective.

Shannon has released five albums under her own label Summer Bloom Records, her first album earning an iTunes’ Best New Jazz Artist of the Year award. In addition to her solo work, she has performed and recorded with Swing Rosie - an Andrews Sisters-inspired trio - as well as the folk quartet Samways, which released its self-titled debut album in 2021.

In 2022, Shannon released two singles: a bass/voice duet recording of “They Say It’s Spring” with her longtime collaborator, bassist Ross MacIntyre; as well as her original song “You’re Getting Nothing For Christmas (But My Love)”, recorded by the Shannon Butcher Quintet featuring John MacLeod on trumpet.

Her sixth album, “Earbuds”, with Ross MacIntyre, will be released in Spring 2023.

New York’s Mark Mclean Quintet
December 18, 19, 20, 21 @ 8:30 PM

Mark McLean - Drums
Ted Quinlan - Guitar
Jeremy Ledbetter - Keys
Marc Rogers - Bass
Special Guest : Lester McLean - Vocals

Mark McLean is a very dynamic and versatile studio and touring musician.  If you ask him about his biggest musical influences, the answer is likely to take more time than you have. Even if you ask for just the 'main ones' the list will go on and on.  And it is a diverse list; from Johann Sebastian Bach to James Brown (and those are only the 'B's).  And for that reason he has been the grooving spark behind many jazz, pop and soul legends whose music and influence span multiple generations.  The late legendary producer Phil Ramone, who began hiring him for numerous sessions starting in 2003, called McLean “a tasty, sure handed drummer, a song man’s musician”- but that’s only part of the in-demand musician’s powerful story and evolving artistry.  Whether playing a sensitive ballad with Andrea Bocelli, swinging mightily with Jamie Cullum or laying down a funky backbeat for George Michael, Mark McLean is always in his element. 

Over the past few years, while maintaining a steady flow of prestigious gigs as a sideman and music director, the Toronto born, New York City based drummer/composer/producer has emerged as a popular band leader, performing numerous gigs with his own group and releasing two acclaimed solo recordings that showcase his expansive musical passions.    In an industry that often prefers pigeonholing to expansive creative expression, the multi-talented artist — whose credo is “I don’t want to be seen as a drummer, I want to be known as a musician whose instrument just happens to be drums” — breaks all the rules on his eclectic 11 track sophomore album Feel Alright, sharing his love for everything from old school soul, down and dirty blues/funk and traditional jazz to Southern folk-pop with a zydeco twist, Rat Pack-like swing, edgy pop/rock and New Orleans brass band music.  Mark believes that freedom from the burden of musical categorization enables him to fully explore his own voice. 

Michael Occhipinti and the Occhtet
DECEMBER 21 @ 2:00 PM

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

Michael Occhipinti is a versatile, sound-sculpting guitarist and composer/arranger, who has spent decades freely moving between jazz, chamber music, world music, r&b/funk, and anything involving modern guitar sounds. Michael has received 11 JUNO Award nominations (Canada's Grammy) and 2 JUNO Awards including the 2022 JUNO Award for Jazz Group of the Year as a member of Avataar.  2022 also saw his duo with Elizabeth Shepherd (ES:MO) nominated for Jazz Vocal Album of the Year.    In addition to ES:MO, Michael leads or co-leads several acclaimed groups including The Sicilian Jazz Project, IN ORBIT ( with Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band) on saxophone, and Felix Pastorius on bass), Shine On: The Universe of John Lennon,  The Triodes,  and the acclaimed 16-piece group NOJO (Neufeld-Occhipinti Jazz Orchestra).

New York’s Mark Mclean Quintet
December 18, 19, 20, 21 @ 8:30 PM

Mark McLean - Drums
Ted Quinlan - Guitar
Jeremy Ledbetter - Keys
Marc Rogers - Bass
Special Guest : Lester McLean - Vocals

Mark McLean is a very dynamic and versatile studio and touring musician.  If you ask him about his biggest musical influences, the answer is likely to take more time than you have. Even if you ask for just the 'main ones' the list will go on and on.  And it is a diverse list; from Johann Sebastian Bach to James Brown (and those are only the 'B's).  And for that reason he has been the grooving spark behind many jazz, pop and soul legends whose music and influence span multiple generations.  The late legendary producer Phil Ramone, who began hiring him for numerous sessions starting in 2003, called McLean “a tasty, sure handed drummer, a song man’s musician”- but that’s only part of the in-demand musician’s powerful story and evolving artistry.  Whether playing a sensitive ballad with Andrea Bocelli, swinging mightily with Jamie Cullum or laying down a funky backbeat for George Michael, Mark McLean is always in his element. 

Over the past few years, while maintaining a steady flow of prestigious gigs as a sideman and music director, the Toronto born, New York City based drummer/composer/producer has emerged as a popular band leader, performing numerous gigs with his own group and releasing two acclaimed solo recordings that showcase his expansive musical passions.    In an industry that often prefers pigeonholing to expansive creative expression, the multi-talented artist — whose credo is “I don’t want to be seen as a drummer, I want to be known as a musician whose instrument just happens to be drums” — breaks all the rules on his eclectic 11 track sophomore album Feel Alright, sharing his love for everything from old school soul, down and dirty blues/funk and traditional jazz to Southern folk-pop with a zydeco twist, Rat Pack-like swing, edgy pop/rock and New Orleans brass band music.  Mark believes that freedom from the burden of musical categorization enables him to fully explore his own voice. 

Sherie Marshall with Mike Cado
DECEMBER 22 @ 2:00 pm

Sherie Marshall – Vocals

Mike Cado - Guitar

$15 Front Section
$10 Back Section

Sherie Marshall has performed professionally in various nightclubs across Toronto for over 30 years. She founded her own group fusing funk, soul, pop, reggae, and Soca producing the single “Steppin’ Out,” establishing herself as a mainstay in the Toronto music scene. In addition to opening for Harry Belafonte, The Smothers Brothers, and Rich Little, Sherie has sung background for George Oliver, Jack DeKeyser, reggae artist Mojah, and Jacksoul at the Canadian Urban Music Awards. Sherie Marshall is currently a faculty member at York University where she teaches jazz vocals and inspires many young music students. Her dynamic stage presence, coupled with her infectious smile, is reflected in all her performances.

Ale Nunez quintet
DECEMBER 22 & 23@ 8:30PM

Ale Nuñez- Vocals

Ale Avery Nunez, a 22 year old Canadian vocalist, songwriter and band-leader based in Toronto, has exploded onto the Jazz scene, where you can see her perform in Toronto at Jazz Bistro, Drom Taberna, The Emmet Ray and Manhattans in Guelph to name a few. She most recently performed as part of Ontario Creates Women's in Music series curated by Sammy Jackson at Hugh's Room Live.  Ale loves to share her passion for Jazz and all genres of music in every performance, drawing her audience in, having them hanging on to every note.  Her voice is uniquely her own yet reminiscent of artists such as Carmen McRae, Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughan and Julie London.  When she is not gigging, she is pursuing her Bachelor of Music Degree at Humber College and had the honour of performing at Humber's 50th Anniversary Celebration.  July 2023 she was named "Artist of the Year" by the TU Jazz Festival and placed first in the Doc Awards” as part of the 2022 Etobicoke Jazz Festival.  Ale is excited to be recording original music this year. 

Ale Nunez quintet
DECEMBER 22 & 23 @ 8:30PM

Ale Nuñez- Vocals

Ale Avery Nunez, a 22 year old Canadian vocalist, songwriter and band-leader based in Toronto, has exploded onto the Jazz scene, where you can see her perform in Toronto at Jazz Bistro, Drom Taberna, The Emmet Ray and Manhattans in Guelph to name a few. She most recently performed as part of Ontario Creates Women's in Music series curated by Sammy Jackson at Hugh's Room Live.  Ale loves to share her passion for Jazz and all genres of music in every performance, drawing her audience in, having them hanging on to every note.  Her voice is uniquely her own yet reminiscent of artists such as Carmen McRae, Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughan and Julie London.  When she is not gigging, she is pursuing her Bachelor of Music Degree at Humber College and had the honour of performing at Humber's 50th Anniversary Celebration.  July 2023 she was named "Artist of the Year" by the TU Jazz Festival and placed first in the Doc Awards” as part of the 2022 Etobicoke Jazz Festival.  Ale is excited to be recording original music this year. 

CLOSED
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

CLOSED
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Closed for the Holidays!

Shannon Butcher Quartet
DECEMBER 6, 13, 20 & 27 @ 5:30

Shannon Butcher - Vocals
Michael Shand - Piano
Ross Maclntyre - Bass

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Shannon Butcher is an acclaimed Canadian singer, songwriter, arranger and record producer. She charms audiences with her joyful wit and warm energy - her performances capturing the unique spirit of each song while also celebrating the playful nature of jazz.

She has toured across Canada, including performances at Victoria’s Hermann’s Jazz Club, Edmonton’s Yardbird Suite, Montreal’s Upstairs Jazz and the major jazz festivals in Ontario. She has performed across The United States and in England.  

Shannon’s original songs reveal the breadth of her influences, from the sounds of Big Band music halls to Yorkville folk coffee houses. As an arranger, she interprets chart topping pop songs with a fresh and exciting jazz perspective.

Shannon has released five albums under her own label Summer Bloom Records, her first album earning an iTunes’ Best New Jazz Artist of the Year award. In addition to her solo work, she has performed and recorded with Swing Rosie - an Andrews Sisters-inspired trio - as well as the folk quartet Samways, which released its self-titled debut album in 2021.

In 2022, Shannon released two singles: a bass/voice duet recording of “They Say It’s Spring” with her longtime collaborator, bassist Ross MacIntyre; as well as her original song “You’re Getting Nothing For Christmas (But My Love)”, recorded by the Shannon Butcher Quintet featuring John MacLeod on trumpet.

Her sixth album, “Earbuds”, with Ross MacIntyre, will be released in Spring 2023.

Dave Young Quintet
December 27 & 28

Dave Young - Bass
Kevin Turcotte - Trumpet
Johnny Johnson - Saxophone
Brian Dickinson - Piano
Nick Fraser - 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)

Dennis Kwok Jazz Orchestra
DECEMBER 28 @ 2 PM

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

Toronto-based multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, producer, and educator, Dennis Kwok, exists at the intersection of bebop, contemporary classical, free improvisation, and pop music. Originally from Calgary, his interest in jazz and improvised music led him to pursue studies at Humber College, where he completed his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Saxophone. Since then, he has been featured as part of the 2020 TD Toronto Jazz Festival Discovery Series, selected as a musician-in-residence at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in 2021, and backed JUNO-award winning artists, such as The Tenors, Jackie Richardson, and Pat LaBarbera. As a versatile woodwind doubler, Dennis has appeared as the oboe soloist for Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto #1 and #2 with the Oakville Chamber Orchestra, and has also been active in musical theatre orchestras, including productions of Follies (Royal Conservatory of Music),  Escape to Margaritaville (Theatre Calgary), Chicago (Stratford Festival), 1922 (Shaw Festival), and Mean Girls (Mirvish).

Since 2016, Dennis has appeared on more than 15 commercial releases as an instrumentalist, vocalist, composer, arranger, producer, and recording engineer. Notably, he contributed orchestral arrangements for Alec Steinwall's debut album, My Wildest Dream (2022), engineered The Green Trees of June (2020) for Toronto-based trumpeter, Paul Callander, and sang in the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir on the GRAMMY-nominated rendition of “Messiah” (2016) with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Dennis’ compositions and arrangements have been showcased by the Sonuskapos Jazz Orchestra, Etobicoke Jazz Festival, and Caity Gyorgy (2-time JUNO-award winner), among others.

In 2020, Dennis released his debut album, Windward Bound, with the Dennis Kwok Jazz Orchestra, consisting of his original six-part suite for big band, and featuring himself as a soloist on multiple woodwind instruments. Windward Bound has been described as “an elegant album of program music for 19-piece jazz orchestra” by The WholeNote magazine, and “an impressive debut all 'round and an intriguing harbinger of voyages yet to come” by All About Jazz. Dennis can be heard as both a bandleader and a sideman at venues across the Greater Toronto Area.

Dave Young Quintet
December 27 & 28

Dave Young - Bass
Kevin Turcotte - Trumpet
Johnny Johnson - Saxophone
Brian Dickinson - Piano
Nick Fraser - 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)

Jay Blues Trio
DECEMBER 29 @ 2:00 pm

Jwoel “Jay Blues” Benn – Guitar & Vocals

Kyle Colesanti – Bass

Ben Graham - Drums

The Jay Blues Trio are a 3-piece Canadian Psychedelic Blues & Funk band from Toronto, Canada. The band formed in 2023 from a collection of Blues, R&B, Jazz and Funk lovers who met busking in the streets of Toronto and performing within the local Blues scene. Inspired by the likes of Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, Albert King, BB King, James Brown, Muddy Waters, The Spinners, Sly & The Family Stone and Jimi Hendrix. Their unique brand of entertainment fuses Chicago blues, Funk, and whirling solos with Slow Sultry Blues and a tight rhythm section that will make you want to dance, cry and groove.

JABFUNG
DECEMBER 29&30 @ 8:30 pm

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

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.

R.J. Lee Group
December 16, 23 & 30 @ 8:30 Pm

RJ Lee - Drums

Serena Mancuso - Bass

Mateo Mancuso - Piano

Nathan Tran - Piano (16th)

NO RESERVATIONS

$10 Cover Charge

JABFUNG
DECEMBER 29&30 @ 8:30 pm

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

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.

CLOSED
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Alex Dean Quartet
January 2, 3, 4 @ 8:30 PM

Alex Dean - Saxophone

Alex Dean, one of Canada’s foremost jazz saxophonists, has been a mainstay of the Canadian music scene for many years. He has played and recorded with Gil Evans, Kenny Wheeler, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Harry Connick Jr., Phil Nimmons, the Dave McMurdo Jazz Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra.

Alex held the tenor saxophone chair with Rob McConnell’s Grammy award winning Boss Brass and, the Juno award winning Rob McConnell Tentet. He has collaborated extensively on C.D’s as side man with Canadian and American Jazz Artists. The Alex Dean Quartet/Quintet recordings include the newly released At this Point (November 2010), Dreamsville, Both Feet, and Kaitlyn’s Waltz. Kaitlyn’s Waltz was voted Best Jazz CD of 1994 by The Jazz Report and one of the Top Ten Jazz CD releases by New York’s Village Voice. He was also voted Jazz Musician of the Year by the Toronto Star.

The Alex Dean Quintet in the last couple of years is a relatively new group of highly regarded Canadian jazz artists assembled to record and play original music by Alex – Brian Dickenson, Lorne Lofsky, Kieran Overs and Ted Warren. The Quintet’s latest recording opened to standing room only crowds at Toronto’s Rex Jazz Club in November and will be playing/promoting their newest C.D. at various Jazz Festivals this summer including a feature date at The Toronto Jazz Festival.

Worst Pop Band Ever
January 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 @ 5:30 Pm

Chris Gale - Saxophone
Dafydd Hughes - Keys
Drew Birston - Bass
Tim Shia - Drums

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

The Worst Pop Band Ever
With influences ranging from Wayne Shorter to Deerhoof to J Dilla, The Worst Pop Band Ever is a Toronto based group that tries to combine a love of improvisational jazz and indie pop. Individually, the members of the WPBE have worked with a who's who of Canadian and international musicians, from Feist to the Shuffle Demons, but together, whether it be blending acoustic bass with turntables or analog synths with the saxophone, the WPBE sets out to twist and bend both originals and covers, straddling genres and butting heads with expectation. Often compared to Medeski Martin Wood or the Bad Plus, the boys like to think of themselves as the ugly love child of Radiohead and Miles Davis.

Since forming in 2005, they have shared stages/ toured with the likes of the Bad Plus, Happy Apple, Jeff Parker, Rich Brown, Rich Underhill, Kelly Jefferson and Elizabeth Shepherd.
They have played festivals and clubs throughout North America including the TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival, NXNE, the Wreckhouse Jazz Festival (St. John’s, NL), the Ottawa Jazz Festival on Canada Day, IAJE, as well as filling notable venues/clubs like the Rex (Toronto), Schuba's (Chicago), Le Garage (Winnipeg), Yardbird Suite (Edmonton), Bassment (Saskatoon) and the Beat Niq (Calgary), the NAC (Ottawa), and The Cellar (Vancouver). They were recently referred to as a "highlight" of the 2012 TD Canada Trust Jazz festival in Toronto.

The band has just released it's latest EP, "Sometimes Things Go Wrong (and other songs we shouldn't play)". It was recorded live in Vancouver on their last tour while promoting their last album,"Dost Thou Believeth in Science" (2009). Like their first album, “Thanks for Coming Out”(2006), Dost thou received critical acclaim from traditional and online media such as the Toronto Star, Wholenote Magazine, Something Else! (jazz.com), FFWD, and All About Jazz.Com (including being the featured download of the day). The album has received national and international radio rotation, reaching # 1 on the CIUT Charts in Toronto, #28 on the overall Canadian College Radio Charts (Earshot) and was featured on CBC Radio 3.

Their music has also been used for film and videos for the United Nations, Teletoon, CBC and the National Film Board - including the NFB's video tribute to dancer, Peggy Baker at the Governor General Awards. They were shortlisted as part of Toronto's NOW Magazine and the Harbourfront Centre's "Soundclash" competition and were showcased in the June 2012 issue of Canadian Musician.

Alex Dean Quartet
January 2, 3, 4 @ 8:30 PM

Alex Dean - Saxophone

Alex Dean, one of Canada’s foremost jazz saxophonists, has been a mainstay of the Canadian music scene for many years. He has played and recorded with Gil Evans, Kenny Wheeler, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Harry Connick Jr., Phil Nimmons, the Dave McMurdo Jazz Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra.

Alex held the tenor saxophone chair with Rob McConnell’s Grammy award winning Boss Brass and, the Juno award winning Rob McConnell Tentet. He has collaborated extensively on C.D’s as side man with Canadian and American Jazz Artists. The Alex Dean Quartet/Quintet recordings include the newly released At this Point (November 2010), Dreamsville, Both Feet, and Kaitlyn’s Waltz. Kaitlyn’s Waltz was voted Best Jazz CD of 1994 by The Jazz Report and one of the Top Ten Jazz CD releases by New York’s Village Voice. He was also voted Jazz Musician of the Year by the Toronto Star.

The Alex Dean Quintet in the last couple of years is a relatively new group of highly regarded Canadian jazz artists assembled to record and play original music by Alex – Brian Dickenson, Lorne Lofsky, Kieran Overs and Ted Warren. The Quintet’s latest recording opened to standing room only crowds at Toronto’s Rex Jazz Club in November and will be playing/promoting their newest C.D. at various Jazz Festivals this summer including a feature date at The Toronto Jazz Festival.

Angela Pincente jazz orchestra
January 4 @ 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.

Alex Dean Quartet
January 2, 3, 4 @ 8:30 PM

Alex Dean - Saxophone

Alex Dean, one of Canada’s foremost jazz saxophonists, has been a mainstay of the Canadian music scene for many years. He has played and recorded with Gil Evans, Kenny Wheeler, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Harry Connick Jr., Phil Nimmons, the Dave McMurdo Jazz Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra.

Alex held the tenor saxophone chair with Rob McConnell’s Grammy award winning Boss Brass and, the Juno award winning Rob McConnell Tentet. He has collaborated extensively on C.D’s as side man with Canadian and American Jazz Artists. The Alex Dean Quartet/Quintet recordings include the newly released At this Point (November 2010), Dreamsville, Both Feet, and Kaitlyn’s Waltz. Kaitlyn’s Waltz was voted Best Jazz CD of 1994 by The Jazz Report and one of the Top Ten Jazz CD releases by New York’s Village Voice. He was also voted Jazz Musician of the Year by the Toronto Star.

The Alex Dean Quintet in the last couple of years is a relatively new group of highly regarded Canadian jazz artists assembled to record and play original music by Alex – Brian Dickenson, Lorne Lofsky, Kieran Overs and Ted Warren. The Quintet’s latest recording opened to standing room only crowds at Toronto’s Rex Jazz Club in November and will be playing/promoting their newest C.D. at various Jazz Festivals this summer including a feature date at The Toronto Jazz Festival.

Janice Hagan Trio
January 5@ 2:00 pm

Janice Hagan – Vocals

Eric Boucher – Piano

William Sperandei - Trumpet

$15 Front Section
$10 Back Section

Janice Hagan came into the Toronto Jazz scene in her early 20s. Holding a Thursday night show for 12 years at the Reservoir Lounge in Toronto, she has recorded 6 jazz albums and performed at clubs, functions and festivals across Canada, captivating audiences for over 30 years. Nicknamed “the little lady with the big voice” by Rob Salem of the Toronto Star, Hagan possesses a smoky, sultry vocal quality that brings to life our favourite songs from the genres of jazz, big band, cabaret and show tunes.

Lorie Wolf’s Queen Kong
January 5 & 6 @ 8:30 PM

Lorie Wolf - Drums
Tom Richards - Souzaphone
Max Foster - Trumpet
Josee McInnes - Clarinet
Nate Dell-Vandenberg - Trombone
Graham Campbell - Guitar

Queen Kong is an exploration of sounds inspired by the Radical Jewish Culture movement in New York founded by pioneer John Zorn.  Led by Toronto drummer, vocalist and composer, Lorie Wolf, Queen Kong seamlessly blends Ashkenazi Jewish idiom with jazz, free improv, rock and punk to explore new sounds and ideas. 

Queen Kong features Toronto's top young jazz and world music performers, improvisers, movers and shakers; Tom Richards, (Tuba), Max Forster (Trumpet), Michael Winograd (Clarinet) Nate Dell-Vandenberg (Trombone) Graham Campbell (Guitar), and Lorie Wolf (Bandleader, Vocals, Drums), with regular appearances by Allison Au (Sax), Tania Gill (Piano), Beth Silver (Cello), Michael Herring (Bass), Virginia MacDonald (Clarinet), Nolan Murphy (Tuba), Jaron Freeman-Fox (Violin), Majd Sekkar (Clarinet) Brett Higgins (Bass) and Rebecca Hennessey (Trumpet).  

Lorie Wolf’s Queen Kong
January 5 & 6 @ 8:30 PM

Lorie Wolf - Drums
Tom Richards - Souzaphone
Max Foster - Trumpet
Josee McInnes - Clarinet
Nate Dell-Vandenberg - Trombone
Graham Campbell - Guitar

Queen Kong is an exploration of sounds inspired by the Radical Jewish Culture movement in New York founded by pioneer John Zorn.  Led by Toronto drummer, vocalist and composer, Lorie Wolf, Queen Kong seamlessly blends Ashkenazi Jewish idiom with jazz, free improv, rock and punk to explore new sounds and ideas. 

Queen Kong features Toronto's top young jazz and world music performers, improvisers, movers and shakers; Tom Richards, (Tuba), Max Forster (Trumpet), Michael Winograd (Clarinet) Nate Dell-Vandenberg (Trombone) Graham Campbell (Guitar), and Lorie Wolf (Bandleader, Vocals, Drums), with regular appearances by Allison Au (Sax), Tania Gill (Piano), Beth Silver (Cello), Michael Herring (Bass), Virginia MacDonald (Clarinet), Nolan Murphy (Tuba), Jaron Freeman-Fox (Violin), Majd Sekkar (Clarinet) Brett Higgins (Bass) and Rebecca Hennessey (Trumpet).  

MATTAUS GRETZINGER QUARTET
January 7, 14, 21 & 28 @5:30 PM

Mattaus Gretzinger - Saxophone

Eric Liang - Piano

Jack Johnston - Bass

Norbert Botos - Drums

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Mattaus Gretzinger is a saxophonist, composer and teacher based in the dynamic city of Toronto.  Hailing from Oakville, Ontario, he discovered his love for the saxophone in 7th grade, finding any opportunity he could to learn more about the instrument. He has poured his heart and soul into mastering the saxophone, and constantly pushes boundaries to create a unique and captivating musical voice. Mattaus Gretzinger can be found playing around Toronto at venues such as The Rex, Jazz Bistro and Drom Taberna as well as theatre shows and corporate events. Mattaus has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with the likes of Terri Lynne Carrington, Rich Brown, Ethan Ardelli, Jon Maharaj, Lorne Lofsky, Andrew Marzatto, Jacob Chung and more. In addition to his skills as an alto saxophonist, he is also an avid composer. Mattaus find immense joy in crafting original compositions that leave a lasting impression on the audience. Mattaus challenges conventions, tells stories, and evokes deep emotions through his compositions. Mattaus can't wait to share his passion and creativity with you through his performances and compositions. Stay tuned for what's to come—he's just getting started!

Colin Story Quartet
January 8, 15, 22 & 29 @ 5:30 PM

Colin Story - Guitar, Voice

Thom Gill - Keys

Kurt Nielsen - Bass

Mackenzie Longpre - Drums

No Reservations

$10 Cover Charge

Colin Story is a guitarist, songwriter, and producer with a BMus in Jazz Performance and an MA in English Literature, both from the University of Toronto. He has performed extensively at major jazz festivals across Canada, was nominated for a 2016 JUNO award as a producer and guitarist, and leads an active teaching studio in Kensington Market. He has appeared on recordings with musicians such as Tara Kannangara, Barbra Lica, Lia Pappas-Kemps, and more.

brodie west quintet
january 8, 9, 10, 11 @ 8:30 PM

Brodie West - Sax

Tania Gill - Piano

Josh Cole - Bass

Nick Fraser - Drums

Evan Cartwright - Drums

Alto saxophonist Brodie West's fascination in sound has taken him from Alexandra Park to Addis Ababa. As a bandleader and collaborator he is a key member of Toronto's vibrant creative music scene. Leader of avant-calypso unit Eucalyptus as well as his eponymous quintet, West also regularly performs with the The Ryan Driver Sextet, the Lina Allemano 4, a duo called Ways and an ongoing collaboration with Andrew Zukerman/Fleshtone Aura. Brodie's music has been released by some of Toronto's most celebrated labels, including Healing Power, Pleasence, Blocks Recording Club and Rat-Drifting, while his European connections have put him in the company of legendary art-punks The Ex as well as the late Getatchew Mekuria, the revered veteran of the Ethiopian saxophone.

Originally hailing from Nanaimo, British Columbia, jazz studies at Humber College brought Brodie to Toronto. Emerging as a member of Zebradonk, Deep Dark United and Drumheller, he was soon in demand as a featured guest, adding his spirit to recordings ranging from Broken Social Scene's seminal You Forgot It in People to more recent appearances with Jennifer Castle, Snowblink and Tasseomancy. Studies at the Amsterdam Music Conservatory with Misha Mengelberg lead to musical encounters with percussionist Han Bennink as well as The Ex, culminating in two tours to Ethiopia and the group's collaborative recordings with Getatchew Mekuria. 

West's current artistic practice sees him inspired by the radiant joy of being a father as well as frequent improvised gigs with a wide range of musicians. As a composer working with some of Toronto's leading creative musicians (including Nicole Rampersaud, Ryan Driver, Mike Smith, Nick Fraser, Tania Gill and Evan Cartwright) he is always leading new melodic excursions while his ensembles, often featuring two or even three percussionists, are also exploring fresh rhythmic terrain. 

Brodie West Quintet
january 8, 9, 10, 11 @ 8:30 PM

Brodie West - Sax

Tania Gill - Piano

Josh Cole - Bass

Nick Fraser - Drums

Evan Cartwright - Drums

Alto saxophonist Brodie West's fascination in sound has taken him from Alexandra Park to Addis Ababa. As a bandleader and collaborator he is a key member of Toronto's vibrant creative music scene. Leader of avant-calypso unit Eucalyptus as well as his eponymous quintet, West also regularly performs with the The Ryan Driver Sextet, the Lina Allemano 4, a duo called Ways and an ongoing collaboration with Andrew Zukerman/Fleshtone Aura. Brodie's music has been released by some of Toronto's most celebrated labels, including Healing Power, Pleasence, Blocks Recording Club and Rat-Drifting, while his European connections have put him in the company of legendary art-punks The Ex as well as the late Getatchew Mekuria, the revered veteran of the Ethiopian saxophone.

Originally hailing from Nanaimo, British Columbia, jazz studies at Humber College brought Brodie to Toronto. Emerging as a member of Zebradonk, Deep Dark United and Drumheller, he was soon in demand as a featured guest, adding his spirit to recordings ranging from Broken Social Scene's seminal You Forgot It in People to more recent appearances with Jennifer Castle, Snowblink and Tasseomancy. Studies at the Amsterdam Music Conservatory with Misha Mengelberg lead to musical encounters with percussionist Han Bennink as well as The Ex, culminating in two tours to Ethiopia and the group's collaborative recordings with Getatchew Mekuria. 

West's current artistic practice sees him inspired by the radiant joy of being a father as well as frequent improvised gigs with a wide range of musicians. As a composer working with some of Toronto's leading creative musicians (including Nicole Rampersaud, Ryan Driver, Mike Smith, Nick Fraser, Tania Gill and Evan Cartwright) he is always leading new melodic excursions while his ensembles, often featuring two or even three percussionists, are also exploring fresh rhythmic terrain. 

Worst Pop Band Ever
January 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 @ 5:30 Pm

Chris Gale - Saxophone
Dafydd Hughes - Keys
Drew Birston - Bass
Tim Shia - Drums

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

The Worst Pop Band Ever
With influences ranging from Wayne Shorter to Deerhoof to J Dilla, The Worst Pop Band Ever is a Toronto based group that tries to combine a love of improvisational jazz and indie pop. Individually, the members of the WPBE have worked with a who's who of Canadian and international musicians, from Feist to the Shuffle Demons, but together, whether it be blending acoustic bass with turntables or analog synths with the saxophone, the WPBE sets out to twist and bend both originals and covers, straddling genres and butting heads with expectation. Often compared to Medeski Martin Wood or the Bad Plus, the boys like to think of themselves as the ugly love child of Radiohead and Miles Davis.

Since forming in 2005, they have shared stages/ toured with the likes of the Bad Plus, Happy Apple, Jeff Parker, Rich Brown, Rich Underhill, Kelly Jefferson and Elizabeth Shepherd.
They have played festivals and clubs throughout North America including the TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival, NXNE, the Wreckhouse Jazz Festival (St. John’s, NL), the Ottawa Jazz Festival on Canada Day, IAJE, as well as filling notable venues/clubs like the Rex (Toronto), Schuba's (Chicago), Le Garage (Winnipeg), Yardbird Suite (Edmonton), Bassment (Saskatoon) and the Beat Niq (Calgary), the NAC (Ottawa), and The Cellar (Vancouver). They were recently referred to as a "highlight" of the 2012 TD Canada Trust Jazz festival in Toronto.

The band has just released it's latest EP, "Sometimes Things Go Wrong (and other songs we shouldn't play)". It was recorded live in Vancouver on their last tour while promoting their last album,"Dost Thou Believeth in Science" (2009). Like their first album, “Thanks for Coming Out”(2006), Dost thou received critical acclaim from traditional and online media such as the Toronto Star, Wholenote Magazine, Something Else! (jazz.com), FFWD, and All About Jazz.Com (including being the featured download of the day). The album has received national and international radio rotation, reaching # 1 on the CIUT Charts in Toronto, #28 on the overall Canadian College Radio Charts (Earshot) and was featured on CBC Radio 3.

Their music has also been used for film and videos for the United Nations, Teletoon, CBC and the National Film Board - including the NFB's video tribute to dancer, Peggy Baker at the Governor General Awards. They were shortlisted as part of Toronto's NOW Magazine and the Harbourfront Centre's "Soundclash" competition and were showcased in the June 2012 issue of Canadian Musician.

Brodie West Quintet
january 8, 9, 10, 11 @ 8:30 PM

Brodie West - Sax

Tania Gill - Piano

Josh Cole - Bass

Nick Fraser - Drums

Evan Cartwright - Drums

Alto saxophonist Brodie West's fascination in sound has taken him from Alexandra Park to Addis Ababa. As a bandleader and collaborator he is a key member of Toronto's vibrant creative music scene. Leader of avant-calypso unit Eucalyptus as well as his eponymous quintet, West also regularly performs with the The Ryan Driver Sextet, the Lina Allemano 4, a duo called Ways and an ongoing collaboration with Andrew Zukerman/Fleshtone Aura. Brodie's music has been released by some of Toronto's most celebrated labels, including Healing Power, Pleasence, Blocks Recording Club and Rat-Drifting, while his European connections have put him in the company of legendary art-punks The Ex as well as the late Getatchew Mekuria, the revered veteran of the Ethiopian saxophone.

Originally hailing from Nanaimo, British Columbia, jazz studies at Humber College brought Brodie to Toronto. Emerging as a member of Zebradonk, Deep Dark United and Drumheller, he was soon in demand as a featured guest, adding his spirit to recordings ranging from Broken Social Scene's seminal You Forgot It in People to more recent appearances with Jennifer Castle, Snowblink and Tasseomancy. Studies at the Amsterdam Music Conservatory with Misha Mengelberg lead to musical encounters with percussionist Han Bennink as well as The Ex, culminating in two tours to Ethiopia and the group's collaborative recordings with Getatchew Mekuria.

West's current artistic practice sees him inspired by the radiant joy of being a father as well as frequent improvised gigs with a wide range of musicians. As a composer working with some of Toronto's leading creative musicians (including Nicole Rampersaud, Ryan Driver, Mike Smith, Nick Fraser, Tania Gill and Evan Cartwright) he is always leading new melodic excursions while his ensembles, often featuring two or even three percussionists, are also exploring fresh rhythmic terrain.

N.O.J.O - nEUFELD OCCHIPINTI JAZZ ORCHESTRA
January 11 @ 2:00 PM

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

Michael Occhipinti is a versatile, sound-sculpting guitarist and composer/arranger, who has spent decades freely moving between jazz, chamber music, world music, r&b/funk, and anything involving modern guitar sounds. Michael has received 11 JUNO Award nominations (Canada's Grammy) and 2 JUNO Awards including the 2022 JUNO Award for Jazz Group of the Year as a member of Avataar.  2022 also saw his duo with Elizabeth Shepherd (ES:MO) nominated for Jazz Vocal Album of the Year.    In addition to ES:MO, Michael leads or co-leads several acclaimed groups including The Sicilian Jazz Project, IN ORBIT ( with Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band) on saxophone, and Felix Pastorius on bass), Shine On: The Universe of John Lennon,  The Triodes,  and the acclaimed 16-piece group NOJO (Neufeld-Occhipinti Jazz Orchestra).

Brodie West Quintet
january 8, 9, 10, 11 @ 8:30 PM

Brodie West - Sax

Tania Gill - Piano

Josh Cole - Bass

Nick Fraser - Drums

Evan Cartwright - Drums

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.

Avery Raquel
JANUARY 12 @ 2:00 pm

Avery Raquel – Vocals

Joel Visentin – Piano

$15 Front Section
$10 Back Section

Alternative Soul singer Avery Raquel has been entertaining audiences professionally for over a decade. Having released 4 solo albums now to critical acclaim and airplay across North America and the world, her latest self-titled release, debuted on the Canadian iTunes Top 200 RnB/Soul album chart at #5. Performing across the country, including main-stage performing arts centres, renowned music festivals, club-style venues, and more, Avery continues to wow ever-growing audiences with her fresh style and powerful vocal performances.

Mike Murley Quartet
January 12 & 13@ 8:30 PM

Mike Murley - Saxophone
Kevin Turcotte - Trumpet
Dan Fortin - Bass
Nick Fraser - Drums

An engaging, lyrical saxophonist, Mike Murley is one of Canada’s most celebrated jazz artists.  He has played on fourteen Juno Award-winning recordings since 1990, seven as a leader or co-leader, seven as a sideman.  His most recent Junos include The North (2018), Metalwood’s Twenty (2017) and his trio’s Test of Time (2013).

Murley moved to Toronto from his native Nova Scotia in 1981 and has enjoyed a career that has spanned a wide stylistic spectrum.  Recordings with legendary Canadian artists such as Ed Bickert, Rob McConnell, and Guido Basso showcase the saxophonist’s talents in the mainstream standard repertoire.  On the more contemporary side, Murley has collaborated frequently with younger generations of improviser/composers including pianist David Braid and guitarist David Occhipinti.  He is also well known for his work with the three-time Juno Award winning electric jazz group Metalwood. In addition, he has recorded and performed with numerous international artists including David Liebman, Renee Rosnes, John Schofield, Norma Winstone, as well as the late Paul Bley, John Abercrombie, and Kenny Wheeler.

As an educator Murley has held positions at the University of Toronto, York University, Humber College, and as a visiting member of faculty at the Banff School of Fine Arts.  He also served as Jazz Area Chair/Coordinator at both U of T (2016-18, 2020-21) and York (2008-11). 

In 2022 Murley retired from U of T and returned to Halifax NS, from where he continues to tour nationally and internationally.

Mike Murley Quartet
January 12 & 13@ 8:30 PM

Mike Murley - Saxophone
Kevin Turcotte - Trumpet
Dan Fortin - Bass
Nick Fraser - Drums

An engaging, lyrical saxophonist, Mike Murley is one of Canada’s most celebrated jazz artists.  He has played on fourteen Juno Award-winning recordings since 1990, seven as a leader or co-leader, seven as a sideman.  His most recent Junos include The North (2018), Metalwood’s Twenty (2017) and his trio’s Test of Time (2013).

Murley moved to Toronto from his native Nova Scotia in 1981 and has enjoyed a career that has spanned a wide stylistic spectrum.  Recordings with legendary Canadian artists such as Ed Bickert, Rob McConnell, and Guido Basso showcase the saxophonist’s talents in the mainstream standard repertoire.  On the more contemporary side, Murley has collaborated frequently with younger generations of improviser/composers including pianist David Braid and guitarist David Occhipinti.  He is also well known for his work with the three-time Juno Award winning electric jazz group Metalwood. In addition, he has recorded and performed with numerous international artists including David Liebman, Renee Rosnes, John Schofield, Norma Winstone, as well as the late Paul Bley, John Abercrombie, and Kenny Wheeler.

As an educator Murley has held positions at the University of Toronto, York University, Humber College, and as a visiting member of faculty at the Banff School of Fine Arts.  He also served as Jazz Area Chair/Coordinator at both U of T (2016-18, 2020-21) and York (2008-11). 

In 2022 Murley retired from U of T and returned to Halifax NS, from where he continues to tour nationally and internationally.

MATTAUS GRETZINGER QUARTET
January 7, 14, 21 & 28 @5:30 PM

Mattaus Gretzinger - Saxophone

Eric Liang - Piano

Jack Johnston - Bass

Norbert Botos - Drums

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Mattaus Gretzinger is a saxophonist, composer and teacher based in the dynamic city of Toronto.  Hailing from Oakville, Ontario, he discovered his love for the saxophone in 7th grade, finding any opportunity he could to learn more about the instrument. He has poured his heart and soul into mastering the saxophone, and constantly pushes boundaries to create a unique and captivating musical voice. Mattaus Gretzinger can be found playing around Toronto at venues such as The Rex, Jazz Bistro and Drom Taberna as well as theatre shows and corporate events. Mattaus has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with the likes of Terri Lynne Carrington, Rich Brown, Ethan Ardelli, Jon Maharaj, Lorne Lofsky, Andrew Marzatto, Jacob Chung and more. In addition to his skills as an alto saxophonist, he is also an avid composer. Mattaus find immense joy in crafting original compositions that leave a lasting impression on the audience. Mattaus challenges conventions, tells stories, and evokes deep emotions through his compositions. Mattaus can't wait to share his passion and creativity with you through his performances and compositions. Stay tuned for what's to come—he's just getting started!

Colin Story Quartet
January 8, 15, 22 & 29 @ 5:30 PM

Colin Story - Guitar, Voice

Kurt Nielsen - Bass

Mackenzie Longpre - Drums

No Reservations

$10 Cover Charge

Colin Story is a guitarist, songwriter, and producer with a BMus in Jazz Performance and an MA in English Literature, both from the University of Toronto. He has performed extensively at major jazz festivals across Canada, was nominated for a 2016 JUNO award as a producer and guitarist, and leads an active teaching studio in Kensington Market. He has appeared on recordings with musicians such as Tara Kannangara, Barbra Lica, Lia Pappas-Kemps, and more.

Ted Quinlan Quartet
January 15, 16, 17, 18 @ 8:30 PM

Ted Quinlan - Guitar
Brian Dickinson - Piano
Mike Downes - Bass
Ted Warren - Drums

Ted Quinlan is regarded as one of Canada’s top guitar players. His skills are highly in demand as a jazz player, session musician, writer and educator. As a busy sideman Ted has performed with Chet Baker, Freddie Hubbard, Jimmy Smith, Joey DeFrancesco, Michael Brecker, Dave Holland, Maria Schneider and Dave Liebman. His debut CD “As If” received a Juno nomination for Contemporary Jazz. It was followed by “Streetscape” which features him in a trio setting and “Around the Bend”, a duo collaboration with piano great Brian Dickinson. His latest recording “Absolutely Dreaming” is scheduled for release in the fall of 2019.

Ted’s other numerous recording credits include his performances on Mike Downes’ Juno winning CD’s “Ripple Effect” and “Root Structure”, Doug Riley’s “Con Alma”, Radioland Records’ ” Tribute to Wes Montgomery”, Phil Dwyer’s ” Road Stories”, Dave Restivo’s ” Prayer for Humankindness”, Ted Warren’s ” First Time Caller”, David Clayton-Thomas’ “Combo” and “Canadiana” and Nancy Walker’s “New Heiroglyphics” and “ ‘Til Now Is Secret”. Ted is the former Head of the Guitar Department at Humber College’s Music Program in Toronto.

Ted Quinlan Quartet
January 15, 16, 17, 18 @ 8:30 PM

Ted Quinlan - Guitar
Brian Dickinson - Piano
Mike Downes - Bass
Ted Warren - Drums

Ted Quinlan is regarded as one of Canada’s top guitar players. His skills are highly in demand as a jazz player, session musician, writer and educator. As a busy sideman Ted has performed with Chet Baker, Freddie Hubbard, Jimmy Smith, Joey DeFrancesco, Michael Brecker, Dave Holland, Maria Schneider and Dave Liebman. His debut CD “As If” received a Juno nomination for Contemporary Jazz. It was followed by “Streetscape” which features him in a trio setting and “Around the Bend”, a duo collaboration with piano great Brian Dickinson. His latest recording “Absolutely Dreaming” is scheduled for release in the fall of 2019.

Ted’s other numerous recording credits include his performances on Mike Downes’ Juno winning CD’s “Ripple Effect” and “Root Structure”, Doug Riley’s “Con Alma”, Radioland Records’ ” Tribute to Wes Montgomery”, Phil Dwyer’s ” Road Stories”, Dave Restivo’s ” Prayer for Humankindness”, Ted Warren’s ” First Time Caller”, David Clayton-Thomas’ “Combo” and “Canadiana” and Nancy Walker’s “New Heiroglyphics” and “ ‘Til Now Is Secret”. Ted is the former Head of the Guitar Department at Humber College’s Music Program in Toronto.

Worst Pop Band Ever
January 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 @ 5:30 Pm

Chris Gale - Saxophone
Dafydd Hughes - Keys
Drew Birston - Bass
Tim Shia - Drums

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

The Worst Pop Band Ever
With influences ranging from Wayne Shorter to Deerhoof to J Dilla, The Worst Pop Band Ever is a Toronto based group that tries to combine a love of improvisational jazz and indie pop. Individually, the members of the WPBE have worked with a who's who of Canadian and international musicians, from Feist to the Shuffle Demons, but together, whether it be blending acoustic bass with turntables or analog synths with the saxophone, the WPBE sets out to twist and bend both originals and covers, straddling genres and butting heads with expectation. Often compared to Medeski Martin Wood or the Bad Plus, the boys like to think of themselves as the ugly love child of Radiohead and Miles Davis.

Since forming in 2005, they have shared stages/ toured with the likes of the Bad Plus, Happy Apple, Jeff Parker, Rich Brown, Rich Underhill, Kelly Jefferson and Elizabeth Shepherd.
They have played festivals and clubs throughout North America including the TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival, NXNE, the Wreckhouse Jazz Festival (St. John’s, NL), the Ottawa Jazz Festival on Canada Day, IAJE, as well as filling notable venues/clubs like the Rex (Toronto), Schuba's (Chicago), Le Garage (Winnipeg), Yardbird Suite (Edmonton), Bassment (Saskatoon) and the Beat Niq (Calgary), the NAC (Ottawa), and The Cellar (Vancouver). They were recently referred to as a "highlight" of the 2012 TD Canada Trust Jazz festival in Toronto.

The band has just released it's latest EP, "Sometimes Things Go Wrong (and other songs we shouldn't play)". It was recorded live in Vancouver on their last tour while promoting their last album,"Dost Thou Believeth in Science" (2009). Like their first album, “Thanks for Coming Out”(2006), Dost thou received critical acclaim from traditional and online media such as the Toronto Star, Wholenote Magazine, Something Else! (jazz.com), FFWD, and All About Jazz.Com (including being the featured download of the day). The album has received national and international radio rotation, reaching # 1 on the CIUT Charts in Toronto, #28 on the overall Canadian College Radio Charts (Earshot) and was featured on CBC Radio 3.

Their music has also been used for film and videos for the United Nations, Teletoon, CBC and the National Film Board - including the NFB's video tribute to dancer, Peggy Baker at the Governor General Awards. They were shortlisted as part of Toronto's NOW Magazine and the Harbourfront Centre's "Soundclash" competition and were showcased in the June 2012 issue of Canadian Musician.

Ted Quinlan Quartet
January 15, 16, 17, 18 @ 8:30 PM

Ted Quinlan - Guitar
Brian Dickinson - Piano
Mike Downes - Bass
Ted Warren - Drums

Ted Quinlan is regarded as one of Canada’s top guitar players. His skills are highly in demand as a jazz player, session musician, writer and educator. As a busy sideman Ted has performed with Chet Baker, Freddie Hubbard, Jimmy Smith, Joey DeFrancesco, Michael Brecker, Dave Holland, Maria Schneider and Dave Liebman. His debut CD “As If” received a Juno nomination for Contemporary Jazz. It was followed by “Streetscape” which features him in a trio setting and “Around the Bend”, a duo collaboration with piano great Brian Dickinson. His latest recording “Absolutely Dreaming” is scheduled for release in the fall of 2019.

Ted’s other numerous recording credits include his performances on Mike Downes’ Juno winning CD’s “Ripple Effect” and “Root Structure”, Doug Riley’s “Con Alma”, Radioland Records’ ” Tribute to Wes Montgomery”, Phil Dwyer’s ” Road Stories”, Dave Restivo’s ” Prayer for Humankindness”, Ted Warren’s ” First Time Caller”, David Clayton-Thomas’ “Combo” and “Canadiana” and Nancy Walker’s “New Heiroglyphics” and “ ‘Til Now Is Secret”. Ted is the former Head of the Guitar Department at Humber College’s Music Program in Toronto.

The Jazz Mechanics Big Band
January 18 @ 2:00pm

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

Ted Quinlan Quartet
January 15, 16, 17, 18 @ 8:30 PM

Ted Quinlan - Guitar
Brian Dickinson - Piano
Mike Downes - Bass
Ted Warren - Drums

Ted Quinlan is regarded as one of Canada’s top guitar players. His skills are highly in demand as a jazz player, session musician, writer and educator. As a busy sideman Ted has performed with Chet Baker, Freddie Hubbard, Jimmy Smith, Joey DeFrancesco, Michael Brecker, Dave Holland, Maria Schneider and Dave Liebman. His debut CD “As If” received a Juno nomination for Contemporary Jazz. It was followed by “Streetscape” which features him in a trio setting and “Around the Bend”, a duo collaboration with piano great Brian Dickinson. His latest recording “Absolutely Dreaming” is scheduled for release in the fall of 2019.

Ted’s other numerous recording credits include his performances on Mike Downes’ Juno winning CD’s “Ripple Effect” and “Root Structure”, Doug Riley’s “Con Alma”, Radioland Records’ ” Tribute to Wes Montgomery”, Phil Dwyer’s ” Road Stories”, Dave Restivo’s ” Prayer for Humankindness”, Ted Warren’s ” First Time Caller”, David Clayton-Thomas’ “Combo” and “Canadiana” and Nancy Walker’s “New Heiroglyphics” and “ ‘Til Now Is Secret”. Ted is the former Head of the Guitar Department at Humber College’s Music Program in Toronto.

John Alcorn
JANUARY 19 @ 2:00 pm

John Alcorn – Vocals

Reg Schwager – Guitar

Pat Collins - Bass

$15 Front Section
$10 Back Section

Back to The Songbird Series by Popular Demand: John Alcorn is one of Canada’s premiere jazz vocalists, delivering his distinctive renditions of jazz standards on the most prestigious bandstands and concert stages across Canada. His list of citations and acknowledgements in music and theatre includes both Jazz Report (Male Vocalist of the Year) and Dora (Outstanding Music) awards. His most recent recording, “Flying Without Wings,” featured an all-star Canadian trio – Reg Schwager (guitar), Mark Eisenman (piano) and Steve Wallace (bass) – along with New York great, Warren Vaché (cornet).

Ralf Buschmeyer Organ trio
January 19 @ 8:30 PM

Ralf Buschmeyer - Guitar
Jeff McLeod - Organ
Morgan Childs - Drums

New york’s uri gurvich quintet
January 20 @ 8:30 PM

Uri Gurvich - Saxophone
Noam Lemish - Piano
Andrew Downing - Bass

Ernesto Cervini - Drums

MATTAUS GRETZINGER QUARTET
January 7, 14, 21 & 28 @5:30 PM

Mattaus Gretzinger - Saxophone

Eric Liang - Piano

Jack Johnston - Bass

Norbert Botos - Drums

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Mattaus Gretzinger is a saxophonist, composer and teacher based in the dynamic city of Toronto.  Hailing from Oakville, Ontario, he discovered his love for the saxophone in 7th grade, finding any opportunity he could to learn more about the instrument. He has poured his heart and soul into mastering the saxophone, and constantly pushes boundaries to create a unique and captivating musical voice. Mattaus Gretzinger can be found playing around Toronto at venues such as The Rex, Jazz Bistro and Drom Taberna as well as theatre shows and corporate events. Mattaus has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with the likes of Terri Lynne Carrington, Rich Brown, Ethan Ardelli, Jon Maharaj, Lorne Lofsky, Andrew Marzatto, Jacob Chung and more. In addition to his skills as an alto saxophonist, he is also an avid composer. Mattaus find immense joy in crafting original compositions that leave a lasting impression on the audience. Mattaus challenges conventions, tells stories, and evokes deep emotions through his compositions. Mattaus can't wait to share his passion and creativity with you through his performances and compositions. Stay tuned for what's to come—he's just getting started!

Colin Story Quartet
January 8, 15, 22 & 29 @ 5:30 PM

Colin Story - Guitar, voice

Thom Gill - Keys

Kurt Nielsen - Bass

Jon Catanus - Drums

No Reservations

$10 Cover Charge

Colin Story is a guitarist, songwriter, and producer with a BMus in Jazz Performance and an MA in English Literature, both from the University of Toronto. He has performed extensively at major jazz festivals across Canada, was nominated for a 2016 JUNO award as a producer and guitarist, and leads an active teaching studio in Kensington Market. He has appeared on recordings with musicians such as Tara Kannangara, Barbra Lica, Lia Pappas-Kemps, and more.

Worst Pop Band Ever
January 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 @ 5:30 Pm

Chris Gale - Saxophone
Dafydd Hughes - Keys
Drew Birston - Bass
Tim Shia - Drums

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

The Worst Pop Band Ever
With influences ranging from Wayne Shorter to Deerhoof to J Dilla, The Worst Pop Band Ever is a Toronto based group that tries to combine a love of improvisational jazz and indie pop. Individually, the members of the WPBE have worked with a who's who of Canadian and international musicians, from Feist to the Shuffle Demons, but together, whether it be blending acoustic bass with turntables or analog synths with the saxophone, the WPBE sets out to twist and bend both originals and covers, straddling genres and butting heads with expectation. Often compared to Medeski Martin Wood or the Bad Plus, the boys like to think of themselves as the ugly love child of Radiohead and Miles Davis.

Since forming in 2005, they have shared stages/ toured with the likes of the Bad Plus, Happy Apple, Jeff Parker, Rich Brown, Rich Underhill, Kelly Jefferson and Elizabeth Shepherd.
They have played festivals and clubs throughout North America including the TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival, NXNE, the Wreckhouse Jazz Festival (St. John’s, NL), the Ottawa Jazz Festival on Canada Day, IAJE, as well as filling notable venues/clubs like the Rex (Toronto), Schuba's (Chicago), Le Garage (Winnipeg), Yardbird Suite (Edmonton), Bassment (Saskatoon) and the Beat Niq (Calgary), the NAC (Ottawa), and The Cellar (Vancouver). They were recently referred to as a "highlight" of the 2012 TD Canada Trust Jazz festival in Toronto.

The band has just released it's latest EP, "Sometimes Things Go Wrong (and other songs we shouldn't play)". It was recorded live in Vancouver on their last tour while promoting their last album,"Dost Thou Believeth in Science" (2009). Like their first album, “Thanks for Coming Out”(2006), Dost thou received critical acclaim from traditional and online media such as the Toronto Star, Wholenote Magazine, Something Else! (jazz.com), FFWD, and All About Jazz.Com (including being the featured download of the day). The album has received national and international radio rotation, reaching # 1 on the CIUT Charts in Toronto, #28 on the overall Canadian College Radio Charts (Earshot) and was featured on CBC Radio 3.

Their music has also been used for film and videos for the United Nations, Teletoon, CBC and the National Film Board - including the NFB's video tribute to dancer, Peggy Baker at the Governor General Awards. They were shortlisted as part of Toronto's NOW Magazine and the Harbourfront Centre's "Soundclash" competition and were showcased in the June 2012 issue of Canadian Musician.

Tia Brazda Trio
JANUARY 26 @ 2:00 pm

Tia Brazda – Vocals

Mike Freedman – Guitar

Ethan Tilbury - Bass

$15 Front Section
$10 Back Section

One of Canada’s most recognizable voices in jazz, Tia Brazda’s jazz-pop songwriting and engaging performances have established her as a unique presence both at home and abroad. Jazzwise Magazine (UK) says, “A vivacious vocal and a sense of jazz inflected elasticity in her delivery” while WholeNote Magazine declares, “she has a fully formed style that is wholly her own...spinning lines to unfold with bewitching beauty.” Originally from Vancouver, Brazda now resides in Toronto and is currently working on an upcoming album to be released in 2024.

nick adema octet
January 26 @ 8:30 PM

Nick Adema - Trombone

Alex Manoukas, David Hodgson & Brennen Parmar - Saxophone

Evan Dalling - Trumpet

Josh Smiley - Piano

Leighton Harrell - Bass

Keith Barstow - Drums

Exploring the plurality of sonic environments is Nick Adema’s forte. Using the modest nature of the slide to express his musical vigour, Nick is one of the most versatile trombonists coming out of Canada. Hailing from the nation's capital Ottawa, Nick quickly came onto the scene as a curious mind who embraced spontaneity and playfulness in his music.

Inspired by his mother, Nicholas used the Covid-19 pandemic as an opportunity to create a full length album demiLAN (released October 22nd 2021), in which he shows off his broad creativity as a writer, and creates a masterful performance alongside several flourishing/up-and-coming musicians. This body of work features a three horn lineup, vocals , and a full rhythm section. The band tackles compositions that are experimental, modern and energetic in nature. As a result, this ensemble captures an energetic, brave and thoughtful performance that is one of a kind.

Nick obtained his undergraduate degree in jazz performance at the University of Toronto. While attending this school, Nick had the honors of receiving the Albert & Wilhelmine Francis Renewable Scholarship (UofT Faculty full scholarship). While at the Toronto school, he filled the lead trombone chair in the University of Toronto Jazz Orchestra, and the Bass trombone chair in the University of Toronto 12tet. While at the school, they recorded a full length album with the UTJO entitled Embargo.

Growing up in Ottawa, Nick started to find his musical voice by playing with youth groups such as the Nepean All-City Jazz Band, the Ottawa Youth Orchestra, the Conn Selmer Big Band, and the Capital Youth Jazz Orchestra. Nick’s several projects in Ottawa stretched from composing and arranging Big Band charts, creating his own performance opportunities, helping to coordinate an entire alumni concert for the Nepean All-City Jazz band and much more. Nick performs regularly with many professional Ottawa bands such as the Prime Rib Big Band, the Bank Street Bon Bons, and the Ottawa Jazz Orchestra. Nick has also taken part in the Ottawa Youth Jazz Summit, which brought together some of Canada’s brightest young jazz musicians in a ten day intensive. This resulted in the group playing the main stage of the Ottawa Jazz Festival. In April 2019, Nick released his debut EP album recording, entitled “Nick Adema: Starting Point”.

Nick has had the opportunity to gain instruction from Micheal Dease, Marshall Gilkes, Nils Wolgram, Mark Ferguson, WIlliam Carn, and has been able to perform on the same stage with Tim Hagans, Renee Rosnes, Kris Davis and Andrew Rathbun in various academic engagements.

John Macleod’s Rex Hotel Orchestra
January 27 @ 8:30 PM

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

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".

MATTAUS GRETZINGER QUARTET
January 7, 14, 21 & 28 @5:30 PM

Mattaus Gretzinger - Saxophone

Eric Liang - Piano

Jack Johnston - Bass

Norbert Botos - Drums

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Mattaus Gretzinger is a saxophonist, composer and teacher based in the dynamic city of Toronto.  Hailing from Oakville, Ontario, he discovered his love for the saxophone in 7th grade, finding any opportunity he could to learn more about the instrument. He has poured his heart and soul into mastering the saxophone, and constantly pushes boundaries to create a unique and captivating musical voice. Mattaus Gretzinger can be found playing around Toronto at venues such as The Rex, Jazz Bistro and Drom Taberna as well as theatre shows and corporate events. Mattaus has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with the likes of Terri Lynne Carrington, Rich Brown, Ethan Ardelli, Jon Maharaj, Lorne Lofsky, Andrew Marzatto, Jacob Chung and more. In addition to his skills as an alto saxophonist, he is also an avid composer. Mattaus find immense joy in crafting original compositions that leave a lasting impression on the audience. Mattaus challenges conventions, tells stories, and evokes deep emotions through his compositions. Mattaus can't wait to share his passion and creativity with you through his performances and compositions. Stay tuned for what's to come—he's just getting started!

Colin Story Quartet
January 8, 15, 22 & 29 @ 5:30 PM

Colin Story - Guitar, voice

Thom Gill - Keys

Kurt Nielsen - Bass

Mackenzie Longpre - Drums

No Reservations

$10 Cover Charge

Colin Story is a guitarist, songwriter, and producer with a BMus in Jazz Performance and an MA in English Literature, both from the University of Toronto. He has performed extensively at major jazz festivals across Canada, was nominated for a 2016 JUNO award as a producer and guitarist, and leads an active teaching studio in Kensington Market. He has appeared on recordings with musicians such as Tara Kannangara, Barbra Lica, Lia Pappas-Kemps, and more.

Barry Elmes Quintet
january 29, 30, 31 & February 1st

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

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

Barry Elmes Quintet
january 29, 30, 31 & February 1st

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

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

Worst Pop Band Ever
January 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 @ 5:30 Pm

Chris Gale - Saxophone
Dafydd Hughes - Keys
Drew Birston - Bass
Tim Shia - Drums

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

The Worst Pop Band Ever
With influences ranging from Wayne Shorter to Deerhoof to J Dilla, The Worst Pop Band Ever is a Toronto based group that tries to combine a love of improvisational jazz and indie pop. Individually, the members of the WPBE have worked with a who's who of Canadian and international musicians, from Feist to the Shuffle Demons, but together, whether it be blending acoustic bass with turntables or analog synths with the saxophone, the WPBE sets out to twist and bend both originals and covers, straddling genres and butting heads with expectation. Often compared to Medeski Martin Wood or the Bad Plus, the boys like to think of themselves as the ugly love child of Radiohead and Miles Davis.

Since forming in 2005, they have shared stages/ toured with the likes of the Bad Plus, Happy Apple, Jeff Parker, Rich Brown, Rich Underhill, Kelly Jefferson and Elizabeth Shepherd.
They have played festivals and clubs throughout North America including the TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival, NXNE, the Wreckhouse Jazz Festival (St. John’s, NL), the Ottawa Jazz Festival on Canada Day, IAJE, as well as filling notable venues/clubs like the Rex (Toronto), Schuba's (Chicago), Le Garage (Winnipeg), Yardbird Suite (Edmonton), Bassment (Saskatoon) and the Beat Niq (Calgary), the NAC (Ottawa), and The Cellar (Vancouver). They were recently referred to as a "highlight" of the 2012 TD Canada Trust Jazz festival in Toronto.

The band has just released it's latest EP, "Sometimes Things Go Wrong (and other songs we shouldn't play)". It was recorded live in Vancouver on their last tour while promoting their last album,"Dost Thou Believeth in Science" (2009). Like their first album, “Thanks for Coming Out”(2006), Dost thou received critical acclaim from traditional and online media such as the Toronto Star, Wholenote Magazine, Something Else! (jazz.com), FFWD, and All About Jazz.Com (including being the featured download of the day). The album has received national and international radio rotation, reaching # 1 on the CIUT Charts in Toronto, #28 on the overall Canadian College Radio Charts (Earshot) and was featured on CBC Radio 3.

Their music has also been used for film and videos for the United Nations, Teletoon, CBC and the National Film Board - including the NFB's video tribute to dancer, Peggy Baker at the Governor General Awards. They were shortlisted as part of Toronto's NOW Magazine and the Harbourfront Centre's "Soundclash" competition and were showcased in the June 2012 issue of Canadian Musician.

Barry Elmes Quintet
january 29, 30, 31 & February 1st

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

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

Barry Elmes Quintet
january 29, 30, 31 & February 1st

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

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

L.A.’s Steve Lehman Quartet Feat. Mark Turner
February 5, 6, 7, 8 @ 8:30pm

L.A.’s STEVE LEHMAN - Sax
N.Y.’s MARK TURNER - Sax
N.Y.’s MATT BREWER - Bass
N.Y.’s DAMION REID - Drums

Steve Lehman:

Described as “one of the transforming figures of early 21st century jazz,” by The Guardian and as a “state-of-the-art musical thinker” by The New York Times, Steve Lehman is a composer, performer, educator, and scholar who works across a broad spectrum of experimental musical idioms. Lehman’s pieces for large orchestra and chamber ensembles have been performed by the American Composers Orchestra, International Contemporary Ensemble, So Percussion, JACK Quartet, and the PRISM Saxophone Quartet. His recent recording, The People I Love, was cited as one of the “Top 10 Jazz Albums” of 2019 by NPR Music, Rolling Stone, The Los Angeles Times, and The New York Times. His previous recordings include, Sélébéyone (2016), Mise en Abîme (NPR #1 Jazz Album of 2014), and Travail, Transformation & Flow (NY Times #1 Jazz Album of 2009).

The recipient of a 2015 Guggenheim Fellowship and a 2014 Doris Duke Artist Award, Lehman is an alto saxophonist who has performed and recorded nationally and internationally with his own ensembles and with those led by Anthony Braxton, Vijay Iyer, George Lewis, Bennie Maupin, Jason Moran, Georgia-Anne Muldrow, Meshell Ndegeocello, Tyshawn Sorey, and High Priest of Antipop Consortium, among many others. He has taught undergraduate courses at Columbia University and the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, and is currently a professor of music at the California Institute of the Arts near Los Angeles.

Mark Turner:

In a career that spans two decades and encompasses a broad array of musical ventures, saxophonist Mark Turner has emerged as a towering presence in the jazz community. With a distinctive, personal tone, singular improvisational skills and an innovative, challenging compositional approach, he’s earned a far-reaching reputation as one of jazz’s most original and influential musical forces.

A New York Times profile of Turner titled “The Best Jazz Player You’ve Never Heard” called him “possibly jazz’s premier player,” noting his reputation amongst his peers and his influential stature in the jazz world.

2013 finds Turner entering an exciting new creative phase, with his varied talents showcased on a variety of notable new recording projects. Later this year, he’ll release his sixth album as a leader—his first under his own name in a dozen years. He’s also featured on new or upcoming releases by pianist Stefano Bollani, guitarist Gilad Hekselman, pianist Baptiste Trotignon and the Billy Hart Quartet, of which Turner’s been a member for nearly a decade and with whom he recorded two previous albums. He’s also continuing his work as a member of Fly, a collaborative trio with bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Jeff Ballard.

Those projects add to an already expansive body of work that encompasses Turner’s own widely acclaimed albums and an assortment of collaborations, along with his prolific work as an in-demand sideman. Turner’s diverse discography includes collaborations with many of jazz’s leading lights, including Kurt Rosenwinkel, Lee Konitz, James Moody, Dave Holland, Joshua Redman, Delfeayo Marsalis, Brad Mehldau, Reid Anderson, Omer Avital, Diego Barber, David Binney, Brian Blade, Seamus Blake, Chris Cheek, George Colligan, Gary Foster, Jon Gordon, Aaron Goldberg, Ethan Iverson, Jonny King, Ryan Kisor, Guillermo Klein, Matthias Lupri, OAM Trio, Mikkel Ploug, Enrico Rava, Jochen Rueckert, Jaleel Shaw, Edward Simon and the SF Jazz Collective.

Born in 1965 in Ohio and raised in Southern California, Turner grew up surrounded by music. “There was always a lot of R&B and jazz and soul and gospel going on in the house all the time,” he recalls. “This was in the early ’70s, when the whole integration and civil rights thing had begun to go mainstream, and my mother and stepfather were in the first wave of young black professionals and intellectuals who moved to upper-middle-class white neighborhoods. They and their friends were always going out to see live jazz. I was intrigued by that, and I was intrigued by the whole history of jazz music and African-American culture, as well as the music itself. And my father, who died when I was one and a half, had played saxophone, so maybe I was looking for a connection with him too.”

L.A.’s Steve Lehman Quartet Feat. MArk Turner
February 5, 6, 7, 8 @ 8:30pm

L.A.’s STEVE LEHMAN - Sax
N.Y.’s MARK TURNER - Sax
N.Y.’s MATT BREWER - Bass
N.Y.’s DAMION REID - Drums

Steve Lehman:

Described as “one of the transforming figures of early 21st century jazz,” by The Guardian and as a “state-of-the-art musical thinker” by The New York Times, Steve Lehman is a composer, performer, educator, and scholar who works across a broad spectrum of experimental musical idioms. Lehman’s pieces for large orchestra and chamber ensembles have been performed by the American Composers Orchestra, International Contemporary Ensemble, So Percussion, JACK Quartet, and the PRISM Saxophone Quartet. His recent recording, The People I Love, was cited as one of the “Top 10 Jazz Albums” of 2019 by NPR Music, Rolling Stone, The Los Angeles Times, and The New York Times. His previous recordings include, Sélébéyone (2016), Mise en Abîme (NPR #1 Jazz Album of 2014), and Travail, Transformation & Flow (NY Times #1 Jazz Album of 2009).

The recipient of a 2015 Guggenheim Fellowship and a 2014 Doris Duke Artist Award, Lehman is an alto saxophonist who has performed and recorded nationally and internationally with his own ensembles and with those led by Anthony Braxton, Vijay Iyer, George Lewis, Bennie Maupin, Jason Moran, Georgia-Anne Muldrow, Meshell Ndegeocello, Tyshawn Sorey, and High Priest of Antipop Consortium, among many others. He has taught undergraduate courses at Columbia University and the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, and is currently a professor of music at the California Institute of the Arts near Los Angeles.

Mark Turner:

In a career that spans two decades and encompasses a broad array of musical ventures, saxophonist Mark Turner has emerged as a towering presence in the jazz community. With a distinctive, personal tone, singular improvisational skills and an innovative, challenging compositional approach, he’s earned a far-reaching reputation as one of jazz’s most original and influential musical forces.

A New York Times profile of Turner titled “The Best Jazz Player You’ve Never Heard” called him “possibly jazz’s premier player,” noting his reputation amongst his peers and his influential stature in the jazz world.

2013 finds Turner entering an exciting new creative phase, with his varied talents showcased on a variety of notable new recording projects. Later this year, he’ll release his sixth album as a leader—his first under his own name in a dozen years. He’s also featured on new or upcoming releases by pianist Stefano Bollani, guitarist Gilad Hekselman, pianist Baptiste Trotignon and the Billy Hart Quartet, of which Turner’s been a member for nearly a decade and with whom he recorded two previous albums. He’s also continuing his work as a member of Fly, a collaborative trio with bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Jeff Ballard.

Those projects add to an already expansive body of work that encompasses Turner’s own widely acclaimed albums and an assortment of collaborations, along with his prolific work as an in-demand sideman. Turner’s diverse discography includes collaborations with many of jazz’s leading lights, including Kurt Rosenwinkel, Lee Konitz, James Moody, Dave Holland, Joshua Redman, Delfeayo Marsalis, Brad Mehldau, Reid Anderson, Omer Avital, Diego Barber, David Binney, Brian Blade, Seamus Blake, Chris Cheek, George Colligan, Gary Foster, Jon Gordon, Aaron Goldberg, Ethan Iverson, Jonny King, Ryan Kisor, Guillermo Klein, Matthias Lupri, OAM Trio, Mikkel Ploug, Enrico Rava, Jochen Rueckert, Jaleel Shaw, Edward Simon and the SF Jazz Collective.

Born in 1965 in Ohio and raised in Southern California, Turner grew up surrounded by music. “There was always a lot of R&B and jazz and soul and gospel going on in the house all the time,” he recalls. “This was in the early ’70s, when the whole integration and civil rights thing had begun to go mainstream, and my mother and stepfather were in the first wave of young black professionals and intellectuals who moved to upper-middle-class white neighborhoods. They and their friends were always going out to see live jazz. I was intrigued by that, and I was intrigued by the whole history of jazz music and African-American culture, as well as the music itself. And my father, who died when I was one and a half, had played saxophone, so maybe I was looking for a connection with him too.”

L.A.’s Steve Lehman Quartet Feat. MArk Turner
February 5, 6, 7, 8 @ 8:30pm

L.A.’s STEVE LEHMAN - Sax
N.Y.’s MARK TURNER - Sax
N.Y.’s MATT BREWER - Bass
N.Y.’s DAMION REID - Drums

Steve Lehman:

Described as “one of the transforming figures of early 21st century jazz,” by The Guardian and as a “state-of-the-art musical thinker” by The New York Times, Steve Lehman is a composer, performer, educator, and scholar who works across a broad spectrum of experimental musical idioms. Lehman’s pieces for large orchestra and chamber ensembles have been performed by the American Composers Orchestra, International Contemporary Ensemble, So Percussion, JACK Quartet, and the PRISM Saxophone Quartet. His recent recording, The People I Love, was cited as one of the “Top 10 Jazz Albums” of 2019 by NPR Music, Rolling Stone, The Los Angeles Times, and The New York Times. His previous recordings include, Sélébéyone (2016), Mise en Abîme (NPR #1 Jazz Album of 2014), and Travail, Transformation & Flow (NY Times #1 Jazz Album of 2009).

The recipient of a 2015 Guggenheim Fellowship and a 2014 Doris Duke Artist Award, Lehman is an alto saxophonist who has performed and recorded nationally and internationally with his own ensembles and with those led by Anthony Braxton, Vijay Iyer, George Lewis, Bennie Maupin, Jason Moran, Georgia-Anne Muldrow, Meshell Ndegeocello, Tyshawn Sorey, and High Priest of Antipop Consortium, among many others. He has taught undergraduate courses at Columbia University and the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, and is currently a professor of music at the California Institute of the Arts near Los Angeles.

Mark Turner:

In a career that spans two decades and encompasses a broad array of musical ventures, saxophonist Mark Turner has emerged as a towering presence in the jazz community. With a distinctive, personal tone, singular improvisational skills and an innovative, challenging compositional approach, he’s earned a far-reaching reputation as one of jazz’s most original and influential musical forces.

A New York Times profile of Turner titled “The Best Jazz Player You’ve Never Heard” called him “possibly jazz’s premier player,” noting his reputation amongst his peers and his influential stature in the jazz world.

2013 finds Turner entering an exciting new creative phase, with his varied talents showcased on a variety of notable new recording projects. Later this year, he’ll release his sixth album as a leader—his first under his own name in a dozen years. He’s also featured on new or upcoming releases by pianist Stefano Bollani, guitarist Gilad Hekselman, pianist Baptiste Trotignon and the Billy Hart Quartet, of which Turner’s been a member for nearly a decade and with whom he recorded two previous albums. He’s also continuing his work as a member of Fly, a collaborative trio with bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Jeff Ballard.

Those projects add to an already expansive body of work that encompasses Turner’s own widely acclaimed albums and an assortment of collaborations, along with his prolific work as an in-demand sideman. Turner’s diverse discography includes collaborations with many of jazz’s leading lights, including Kurt Rosenwinkel, Lee Konitz, James Moody, Dave Holland, Joshua Redman, Delfeayo Marsalis, Brad Mehldau, Reid Anderson, Omer Avital, Diego Barber, David Binney, Brian Blade, Seamus Blake, Chris Cheek, George Colligan, Gary Foster, Jon Gordon, Aaron Goldberg, Ethan Iverson, Jonny King, Ryan Kisor, Guillermo Klein, Matthias Lupri, OAM Trio, Mikkel Ploug, Enrico Rava, Jochen Rueckert, Jaleel Shaw, Edward Simon and the SF Jazz Collective.

Born in 1965 in Ohio and raised in Southern California, Turner grew up surrounded by music. “There was always a lot of R&B and jazz and soul and gospel going on in the house all the time,” he recalls. “This was in the early ’70s, when the whole integration and civil rights thing had begun to go mainstream, and my mother and stepfather were in the first wave of young black professionals and intellectuals who moved to upper-middle-class white neighborhoods. They and their friends were always going out to see live jazz. I was intrigued by that, and I was intrigued by the whole history of jazz music and African-American culture, as well as the music itself. And my father, who died when I was one and a half, had played saxophone, so maybe I was looking for a connection with him too.”

L.A.’s Steve Lehman Quartet Feat. MArk Turner
February 5, 6, 7, 8 @ 8:30pm

L.A.’s STEVE LEHMAN - Sax
N.Y.’s MARK TURNER - Sax
N.Y.’s MATT BREWER - Bass
N.Y.’s DAMION REID - Drums

Steve Lehman:

Described as “one of the transforming figures of early 21st century jazz,” by The Guardian and as a “state-of-the-art musical thinker” by The New York Times, Steve Lehman is a composer, performer, educator, and scholar who works across a broad spectrum of experimental musical idioms. Lehman’s pieces for large orchestra and chamber ensembles have been performed by the American Composers Orchestra, International Contemporary Ensemble, So Percussion, JACK Quartet, and the PRISM Saxophone Quartet. His recent recording, The People I Love, was cited as one of the “Top 10 Jazz Albums” of 2019 by NPR Music, Rolling Stone, The Los Angeles Times, and The New York Times. His previous recordings include, Sélébéyone (2016), Mise en Abîme (NPR #1 Jazz Album of 2014), and Travail, Transformation & Flow (NY Times #1 Jazz Album of 2009).

The recipient of a 2015 Guggenheim Fellowship and a 2014 Doris Duke Artist Award, Lehman is an alto saxophonist who has performed and recorded nationally and internationally with his own ensembles and with those led by Anthony Braxton, Vijay Iyer, George Lewis, Bennie Maupin, Jason Moran, Georgia-Anne Muldrow, Meshell Ndegeocello, Tyshawn Sorey, and High Priest of Antipop Consortium, among many others. He has taught undergraduate courses at Columbia University and the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, and is currently a professor of music at the California Institute of the Arts near Los Angeles.

Mark Turner:

In a career that spans two decades and encompasses a broad array of musical ventures, saxophonist Mark Turner has emerged as a towering presence in the jazz community. With a distinctive, personal tone, singular improvisational skills and an innovative, challenging compositional approach, he’s earned a far-reaching reputation as one of jazz’s most original and influential musical forces.

A New York Times profile of Turner titled “The Best Jazz Player You’ve Never Heard” called him “possibly jazz’s premier player,” noting his reputation amongst his peers and his influential stature in the jazz world.

2013 finds Turner entering an exciting new creative phase, with his varied talents showcased on a variety of notable new recording projects. Later this year, he’ll release his sixth album as a leader—his first under his own name in a dozen years. He’s also featured on new or upcoming releases by pianist Stefano Bollani, guitarist Gilad Hekselman, pianist Baptiste Trotignon and the Billy Hart Quartet, of which Turner’s been a member for nearly a decade and with whom he recorded two previous albums. He’s also continuing his work as a member of Fly, a collaborative trio with bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Jeff Ballard.

Those projects add to an already expansive body of work that encompasses Turner’s own widely acclaimed albums and an assortment of collaborations, along with his prolific work as an in-demand sideman. Turner’s diverse discography includes collaborations with many of jazz’s leading lights, including Kurt Rosenwinkel, Lee Konitz, James Moody, Dave Holland, Joshua Redman, Delfeayo Marsalis, Brad Mehldau, Reid Anderson, Omer Avital, Diego Barber, David Binney, Brian Blade, Seamus Blake, Chris Cheek, George Colligan, Gary Foster, Jon Gordon, Aaron Goldberg, Ethan Iverson, Jonny King, Ryan Kisor, Guillermo Klein, Matthias Lupri, OAM Trio, Mikkel Ploug, Enrico Rava, Jochen Rueckert, Jaleel Shaw, Edward Simon and the SF Jazz Collective.

Born in 1965 in Ohio and raised in Southern California, Turner grew up surrounded by music. “There was always a lot of R&B and jazz and soul and gospel going on in the house all the time,” he recalls. “This was in the early ’70s, when the whole integration and civil rights thing had begun to go mainstream, and my mother and stepfather were in the first wave of young black professionals and intellectuals who moved to upper-middle-class white neighborhoods. They and their friends were always going out to see live jazz. I was intrigued by that, and I was intrigued by the whole history of jazz music and African-American culture, as well as the music itself. And my father, who died when I was one and a half, had played saxophone, so maybe I was looking for a connection with him too.”