Category: Jazzology

Curtis Heintzman

Drummer and percussionist Curtis Heintzman is an in-demand gigging and session musician. Heintzman graduated from Westmount Secondary School and was awarded the Jazz 1 Award of Excellence and the Haydain Neale Memorial Award. He grew up playing brass band music at the Salvation Army church and he’s performed in many orchestral concerts and events like the Toronto Santa Claus parade. Currently, Heintzman has been touring and performing with local indie rock/alternative band Sundried Whales. The band has been gigging all across the GTA building their fanbase and released an EP on all streaming platforms in December of 2022.

Malu Asfora

Malu Asfora moved to Canada from Brazil in 2021 and is currently studying music at Mohawk College. She plans to graduate and use her voice as a way to bring people together. While in Brazil, Asfora started studying music at the age of three at the University of Brasilia, which had a music program for kids. At age nine, she was accepted into the Music School of Brasilia. During her time at EMB, she received a degree in the recorder, studied music theory and was a soloist in one of the main choirs of the school, even being invited to sing in embassies and at the Brazilian Congress. During more than 15 years studying music, she was influenced by artists like Antonio Carlos Jobim, Chico Buarque, Gilberto Gil, Marisa Monte and Elis Regina. From ages 12 to 17, Asfora worked as a voice actress in Disney and Animal Planet shows. She also took musical theatre classes and acted in plays like Camp Rock, Matilda and The Greatest Showman. During her time at Mohawk College, Asfora was invited to be part of the Cultural Engagement and Exchange Initiative between Indigenous artists and Mohawk Students, which allowed her to be part of a reconciliation act and learn more about Indigenous culture in Canada.

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Sabian Crosswell

Sabian Crosswell is a Miami-born, Hamilton-based musician/songwriter, raised under the musical tutelage of his father. His natural ear hears the influences reaching from the roots of music into the expansion of modern improvisation. His style takes inspiration from jazz, neo-soul, R&B, reggae and gospel. His music creates a sound that opens the mind and hopes to inspire the soul to the spirit. His cultural influences reflect his Jamaican background. Crosswell has been playing live piano, keyboards and drums since 2014, and he can be seen performing in Hamilton and Toronto. He plays solo as well as with various musicians of different genres. Crosswell believes in the power of sound vibration and the importance of songwriting as a gift of communication to reach people and uplift.

Dwit Hathi

Dwit Hathi is a Toronto-based musician and guitarist, currently pursuing higher music studies at Humber College. Originally from Ahmedabad, India, Hathi has been a student of the North Indian classical tradition and his musical style involves a lot of influences, from his South Asian roots to contemporary jazz, fusion, rock, and pop music through which he showcases a deep sense of musicality when it comes to composing and arranging music in a range of different styles. Hathi has worked extensively in the Indian music industry as a session musician, recording engineer and producer over the past decade and has composed, arranged and scored music in various short/feature films. He has been a part of the Toronto music scene as a composer and performer since 2019. He was awarded the International Student Award for Excellence in 2021 by Humber College. Hathi also leads his contemporary jazz quintet in Toronto and regularly performs with his band at various festivals and local venues across the city.

Annie Elgie

Annie Elgie is a young musician just breaking into the Toronto music scene. She is a fourth-year student studying jazz vocal performance at the University of Toronto. Elgie mainly performs at venues throughout the city with her own group, The Tea Party Collective, a fluid band meant to workshop and showcase original compositions and push the boundaries of the jazz genre. Upon graduating, she hopes to create projects focused on exploring the limits of sound creation as well as curate inclusive musical spaces to help strengthen Toronto's music scene.

Ambrose Veno

Ambrose Veno is a drummer and composer based in Toronto. He is currently in his fourth year studying jazz performance at the University of Toronto. Veno began performing in public early on, taking advantage of the supportive DIY music scene in his hometown of Peterborough, Ont. Through these experiences he was exposed to a variety of genres and musical values, eventually growing a deep appreciation for improvisation and the jazz tradition. Since arriving in Toronto, Ambrose has been collaborating and performing with various artists across genres such as hip hop, alt-rock, jazz and free improvisation. He has performed at venues including The Rex, the Emmet Ray, the Drake Underground and Lee’s Palace. In addition to freelance drumming, Veno explores composition through his connection to the guitar, rhythmic improvisation and digital audio workstations. Veno is a student of Nick Fraser and has previously studied with Ethan Ardelli and Ernesto Cervini. He is currently working on a collection of original music for release.

Liam Schatz

Liam Schatz is an exciting young drummer who is splitting his time between Waterloo, his hometown, and Toronto, where he is completing his musical studies at York University. Already an in-demand rock and function drummer, Schatz is still cutting his teeth as a jazz musician and cannot wait to share his voice with the world. Growing up in a musical family, Schatz was exposed early to various forms of music that would serve to inspire his future musical endeavours. He was eventually inspired to plays the drums while forming his first band with his cousins and his brother, Justin, at the age of eight. Schatz has been in numerous bands since. He is currently showcasing his electrifying skills with Alex Gage’s Flagship, a Toronto-based prog-rock outfit; Blight Brigade, a Toronto-based punk band, and The Edelweiss Trio, a Woodstock/Waterloo-based function band which retains a coveted spot playing at the Concorida Club (Kitchener) during Oktoberfest. Schatz has studied with the likes of Adam Nussbaum, Mark Kelso, Will Kennedy, and Anthony Michelli. He is currently studying with Barry Romberg. Additionally, he has had the pleasure of performing with Steve Koven, Robin Habermehl and Dave Wiffen. He has performed at the Jazz Room (Waterloo) on various occasions, and has also performed at the Beaches Jazz Festival. In 2016, Liam was selected to participate in the Conn-Selmer Centerstage Jazz Band, which brings high school students from across Canada together to form an all-star band. Schatz is currently putting the finishing touches on his first LP (recorded with Flagship), and is excited to release it in 2023.

Ryan Macdonald

Ryan Macdonald is a drummer, DJ, composer, and producer originally from Ottawa now living in Toronto and pursuing post-secondary studies in jazz drumming. Macdonald's musical background came from his family. He began playing the drums at age 10 and taking lessons two years after that, eventually deciding to pursue a career in music, studying at the celebrated faculty of music at York University. Upon being accepted into the program, he was awarded the Oscar Peterson Jazz Entrance Scholarship, as well as the Rochelle Koskie Jazz Performance and Education Centre Scholarship. Though his studies are focused in the world of jazz, Macdonald's performing experience and projects span several genres, including jazz, R&B, funk, rock/alternative and electronica. He uses influences from these various idioms to create his own sound and style that offers versatility for each project on which he’s working. Whether as a drummer or a DJ, Macdonald has performed at festivals and venues in Canada, the U.S. and Europe, including the Great Hall (Toronto), Form Festival (Arcosanti, Ariz.), Fox Cabaret (Vancouver), Brighton Music Hall (Boston), Yes (Manchester, U.K.), Veedel Club (Cologne, Germany) and Trix (Antwerp, Belgium). He has worked with a wide variety of artists in various genres, including Chester Hansen (BADBADNOTGOOD), Kaan Gunesburk (Camila Cabello, Post Malone), Ingrid Jensen (Artemis, the Mosaic Project), Ian Culley (Daniel Caesar, Charlotte Day Wilson), Sundar Viswanathan (Avataar), and several others.

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Matt Aasen

Born in Nanaimo, B.C., Matt Aasen's relationship with music began when he first picked up a guitar at the age of 13. After taking a few lessons at a local music store, he came to the conclusion that simply knowing how to play a piece of music wasn't enough; he sensed there was something deeper to be understood beneath the surface. He eventually moved on to lessons in jazz and theory with renowned Canadian jazz guitarist and then Vancouver Island University guitar instructor Pat Coleman. After studying with him for a year, Aasen enrolled in the jazz program at VIU, where he was awarded a bachelor's degree in jazz studies. Following his degree, Aasen started teaching lessons at his local Long & McQuade. Over time, he developed a passion for teaching, which helped him become one of the most sought-after guitar teachers in town. By the time he had decided to come to Toronto, he had been at L&M for 10 years, was teaching 60 students a week, and had hosted five masterclasses in the store. Teaching at L&M provided Aasen with a flexible schedule that allowed him to continue to gig, tour and record. During this time, he released eight albums, embarked on 14 tours of Western Canada, and played more than 200 concerts, including performances at Rifflandia Music Fest, Victoria Jazz Fest, Victoria Ska Fest, and Kaslo Jazz Fest. The styles of music performed and recorded ranged from progressive metal to pop to fusion. Currently, Aasen's main creative outlet is with Hard.Times, which endeavours to disguise tuplets and odd meter within easily digestible R&B and jazz. Lately, the group has been collaborating with vocalist Felicity Baker, with whom they've released the single High With Me. Over the course of the pandemic, however, Aasen didn't have many opportunities to play music with others, so he began getting serious about solo jazz guitar. He had his first solo performance in August in Nanaimo. Now, he's here in Toronto working on his master of jazz performance while trying to refine his solo chops.

James Griffith

James Griffith is an award-winning saxophonist and composer based in the Greater Toronto Area, originally from Lloydminster, Alta. Griffith performs and writes within the contemporary and traditional jazz idioms. Over the years, he has been fortunate to participate in multiple national-renowned ensembles, festivals and workshops, including the ConnSelmer Centerstage Band, the Humber X Ensemble and Youth Jazz Canada, among others. He has also been privileged to have played and worked with many nationally and internationally renowned artists, including Dayna Stephens, Terri Lyne Carrington, Kirk MacDonald, Brian Dickinson and more. In his fourth and final year of the bachelor of music program at Humber College, he is gearing towards the preparation and release of an album of his own original music, collaborating with many of Canada’s young rising stars in jazz in the process. You can find him performing around the GTA at venues such as the Jazz Bistro, the Poetry Jazz Cafe, the Emmet Ray and more.

Jake James White

Jacob James Whitehead, who writes and records music under the alias Jake James White, is a multi-instrumentalist, producer and artist that specializes in fusing together elements of jazz and electronic music with R&B and hip hop to create a modern mosaic of sound. Hailing from a small musical family in Bolton, Ont., he started playing piano at a very young age, soon followed by the guitar and saxophone, and at the age of 12 began creating and arranging electronic music on his home computer. Since then, White has released numerous projects under several monikers and has collaborated with various artists through his multifaceted production. Though largely self-taught, he currently studies music at York University, where he focuses his efforts on sharpening his piano and composition skills to further aid him in his musical journey.

Elisabeth Dorion

Quebec City native singer-songwriter, musician and producer Elisabeth Dorion has many years of experience on stage as a singer, actor and musician. Now based in Toronto, Elisabeth writes and produces music as an independent artist. She released her first single Bruises in January, 2021, and then went on to release two more singles, Tenir Debout and Playing Numb in the following months. Currently, Elisabeth is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in music and working on her debut EP. She writes music in both French and English and draws her inspiration from diverse music styles: indie, folk, alternative, jazz and musical theatre; she also loves to play around with harmonies and instrumentation.

iris moon

Aliyah Guthrie, who goes by her stage name iris moon, is a young 22-year-old navigating through life with the help of music. As an artist she strives to pour her feelings into her music with truth and transparency. With the mixture of alternative R&B, pop and jazz music, she aspires for her music to be relatable and moving to her audience. Since the start of 2020, iris moon has challenged herself to write music more seriously with the goal of sharing her identity with the world. Some of her influences include Ella Fitzgerald, Erykah Badu, Carmen McCrae, Nat King Cole, and H.E.R. As iris moon continues to further develop her sound as a vocal artist, she aims to connect with similar artists like herself to create music that touches and inspires people of all walks of life. She is currently working on a single and EP which is to be released in 2023. As she works on her first music project, she plans to document the challenges and struggles of growing up, dealing with grief over the loss of loved ones, and re-discovering her faith in God.

Santiago Rozo

Santiago Rozo is a Bolivian Pianist and music producer currently living in Hamilton, ON. He has been studying music since the age of six and works from a wide range of influences. Having lived and performed in several countries, Santiago has always enjoyed creating in all kinds of musical diasporas, but recently took focus in African American music ranging from jazz to hip hop and RnB. In Canada, Santiago has been a part of several musical projects from accompanying singers/artists Andrea Mendez, Cassidy Taylor and Avery Williams in several performances and tours across Ontario, to directing MC LTtheMonk’s live band project since 2018 with more than 40 shows across the GTA. He completed his education as a Jazz Pianist at Mohawk College’s music program being mentored by renowned musicians of the Canadian jazz scene such as Adrean Farrugia, Pat Collins, Micheal Stuart, Clark Johnston and more. You can find Santiago performing regularly in the Hamilton/Toronto areas as a soloist and as an accompanist for other artists.

Zayd Nawaz

Zayd‌ ‌Nawaz‌ ‌picked‌ ‌up‌ ‌both‌ ‌electric‌ ‌and‌ ‌upright‌ ‌bass‌ ‌in‌ ‌his‌ ‌early‌ ‌teens‌ ‌and‌ ‌immediately‌ ‌found‌ ‌a‌ connection‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌versatility‌ ‌and‌ ‌demand.‌ ‌He‌ ‌has‌ ‌since‌ ‌performed‌ ‌with‌ ‌a‌ ‌list‌ ‌of‌ ‌orchestras, concert‌ ‌bands,‌ ‌symphonies,‌ ‌folk‌ ‌and‌ ‌blues‌ ‌singer-songwriters,‌ ‌as‌ ‌well‌ ‌as‌ ‌jazz‌ ‌ensembles,‌ ‌and‌ ‌contemporary‌ ‌rock‌ ‌and‌ ‌metal‌ ‌bands‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌local‌ ‌Toronto‌ ‌circuit.‌ ‌Jazz‌ ‌is‌ ‌a‌ ‌heavy‌ ‌fascination‌ ‌and‌ ‌something‌ ‌Zayd‌ ‌takes‌ ‌back‌ ‌with‌ ‌him‌ ‌into‌ ‌contemporary‌ ‌settings‌ ‌such‌ ‌as‌ ‌his‌ ‌primary‌ ‌passion‌ ‌project,‌ ‌the‌ ‌experimental‌ ‌math‌ ‌metal‌ ‌band‌ ‌Sea‌ ‌Noto. ‌Zayd‌ ‌has‌ ‌been‌ ‌a‌ ‌key‌ ‌member‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌band‌ ‌and‌ ‌instrumental‌ ‌in‌ ‌driving‌ ‌it‌ ‌to‌ ‌follow ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌footsteps‌ ‌of‌ ‌its‌ ‌predecessors‌ The‌ ‌Dillinger‌ ‌Escape‌ ‌Plan.‌ ‌Fusing‌ ‌complex‌ ‌time‌ ‌signatures,‌ ‌abrasive‌ ‌metallic‌ ‌guitars‌ ‌and‌ ‌dynamic‌ ‌jazz‌ ‌to‌ ‌create‌ ‌an‌ ‌engaging‌ ‌aural‌ ‌experience.‌ ‌

Avery Raquel

From recording artist to radio co-host, busy Canadian singer/songwriter and Billboard charting artist Avery Raquel has been entertaining audiences professionally for over 10 years. She’s released 3 solo albums to critical acclaim and airplay across the country and is now prepping for her self-titled fourth release in 2022. This new project of all original alternative soul is reminiscent of her love for RnB/Soul music of the past, but with a more current, contemporary style. Influenced by artists such as Etta James, Carole King, Amy Winehouse, Lauryn Hill, Bruno Major, Allen Stone, and so many others, Avery’s created, on this new collection of personal yet relatable songs, a soulful fun mix of RnB/Soul and Pop with a flavour of her Jazz and Blues experiences. At the age of 20, Avery isn’t new to song writing either. In late 2018, Avery released her 3rd solo album, My Heart Away, which was comprised of all original music, written by the accomplished and maturing artist. The music achieved media exposure and radio across the country and into the US and even Europe. The album debuted at #11 on the Canadian iTunes Top 200 RnB/Soul chart. That achievement is merely one of many successes from this young entertainer. In fact, the Canadian recording artist started in the entertainment industry at a very young age. From television, for the likes of Spielberg and DreamWorks, to an animation series for Disney, voice-over work, commercials, and radio, as well as a number of professional stage productions across Canada, Avery’s passion for performing grew. All the while, Avery kept honing her craft as a vocalist of rare talent, which has led to an impressive list of career-accomplishments on her musical resume. That talent caught the ears of an array of music professionals who have assisted in her development over the years. Avery has worked with award-winning Canadian producer/musician Greg Kavanagh and Grammy Award-nominated artist, Producer and DJ StoneBridge. She has also shared the studio or the stage with the likes of David Clayton-Thomas, Sean Jones, Molly Johnson, Holly Cole, Lou Pomanti, Matt Dusk, Stacey Kay, Tyler Shaw and so many more. From Toronto to Montreal, New York to Newport and beyond, including performing arts centres, renowned music festivals, club-style venues, and corporate events, Avery continues to wow ever-growing audiences with her fresh style and powerful vocal performances. Beyond a passion for music, Avery is also passionate about giving back and supporting causes close to her heart such as anti-bullying (going into schools talking and performing for students), mental health awareness, and music education. To that extent, Avery is a featured artist and co-host of the weekly broadcast The Memphis Show on the internet radio station Heart of Indie Radio. The station is a huge supporter of children’s hospitals, music education, and mental health awareness for youth. Whether singing, playing the piano, guitar, or even her Ukulele, Avery is having the time of her life, doing what she always hoped to do, putting smiles on people’s faces through the language of music. WEBSITE INSTAGRAM TIKTOK FACEBOOK YOUTUBE TWITTER

Alison Hitchcock

Alison Hitchcock is an up-and-coming upright and electric jazz bassist in Toronto currently finishing her final year at York University’s undergraduate music program. At York, she is currently studying with renowned bassist Artie Roth, as well as working with several other prominent jazz artists such as Kevin Turcotte, Lorne Lofsky, and Kelly Jefferson. She is now an active member of the downtown Toronto busking scene both as a bandleader, and a side musician in several small ensembles.

Tiago Cardoso

A 4th-year music major at York University that has focused his studies predominantly on the jazz idiom, Tiago enjoys a variety of styles of music which he likes to explore on the guitar - his main instrument. Throughout his studies, Tiago has been fortunate enough to study with many virtuosic musicians such as Roy Patterson, Lorne Lofsky, Sundar Viswanathan and many others. Tiago has also been lucky enough to play at some of Toronto’s music venues such as The Emmet Ray, Jazz Bistro and Hirut Cafe. You can find him playing around the city with his trio or The Mumbo Jumbo Combo. Instagram Facebook YouTube cardosot13@gmail.com (647) 464 6960

Jake Weston

Jake Weston is a self-taught guitarist from the east end of Hamilton. In high school he was fortunate enough to have been a part of the Performing Arts Program at Glendale Secondary playing in student ensembles, pit bands and orchestral groups all while playing punk shows all around Hamilton in multiple groups. After his high school career, Jake began studies at Mohawk College in the Applied Music Program (Contemporary Guitar). He is currently a member in multiple projects and has collaborated with many recording artists. He plans to become a session player after completing his studies at Mohawk

Dwayne Livingstone

Dwayne Livingstone is an experienced musician, educator and performer with over 15 years of experience in the field. He started playing guitar at the age of five when his dad who also played the guitar taught him some basic chords and progressions. Immediately after leaving High School, Dwayne left his hometown in St. Ann, Jamaica for Kingston to study at the Edna Manley College of the Visual & Performing Arts (Jamaica School of Music). He was enrolled in the Caribbean, Latin and American Jazz Studies program with his principal instrument being the electric bass. There, under the tutelage of Jamaican/Canadian jazz guitarist Maurice Gordon, he developed very good bass technique and dexterity. In 2002, Dwayne graduated as one of Jamaica’s finest bass players from the School of Music. He played and toured both locally and internationally, with Jamaican names such as Maurice Gordon (Maurice Gordon’s Jazz Trio & Quartet), Dennis Rushton & Friends, The Sonny Bradshaw Big Band, Gospel Dancehall artiste Chevelle Franklin and dub poet Mutabaruka to name a few. In January of 2004, Dwayne started a job as the music teacher at the Brown’s Town High School in St. Ann, Jamaica. There he was the music teacher for 1^st-5^th form students. It was during his tenure at this institution that Dwayne fell in love with teaching, his reward being the joy of realization that was visible in the eyes of the students upon something new being taught to them. While there he trained guitarists, keyboard players, bass players, drummers and singers to create the prestigious Brown’s Town High School Band which won many awards including the Prime Minister’s Trophy for Excellence in School Bands. Over the years he developed his skills of playing the guitar and piano as he did lots of jobs as guitarist in his band, pianist for piano bars in hotels, and pianist/organist for his church. In April of 2010, Dwayne left for Kingston, Jamaica, where he started his new job as Teacher of Music for the Immaculate Conception Preparatory School which further expanded his love of teaching. He taught between the age ranges of 4 – 12 (Kinder 1–6^th Grade). Each age group brought a different kind of enthusiasm for what was being imparted. He developed a very good rapport with the children he taught. It was here that Dwayne developed his violin playing as he taught the violin, guitar, piano and recorder to students of all ages. Dwayne was also responsible for planning and putting on the school’s Christmas concerts (three each year), the biannual Evening of Excellence, and the School Leaving Exercise for each year. In March of 2019, Dwayne was accepted into the Humber College of Music, Bachelor of Music – Bass program, which he started in September 2019. He is respected amongst his peers and lecturers as one of the finest bass players in the College. Dwayne is presently preparing to go into his final year of study.

Luis Anselmi

Luis Anselmi is a Venezuelan cuatro performer, pianist and artist based in Toronto, Canada. With the support of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, Luis completed his studies at Holland College School of Performing Arts (Berklee Global Partner) and is currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Music Program at Humber College. He enjoys fusing the sound of the Venezuelan cuatro in the groups he has co-founded: Song 3 (Venezuelan music and Latin Pop) and The Alkebulan Sound (African and World fusion), among many other projects in jazz, Celtic, and Chinese traditional music. Luis has also organized, produced and promoted music events in his community (SoPA Music Nights in Prince Edward Island and Beat Makers! in Toronto), assisted music industry associations, and performed on different summer festivals. Luis hopes to create the first Berklee Global Partner school in Venezuela and to continue working with the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation as an ambassador. In his career, Luis has studied and performed with Edward Ramirez, Daniela Padrón, Gerry Weil, Ricardo Cepeda, Kristhyan Benitez, and Hilario Duran, to name a few. Facebook: @LuisAnselmi4 Instagram: @luisanselmi4 YouTube: Luis Anselmi

Matt Greenwood

Born and raised in Harare, Zimbabwe, Matt Greenwood is a guitarist now pursuing his passion for music in Toronto. Matt has performed with some of Zimbabwe’s most acclaimed musicians including Oliver Mtukudzi, Gemma Griffiths, Forward Kwenda and Vee Mukarati among many others. Matt also has a passion for composing and has scored a number of short films including the award winning animated short ‘Blue Bird’ which featured at film festivals including Cinequest, Atlanta Film Festival, New York Film Festival and New Media Film Festival among others. After a busy summer composing music for the Humber Galleries' Nuit Blanche Fellowship, Matt is in his final year of Humber’s Bachelor of Music program and is currently recording his debut album with his band in Toronto. The group has been playing together for a couple of years and recently performed the closing set as “band of the year” at the Toronto Undergraduate Jazz Fest.

Dhaivat Jani

Dhaivat Jani is a Toronto based drummer, tabla player and composer. Currently pursuing his Bachelor of Music at Humber College, Dhaivat leads two of his own bands. One of which, 'Dhaivat Jani PLUS,' is a seven-piece contemporary jazz/fusion band and the other one is 'Electrio,' which is a three-piece experimental/electronic jazz trio. Apart from leading his bands Dhaivat performs as a sideman for multiple artists. He is also an Artistic Associate at Spectrum Music, Canada. Originally from Ahmedabad, India, Dhaivat started his musical journey at the age of five by beginning his training in Indian classical music with the percussion instrument tabla. He finished his Visharad at the age of 16 with three gold medals. Due to his immense interest in music production and technology, he attended college for sound engineering and started composing/producing music for films. His musical influences come from genres such as Indian classical, jazz, prog-rock, world and electronic music. He has been working as a drummer/composer for over 8 years now. His work includes collaborations with award winning filmmakers, actors, poets, painters, yoga artists and more. Dhaivat has been awarded several scholarships and awards over the years. Including the CCRT Scholarship from the Government of India, an International Student Award for Excellence, a Yamaha Music Canada Ltd. Award, a JAZZ.FM91 Award and many more. Website: Dhaivat Jani (janidhaivat.wixsite.com) Instagram: @janidhaivat Facebook: @janidhaivat

Jadon Haughton

Jadon Haughton is a bright young musician to watch on the Toronto music scene. He credits influences ranging from Erykah Badu to Led Zeppelin for his unique sound and ability to adapt his musical approach for almost any occasion. Jadon has graced the stages of venues throughout the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), including the Casbah, Artword Artbar, and Burdock among others. Whether painting a musical portrait with a singer songwriter or providing danceable grooves with R&B unit Life and the Tribe, he is always in his element! As an educator, Jadon has mentored at schools and churches across the GTHA. Jadon believes in working hard and having fun while doing it! He still maintains an active teaching schedule instructing both privately and at Arcadia Academy of Music in Brampton, Ont. Jadon is currently pursuing his passion in the Mohawk College music program studying with acclaimed professors including Anthony Michelli and Pat Collins. He has also studied with the likes of Quincy Davis, Norbert Botos, Morgan Childs and Jonathan Pinson to name a few. These days, he has also been producing and songwriting with the likes of Life and the Tribe amongst others and is excited for his future releases. You can catch Jadon looking for inspiration at his local record store or playing around town.

Kamil Qui

Kamil is a fourth year Jazz Saxophonist studying at York University. He plays the Saxophone and he’s still figuring it out.

Michaël Filion

Michaël Filion is a drummer, performer, producer and teacher originally from Québec. He commenced studying jazz drumming and also became the main percussionist for his school's Symphony Orchestra at 14 years old. Within two years he was accepted as the drummer in the jazz band, which was highly competitive and had many successful competitions in the United States. Michael continued to be very active in his school's ensembles and in private music endeavours throughout high school and Cégep. In 2015, he began attending Cégep de Saint-Laurent for studies in Music Theory and Performance, and at the same time he began giving private drum lessons. Upon his acceptance to York University for September 2018, he began taking private drum lessons with Anthony Michelli, where he improves his technical and practical repertoire for university related groups such as Jazz Workshop and the Rhythm & Blues Ensemble. In the fall of 2019, Michael was requested by Karen Burke, instructor for the York University Gospel Choir, to drum alongside the choir in a five-piece rhythm section. He continues to expand his musical capabilities outside of university through participating in the polish orchestra (Celebrity Symphony Orchestra), corporate events, facilitating drum circles alongside motivational percussionist and author, Jeff Salem. In 2020, Michaël started his own Jazz Fusion Band titled Michaël and the Filions. With his band, he is planning to perform within corporate settings, live concerts and social media features, as well as do studio work. He also released his first single, a cover of Snarky Puppy’s “Jambone” in November 2020. He also recently recorded an original composition, “Morning Coffee”, which will be released in early 2022. In the 2021/2022 school year, while finishing his undergraduate studies at York University, Michaël has been involved in many ensembles practicing different genre of music such as Jazz, RnB, and Gospel, which allows him to be a versatile musician. As a motivating educator, a perseverant musician, and an effective bandmate, Michael inspires drummers and musicians alike in the York University community as well as the Toronto/GTA musical community.

Robert Diack

Robert Diack is a drummer, producer, and composer whose music is grounded in the jazz tradition and explores the genre's possible futures. Born in 1993 in Toronto, Robert Diack attended Humber College’s community music program before studying jazz for two years at the University Of Toronto. Robert found his way back to academia after moving to New York City enrolling at The School of Jazz at The New School and graduating (online) last year. Robert has made a return to the University of Toronto where he is presently completing a master’s in jazz performance. Robert has released 1 full length album, titled Lost Villages, completed a second, titled Small Bridges, which will be released in the upcoming months (a single from which is on streaming services), and is currently in the process of recording a third album. As a producer, Robert recently completed Hannah Barstow’s successful debut album Beneath with more projects being booked presently. As a drummer he can be heard playing jazz, country, and pop music, with ESTYR, David Madras, and Patrick O’Reilly.

Bobby Shaw

Bobby Shaw is a Toronto-based saxophonist and composer. In 2019, he received his Bachelor of Music degree from Humber college, and has studied privately with Kirk MacDonald, Shirantha Beddage, Rob Christian and Kelly Jefferson. As an avid participant of Toronto’s local music scene, Bobby has performed as a sideman in a wide variety of settings and musical genres. He has performed alongside local artists such as KC Roberts & The Live Revolution, The Sattalites, Jacelyn Holmes, The Classy Wrecks, among others. He has also appeared on studio recordings by Fergus Hambleton, Sean Bertram, Accolades, Siggi, and The Harmonauts. Bobby is currently pursuing his master’s degree in jazz performance at the University of Toronto. He continues to perform as a freelance sideman, and plans on establishing his own jazz-based ensemble as a frontman. You can get in touch with Bobby at bobby.shaw96@gmail.com or @bobbyshawmusic on Instagram.

Nic Vasiliou

Nic Vasiliou is one of the most passionate young musicians in the Greater Toronto Area, with highly eclectic musical interests and a variety of functional industry skills. As a pianist and keyboardist studying at York University, his work with established jazz musicians has allowed him to comfortably begin his career as a sideman for combos and large ensembles at Toronto’s most popular jazz venues. In 2019, he was awarded with the prestigious Oscar Peterson Scholarship by his university for exceptional achievement in jazz performance. He has led groups at the World of Jazz Festival in Brampton and participated in events for the TU Jazz Fest around the city. The breadth of Nic’s musical interests goes well beyond the jazz tradition. Since the spring of 2019, Nic has been involved with Cue the Lights Productions, where he has helped put on two major musical theatre productions, including an original show in December 2019 that featured many of his own arrangements. The company has their sights on multiple productions for the year 2022. Along with his solo and piano-trio work, Nic’s latest project has been with the York University jazz orchestra, where he has composed a variety of original music for the group. Always ensuring that each arrangement has harmonic twists and turns, the music remains soulful while never shying away from adventurous improvisation, which best embodies Nic’s approach to every project he takes on.

Reese Bartlett

From a young age, Reese Bartlett's parents enrolled her in various activities, but none of them stuck until she found music. In elementary school there was a music program. Once the students reached Grade 5, they could pick what instruments they wanted to learn. This is when Reese chose to learn the drums. At this time her parents also enrolled her with a private teacher out of school. During the time in elementary school, Reese learned how to play classical percussion as well as rock music. After graduating elementary school, she then went to Centennial Secondary School which had an arts program. Reese was a music major and a visual arts minor. This ignited Reese’s passion for music. In high school, she discovered the jazz band which she was instantly drawn too. This led to her getting a different private teacher who could teach Reese how to play the jazz drums. During high school, she dedicated herself to music. Reese graduated high school with rhe Guido Basso Award and the Concert Band Award. She then applied and got into the York University music program. Reese will complete her bachelor of fine arts degree in April of 2022 and hopes to continue contributing her life to music.

Hannah McFarlane

Hannah McFarlane is a Hamilton-based singer-songwriter who is currently in her third year studying applied music at Mohawk College. Growing up, McFarlane always had a love for music. Watching her mother perform at various events throughout her youth only made her fall more in love with the idea of performing. As a young singer, she usually found herself being drawn to and playing alternative-rock music. She also found a love for jazz when she was a member of the Durham Vocal Jazz Choir during high school. Since then, she has only grown more fond of the genre. While in the Durham Vocal Jazz Choir, she had the opportunity to attend multiple workshops which helped her develop her musical skills. McFarlane always found different opportunities to share her love of music and talent with others from participating in singing competitions to starting up a Glee club in her high school. In September of 2018, McFarlane began her studies at Mohawk College where she found her love for country and folk music, taking influence from artists such as Patsy Cline, Leann Rimes and Shania Twain. As her journey continued at Mohawk, she has been able to develop her own sound using the knowledge and skills she has learned from her faculty, courses she has taken and her fellow classmates. In late 2019, McFarlane started her first band, which gave her the opportunity to perform at various venues around Hamilton and gain added experience on top of her educational journey. Through the endless support and encouragement from her family, colleagues, and Mohawk College faculty, McFarlane has great confidence in her ability to perform and educate within the music industry. Daily, she is expanding her knowledge of both performing and creating music and feels she has a lot to offer to the world of music.

Kevin Mak

Kevin Mak grew up in Guelph, Ont., where he started learning piano at a young age. He was introduced to jazz by one of his teachers, Thomas Hammerton, and joined the Guelph Youth Jazz Ensemble led by Brent Rowan. Soon after, Mak joined the salsa band Son De La Guayra and then decided to pursue music as a career. He chose to study music at Mohawk College in Hamilton and studied with pianists Adrean Farrugia and Rob Fekete. During his time at Mohawk, Mak met a lot of other musicians and became involved in a lot of bands and projects and has since been performing all over Ontario in multiple styles ranging from jazz, Latin music, R&B, funk and more. Mak also composes and arranges in many styles and was the winner of the 2020 Dundas Valley Orchestra Composition Competition.

Tommy Metcalfe

Tommy-Lee Metcalfe was born in Barrie, Ont., in 1991. Metcalfe was born into a musical family; his father was a rock drummer playing in various bands through his childhood. He began playing the drums at the age of 11. Living in a separate household to his father, he attained most of his music education on his own. Through listening to a plethora of music and watching live concert DVDs, Metcalfe began to forge a voice on his instrument. At age 18, he moved to Niagara Falls to pursue a job as a crew member maintaining drums, and as a lighting technician at the Avalon Ballroom. There, he was exposed to a multitude of different styles of music and different types of players. This atmosphere led him to pursue an education in music at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ont. Metcalfe is currently a member of Grammy-nominated Green Jelly, the DTK Trio, the Advancing Low-Lives, Joshua Pascua and The Pants, and Tonedefs (A Tribute to Deftones). He has played with such acts as Marble Weed, Mel Monaco, Cam Bogle and Midnight Sons. He also teaches at the Royal Windsor Plus Music School in Oakville, Ont., and from home in Hamilton.

Joshua Stanberry

Joshua Stanberry is a keyboard player and producer who is currently a Humber College music student. He specializes in jazz and R&B music and had been a part of many projects in both of those genres as well as others. He started his musical journey playing pop and gospel songs with his family as a hobby, but in his teens developed a passion for jazz and decided to pursue music as a career. He is planning to pursue post-graduate studies at McGill University. Stanberry can be found at joshua.stanberry@gmail.com or @joshuastanberry on Instagram.

Evan Dalling

Evan Dalling is a trumpet player from Ottawa who is currently in his final year of his bachelor’s degree in jazz performance at the University of Toronto. Dalling has been playing trumpet since middle school and began his playing career in high school, where he joined several community big bands including the Ottawa Junior Jazz Band, the Nepean All-City Jazz Band and the Capital Youth Jazz Orchestra. He has also played with top professional Ottawa bands including the Bank Street Bonbons, Los Gringos, the Prime Rib Big Band and the Beeched Wailers. Upon his arrival in Toronto, Dalling played lead trumpet in the esteemed University of Toronto Jazz Orchestra, with whom he recorded an album titled Embargo, released in 2020. He was also a part of the U of T 12tet. While at U of T, Dalling has studied with established musicians and professors such as Chase Sanborn, Jim Lewis, Terry Promane, Dave Young and John MacLeod. He has also had the opportunity to work with many well-established groups in the Greater Toronto Area, including the John MacLeod Jazz Orchestra and the Brian Barlow Big Band. He continues to work with local Toronto bands such as the Doghouse Orchestra and the Adema/Manoukas octet and is also a member of My Son the Hurricane, a jazz/funk group based out of St. Catharines.

Alyssa Mikuljan

Alyssa Mikuljan is a singer-songwriter from Kitchener, Ont. She is currently enrolled in Mohawk College’s music program. Growing up, Mikuljan always had an ear for music. After finding her voice and passion for singing, she was trained as a rock vocalist and studied vocal technique and ensemble work at the School of Rock in Kitchener-Waterloo. Through this experience, Mikuljan was able to find her love of performing, which led straight to the Mohawk music program. Once she left School of Rock KW and began her journey at Mohawk, Mikuljan was able to develop her own sound using the tools she had gathered along the way. Her love of storytelling shines through in her original material and performance, and her rock music upbringing helps to elevate her sound to new levels. The combination of being trained as a rock vocalist and having a love for indie and jazz music fuse together to create a sound that defines her. Under the artist name ADVM, Mikuljan released her debut project in 2019, the Danielle EP. She has since changed her artist name to Alyssa DVM and released two singles, But He Lied and Who’s Gonna Love You. Mikuljan is actively trying to redefine what it means to be an artist that can constantly evolve and adapt in an ever-changing society, while still sticking to your roots. Sometimes this means taking a jazz standard and switching up the genre, and sometimes it means taking an original song and reimagining what it would sound like inside a jazz lounge. But no matter what Mikuljan decides to experiment with, she always has fun doing it. You can visit Alyssa Mikuljan here.

Mark Goodfellow

Mark Goodfellow is a guitarist who also casually plays the bass guitar, alto saxophone, piano and percussion instruments. He is currently in his second year of Mohawk College’s applied music program. Due to COVID-19, the program which was scheduled to start in September of 2020 was rescheduled for January 2021. During his time out of school, Mark kept busy by taking an online improvisation class at Berklee and worked part-time instructing guitar for children and youth through a local municipal recreation program. Mark had little exposure to jazz before enrolling at Mohawk and he credits his instructors for taking his general interest in music and developing it into a true appreciation for the jazz genre. His playing and performance experience has been primarily within the college’s improvisation classes, jazz ensembles and local gigs with his classmates. The experience working within the music community at Mohawk has given Mark exposure to players with diverse musical tastes and backgrounds. While initially happy to take on the role of a rhythm guitarist Mark is finding that through practice with jazz soloing, he is looking forward to taking on more of a principle role in playing during his second year.

Matheus Caldas

Born in Salvador, Brazil, Matheus Caldas started his musical journey at the age of 13 when he first picked up a guitar. He remained a self-taught musician until he got accepted to the music program at York University in 2017. There, he was mentored by veteran Toronto jazz artists such as Robb Cappelletto, Artie Roth and Mark Einsenman. With a curious mind and open ears, Matheus seeks a holistic understanding of music, always studying and absorbing influences from a diverse pallet of genres and applying what is learned to his guitar playing. One of his groups, the Maddie Zeidenberg Quintet, was selected by a jury of specialists to be part of the 2020 edition of the Toronto Undergraduate Jazz Festival. Besides the quintet, he performs as a sideman for other emerging artists in Toronto’s music scene such as Frail Fragment, Dalia Dargazli and Daniel Monte. Matheus also leads the alt-rock/experimental project The Nobody, which released its debut EP Out of I, in 2018. Having had training in music production at Trebas Institute in 2013, he uses such skill set to mix music, being in charge of putting together recordings by York University’s R&B ensemble led by professor Mike Cado. He also scores indie films, having done original soundtracks for four features by director Stuart G. Robertson. In 2019, during his third academic year at York University, Caldas was humbled to receive the Brazilian Ball Support Award and Sorbara Award in Music. Early in 2021, he was the recipient of the Rochelle Koskie Jazz Student Scholarship.

Spencer Mackenzie

Maple Blues Award and Niagara Music Award winner Spencer Mackenzie has a deep, soulful, true-to-the-blues sound, with an electrifying twist that captivates his audience. Mackenzie's latest album has been earning nominations and rave reviews, and it hit the top of the blues charts, including No. 1 in Canada for five weeks. “With an eye towards the future, he’ll be the one taking the blues there with him… Cold November is jaw-dropping in its maturity.” — Rock Blues Muse “His guitar playing is crisp and clean even as it delivers some down-to-the bone licks… He’s got the blues power in his soul.” — Blues Blast Magazine Mackenzie's new album coming this year is sure to captivate the true blues audiences while crossing the barriers to inspire the blues-rock, soul and roots fans. Mackenzie mentions many highlights of his journey so far, and connecting with the crowd is among the top.

Emerald Bricker

Emerald Bricker is a Toronto-based trumpet player who currently attends York University. Growing up in Barrie, Bricker started playing trumpet in high school where she was first exposed to jazz through her wonderful high school teachers who always pushed her to improve. After an almost two-year hiatus from playing trumpet while studying professional communication at Ryerson, she followed her dreams and switched to studying music at York University. Over the past four years, Bricker has studied with Kevin Turcotte, Kelly Jefferson, Lorne Lofsky, Al Henderson and many more who have pushed her to create her own individual and unique voice on the trumpet. In the past couple of years, she has performed at Canada’s Wonderland in a traditional jazz band and can often be found busking in Christie Pitts Park with her roommates in a group called The Roommates. Bricker looks forward to seizing every opportunity that comes her way in the future.

Gursharan Kaur

Gursharan Kaur is a jazz vocalist who is currently studying in the vocal jazz program at York University. After moving to Canada with her family at eight years old with a musical history in Indian classical music, she embarked on an enriching musical journey as she discovered her passion for jazz. Her teachers, Gregory Dickison and Giuseppe Schepis, introduced her to the vocal and instrumental world of jazz. Her experiences in her high school jazz choir and jazz band encouraged her to pursue her love of music by enrolling in the vocal jazz program at York University. Through her post-secondary education, she was able to further diversify her knowledge and understanding of music, and explored different genres of music such as gospel, R&B and much more. Kaur has had the opportunity to study under extraordinary musicians such as Kevin Turcott, Frank Falco, Sherie Marshall, and many more. She is also a member of the York University Gospel Choir under the direction of Karen Burke. After graduating, she aspires to become a music educator as she is passionate about the importance of music education.

Cody Copland

Raised in Bowmanville, Ont., Cody Copland began playing the guitar at age 13, and at the end of high school he developed a keen interest in jazz. Since beginning his education at Humber College, Copland has studied with some of the finest musicians in the country, including Neil Swainson, Trevor Giancola, and Lucian Gray. Focused on the tradition of the music, Copland's early influences include Clifford Brown, Bud Powell, Charlie Parker and Peter Bernstein. Having completed his first recording session at Humber College, which featured Neil Swainson on bass and Mateo Mancuso on drums, he’s excited to share his EP when it’s finished at the end of 2021. Currently in his final year at Humber College, Copland is planning or pursuing a master’s degree.

Instagram: cody_copland
Email: codywjmusic@gmail.com

Lucas Dubovik

Lucas Dubovik is a Vancouver-born saxophonist and composer. Since moving to Toronto in 2017 to study music at Humber College, he has established himself as an exciting and daring young musician. Dubovik has had the opportunity to be associated with multiple bands and projects in various capacities, including both permanent and freelance roles. He continues to explore new ideas, new ways of playing and to incorporate new concepts in his music. With jazz being the primary focus, Dubovik is known for his ability to improvise and compose in several genres and styles of music. Dubovik was fortunate to study under the tutelage of some of Canada’s finest saxophonists, Kirk MacDonald and Alex Dean. He is continuously developing his musical abilities while taking inspiration from a wide variety of musical influences. He continues to perform at various venues as a bandleader and as a sideman and he leads his own quintet. Dubovik is currently working on his debut album, which is scheduled to be released in late 2021.

Instagram: lucasdubovikmusic
Email: lucascdubovik@gmail.com

Jen Lo

Jen Lo is an up-and-coming jazz pianist living in Toronto and originally from Macau. She started playing piano at the age of six and has been playing classical piano since then. In her high school years, she shifted her focus to learning jazz by listening to recordings and attending jazz workshops. She is currently studying at the University of Toronto for her undergraduate degree in jazz performance. Lo is now a student of David Braid, and has studied with other prominent Canadian pianists such as David Restivo, Noam Lemish and Mark Eisenman.

Instagram: jjjen.lo
Facebook: Jennifer Lo
Email: jlcy412@gmail.com

Tomoko Abe

Tomoko Abe is a jazz vocalist, composer and arranger originally from Sapporo, Japan. She started her career as a jazz vocalist in Tokyo in 2008 and released 2 CDs before she came to Canada. She has been learning at Humber College in the Bachelor of Music voice program with Shannon Gunn, Suba Sankaran, Dylan Bell and Christine Duncan. She was the very first student who came from Japan and got into the voice program, and won a student award in her first through third years at Humber. Now, she is very excited about making an EP with very talented musicians who are learning at Humber, and is planning to release it after her graduation.

Vania Lee

Based in Toronto, Vania (Tsz Ching) Lee is a drummer/arranger who is currently in her third year of the Bachelor of Music program at Humber College. While at Humber, Vania has studied with many respected musicians including the likes of Juno nominees Mark Kelso, Nancy Walker and Rich Brown. She has also studied with other well-known players/teachers such as Paul DeLong, Barry Romberg, Max Senitt, Kieran Overs and Jorge Luis “Papiosco” Torres. In 2017, while still in her first year at the college, Vania was the proud recipient of the Just Drums Scholarship Award. Outside of the Humber community, she was also a member of the 2019 TD Toronto Jazz Musician intensive, where she played alongside Virginia McDonald under the guidance of Canadian jazz pianist Nancy Walker. That same year, Vania also performed on CBC Music for their First Play Live series with R&B group TRP.P. With her strong versatility on the drum set and experience in genres spanning from jazz to funk to R&B, Vania has become an actively sought-out drummer in the Toronto music scene.

Instagram: @vlee_98
Facebook: Vania Lee
Email: vanialee.1998@gmail.com

Leighton Harrell

Leighton Harrell is a bassist and composer from Raleigh, N.C. He found his passion for music at the age of 16, and a year later was selected to be a member of the Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble, with which he attended the 2017 Essentially Ellington competition in New York. Upon graduating from high school in 2017, Leighton received a scholarship to attend the University of Toronto’s jazz performance program, where he is currently an undergraduate student. Since moving to Toronto, Leighton has balanced a busy schedule of gigs around the city with his studies, and beginning in 2019 has held a biweekly residency at Poetry Jazz Café with his quartet. Other venues include The Rex Jazz and Blues Bar, the Toronto Jazz Festival, the Kensington Market Jazz Festival, the 120 Diner, the Emmet Ray, the Drake Underground, Toronto Meridian Centre for the Arts and the Old Mill, among others. In addition to freelance work on the Toronto jazz scene, Leighton has worked with Toronto hip-hop artist Ice Tha One and R&B artists LOONY and Avery Raquel. As a composer and artist, Leighton draws inspiration from hymns and spirituals, folk music, and various traditions of Black American Music, in which jazz has its roots. In addition to performance and composition, Leighton teaches a number of private students on both the electric and acoustic bass. Leighton is currently a student of Andrew Downing, and has studied with Dave Young, Geoff Young, Rodney Whitaker and Ben Wolfe, among others.

Instagram: @leightonmckinleyharrell
Facebook: Leighton Mckinley Harrell
Website: www.leightonmckinleyharrell.com
Email: harrell.leighton@gmail.com

Brooklyn Bohach

Brooklyn Bohach is a jazz and improvising vocalist who has spent her life in the arts. She has studied at Canada's National Ballet School in the professional ballet program, opened a private music studio in her hometown of Calgary, instructed ballet at the Wright Studio in Calgary, and worked as an arts administrator at both Canada's National Ballet School and Toronto's Paprika Festival. While completing a double major in jazz performance and environmental science at the University of Toronto, Brooklyn remains an active member of the Toronto creative music and jazz scenes as a vocalist and bandleader. She is highly respected among her musical peers for the emotional commitment and delivery of her musical performances, as well as for her creative experimentation with extended vocal techniques. Brooklyn was the featured vocalist on the U of T 12tet’s recording When Day Slips Into Night, where her performance was described as “stirring” (The WholeNote) and “ethereal” (Jazz Times).

Email: brooklynbohach@gmail.com
Instagram: @brooksdawn

Davis O’Donnell

Davis O’Donnell is a drummer and composer based in Etobicoke and is currently in his fourth year of his undergraduate degree in jazz performance at York University. During his time there he has studied with the likes of Barry Romberg, Anthony Michelli, Lorne Lofsky, Kevin Turcotte, and Al Henderson. Before attending York, Davis went to Father John Redmond Catholic Secondary School, where he received the Regional Arts Program Music Scholarship in his final year. Davis is also a former member of Scarlett’s Hand, an alternative hard-rock group that released three singles and a four song EP during their time together. He now plays with the Julia Favretto Quintet, a new vocal-jazz band looking to play live as soon as possible due to current restrictions.

Keith Barstow

Keith Barstow is an up-and-coming drummer residing in Toronto and originally from Napanee, Ont. He is currently working towards his undergraduate degree in jazz performance at the University of Toronto, where he has studied with Nick Fraser, Jim Vivian, Terry Clarke and Ernesto Cervini, and has had the opportunity to perform with Kris Davis, Tony Malaby and Renee Rosnes. Prior to studying at the University of Toronto, Keith attended the Humber College Community Music School and in 2017, he was a member of the National Youth Jazz Combo under the direction of Kirk MacDonald. Keith has also performed with Rich Perry, Kirk MacDonald, Mike Murley, and Steve Wallace, and frequently performs in the Hannah Barstow Trio.

David Hodgson

Through his music, Vancouver-raised saxophonist David Hodgson captures spontaneity, risk and enthusiasm. Since moving to Toronto in 2017 to attend the jazz performance program at the University of Toronto, he has established himself as an ambitious and lyrical artist in Toronto’s vibrant jazz scene. Music has always been an important part of David’s life, and his participation in the 2017 National Youth Jazz Combo, the 2016 Berklee Jazz Workshop, and the 2015 and 2016 Conn-Selmer Centre-Stage Jazz Band instilled a deep appreciation of Black American Music and a passion self-expression through for improvisation. He is the recipient of the 2020 Oscar Peterson Developing Artist Grant, the 2017 Yamaha Performance and Passion Award, the 2017 Fraser MacPherson Jazz Fund, and the 2016 Golden Reed Award. Currently, David leads Stil Trio, a group that blends improvisation and through-composed music rooted in Jazz, Classical, and folk genres. David is constantly inspired and influenced by the artists around him, his admiration of art and design, and an intense curiosity and excitement surrounding music.

Website: www.davidhodgsonjazz.com
Instagram: @d.avidhodgson
Soundcloud: david-i-hodgson

Kyle Pogline

Since moving to the Greater Toronto Area in 2017, Kyle Pogline has proved himself to be one of the city’s finest upcoming jazz trumpet players. At the age of 21, coming out of the traditional playing style of Clifford Brown as well as the fierce and modern sounds of Woody Shaw, he has developed his own unique sound and vocabulary that has heavily lent to his ability to find a musical voice in most of all types of jazz music. He has thus far shared the stage with many of Canada’s finest jazz musicians such as Pat LaBarbera and PJ Perry and has performed in some of Toronto’s finest big bands such as the Alex Dean Jazz Orchestra and Mike Malone Jazz Orchestra. With the last year of his undergraduate degree under way, he’s amassed a wide variety of performance experience in a wide variety of ensembles, such as concert bands, pit orchestras, small and large jazz ensembles as well as pop/commercial bands. His array of experiences has earned him the reputation of being a versatile player, capable of taking command of any musical situation.

Email: kylestevenpogline@gmail.com
Instagram: @pog.music

Leah Chae

Leah Chae is a young, versatile electric bassist born and raised in Toronto. Leah was first introduced to the instrument at the age of 14 while playing for her church worship band. After discovering jazz in high school, she pursued her love of music by enrolling in York University’s jazz program. Growing up with a family of musicians, her studies are always supported and encouraged. Leah has studied with Artie Roth, Mike Cado, Sundar Viswanathan, Kevin Turcott and many other talented musicians. She aspires to be a performing and teaching musician in her community while further exploring various contemporary genres such as R&B, funk, soul and modern jazz.

Melanie Jag

Melanie Jag is a jazz-pop guitarist working toward a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in music at York University. Her study of jazz has led her to develop a style of playing that encompasses traditional jazz methods as well as elements of pop and indie-folk to create a unique form of expression on the instrument. Outside of University, Melanie is an aspiring session guitarist and has worked with artists and producers of many genres including electronic, R&B, folk and reggae in the Greater Toronto Area and the U.S. On social media, Melanie is a content creator and actively posts song covers and transcriptions, and has created a series highlighting iconic women throughout music/guitar history, gaining attention from thousands. She also writes her own music and composes arrangements for solo guitar.

Colin Wilson

Colin Wilson is a saxophone player from Niagara Falls, Ont. Growing up in Niagara, he found his passion for music in the woodwind section. With the help of his classically trained mother and high-school teachers, he took up tenor saxophone and never looked back. As a young player he found himself playing a lot of funk and R&B shows. He took it upon himself to find private lessons with jazz players outside of his area to further his playing. His teachers include Scot Neilson, Mark Promane, Darcy Hepner, JJ Perlingieri and Michael Stewart. He credits Michael Stewart with teaching him “the right way to practise the saxophone every day.” He spent some time studying classical performance at Brock University, then moved to Toronto briefly to study jazz performance at Humber College. After he returned home, Colin continued his studies of jazz at Mohawk College and in private lessons with Scott Neilson. With a background in funk improvisation, Colin plays lead tenor in the school's "Tower of Power” ensemble. He continues to perform with funk and R&B groups and various jazz groups from Niagara to Hamilton.

Racha Moukalled

Racha Moukalled has been a self-taught piano player since the age of eight in Tripoli, Lebanon. After moving to Canada at age 16, she pursued her love of music by taking classes in high school and learning from mentors all around. After discovering jazz music, she auditioned for York University's jazz piano performance program. Racha studied with Mark Eisenman, Kevin Turcott, Lorn Lofsky and Casey Sokol, from whom she also found her love of various genres like classical, romantic music and free improvisation. She aspires to be a successful musician in Toronto, playing with various ensembles and teaching. She is currently doubling on the vibraphone and has studied with Michael Davidson and Dan McCarthy.

Mario Posella

Mario Posella is a student of the renowned Robb Cappelletto, an absolute master in harmony, discipline and implementing advance techniques. As a result, Mario incorporates many of these practices with his students and on the band stand. Frequently gigging in and out of Toronto, he is the guitarist for more than five artists and groups, namely Tracey Kayy, Azalyne and JC3. In addition, he has played with many internationally renowned artists such as Zahara, Pat Thomas and Amakeye Dede. Currently, Mario is finishing his undergraduate degree at York University where he is majoring in music, playing with the Juno Award-winning Okavango African Orchestra and teaching privately at the Oakville Academy for the Arts. He is also amassing a large repertoire of songs which will see releases starting in 2021.

Evan Little

Evan Little is a young jazz pianist best known for his modern interpretations of jazz standards. He was inspired at an early age by Canadian jazz greats Peter Appleyard and Dave McMurdo, who often played at local events and encouraged his love of music. Evan began his formal study of jazz piano under John McLelland and has continued his studies under Mark Eisenman. He has also studied under Kelly Jefferson and Jim Vivian. Evan has performed at Guelph’s Hillside Inside Festival, the Eden Mills Writers and Art Festivals, clubs in the Toronto area including Lula Lounge and Gate 403, and the Rex Hotel as well as private parties and events. He is currently enrolled at York University in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program studying jazz performance where he has been awarded the prestigious Oscar Peterson Jazz Performance Scholarship and the Douglas Menzie Phillips Jazz Scholarship for Outstanding Instrumental Performance.

Chris Pruden

Born in Edmonton, Chris Pruden is a pianist and keyboardist currently living in Toronto. His various mentors include Jacob Sacks, David Braid, Greg Oh and Geoff Young. With influences ranging from jazz, contemporary classical, folk, rock and electronic music, Chris has performed with many different groups across North America, China and Europe. He is a current member of the Juno-nominated Tara Kannangara group, Language Arts, Zinnia, RELAY, Future Machines, Illyin Pipes, Danielle Knibbe Band, Ronley Teper's Lipliners, Mark Godfrey Quintet, Andrew Forde's Ghost Tapes and more.

Josh Sinclair

Josh Sinclair is a pianist currently studying at the University of Toronto’s Master of Music Performance program. After completing his ARCT with the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) in 2014, he shifted his focus to study jazz piano at the Humber College community music program. Upon graduating high school, he entered U of T for its jazz performance program and is currently in the first year of his master's. Through his time at Humber and U of T, he has learned from great mentors such as Dave Young, Kirk McDonald, Chris Donnelly, Dave Restivo and Andrew Downing. He has been the organist and choir director at Boston Presbyterian Church since 2013. He currently performs and teaches around the GTA in various ensembles and composes his own music, which draws from a variety of influences, including classical, jazz and improvised music.

Graham Villette

Graham Villette is a young, up-and-coming drummer from Vancouver Island in British Columbia. During his time in B.C. as a working musician, Graham has had the pleasure of performing with and learning from some of Canada’s best musicians, including Ryan Oliver, Hans Verhoeven, Ken Lister, Tony Genge, Al Mclean, Sean Drabbit, John Lee and Roy Styffe. After achieving an undergraduate degree in jazz studies from Vancouver Island University, he set off to Toronto to attain a master’s degree in jazz performance at the University of Toronto.

Clayton Harder

Clayton Harder is an electric bassist at York University, studying under Artie Roth. Originally from small-town British Columbia, Clayton worked with Vancouver-based technical death metal band Archspire and spent five years working in the world of alternative music before deciding to broaden his interests and pursue an education in jazz. With his experience in alternative music styles, Clayton is looking to further explore the sound of the electric bass and how it can be used in modern jazz ensembles.

Avery Cantello

Avery Cantello is an up-and-coming Canadian vocalist whose unique sound brings raunchy blues, soulful jazz and neo-soul/funk flavours to Toronto audiences. Having studied under multiple respected musicians including (but not limited to) Leslie Fagan, Christine Duncan, Shannon Gunn, Chase Sanborn, Mike Murley, Andrew Downing and Alex Samaras, Cantello's sound has developed into one of unique richness with flexibility of genre. Her enrolment in the University of Toronto's jazz program began her musical journey in the Toronto scene as she met and played with multiple talented musicians, and continues as she pursues her masters in performance jazz. Cantello's fresh sound can be heard alongside some of Toronto’s finest players, both in her own groups and other respected bands such as the Avery Cantello Blues Band, the Avery Cantello Quartet, duo performances and as an alumni vocalist for the Toronto All Star Big Band. Through these groups, Cantello has had the honour of playing alongside esteemed musicians, including Jackie Richardson, Kelly Jefferson and Mike Cado. Cantello also hosts a podcast called Womxn in Jazz, in which she speaks with minorities in the jazz community about the struggles of being a minority in jazz, along with solutions and advice for individuals interested in pursuing jazz, all while putting the spotlight on some of the jazz community's greatest musicians.

Wes Carroll

Guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Wes Carroll is dedicated to reaching audiences with his original creations. His writing whisks jazz, hip-hop and singer-songwriter into a new kind of froth. He is inspired to write music about social justice themes, surveillance, mental health, climate change and, of course, he writes love songs, too. Carroll is a seasoned performer, playing in six Victoria Jazz Festivals, freelancing in a variety of styles and holding down a regular trio gig at the Empress Hotel in Victoria from 2016 to 2019. In 2014, he earned a degree in jazz studies from Vancouver Island University and is currently enrolled in the University of Toronto's master of jazz performance program. With side-projects that include Wes Plays Wes (a tribute to Wes Montgomery) and the original hip-hop crew Grapefruit Is Impossible, it is clear that when it comes to genres, Carroll does not play favourites. He has recorded two albums with collective projects: Off Pulse Quartet, Live in Holland (2014) and Grapefruit is Impossible's Citrus Paradisi (2019). Furthermore, he has recorded two albums as band leader: Off Empire (2018), the Wes Carroll Confabulation’s debut album which peaked at No. 4 in EarShot’s jazz category for national campus and community radio plays; and Elephant in the Sea, the Confabulation’s newly released second album.

Charlotte Fabro

Charlotte Fabro is an accomplished singer, songwriter, performer and educator. During her time at York University, Fabro's studies were diverse. Under the tutelage of incredible musicians like Lorne Lofsky, Roy Patterson and Sacha Williamson, she was able to, with great diligence, establish herself as a competent jazz guitarist and vocalist. She also excelled in the University’s gospel choir and R&B ensemble. She accomplished all of this while working multiple jobs and gigging regularly as the front woman of her band, eponymously named Fabro. This vast range of experiences has helped her grow into her own sound. She is always striving to find original ways of fusing jazz with R&B and gospel aesthetics. Her first single, Tomorrows, released in May, 2019, was a great success, garnering attention in Toronto’s music scene. It was produced by Connor “King Chino” Chan and Rob Christian, Fabro's go-to collaborators for their ability to capture the rich and soulful nature of her music. Since the release of Tomorrows, she has been highly in demand as a session vocalist since. Soon to graduate, there is no doubt that a successful career in music lies ahead for Charlotte Fabro. She will continue to tirelessly write, record and perform her music and has plans to grow and expand her music school, the Toronto Music Mentorship Program, with a possible downtown location.

Trevor Whitridge

Trevor Whitridge has been active as a professional trumpet and piano player in Vancouver since 2013. After moving to Vancouver from San Francisco in 2006, he began to make his way into the Vancouver music scene, playing in various bands as a sideman before eventually leading his own groups. His first paid gig was at age 13 with Too Big to Care, a community marching band led by jazz bassist Sean Cronin. Trevor later played with the group at the Vancouver Folk Festival. When a change in leadership resulted in Too Big to Care becoming The Drive Street Band, he continued to gain experience at festivals and events with the new band, even performing at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Another highlight of his early music career was being featured on trumpet at the 2009 Juno Awards. In 2012, while in Grade 11, he earned a spot in the top Capilano University jazz big band. Trevor went on to study there after high school, completing his bachelor's degree in 2018. Trevor is currently a busy leader and sideman in Vancouver, performing a variety of music styles such as jazz, funk, Latin and pop. He has led his own groups at the Cellar Jazz Club, the Vancouver Jazz Festival, the Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival, Jazz Vespers church services, and various swing dances in Vancouver. He regularly plays on sessions and has recorded with Casey MacGill, David Graff and Mike Allen’s Space Elevator band. Trevor also teaches trumpet and piano privately and is an instructor for Organic Music Lessons.

Thomas Hainbuch

Thomas Hainbuch is a versatile young acoustic and electric bassist in Toronto, where he is emerging as an active part of the city's jazz and creative music scene. Since 2015, he has performed at several festivals such as the Toronto Jazz Festival, the Beaches Jazz Festival and the Kensington Market Jazz Festival, as well as at countless local venues such as the Rex, the Jazz Bistro, the Burdock, the Poetry Jazz Cafe and the Horseshoe Tavern. Thomas is currently enrolled in Humber College's Bachelor of Music program, where he has been awarded the Moe Koffman Memorial Scholarship, the Mike Downes Bass Award and the Yamaha Canada Music, Ltd. Award in his first three years of study.

Sam Ruttan

Based in Toronto, Sam Ruttan is a jazz drummer and composer currently studying at York University. Having initially played piano, Sam switched to drums at a young age and began taking lessons privately. He continued to study through high school and played with several local big bands before deciding to pursue a degree in music. While at York, Sam has had the privilege of studying with great Canadian musicians such as Barry Romberg, Lorne Lofsky, Anthony Michelli and Barry Elmes, with his primary focuses being on performance and composition. He has also attended masterclasses and seminars led by renowned musicians such as Chris Potter, Dennis Mackrel and Mike LeDonne. As a performer, he plays regularly at venues around Toronto, and has performed in festivals like the Barrie Jazz and Blues Festival, Huntsville’s Nuit Blanche North, and most recently the Toronto Undergraduate Jazz Festival. Sam also currently plays with the York University Jazz Orchestra and leads his own group, which focuses on performing original compositions and arrangements.

Kyle Tarder-Stoll

Kyle Tarder-Stoll is a tenor saxophonist from Toronto. Kyle has been playing music since the age of 5 when he started on the piano. He picked up the saxophone at the age of 12, and later decided to pursue music as a career after being inspired by the sounds of Sonny Rollins, Charlie Parker and Dexter Gordon. Kyle is currently in his fourth year at Humber College, where he has studied under the tutelage of Canadian jazz greats such as Kirk MacDonald, Pat LaBarbera and Alex Dean. He has performed across Canada, the United States and Cuba.

Avery Williams

Avery Williams is not only a leader, but an inspiration to all who encounters her, as she plows through life with no holds barred. At just three months old, Avery was diagnosed with retinoblastoma cancer. As a result, she has lost her left eye, has extremely limited vision in her right eye and has bilateral hearing loss. Avery is deafblind. This infectiously charismatic young woman has been singing, dancing and acting since she was 5 years old. She's performed at numerous events in Hamilton and throughout the GTA. Her accolades include the P.E.A.B.O Awards 2018 Female Singer of the Year (R&B/soul/Afro beats) and she has performed at the grand opening of the McMaster Children's Hospital's Ron Joyce Children's Health Centre, the Hamilton YWCA Women of Distinction Gala, and the Pan Am Games Caribbean Day celebration. She has completed studies in performing arts preparation at Sheridan College, introduction to commercial jazz, vocal, at Humber College, and is currently attending Mohawk College’s applied music contemporary voice program. Avery aspires to embark on a career as a world-renowned vocal recording artist.

Alex Pedherney

Saxophonist Alex Pedherney originally started his music career as a member of the Burlington Teen Tour Band before transitioning to jazz and contemporary music. While in the marching band, he had the opportunity to travel all over the globe and play for royalty, celebrities and diplomats. On the side, Alex plays guitar and bass and handcrafts electric guitars, many of which are in his personal collection. Alex has had the opportunity to work with and learn from a variety of saxophone players including Francis Smith, Vern Dorge, Jeff Coffin, Scott Nielsen and Darcy Hepner. They have all contributed to how he perceives, plays and teaches music. As a gigging musician and a private instructor, he understands and expresses how important it is to explore all genres of music. His favourite and most influential genres are jazz, R&B, funk, soul and blues. Through the great support of his colleagues and the music faculty at Mohawk College, Alex is confident in his ability to perform and educate in the music industry as his knowledge grows daily. Anyone looking to catch Alex playing live can see him every Saturday evening at Loch Side Restaurant & Bar in Burlington, Ont.

Andrew McCarthy

Andrew McCarthy is a native of St. John’s, N.L., and has been an active member of the diverse music scene of his hometown for the past decade as a percussionist, drummer, composer and educator. Andrew’s passion for music has led him down several paths of study, such as completing a bachelor of music at Memorial University, where he majored in percussion performance; two different trips to the Volta region of Ghana, studying traditional Ewe music; and moving to Toronto to study jazz at Humber College. In 2014, Andrew received a MusicNL award for side musician of the year and won the 2019 ECMA for jazz recording of the year with Ouroboros on the album Kitchuses. Regardless of style or venue, Andrew performs with grooving authenticity and exemplifies his love for the art of music in every performance.

Owen Gow

Owen grew up in a family that loved to listen to music. He got his first guitar when he was 12 and it coalesced well with his discovery of Led Zeppelin in that he learned all of their songs. In late high school, Owen’s love for music only grew when his friend showed him Weather Report. That's when he fell into the rabbit hole of jazz. He listened to musical groups such as Mahavishnu’s Orchestra, Miles Davis’s sextet, Sun Ra’s Arkestra and so on, until he decided that he himself would pursue an education in music. Owen now studies jazz guitar at Mohawk College, guided by guitar virtuoso Bob Shields. It is there that he also discovered his love for classical music, more specifically of the 20th century. He wishes to study both classical and jazz and possibly to find a way to meld the two together in his future writing.

Lucas Hibbs

For as long as he remembers, Lucas Hibbs has loved music. As a young boy in the GTA he found his love for music through the radio and remembers hearing folk music from Newfoundland early on in his life from his parents and relatives who had moved to Ontario from the island. On his 11th birthday, he was gifted a drum set that belonged to his neighbours. He was eventually convinced to listen to jazz by his private teacher Colin McVey, with whom he had studied for more than a decade, and he found a new landscape in music. Eventually he enrolled in Mohawk College’s jazz program in the fall of 2017. Lucas has been playing gigs with multiple jazz groups throughout the GTA since his enrolment and continues to enjoy studying, performing and writing, taking influence from jazz legends such as Brian Blade and Kenny Wheeler. Currently, Lucas is also a part of Hamilton hip-hop project LTtheMonk and indie band Memory Lakes, while actively following a passion for music production.

Augustine Yates

Augustine Yates began his classical piano studies at the age of 5 through the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM), eventually achieving his ARCT diploma, one of the highest degrees offered through the RCM. During his high school years, he became enamored by jazz and began to study the art form. Now in his fourth and final year of a bachelor of music in piano performance at Humber College, Augustine has had the chance to study with many of Canada's finest musicians, such as Brian Dickinson, Mike Downes, Pat Labarbera, Kirk MacDonald and Robi Botos. Augustine has performed at various venues around Toronto, as well as his hometown Calgary with his own piano trio, the Dennis Kwok Jazz Orchestra, the Brenden Varty Quartet, the Rob Lee Group and various other ensembles. He is currently recording his debut EP consisting of original compositions that will be released next year. Email: yatesaugustine@gmail.com

Cameron Watson

Cameron Watson is a bassist originally from Lindsay, Ont. He started out playing drums at age 10, then moved to guitar at age 12, and finally settled on bass at age 15. In 2017, Cameron was accepted to Mohawk College and began his studies in early September. At Mohawk, he met other like-minded musicians and has formed multiple groups with his peers. With these groups he has played in festivals such as Ottawa Bluesfest, Burlington’s Sound of Music Festival, and Supercrawl in Hamilton. In addition to these bands he also works as a freelance bassist and finds work commonly in the jazz trio setting, such as the one he finds himself in currently, with drummer Lucas Hibbs and pianist Kevin Mak. After finishing his studies at Mohawk College, Cameron plans on attending university, and hopes to become a well-known musician in Toronto and the GTA. Instagram: camwatsonbass

Caity Gyorgy

Caity Gyorgy is a Calgary-born vocalist based in Toronto who specializes in singing jazz. Being called one of JAZZ.FM91's "8 Canadian women in jazz you need to know,” she is noted for her performances at events like the TD Toronto Jazz Festival, the Calgary Jazz Festival and the TU Jazz Festival. Most recently, she became the 2019 grand champion of the Calgary Stampede Talent Search. In addition to performing, Caity runs an Instagram account called @Liftaday, where she has gained global recognition from her transcription videos that are viewed by thousands of people. She also hosts and runs a jazz jam in Etobicoke aimed at giving students a chance to play with their peers outside of a classroom setting. Caity writes and arranges music in the American songbook and jazz standard styles. Her arrangements and compositions often feature her own vocal improvisation which sets her apart from other jazz singers. She is a thrill to watch and hear. Email: caitygyorgy@gmail.com Instagram: @caitygyorgy Facebook: Caity Gyorgy Music Website: caitygyorgy.wix.com/music

Paul Callander

Paul Callander is a 20-year-old trumpet player and composer studying at Humber College. He started playing the trumpet at age 12, and quickly began improvising jazz far beyond his years. He has been a part of many incredible musical opportunities, such as opening for the Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, performing with renowned musicians like Ted Nash, Dick Oatts, Terrell Stafford, Pat Labarbera, Alex Dean, Geoffrey Keezer and more. He has also won many prestigious awards and scholarships including the Heritage Festival Maestro Award, the Gordon and Anne Wragg scholarship, and most recently the Don Johnson Memorial award. Paul is a member of the Dennis Kwok Jazz Orchestra and the Toronto All-Star Big Band. He is currently working on his debut album titled The Green Trees of June, which he plans to release in the coming months.

Brenden Varty

Brenden Varty is a multi-instrumentalist and composer originally from Oshawa, Ont. He graduated from Humber College with a Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree in 2016 and is currently in the Master of Music Performance program at the University of Toronto. His teachers include Alex Dean, Tara Davidson, John Macleod, Pat Labarbera, and David Occhipinti, among many others. In addition to saxophone, he also plays flute, clarinet, and piano, performing frequently throughout the GTA. His arrangements and compositions, drawing heavily from both Western art music as well as jazz, have been performed publicly at such venues as the Canadian Opera Centre, The Rex, The Burdock, Lula Lounge, and Humber College. During his final year at Humber, Brenden arranged a work by New York organist Larry Goldings which was performed by the Humber College Studio Jazz ensemble featuring Goldings, and can be found on the release Thursday Night Live. He has also been a featured arranger for a concert headlined by saxophonist Alison Au, and has been an invited speaker with the Duke Ellington Society. Brenden has released an EP including his original compositions and arrangements entitled Cloudstream, and is currently working on a second EP of his new compositions. In addition to these, he can be found on numerous releases headed by his peers that span genres from jazz to funk to spiritual. Brenden maintains a steady schedule as an in-home music teacher (piano and woodwinds), and is looking forward to taking part in Jazzology with Heather Bambrick. Visit brendenvarty.com to find out more. Brenden's Jazzology Playlist

"Hourglass" - Mammal Hands (2016)
"Shells and Ashes" - Brenden Varty Quartet (2018)
"Haamiah" - Masada Quintet feat. Joe Lavano (2009)
"Ator Ator" - Norma Winstone (2009)
"But Beautiful" - Tony Bennet & Bill Evans (1975)
"Portrait of T." - Chris Wiens Quartet (2017)

Jazzology with Heather Bambrick can be heard Wednesdays at 9 pm.

Dennis Kwok

Dennis Kwok is a multi-instrumentalist, bandleader, performer, and composer based in Toronto. Originally from Calgary, his interest in jazz and improvised music lead him to further studies at Humber College in Toronto where he has stayed since. As a saxophonist and woodwind doubler, he has studied under the likes of Pat Labarbera, Kirk MacDonald, Nina Martini-Dorey, Richard Thomson, Nadina Mackie Jackson and David Sussman among others. His versatility has led him to involvement in contrasting genres from the orchestra to the funk band including collaborations with JUNO award winner, Allison Au, and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Dennis is currently an active performer in the Greater Toronto Area as a freelancer, bandleader, and member of Mason Victoria's Sonuskapos Jazz Orchestra, and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. He is also sought-after as an arranger and composer for his experience writing for varying groups from folk-chamber ensemble to big band. His work can be heard on several recordings by Toronto-based recording artists as well as his upcoming debut album "Windward Bound" with the Dennis Kwok Jazz Orchestra. https://denniskwok.ca dkwok3@gmail.com Dennis's Jazzology Playlist

"Groovin' Hard" - Buddy Rich Big Band (1970)
"All The Things You Are" - Paul Desmond & Gerry Mulligan (1962)
"Place St-Henri" - Max Promane Woodwind Chamber Ensemble (2015)
"Fast Future" - Donny McCaslin (2015)
"Red Light Returning" - Dennis Kwok Jazz Orchestra (2019)

Jazzology with Heather Bambrick can be heard Wednesdays at 9 pm.

Shirsha Chakraborty

Born into a musical family, Shirsha Chakraborty has been singing ever since she figured out how to talk. After moving to Canada, her parents encouraged her to take Hindustani Classical vocal lessons from a young age, which equipped her with a lot of the skills needed to participate in a regional version of Indian Idol, as an international contestant, in 2008. Returning from that incredible experience, Shirsha started taking “speech level singing” vocal technique lessons from Ryan Luchuck, and enrolled into the Regional Arts Program at Mayfield Secondary School, for voice. Since then, Shirsha has been performing on stages across Canada, the States, and in India. After high school, she travelled to Mumbai, India and won a national singing competition in 2014, judged by renowned singer and composer Mr. Shankar Mahadevan; as a reward, she recorded vocals on his wonderful composition, “Laadli”. That same year also performed with Bollywood sensation Ash King, and was invited by Grammy Award-Winning pianist and songwriter Laura Sullivan to sing in an incredible collaboration called “900 Voices”. Last year, Shirsha made her Bollywood playback-singing debut alongside maestro Ustad Rashid Khan in the theme song of the movie Wedding Anniversary, called “Bidesia – the Stranger”. Currently, Shirsha is in her last year in the Bachelor of Music program at Humber, and can look back on fantastic experiences like performing with Christian McBride, Larry Goldings and Emily Claire Barlow. She is very excited to be working on her EP at Humber, and to release her music into the world in mid-2019. Shirsha's Jazzology Playlist

"Butterfly" - Rajaton Song (2006)
"Ella Fitzgerald" - Angel Eyes (Remastered Version - 2018)
"Sabrina Claudio" - Unravel Me (2017)
"Changes" - H.E.R. (2017)
"Khwahishein" - Shreya Ghoshal (2012)
"Don't Blame Me" - Taylor Swift (2017)
"Wind" - Laila Biali (2018)
"Mirror" - Shirsh Chakraborty (2019)

Jazzology with Heather Bambrick can be heard Wednesdays at 9 pm.

Agneya Chikte

Agneya Chikte is a Toronto based drummer/percussionist who has been performing professionally for seven years. Known for his stylistic versatility, he moved to Toronto to pursue his Bachelor’s in Music at the prestigious Humber College – School of Creative and Performing Arts, and has been steadily rising through the ranks in the music scene. He has studied with some of Canada’s best-known musicians and educators, namely Mike Downes, Pat LaBarbera, Mark Kelso, Kirk MacDonald and Larnell Lewis. In his time at Humber, Agneya has had the honour of receiving multiple Awards and Scholarships, including the 2018 Canada-wide MusiCounts Scholarship. Agneya performs on drum set and percussion alike, covering a broad range of styles reflecting his wide interest in a variety of music and his natural feel for groove and texture regardless of genre. He has performed across the GTA at stages and venues like the TD Toronto Jazz festival, Orangeville Jazz Festival, Beaches Jazz Festival, the Rex Hotel Jazz and Blues Bar, Burdock Music Hall and the Emmet Ray. In June 2018, Agneya was selected to be a part of the TD Toronto Jazz Festival’s inaugural ‘Jazz Musician Intensive’ which was the festival’s own student showcase ensemble, consisting of two students each from the 4 post-secondary music programs in the GTA, under the direction of Juno Award winning composer and bassist, Mike Downes. Additionally, the Agneya Chikte Trio was declared the 2018 winner for Niagara Jazz Festival’s "Jazz for the Ages" youth jazz competition. In October 2018, Agneya recorded his first EP as a leader, featuring Jeff LaRochelle on Tenor Saxophone, James Hill on Piano and Special Guest Rich Brown on Electric Bass. www.agneyachikte.com agneya.chikte@gmail.com Instagram/FB - @agneyachikte Agneya's Jazzology Playlist

"Chutzapan" - Avishai Cohen Trio (2008)
"Me and My Baby" - Benny Green Trio (1993)
"Anthropology" - Meldhau & Rossy Trio (1993)
"Entertain Me" - Tigran Hamasyan (2014)
"Teleology" - Agneya Chikte (2018)

Jazzology with Heather Bambrick can be heard Wednesdays at 9 pm.

James DeGeer

James DeGeer is a 23 year old guitar player with 14 years of experience, but relatively new to jazz. Most of his time learning guitar has been influenced by progressive rock and metal. Jazz was always an inspiration for him, but he felt it intimidating to learn. Not until studying at Mohawk College that he really started to tackle it. Now, jazz has become his main inspiration and he enjoys the constant challenge of learning. James grew up in Hamilton but was born in California. He became interested in music through his parents and three siblings. They were all musicians and his dad a guitar teacher. He taught James through childhood and teenage years, until he began learning more from books and online resources. Through Mohawk College, he's been introduced to many great teachers who have helped me in many aspects of my musicianship. Bob Shields has been his private teacher for two years, and taught James much about theory and concepts, but also about how the mind works with music, and how to build a long and sustainable career. Bob has been James's main influence for guitar and he intends to continue studying with Bob after his time at Mohawk Throughout his time at Mohawk College James has grown more and more interested in production and engineering, studying music technology with Kirk Starkey and Jamshed Turel in addition to interning at Catherine North Studio in Hamilton. James's Jazzology Playlist:

"I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face" - Wes Montgomery (1962)
"Billies Bounce" - Charlie Parker (1945)
"One for Mark" - Avishai Cohen (2006)
"Have You Met Miss Jones?" - James DeGeer, Nathaniel Pollard, Spencer Devolin, Kurtis Vandervrie (2018)
"Morning Sprite" - Chick Corea (1989)
"Bye Bye Baby" - Ed Bickert (1983)
"I Got Rhythm" - John Pizzarelli (2010)

Jazzology with Heather Bambrick can be heard Wednesdays at 9 pm.

Nathanael Pollard

Nathanael Pollard, originally a classical pianist for 12 years, transitioned to contemporary and jazz music for his new found love of arranging and improvisation. On the side, Nathanael plays Guitar, Bass, Eastern and African Drums for various occasions when needed. As a gigging musician and teacher he believes deeply in the importance of exploring all aspects and genres of music. His greatest influences are Jazz Fusion, Reggae, R&B and Afro Cuban/Latin jazz. With his extensive background in music, he's taken his knowledge to the test of being a band leader of The Groove Machine; a pop cover band for those with an ear for jazz. The Mohawk College jazz program has brought many opportunities to Nathanael's musicianship, including his love for Broadway music, and working with Jamshed Turel as part of the Burlington Student Theatre Pit Band. Through the great support of colleagues and the music faculty at Mohawk he enters his third year confident to perform his Final Recital. Nathaniel's Jazzology Playlist

The Lady is a Tramp - Bill Charlap Trio (2007)
Jump Monk - Charles Mingus Big Band (1959)
Actual Proof - Herbie Hancock (1974)
Metropole - Anomalie (2017)
All I Do - Cory Henry (2018)
Füt Prntz - Nathanael Pollard (2018)

Jazzology with Heather Bambrick can be heard Wednesdays at 9 pm.

Benjamin Maclean

Benjamin Maclean grew up in a very musical household, and has been around music his whole life. However, he didn’t start playing music until the age of 13. Since then, his love for music has only grown. Ben plays guitar and upright bass, playing a wide variety of genres including jazz, blues, pop, r&b, soul, hip-hop, folk and rock. He is currently in his third year of the Humber music program and hopes to get a masters in either performance or musicology.

Benjamin's Jazzology playlist

"A Gal In Calico" - Ahmad Jamal (rec. 1958, rel. 2007)
"Just Friends" - Charlie Parker (rec. 1950, rel. 1995)
"I Want To Be Happy" - Bud Powell (1952)
"I Can't Give You Anything But Love" - Louis Armstrong (rel. 2000)
"57th Street Theme" - Charlie Parker (rel. 1977)
"Jim" - Billie Holiday (rec. 1941, rel. 2001)
"All Of You" - Miles Davis (1959)
"On The Alamo" - Stan Getz (1964)

Jazzology with Heather Bambrick can be heard Wednesdays at 9 pm.