Get to Know Your Camp Faculty!
JazzWorks Jazz Camp is a unique opportunity for singers and instrumentalists to learn jazz theory and technique from award-winning, highly innovative Canadian and international jazz musicians and special guests. JazzWorks' faculty will guide participants through a varied weekend of jazz master classes and workshop sessions, rehearsals and performances, highlighted by a public concert on Sunday afternoon.
Adrian Vedady
Musical Director/Bass/Composition
Since 1999, Adrian Vedady has been performing, recording and touring with Montreal's very best musicians including Wray Downes, Al McLean, Andre White, Joel Miller, Mike Rud, Yannick Rieu, Francois Bourassa, Joe Sullivan, Steve Amirault, Jim Doxas, Chet Doxas, Jeff Johnston and Christine Jensen. And internationally with the likes of Marc Copland, Jean-Michel Pilc, Dave Liebman, Ravi Coltrane, Ingrid Jensen, David Binney, Sheila Jordan, Laila Biali, Azar Lawrence and Ariel Pocock. In 2014, he won a Juno award for best album with Mike Rud's Notes on Montreal project. He has produced 2 albums as a leader, the latest entitled In Three Acts, that feature his compositions. He also co-leads a group with renowned pianist, Marc Copland. Together they have performed at numerous Canadian Jazz Festivals and released an album entitled Live At Largo in 2012. Vedady has performed at jazz festivals and concert halls across Canada, the USA, Europe, Mexico, India and China.
"The closing number was calming (yet also disquieting if one thinks of the lyrics): Joni Mitchell's 'Rainy Night House'. And that tune gave the clearest demonstration I have yet seen of what a ridiculously fine bass player Adrian Vedady is. His impeccable ear for tuning and level/balance, his agility around the instrument and his fluency as improviser are just jaw-dropping. A player who 'must be counted among Montreal's finest double bassists' (La Presse, 2009) might also happen to be one of the best in the world."
- Sebastian Scotney, LondonJazzNews.com
"The closing number was calming (yet also disquieting if one thinks of the lyrics): Joni Mitchell's 'Rainy Night House'. And that tune gave the clearest demonstration I have yet seen of what a ridiculously fine bass player Adrian Vedady is. His impeccable ear for tuning and level/balance, his agility around the instrument and his fluency as improviser are just jaw-dropping. A player who 'must be counted among Montreal's finest double bassists' (La Presse, 2009) might also happen to be one of the best in the world."
- Sebastian Scotney, LondonJazzNews.com
Sienna Dahlen
Vocals/Composition
JUNO award-winning, Quebec-based vocalist and songwriter, Sienna Dahlen has released 6 albums of original music as a leader over the past 15 years. Her collaboration with guitarist, Mike Rud (Notes on Montreal-Vocal Jazz Album of the Year, 2014) is just one of the many exciting projects to which she has contributed. Sienna is also a lyricist for, and co-leader of several high profile, Canadian jazz composers’ projects including Joel Miller's "Dream Cassette” (East Coast Music Award 2017), Karl Jannuska's "Streaming”, “Halfway Tree”, “Midseason” (Canada/France) and Christine Jensen's "Under the Influence”, Orchestre National de Jazz, (OPUS winner 2018). Sienna’s current record entitled Ice Age Paradise includes nine of Canada’s finest jazz, indie pop and classical musicians with orchestral arrangements by bassist, Andrew Downing.
Sienna has toured her work extensively across Canada and Europe in addition to having given several performances in Mexico and South America. Sienna’s voice can also be heard throughout the soundtrack of the Oscar-winning animated short, The Danish Poet (Torill Kove/Kevin Dean).
In addition to performing, Sienna has taught at many universities and jazz camps in Canada and has given workshops throughout the country and around the world, including at the Performance House Jazz Camp in Silkeborg, Denmark and the Konsort Music Academy in Moscow, Russia. Sienna currently teaches jazz voice and small ensembles at McGill University and Concordia University in Montreal.
“Dahlen has an extremely alluring voice, one that could sell rainwater in a snowstorm.”
(Pascal-Denis Lussier, All About Jazz)
"...(N)ous avons eu droit à cette matière riche, fruit d'une auteure-compositrice-interprète folkie, pianiste et guitariste dont la connaissance du travail harmonique propre au jazz, aussi aux musiques classique ou contemporaine, s'avère nettement supérieure à la moyenne chansonnière."
(Alain Brunet, La Presse, Montreal, CA)
To see Sienna on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iizIhllMk8o
Website: www.siennadahlen.com/
Sienna has toured her work extensively across Canada and Europe in addition to having given several performances in Mexico and South America. Sienna’s voice can also be heard throughout the soundtrack of the Oscar-winning animated short, The Danish Poet (Torill Kove/Kevin Dean).
In addition to performing, Sienna has taught at many universities and jazz camps in Canada and has given workshops throughout the country and around the world, including at the Performance House Jazz Camp in Silkeborg, Denmark and the Konsort Music Academy in Moscow, Russia. Sienna currently teaches jazz voice and small ensembles at McGill University and Concordia University in Montreal.
“Dahlen has an extremely alluring voice, one that could sell rainwater in a snowstorm.”
(Pascal-Denis Lussier, All About Jazz)
"...(N)ous avons eu droit à cette matière riche, fruit d'une auteure-compositrice-interprète folkie, pianiste et guitariste dont la connaissance du travail harmonique propre au jazz, aussi aux musiques classique ou contemporaine, s'avère nettement supérieure à la moyenne chansonnière."
(Alain Brunet, La Presse, Montreal, CA)
To see Sienna on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iizIhllMk8o
Website: www.siennadahlen.com/
Amy London
Vocals
Amy London is known and loved in New York City jazz and Broadway circles for her effortless sound, impeccable musicianship and depth of emotion. Her three critically acclaimed Motema CD's as a leader, The Royal Bopsters Project, Let's Fly and When I Look In Your Eyes have led her to engagements in Greece, Russia, Italy, Turkey, France, Brazil, England, Belgium, Czech Republic, Canada, and across the US.
The Royal Bopsters' sophomore CD on Motema, Party of Four, is scheduled for release on November 13, 2020. London’s seasoned career also includes three years in the 6 Tony Award Winning Broadway hit 'City of Angels' (singing on its Grammy nominated original cast album), and City Center's production of 'Promises Promises' starring Martin Short, plus tours with Charles Aznavour, Larry Elgart and Tom Browne.
Ms. London has enjoyed more than 30 years of performing at New York's top venues, such as Dizzy's, The Rainbow Room, Lincoln Center, Birdland, Blue Note, Jazz Standard, Kitano, BB King's, Jazz Forum, Smalls and more. Her most recent CD, Bridges, a retrospective of her recordings from the 1980’s and 90’s with such luminaries as Fred Hersch, Bob Mintzer, Dr. Lonnie Smith and more, was released in 2017 and has received rave reviews and worldwide airplay.
The Royal Bopsters Project comprises the vocal quartet of Amy London (soprano), the late Holli Ross (alto), Darmon Meader (tenor) and Dylan Pramuk (bass.) The album received rave reviews, including 4.5 stars from Downbeat, and Best CD’s of 2015 from Downbeat, JazzTimes, Jazziz and Talkin’ Broadway. Singing along with the Bopsters are 5 BeBop vocalese royalty: Mark Murphy, Annie Ross, Jon Hendricks, Bob Dorough and Sheila Jordan.
In 2016, three-time Grammy nominated arranger Pete McGuinness replaced Darmon Meader as the tenor in the quartet, and the “Bopsters” continue to appear regularly in NY, across the US and internationally. Recent highlights include performances at the 2019 Newport Jazz Festival with Sheila Jordan - met with standing ovations, and a 2019 New Year’s Eve broadcast on bassist Christian McBride’s Sirius JAZZ XM Radio show, The Lowdown which continues to appear in frequent rotation.
A world-renowned jazz educator, Ms. London is one of the principal architects of New School’s Jazz BFA vocal program and has been a faculty member since 1992. Amy is also on faculty at City College Jazz at CUNY, Hofstra University and Jazz House Kids, and has presented her ‘Sing Along with Ella’ workshops at IAJE/JEN. Ms. London has been directing summer camp vocal programs worldwide since 2003.
Website: amylondonsings.com/
The Royal Bopsters' sophomore CD on Motema, Party of Four, is scheduled for release on November 13, 2020. London’s seasoned career also includes three years in the 6 Tony Award Winning Broadway hit 'City of Angels' (singing on its Grammy nominated original cast album), and City Center's production of 'Promises Promises' starring Martin Short, plus tours with Charles Aznavour, Larry Elgart and Tom Browne.
Ms. London has enjoyed more than 30 years of performing at New York's top venues, such as Dizzy's, The Rainbow Room, Lincoln Center, Birdland, Blue Note, Jazz Standard, Kitano, BB King's, Jazz Forum, Smalls and more. Her most recent CD, Bridges, a retrospective of her recordings from the 1980’s and 90’s with such luminaries as Fred Hersch, Bob Mintzer, Dr. Lonnie Smith and more, was released in 2017 and has received rave reviews and worldwide airplay.
The Royal Bopsters Project comprises the vocal quartet of Amy London (soprano), the late Holli Ross (alto), Darmon Meader (tenor) and Dylan Pramuk (bass.) The album received rave reviews, including 4.5 stars from Downbeat, and Best CD’s of 2015 from Downbeat, JazzTimes, Jazziz and Talkin’ Broadway. Singing along with the Bopsters are 5 BeBop vocalese royalty: Mark Murphy, Annie Ross, Jon Hendricks, Bob Dorough and Sheila Jordan.
In 2016, three-time Grammy nominated arranger Pete McGuinness replaced Darmon Meader as the tenor in the quartet, and the “Bopsters” continue to appear regularly in NY, across the US and internationally. Recent highlights include performances at the 2019 Newport Jazz Festival with Sheila Jordan - met with standing ovations, and a 2019 New Year’s Eve broadcast on bassist Christian McBride’s Sirius JAZZ XM Radio show, The Lowdown which continues to appear in frequent rotation.
A world-renowned jazz educator, Ms. London is one of the principal architects of New School’s Jazz BFA vocal program and has been a faculty member since 1992. Amy is also on faculty at City College Jazz at CUNY, Hofstra University and Jazz House Kids, and has presented her ‘Sing Along with Ella’ workshops at IAJE/JEN. Ms. London has been directing summer camp vocal programs worldwide since 2003.
Website: amylondonsings.com/
Lorne Lofsky
Guitar
Lorne Lofsky is an internationally recognized jazz guitarist. Born and raised in Toronto, he has been playing professionally for the last 42 years. He has played/toured or recorded with a who's who of the jazz world, including Oscar Peterson, Ed Bickert, Rob McConnell, Chet Baker, Joey DeFrancesco, Pepper Adams, Ray Brown, Neils Henning Orsted Pederson, Rosemary Clooney, Kirk MacDonald, Dave Holland, and many other respected members of the international jazz community. In addition, he has been a faculty member at York University's Fine Arts/Music program since 1978 and also teaches at the Humber College Community Music Program.
Lorne is a mainstay of the Toronto jazz scene and performs extensively in the Greater Toronto Area. He has also given clinics and performed concerts at St. FX University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia and McGill University in Montreal, Quebec.
Website: lornelofsky.com
Lorne is a mainstay of the Toronto jazz scene and performs extensively in the Greater Toronto Area. He has also given clinics and performed concerts at St. FX University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia and McGill University in Montreal, Quebec.
Website: lornelofsky.com
Jocelyn Gould
Guitar
Guitar
JUNO winner Jocelyn Gould has been called “a leader in the next generation of great mainstream jazz guitarists” by Howard Paul, CEO of Benedetto Guitars. Her joyful energy has captivated audiences around the world and her passion for music is infectious. She has absorbed the influences of the jazz guitar greats and has woven them into an exciting personal sound. Jocelyn’s unique ability to connect with audiences always leaves them wanting more.
Jocelyn's debut release as a leader, Elegant Traveler, won a 2021 JUNO for Jazz Album of the Year. Her sophomore album, Golden Hour, reached #1 on the Canadian Earshot charts and #9 on American College Radio charts.
Jocelyn has spent the last several years touring extensively. In 2022 she brought her group to 11 Canadian Jazz Festivals. She completed a 6 week, 33 date American theatre tour that showcased the music of Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday and Nina Simone. She also performed at acclaimed venues including Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, Lincoln Center, The Jazz Corner, the Savannah Jazz Festival, and the Kensington Market Jazz Festival. So far, 2023 has seen Jocelyn featured in a 34 city American and Canadian solo guitar theatre tour. She is scheduled to make her U.K. debut at the London Jazz Festival.
Jocelyn Gould has performed internationally in the groups of Grammy nominated vocalist Freddy Cole, trumpeter Etienne Charles and DownBeat Critics Poll winner trombonist Michael Dease. She can be heard on albums led by Michael Dease, Caity Gyorgy, The Ostara Project, Jon Gordon, Diego Rivera, Randy Napoleon, and Will Bonness. She is the 1st place winner of the 2018 Wilson Centre International Jazz Guitar Competition.
Jocelyn is a full-time professor and Head of Guitar at Humber College in Toronto. She is endorsed by Benedetto Guitars.
Website: jocelyngould.com
YouTube Links
Jocelyn's debut release as a leader, Elegant Traveler, won a 2021 JUNO for Jazz Album of the Year. Her sophomore album, Golden Hour, reached #1 on the Canadian Earshot charts and #9 on American College Radio charts.
Jocelyn has spent the last several years touring extensively. In 2022 she brought her group to 11 Canadian Jazz Festivals. She completed a 6 week, 33 date American theatre tour that showcased the music of Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday and Nina Simone. She also performed at acclaimed venues including Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, Lincoln Center, The Jazz Corner, the Savannah Jazz Festival, and the Kensington Market Jazz Festival. So far, 2023 has seen Jocelyn featured in a 34 city American and Canadian solo guitar theatre tour. She is scheduled to make her U.K. debut at the London Jazz Festival.
Jocelyn Gould has performed internationally in the groups of Grammy nominated vocalist Freddy Cole, trumpeter Etienne Charles and DownBeat Critics Poll winner trombonist Michael Dease. She can be heard on albums led by Michael Dease, Caity Gyorgy, The Ostara Project, Jon Gordon, Diego Rivera, Randy Napoleon, and Will Bonness. She is the 1st place winner of the 2018 Wilson Centre International Jazz Guitar Competition.
Jocelyn is a full-time professor and Head of Guitar at Humber College in Toronto. She is endorsed by Benedetto Guitars.
Website: jocelyngould.com
YouTube Links
David Smith
Trumpet
David Smith is a sought-after trumpet player based in New York City. He has released three albums featuring his original compositions for Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records and Fresh Sound New Talent (Impetus, Anticipation and Circumstance) and has appeared as a sideman on over sixty recordings, including on the GRAMMY-winning albums Bianca Reimagined from the Dan Pugach Big Band (2025) and Four Questions from Arturo O’Farrill’s Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra (2020), Alan Ferber’s GRAMMY-nominated March Sublime and other albums with Harry Connick, Jr., Glen Hansard, Jon Gordon, Manuel Valera, Tom Jones and many others. Live performances include with Darcy James Argue's Secret Society, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Charlie Haden's Liberation Music Orchestra under the direction of Carla Bley, The Who, Glen Hansard and Alan Ferber's Big Band and Nonet.
David has a Master of Arts Degree in Jazz Performance from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College in New York, and is Artist Teacher in trumpet at the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the Hartt School, University of Hartford. Additionally he has been faculty at the Meet the Masters Summer Jazz Workshop, Maine Jazz Camp and Taipei International Summer Jazz Academy and maintains a private trumpet studio. In 2015 his composition "Halloween Song" was awarded third prize in the jazz category of the International Songwriting Competition.
Website: https://www.davesmithtrumpet.com/
David has a Master of Arts Degree in Jazz Performance from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College in New York, and is Artist Teacher in trumpet at the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the Hartt School, University of Hartford. Additionally he has been faculty at the Meet the Masters Summer Jazz Workshop, Maine Jazz Camp and Taipei International Summer Jazz Academy and maintains a private trumpet studio. In 2015 his composition "Halloween Song" was awarded third prize in the jazz category of the International Songwriting Competition.
Website: https://www.davesmithtrumpet.com/
Kirk MacDonald
Saxophone
With an established reputation as one of Canada’s leading saxophonists, Kirk MacDonald cut his first record at the age of thirteen. Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards, and has worked with many leading musicians in a variety of musical genres. He has performed on over fifty CDs as both leader and sideman, and has participated in numerous national broadcast recordings for CBC Radio. In addition to performing extensively throughout Canada, he has also performed in the USA, United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Holland, Monaco, Australia, Korea, Bermuda, and the Bahamas.
For over thirty years Kirk MacDonald has worked and recorded with many leading Canadian, U.S. and International jazz musicians including Claude Ranger, Dave Young, Sam Noto, Sonny Greenwich, Kenny Wheeler, Eddie Henderson, Harold Mabern, Walter Bishop Jr., Tom Harrell, Vic Juris, Peter Bernstein, Adam Nussbaum, Rich Perry, Kurt Elling, David Virelles, Ralph Bowen, Dick Oatts, Ben Monder, Seamus Blake, Jonathan Blake, Lorne Lofsky, Bob Mover, Pat LaBarbera, John Taylor, Ron McClure, Jack DeJohnette, Mike Stern, Jim McNeely, Bob Mintzer, Vince Mendoza, John Clayton, Chris Potter, Glenn Ferris, Maria Schneider, Dave Grusin, Danilo Perez, Adam Rogers, Dennis Mackrel, Nancy Walker, Barry Romberg, Andre White, Rob Smith, Brian Dickinson, Denny Christianson, Bernie Senensky, Phil Nimmons, James Moody, Rosemary Clooney, and the Humber College Faculty Ensemble.
Over 100 performances of Kirk MacDonald’s compositions appear on 25 albums, both as leader and on recordings by other artists. Kirk has established a substantial body of original work as a saxophonist/composer over the past three decades. As a follow up to his award winning recordings Symmetry with Tom Harrell, and Vista Obscura with Harold Mabern, MacDonald released Common Ground, a double CD of his compositions arranged by Joe Sullivan for Jazz Orchestra. Silent Voices, a co-led quartet outing with renowned saxophonist Pat LaBarbera, featuring American jazz great Adam Nussbaum on drums. MacDonald’s latest recording Generations, brings him back full circle to his roots in a program of jazz standards and the Great American Songbook. Generations features three generations of musicians: the legendary pianist Harold Mabern at age 82 and MacDonald’s wonderfully talented daughter Virginia MacDonald, at age 23, on clarinet.
Kirk MacDonald has been active as an educator for 30 years at leading jazz studies programs such as The University of Toronto, Humber College and McGill University. Through his work with these programs, numerous live performances, recordings, master classes and workshops throughout Canada and internationally, Kirk has become one of Canada’s most respected and in demand educators.
For close to three decades MacDonald has been a leader in his field of performance, composition and education and has had a huge and lasting influence on many of Canada’s younger generation of musicians. Many former students have gone on to forge national and international careers in many genres of music.
Kirk MacDonald is presently a full time professor at Humber College in Toronto. MacDonald also acts as the Artistic Director for the “Youth Jazz Canada” project and directs the “National Youth Jazz Combo”. This project also hosts a 2 week workshop in the summer for high school and post-secondary students.
Website: https://kirkmacdonald.com/
For over thirty years Kirk MacDonald has worked and recorded with many leading Canadian, U.S. and International jazz musicians including Claude Ranger, Dave Young, Sam Noto, Sonny Greenwich, Kenny Wheeler, Eddie Henderson, Harold Mabern, Walter Bishop Jr., Tom Harrell, Vic Juris, Peter Bernstein, Adam Nussbaum, Rich Perry, Kurt Elling, David Virelles, Ralph Bowen, Dick Oatts, Ben Monder, Seamus Blake, Jonathan Blake, Lorne Lofsky, Bob Mover, Pat LaBarbera, John Taylor, Ron McClure, Jack DeJohnette, Mike Stern, Jim McNeely, Bob Mintzer, Vince Mendoza, John Clayton, Chris Potter, Glenn Ferris, Maria Schneider, Dave Grusin, Danilo Perez, Adam Rogers, Dennis Mackrel, Nancy Walker, Barry Romberg, Andre White, Rob Smith, Brian Dickinson, Denny Christianson, Bernie Senensky, Phil Nimmons, James Moody, Rosemary Clooney, and the Humber College Faculty Ensemble.
Over 100 performances of Kirk MacDonald’s compositions appear on 25 albums, both as leader and on recordings by other artists. Kirk has established a substantial body of original work as a saxophonist/composer over the past three decades. As a follow up to his award winning recordings Symmetry with Tom Harrell, and Vista Obscura with Harold Mabern, MacDonald released Common Ground, a double CD of his compositions arranged by Joe Sullivan for Jazz Orchestra. Silent Voices, a co-led quartet outing with renowned saxophonist Pat LaBarbera, featuring American jazz great Adam Nussbaum on drums. MacDonald’s latest recording Generations, brings him back full circle to his roots in a program of jazz standards and the Great American Songbook. Generations features three generations of musicians: the legendary pianist Harold Mabern at age 82 and MacDonald’s wonderfully talented daughter Virginia MacDonald, at age 23, on clarinet.
Kirk MacDonald has been active as an educator for 30 years at leading jazz studies programs such as The University of Toronto, Humber College and McGill University. Through his work with these programs, numerous live performances, recordings, master classes and workshops throughout Canada and internationally, Kirk has become one of Canada’s most respected and in demand educators.
For close to three decades MacDonald has been a leader in his field of performance, composition and education and has had a huge and lasting influence on many of Canada’s younger generation of musicians. Many former students have gone on to forge national and international careers in many genres of music.
Kirk MacDonald is presently a full time professor at Humber College in Toronto. MacDonald also acts as the Artistic Director for the “Youth Jazz Canada” project and directs the “National Youth Jazz Combo”. This project also hosts a 2 week workshop in the summer for high school and post-secondary students.
Website: https://kirkmacdonald.com/
Janis Steprans
Saxophone
Janis Steprans was born in Montreal and studied music at Mcgill University and later at the New England Conservatory. As a saxophonist, Janis has performed with ensembles such as George Russell’s Living Time Orchestra, the Vic Vogel Big Band, the Count Basie Orchestra, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the European Broadcast Union Big Band and the Latvian Radio Big Band. He has also accompanied visiting artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Michel Legrand, and John Pizzarelli. Janis presented his jazz quartet at the World Saxophone Congress in 2000, and in 2008 he performed on clarinet in an ensemble formed to accompany Dave Brubeck at the Montreal International Jazz Festival.
Janis’ participation on Jim Hillman’s cd The Merlin Factor earned him a Juno Award in 1994 in the Best Contemporary Jazz Album category. He also played on Rémi Bolduc’s Hommage à Charlie Parker album which earned the 2011 Prix Félix in the category of Best Jazz Album. In addition to the six cd's Janis has released under his own name, he has recorded often for Radio-Canada and CBC radio. In 2019, Janis was invited to direct the youth big band Jugen-Jazzorchester Sachsen in Saxony, Germany. He has given masterclasses in Canada, England, Brazil and Guadeloupe. Janis is Professor of Jazz Studies at the Faculté de musique, Université Laval, in Quebec City, where he teaches jazz saxophone, jazz history and jazz arranging, as well as having directed the university's big band from 2005 to 2022.
Check out Janis on Youtube:
Janis’ participation on Jim Hillman’s cd The Merlin Factor earned him a Juno Award in 1994 in the Best Contemporary Jazz Album category. He also played on Rémi Bolduc’s Hommage à Charlie Parker album which earned the 2011 Prix Félix in the category of Best Jazz Album. In addition to the six cd's Janis has released under his own name, he has recorded often for Radio-Canada and CBC radio. In 2019, Janis was invited to direct the youth big band Jugen-Jazzorchester Sachsen in Saxony, Germany. He has given masterclasses in Canada, England, Brazil and Guadeloupe. Janis is Professor of Jazz Studies at the Faculté de musique, Université Laval, in Quebec City, where he teaches jazz saxophone, jazz history and jazz arranging, as well as having directed the university's big band from 2005 to 2022.
Check out Janis on Youtube:
Samuel Blais
Saxophone
Saxophone
Recently awarded with the "Jazz Revelation for 2011-2012 by Radio-Canada" Samuel Blais has won several classical music competitions starting around age 15. He studied at the Montreal Conservatory of Music for 3 years after which he moved on to Jazz at McGill University where he completed a bachelors degree in Jazz Performance which led him to continue his musical education at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music in New York, obtaining a Masters degree in Jazz Performance. The 3 years he spent in New York allowed him to perfect his art and to perform with worldwide renown musicians such as Greg Osby, David Liebman, Jim Black, Larry Grenadier, Nate Smith, Donny McCaslin, Jamie Baum, Ari Hoenig, Terri Lyne Carrington etc. Samuel Blais performed extensively in the USA and Canada, as well as in France, Belgium, Mexico and Hong Kong.
During his studies, Samuel had the opportunity to study with David Liebman, Dick Oatts, Greg Osby, Rémi Bolduc, Steve Slagle, Frank Lozano, Jan Jarczyk and many more. He was awarded scholarships from Manhattan School of Music, McGill University, Canada Council for the Arts, Quebec Council for the Arts, MusicAction as well as from the « L.A. Friends of Jazz » while on tour with the McGill Jazz Orchestra I.
After producing his first record in 2008, « Where to Go »(FND080), he comes back with a new record called « New Angle »(FND104). This new CD has been acclaimed by critics and was nominated for Best Jazz Record at the ADISQ Gala and even won a Prix Opus for Best Jazz Album 2010-11.
Website: https://www.samuelblais.com/
During his studies, Samuel had the opportunity to study with David Liebman, Dick Oatts, Greg Osby, Rémi Bolduc, Steve Slagle, Frank Lozano, Jan Jarczyk and many more. He was awarded scholarships from Manhattan School of Music, McGill University, Canada Council for the Arts, Quebec Council for the Arts, MusicAction as well as from the « L.A. Friends of Jazz » while on tour with the McGill Jazz Orchestra I.
After producing his first record in 2008, « Where to Go »(FND080), he comes back with a new record called « New Angle »(FND104). This new CD has been acclaimed by critics and was nominated for Best Jazz Record at the ADISQ Gala and even won a Prix Opus for Best Jazz Album 2010-11.
Website: https://www.samuelblais.com/
Nick Fraser
Drums
Nick Fraser has been an active and engaging presence in the Toronto new jazz and improvised music community since he moved there from Ottawa in 1995. He has worked with a veritable “who’s who” of Canadian jazz and improvised music including Justin Haynes, Mike Murley, Rich Underhill, P.J. Perry, Phil Dwyer, Michael Snow, John Oswald, Andrew Downing, Jean Martin, Christine Duncan, Lina Allemano, Quinsin Nachoff, Dave Restivo, Jim Vivian, David Braid, Ryan Driver, David Occhipinti, William Carn, Nancy Walker, Kieran Overs, Kelly Jefferson, John Geggie, Scott Thomson, Marilyn Lerner, David Mott, Lori Freedman, Jean Derome, Ron Samworth and Kirk MacDonald.
In addition, he has had the opportunity to perform and/or record with such international artists as Tony Malaby, Michael Moore, Bobby Shew, Donny McCaslin, Marilyn Crispell, Anthony Braxton, Joe McPhee, William Parker, Jean-Luc Ponty, Bela Fleck, Dave Liebman, Joe Lovano, John Scofield, Wynton Marsalis, David Binney, Steve Turre, Matt Welch, Bill Carrothers and Bill Mays. Nick’s recorded works as a leader include Owls in Daylight (1997), Nick Fraser and Justin Haynes are faking it (2004) and Towns and Villages (2013).
For 10 years, he co-led the co-operative group Drumheller with Brodie West, Rob Clutton, Eric Chenaux and Doug Tielli, who released four critically acclaimed CDs between 2005 and 2013. Other projects that occupy Nick regularly are Ugly Beauties (with Marilyn Lerner and Matt Brubeck), Peripheral Vision, the Lina Allemano Four and Titanium Riot.
Nick is a founding member of The Association of Improvising Musicians of Toronto, a non-profit organization dedicated to the Toronto improvising community.
“Fraser not so much plays the drums as hurls himself whole body and soul against skin and metal… truly talented.”
- Bill Stunt, CBC Radio
“The young Toronto drummer is perhaps a little too progressive for the hidebound Canadian scene… Fraser is a deft and sensitive percussionist with a hint of an enigmatic streak, a feeling for economical gestures, and an innate sense of form.”
- Mark Miller, The Globe & Mail
“Fraser can swing hard when necessary, but he’s equally a colorist with all manner of unusual tricks up his sleeve. Placing cymbals on the drums and pushing on them while striking them created a sound akin to a water gongs. His brushwork was impeccable, asserting time while, at the same time, creating richer texture. His solos were clearly focused on the musical rather than macho displays of dexterity—though in order to do what he does, it’s clear that he possesses all kinds of technical facility.”
- John Kelman, All About Jazz
Website: http://nickfraserthedrummer.com/
In addition, he has had the opportunity to perform and/or record with such international artists as Tony Malaby, Michael Moore, Bobby Shew, Donny McCaslin, Marilyn Crispell, Anthony Braxton, Joe McPhee, William Parker, Jean-Luc Ponty, Bela Fleck, Dave Liebman, Joe Lovano, John Scofield, Wynton Marsalis, David Binney, Steve Turre, Matt Welch, Bill Carrothers and Bill Mays. Nick’s recorded works as a leader include Owls in Daylight (1997), Nick Fraser and Justin Haynes are faking it (2004) and Towns and Villages (2013).
For 10 years, he co-led the co-operative group Drumheller with Brodie West, Rob Clutton, Eric Chenaux and Doug Tielli, who released four critically acclaimed CDs between 2005 and 2013. Other projects that occupy Nick regularly are Ugly Beauties (with Marilyn Lerner and Matt Brubeck), Peripheral Vision, the Lina Allemano Four and Titanium Riot.
Nick is a founding member of The Association of Improvising Musicians of Toronto, a non-profit organization dedicated to the Toronto improvising community.
“Fraser not so much plays the drums as hurls himself whole body and soul against skin and metal… truly talented.”
- Bill Stunt, CBC Radio
“The young Toronto drummer is perhaps a little too progressive for the hidebound Canadian scene… Fraser is a deft and sensitive percussionist with a hint of an enigmatic streak, a feeling for economical gestures, and an innate sense of form.”
- Mark Miller, The Globe & Mail
“Fraser can swing hard when necessary, but he’s equally a colorist with all manner of unusual tricks up his sleeve. Placing cymbals on the drums and pushing on them while striking them created a sound akin to a water gongs. His brushwork was impeccable, asserting time while, at the same time, creating richer texture. His solos were clearly focused on the musical rather than macho displays of dexterity—though in order to do what he does, it’s clear that he possesses all kinds of technical facility.”
- John Kelman, All About Jazz
Website: http://nickfraserthedrummer.com/
Jae Sinnett
Drums
A native of Donora, PA, Jae Sinnett came to Virginia in the mid-‘70s and after completing his military service, he began his music career by attending Norfolk State University as a Music Education major. He evolved into a consummate drummer, composer and bandleader who has produced fifteen albums. He has also created instructional videos, scores music for five documentaries and written over 250 original compositions. Jae hosts the popular radio show Sinnett in Session as well as The R&B Chronicles.
As a jazz educator, Jae taught history, theory and percussion at the Governor’s School for the Arts in Norfolk, VA for eight years. He also directed the GSA Big Band and Jazz Combos. He was an adjunct drum set and jazz ensemble instructor at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA. He is a Sonor Drums and Sabian Cymbals artist and has been sponsored by both companies for over twenty years. He is also a tutoring clinician and music educator, conducting master classes at many universities and appearing as a guest artist with the ensembles performing his compositions.
Jae has performed with many artists over the years, including Branford and Ellis Marsalis, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Chuck Mangione, Charlie Byrd, Herb Ellis, Chico Freeman, Arthur Blythe, Carol Sloane, Jon Hendricks, Randy Brecker, James Moody, Kenny Drew Jr., Fred Hersch, Mulgrew Miller, James Williams, Jack Walrath, Makoto Ozone, JoAnne Brackeen, Andrew White and Frank Morgan, to name a few.
Jae’s awards include the prestigious Scott Willis Jazz Impact Award and the Duke Dubois Jazz Humanitarian Award at the JazzWeek Jazz Chart Summit. Jae has also been nominated several times for the Jazz Radio Programmer of the Year Award.
Website: https://jaesinnett.com/
As a jazz educator, Jae taught history, theory and percussion at the Governor’s School for the Arts in Norfolk, VA for eight years. He also directed the GSA Big Band and Jazz Combos. He was an adjunct drum set and jazz ensemble instructor at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA. He is a Sonor Drums and Sabian Cymbals artist and has been sponsored by both companies for over twenty years. He is also a tutoring clinician and music educator, conducting master classes at many universities and appearing as a guest artist with the ensembles performing his compositions.
Jae has performed with many artists over the years, including Branford and Ellis Marsalis, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Chuck Mangione, Charlie Byrd, Herb Ellis, Chico Freeman, Arthur Blythe, Carol Sloane, Jon Hendricks, Randy Brecker, James Moody, Kenny Drew Jr., Fred Hersch, Mulgrew Miller, James Williams, Jack Walrath, Makoto Ozone, JoAnne Brackeen, Andrew White and Frank Morgan, to name a few.
Jae’s awards include the prestigious Scott Willis Jazz Impact Award and the Duke Dubois Jazz Humanitarian Award at the JazzWeek Jazz Chart Summit. Jae has also been nominated several times for the Jazz Radio Programmer of the Year Award.
Website: https://jaesinnett.com/
Kate Wyatt
Piano/Composition
Originally from Victoria BC, pianist and composer Kate Wyatt is now recognized as one of the top jazz musicians of Montreal. She has been praised as having “musical ideas and a style of playing and writing that is on par with the current jazz piano elite: Mehldau, Yaron Herman, Shai Maestro, Fred Hersch.”, and has been hailed as “one of the top artists of Montreal, Quebec, or even Canadian jazz.” (Cardin/Brunet, panm360.com).
In July 2022 Wyatt released her debut album Artifact to excellent critical reviews. Joined by Lex French (trumpet), Adrian Vedady (bass) and Jim Doxas (drums) she leads a quartet whose effortless chemistry fosters deep interaction and high intensity. As one reviewer described, “Artifact is filled with melody, spirit, and a joy for playing together that brings the listener hope. This album is a gem. Highly recommended!!” (Richard Kamins, Step Tempest)
Kate Wyatt has performed with many recognized and respected musicians, including Kenny Wheeler, Jay Clayton, Ira Coleman, Itamar Borochov, Christine Jensen, Yannick Rieu, Ranee Lee, Don Thompson, Barry Elmes, Al McLean, and the Orchestre national de jazz de Montreal (ONJ). She has a passion for improvisation and innovation, and strives for a high level of sensitivity and interaction in her performances. Her music has been recognized with multiple awards from the Canada Council for the Arts, FACTOR, the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, and the Conseil des arts de Montréal.
As well as being a passionate performer and composer, Wyatt is a deeply invested music educator. She conducts masterclasses and heads the jazz program at Marianopolis College. Kate has been working as part of the Canadian Amateur Musicians/Musiciens Amateurs du Canada (CAMMAC) teaching team for over 10 years.
“Pianist and composer Kate Wyatt is making some of Canada’s most exciting and engrossing small-ensemble jazz these days.”
- Peter Hum, Ottawa Citizen
Website: Kate Wyatt Piano | Jazz Piano Player | Montreal
Socials: Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp
Videos:
In July 2022 Wyatt released her debut album Artifact to excellent critical reviews. Joined by Lex French (trumpet), Adrian Vedady (bass) and Jim Doxas (drums) she leads a quartet whose effortless chemistry fosters deep interaction and high intensity. As one reviewer described, “Artifact is filled with melody, spirit, and a joy for playing together that brings the listener hope. This album is a gem. Highly recommended!!” (Richard Kamins, Step Tempest)
Kate Wyatt has performed with many recognized and respected musicians, including Kenny Wheeler, Jay Clayton, Ira Coleman, Itamar Borochov, Christine Jensen, Yannick Rieu, Ranee Lee, Don Thompson, Barry Elmes, Al McLean, and the Orchestre national de jazz de Montreal (ONJ). She has a passion for improvisation and innovation, and strives for a high level of sensitivity and interaction in her performances. Her music has been recognized with multiple awards from the Canada Council for the Arts, FACTOR, the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, and the Conseil des arts de Montréal.
As well as being a passionate performer and composer, Wyatt is a deeply invested music educator. She conducts masterclasses and heads the jazz program at Marianopolis College. Kate has been working as part of the Canadian Amateur Musicians/Musiciens Amateurs du Canada (CAMMAC) teaching team for over 10 years.
“Pianist and composer Kate Wyatt is making some of Canada’s most exciting and engrossing small-ensemble jazz these days.”
- Peter Hum, Ottawa Citizen
Website: Kate Wyatt Piano | Jazz Piano Player | Montreal
Socials: Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp
Videos:
Brian Dickinson
Piano
Brian Dickinson has been a mainstay on the Canadian jazz scene for over thirty-five years. His skills as a jazz pianist, composer and arranger have been heard on well over sixty recordings including over ten of his own releases as leader.As a sideman, Brian has performed and recorded with many of the greatest international players including: Jerry Bergonzi, Randy Brecker, Kenny Wheeler, John Abercrombie, Pat LaBarbera, Kirk MacDonald, Maria Schneider, Vince Mendoza, Dave Liebman, George Garzone, Donny McCaslin, Seamus Blake, Ron McClure, Bob Mintzer, Phil Nimmons, Rob McConnell, Mike Murley, Tom Harrell, Lee Konitz, the Woody Herman Band, Cab Calloway, Nick Brignola, Sonny Greenwich, Eddie Daniels, Don Thompson, Jane Bunnett, and Dewey Redman.
In July, 2015 Brian will be recording with a new group “The Rhythm Method”, comprised of Kelly Jefferson and Luis Deniz (saxophones), Neil Swainson (bass) and Ted Warren (drums). The original music from this session will be featured in a new publication also titled “The Rhythm Method”.
As well as touring Canada extensively, Brian has also toured the US, Europe and Asia.
Website: briandickinson.ca/
In July, 2015 Brian will be recording with a new group “The Rhythm Method”, comprised of Kelly Jefferson and Luis Deniz (saxophones), Neil Swainson (bass) and Ted Warren (drums). The original music from this session will be featured in a new publication also titled “The Rhythm Method”.
As well as touring Canada extensively, Brian has also toured the US, Europe and Asia.
Website: briandickinson.ca/
Steve Boudreau
Piano/Vocal Accompanist
Steve Boudreau is an Ottawa-based pianist who specializes in jazz and popular music. He currently teaches piano privately and as part of Carleton University's Music Performance program. He also works frequently as a vocal accompanist in many genres. In 2010 he received a Master of Music degree in jazz performance from the New England Conservatory in Boston.
He has toured North America with multiple musical productions and has performed as both leader and sideman at various Canadian jazz festivals. His recording output includes six solo piano albums, a trio album featuring unique arrangements of the music of George Gershwin, and many collaborations. His latest trio album, Cherished Possessions, has been receiving praise and radio play all around the world.
His current projects include original music for piano trio, collaborative original works for piano and voice, and getting deeper into the music of Oscar Peterson, Wayne Shorter, Northern India and Björk.
Website: https://www.steveboudreaumusic.com/
He has toured North America with multiple musical productions and has performed as both leader and sideman at various Canadian jazz festivals. His recording output includes six solo piano albums, a trio album featuring unique arrangements of the music of George Gershwin, and many collaborations. His latest trio album, Cherished Possessions, has been receiving praise and radio play all around the world.
His current projects include original music for piano trio, collaborative original works for piano and voice, and getting deeper into the music of Oscar Peterson, Wayne Shorter, Northern India and Björk.
Website: https://www.steveboudreaumusic.com/
Chad Linsley
Piano/Vocal Accompanist
Chad has performed with many of Montreal’s finest musicians including Grammy award winner Jennifer Gasoi, Juno award winners Lorraine Klaasen and the legendary Ranee Lee, Félix award winner Natalie Choquette, and flautist Carolyn Christie of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. He can also be heard on Mike Rud’s Notes On Montreal with vocalist Sienna Dahlen, winner of the 2014 Juno award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year.
As an accomplished arranger, he has done well over a hundred arrangements for Musicnotes.com, the world’s largest e-commerce sheet music retailer and publisher. His work as an educator has earned him a teaching award from McGill’s Schulich School of Music. Chad has studied with Angie Tysseland, Tania Miller, Gordon Foote, Jan Jarczyk, Tilden Webb, Wray Downes, André White, and Tom Plaunt.
Website: https://www.chadlinsley.com/
Videos:
As an accomplished arranger, he has done well over a hundred arrangements for Musicnotes.com, the world’s largest e-commerce sheet music retailer and publisher. His work as an educator has earned him a teaching award from McGill’s Schulich School of Music. Chad has studied with Angie Tysseland, Tania Miller, Gordon Foote, Jan Jarczyk, Tilden Webb, Wray Downes, André White, and Tom Plaunt.
Website: https://www.chadlinsley.com/
Videos: