JazzWorks is pleased to announce a brand new activity initiative from pianist, composer and JazzWorks community member, Debra Grass.

Did you get home from the JazzWorks Composers’ Symposium full of energy to write jazz tunes? Is that energy fading because you’re writing in isolation and don’t have a clear goal? Or perhaps you are thinking about signing up for the Composers’ Symposium next year but unsure if it's a good fit for you because you don't consider yourself a composer?

For those of us who aspire to write originals and would like to do so in a supportive and welcoming environment, there is a pilot project in Ottawa starting this month. The purpose is for tune writers a) to share musical ideas in a casual, peer-group atmosphere and b) to work towards a masterclass/performance of originals.

The pilot is limited to 6 participants and 6 in-person monthly meetings. Minimum requirements: You are an up-to-date Friend of JazzWorks and you can notate a simple melody. A $50 fee will be required (to help pay for occasional mentor involvement).   
 
If you’re interested please contact Debra Grass before October 12 for more details.

JazzWorks Canada is pleased to present, in partnership with the Austrian Embassy's Austrian Cultural Forum, Austrian pianist and composer Martin Listabarth in concert. Martin Listabarth will be accompanied by Canadian musicians Adrian Vedady on bass and Jim Doxas on drums.

The concert takes place Tuesday, October 29, 7 pm, at the Centretown United Church, 507 Bank St., Ottawa. Tickets are available at Eventbrite. For more info, please call 613-220-3819 or email jazzworkscanada.com.

About Martin Listabarth
Martin Listabarth is a Vienna-based jazz pianist and composer. He began playing classical piano at the age of five, showcasing an early interest in improvisation and composition. Listabarth pursued both jazz piano and classical piano studies at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna.
His music career has been marked by a focus on storytelling through composition. His debut solo album, “Short Stories” (2019), featured original pieces inspired by autobiographical experiences. This concept of narrative in music is a recurring theme in his work.

Listabarth’s sophomore solo album, “Dedicated” (2022), takes this storytelling approach further by drawing inspiration from 10 individuals who have fascinated or inspired him. The album combines tonal elegance, musical ingenuity, playfulness, wit, and a heavy dose of storytelling, showcasing his versatility and creativity.

Throughout his career, Listabarth has received critical acclaim for his solo piano albums, with one critic noting that his music is a “treasure trove of solo piano technique, running the full spectrum from soft and melancholic to dramatic and bold.”

As a composer, Listabarth has released music on his own label, Listabarth Records, and has collaborated with longtime comrades Gidi Kalchhauser on bass and others. His music can be found on various platforms, including Spotify and Music Database.

About Adrian Vedady
Adrian Vedady is a highly skilled and accomplished jazz bassist from Montréal. He has won numerous awards for his work, including three Juno awards and an East Coast Music award.  Critics have praised Vedady’s playing, describing him as “ridiculously fine” and noting his “beautiful sound”, “creativity”, and “soulfulness”. He is widely regarded as one of Montreal’s finest jazz bassists, with a reputation for his ability to connect with a broad range of musicians and styles.
Vedady has recorded and toured with numerous prominent jazz musicians, including Yannick Rieu, Francois Bourassa, Steve Amirault, Chet Doxas, Jim Doxas, Ben Charest, Gilles Vigneault, Michel Rivard, and Daniel Lavoie. He has also co-led a group with renowned pianist Marc Copland, releasing an album entitled “Live At Largo” in 2012.

About Jim Doxas
Doxas has been heavily influenced by rock, jazz, Motown and World Music. His work can be heard on over 150 albums and soundtracks, and he is a popular featured artist at jazz festivals worldwide. Distinguished for his improvisational approach to jazz, he makes the case that percussion can be as performative as a lyrical instrument. What distinguishes Doxas’ approach to improvisation is that he refuses to play it safe, allowing the moment to dictate the kind of framework that will contain, shape and guide the piece of music. Native Montréaler Jim Doxas was born into an artistically vibrant family. While studying at Montréal’s McGill University, Jim established himself early on as versatile percussionist.

Doxas has received Felix and Juno Awards, as well as nominations for Academy and Grammy Awards (Les Tripletts de Belleville). He has performed with Charlie Haden, Hank Jones, Joe Lovano, Donny McCaslin and vocalists Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Mark Murphy, among others. He was also the drummer in the Oliver Jones Trio for over a decade.

His current projects include The Doxas Brothers, The Oscar Peterson Legacy Quartet (with Ulf Wakenieus, Gerald Clayton & Dave Young), Riverside (in collaboration with Dave Douglas, Steve Swallow & Chet Doxas), Jean-Michel Pilc trio, the Jim Doxas Quartet, and CODE (with Lex French, Adrian Vedady & Christine Jensen). Jim is currently a lecturer and teacher at McGill and Concordia Universities, while also balancing an active international performance schedule.

Have you ever wondered what JazzWorks musicians do in the days leading up to the eagerly awaited Jazz Camp weekend? From August 26-29, 2024, the annual JazzWorks Practice Retreat offers a unique opportunity for musicians to escape their daily routines and focus on honing their skills in a tranquil setting. Held at CAMMAC, this retreat provides participants with dedicated practice time in private studios, 1-2 individual lessons with esteemed faculty, and the chance to play original compositions. Evening jam sessions and group activities with Composers’ Symposium participants further enrich the experience, making it an ideal environment for personal musical development.

The benefits of the JazzWorks Practice Retreat extend beyond skill improvement. Attendees can connect deeply with fellow musicians, explore secondary instruments, and enjoy a serene atmosphere conducive to creativity. With additional activities like canoeing and swimming in Lac MacDonald, the retreat serves as a perfect prelude to the Main Jazz Camp or as a standalone session for focused practice and camaraderie. Whether you’re preparing for Jazz Camp or simply seeking a nurturing space to grow as a musician, the JazzWorks Practice Retreat is a must-attend event. Register now to secure your spot and expand your musical horizons this summer.

Testimonials

"I attended the Practice Retreat the second year it was offered and my second time at JazzWorks Camp. During that session, I practiced Bach and jazz standards in the woods and hung out with the composers during their workshops. A seed started to grow, and the next year I attended as a composer with an idea to develop. I was at the beginning of my composing journey, working on a suite of pieces. For the next couple of years I brought more pieces to camp to add to my portfolio. Each time, I benefited from the thought-provoking workshops and received sensitive and constructive feedback from faculty and participants. At the same time, I was inspired by the incredible natural setting, camaraderie and music-making. I am indebted to JazzWorks Canada for encouraging me to grow as a composer, and I would urge others to take advantage of the time and space offered by the Retreat to nourish your artistic practice in the company of like-minded folks."

                       – Beverly McKiver, Practice Retreat & Composers' Symposium participant

“I have attended the Practice Retreat every year since it was first offered. I use it to get ready for Jazz Camp - get my voice in shape,  dig in to new tunes that I want to work on at camp.  I also love getting together with other participants to practice and “play”. Fooling around on the piano at the Practice Retreat each year eventually led me back to studying piano again. And I appreciate the more relaxed schedule so I have time to enjoy the beautiful lake!”

                      – Leslie Toope, Practice Retreat participant & vocalist

By John Inder, MBA

Please read the description below carefully before contacting us if you or someone you know is interested.

Role Description:

The JazzWorks Treasurer is a volunteer position responsible for overseeing all aspects of the finances for a small-scale, non-profit and charitable organization that is dedicated to the development of jazz musicianship by amateur jazz musicians of all ages.
 
The Treasurer manages and monitors JazzWorks’ financial affairs and keeps its Board of Directors current on all relevant financial matters so that the Board can make sound decisions.

The Treasurer at JazzWorks is an Officer of the Board and must fulfill the responsibilities of a Director, as defined in JazzWorks’ Constitution and Bylaws, in addition to the Treasurer’s primary responsibilities.

Key Activities of the Treasurer:

• Developing the organization’s annual Operating Budget and updating it as required
  
• Developing budgets for grant applications
  
• Developing appropriate budgets for the Annual Composers’ Symposium/Practice Retreat and Jazz Camp
  
• Filing annual Charitable Tax return
  

The Treasurer does not manage the day-to-day finances and bookkeeping activities. However, the treasurer reviews the books and provides advice to the Administrator, Bookkeeper, the Executive Director and the Board on financial management.

Reporting to: JazzWorks Board of Directors

Liaising with:

• JazzWorks Executive Director
  
• JazzWorks Administrator
  
• JazzWorks Bookkeeper
  

Estimated time per month: 8-12 hours

What we are looking for in a volunteer Treasurer:

• Canadian Professional Accountant (CPA) or equivalent designation
  
• Experience conceptualizing, carrying out and overseeing all aspects of finances of a non-profit organization and registered charitable organizations
  
• Knowledge of non-profit accounting and finance
  
• Adaptable and flexible
  
• Organized and pays attention to detail
  
• Works well independently and as part of a team; takes initiative and respects direction
  
• Able to give and receive feedback effectively
  
• Able to commit for two years
  
• Willing to participate in a regular schedule of virtual and in-person meetings to familiarize themselves with the goals and operations of the organization, and to communicate with the JazzWorks Board of Directors, bookkeeper, administrator and Executive Director
  

Assets:

• Experience working for or volunteering with an arts organization
  
• Personally connects with JazzWorks’ mandate in some way (e.g. musician, jazz lover etc.)
  

What we offer the volunteer Treasurer:

• Experience in a lead financial planning role
  
• Opportunity to learn more about non-profit and charitable organization management
  
• Opportunity to learn more about jazz
  

Please contact us if you are interested or if you have questions about this position.

JazzWorks is happy to say that our 2023 edition of Jazz Camp is almost sold out. As of today, there is limited space in shared accomodations in the Main Lodge. The Lake House is fully booked, as are the singles in the Main Lodge. 

Better hurry and register to avoid disappointment!

As you probably know by now, the Jazzworks Jam's regular home at Festival Japan has been under renovation all winter. Samantha has been kind enough to give us a room at Kato Japan, her Aylmer location. We just found out that venue is also not available this June, so we're going to postpone things until September, when hopefully we'll be back at Festival Japan. 

Keep your fingers crossed and we'll see you at Festival Japan September 21!

Born in the Netherlands and spending his formative years in his parents' home country of Suriname, South America, A.T.N. Stadwijk studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he majored in Contemporary Arranging. Currently based in New York, he is a keyboardist, arranger and producer, and has recorded and toured the world with such artists as Harry Belafonte, Richard Bona, Kenny Garrett, Marcus Miller, Paul Simon and Raul Midon. He will be joined in this funk-fusion jazz concert by Ottawa drummer Michel Delage and bassist Sage Reynolds at KaTO Restaurant on June 2, 2023, from 7:30-10:30pm.

A.T.N. Stadwijk will present a special Performance Workshop on Thursday, June 1 at Centretown United Church, located at 507 Bank Street, Ottawa. A.T.N. will be exploring the role of the keyboard/piano and how it can support other instrumentalists and vocalists in a combo setting. Bring your instrument/voice and get ready to play! If you wish to participate, please come prepared with a lead sheet for yourself and one in concert pitch for the keyboardist. Parking is available off Argyle Avenue and in the Glashan Public School parking lot, located at 28 Arlington Avenue. Doors open at 3:45 and the Workshop begins at 4pm. (Please use the arched entrance on Bank Street.)

**FREE for high school students**