JazzWorks' Jazz Jams will have a new home for the next few months while renovations are under way at Festival Japan. We are pleased that KaTO Fusion Restaurant at 1170 Chemin d'Alymer, Gatineau has agreed to host our jams temporarily.

The jams are held the 3rd Thursday of every month (summer excluded). The host band kicks things off with a set starting at 7:30 pm. Then the stage is open to all musicians.

Cover is $5 for JazzWorks Friends and $10 for general admission.  Become a Friend of JazzWorks at the door or online.

JazzWorks' Vocal Mentored Open Mic sessions are also temporarily moving. Because these sessions require a tuned piano, we are happy to announce that we will be hosting them at GigSpace , located at 953 Gladstone Ave., for the next couple of months, until we move back into Festival Japan. Open Mic sessions are held the last Sunday of every month (summer excluded), 1:30 - 3:30 pm.

Steve Boudreau, educator and accompanist extraordinaire, will amp up your performance with constructive feedback on style, key, tempo and performance tips!

Please bring your own mic if you have one. Bring your own beverage, snacks and water bottle.  No food or beverages available on site.

Pop-Up Holiday Fundraiser Event At Festival Japan!
December 28 at 7:30 pm

Join New York vocalist Teri Roiger, bassist John Menegon and Ottawa guitarist & Jazz Camp Faculty member Roddy Ellias in a Holiday Pop-Up Fundraiser for JazzWorks Canada!

$20 General Admission
Free for children under 18
Tickets will be sold at the door.
 
Where?
Festival Japan Restaurant, 149 Kent St.

JazzWorks thanks these fantastic musicians for donating their talents and time to make this special event possible. 100% of proceeds go to JazzWorks programs.

ABOUT THE MUSICIANS

Teri Roiger: An American jazz musician, vocalist, pianist, songwriter, educator, and producer, Teri lives in New York City. Teri has performed throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Europe, and has been a featured artist at the San Miguel Jazz Festival, Panama Jazz Festival, and Bolzano Jazz Festival. The depth of her experiences and love of jazz is apparent when she brings all of her talents to bear in her live performances, the recording studio, and through her moving lyrics and compositions.

“To hear Teri Roiger is to experience that peculiarly beautiful combination of improvisation, tone, feeling, and phrasing that are distinct elements of jazz freedom. She is made for those who still understand the meaning of the term 'the real thing!' ” - Stanley Crouch
 
John Menegon: New York City bassist John Menegon started his career playing bass in Montreal. After having worked for several years on the Canadian jazz scene with the great guitarists Sonny Greenwich, Mike Gauthier & Nelson Simons, and saxophonists Steve Grossman & Pat LaBarbara, he went on to hone his skills in NYC in the mid-80s. Since moving to New York to study Jazz at Long Island University on a full scholarship, John has performed/recorded with Dewey Redman, David “Fathead” Newman, Matt Wilson, Frank Kimbrough, John Hicks, Yoron Israel, Jack DeJohnette, Kenny Burrell, Joel Frahm and many others. In addition to touring, recording, and composing,  he has created and taught Jazz Workshops on the music of Jaco Pastorius, Miles Davis, and Charles Mingus at Williams College (Williamstown, MA). He has also taught master classes at Jazz Festivals around the world, including the Panama Jazz Festival, Bolzano, (Italy) and San Miguel de Allende.

Roddy Ellias: Reviewers have described Ellias as "genius (Bud Freeman), "positively brilliant" (Bill McBirnie) and "exquisite …the kind of subtlety you don't often hear…anywhere."(Mark Miller). He has performed with Lee Konitz, Kenny Wheeler, Tom Harrel, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Nat Adderley, Slide Hampton, Cleo Laine, Pepper Adams, Lew Tabakin, Michel Donato, Mel Torme, Bud Freeman, PJ Perry, Rob McConnell, the Montreal Symphony, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, and Michel Legrand. As an improviser, "American guitarist and writer Matthew Warnock describes him this way: "as close to being a Zen master on the guitar as he can be."

Join JazzWorks for
Gaby Warren's 20th Annual Holiday Jam!

Calling all instrumentalists and vocalists to join us on:
Thursday, December 15th, 2022
Performance starts at 7:30. Please arrive early to ensure premium seating!

Gaby Warren & Friends
Gaby Warren - vocals
Linsey Wellman - alto sax
Rob Frayne - alto sax
Steve Boudreau - piano
Garry Elliott - guitar
Alrick Huebener - bass
Mike Essoudry - drums

Come join us for a night out of music and fun. Entertainment starts at 7:30 with an opening set played by Gaby Warren & Friends, featuring a surprise guest. To herald the Christmas season, the group will resurrect their greatest Christmas hit! Then we turn the mic over to you (vocalists, feel free to bring your own mic).  Cover is $5 for JazzWorks members and $10 for non-members.  You can purchase a membership at the door or online. We hope to see you there!
 
Cover Charge:  
$10 General Admission
$5 Friends of JazzWorks

Location:  
Festival Japan Restaurant
149 Kent St (near Kent and Albert)

**If you wish to have dinner at Festival Japan, please make reservations at (613) 234-1224 (sushi bar closes at 9pm)**
 
Parking:  Parking on nearby streets is free after 6 pm, but please always check any parking signs. There is also a parking lot at Kent and Queen (parking fees apply).

Great food and great entertainment! Come to jam or just to listen. Proceeds go to JazzWorks programs.

JazzWorks Canada launches its 2022-23 “JazzWorks Presents” Concert Series with saxophonist, flutist, composer, arranger and educator T.K. Blue on December 16th, 2022 from 7:30 to 10:30 pm at Festival Japan Restaurant, located at 149 Kent Street, in Ottawa.

“Blue’s brand of music is honest, sincere, graceful and direct. […]  He’s about the music and feeling it creates, both in the artist and the listener.”  - Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz.com

T.K. Blue is a musician of the highest calibre who is at the peak of his creative output.  T.K.’s artistry is found on over eighty-five recordings, and he has performed with a long list of great international artists such as Don Cherry, Jaki Byard’s Apollo Stompers, Ted Daniels’ Big Band and Abdullah Ibrahim, to name a few.  Blue released his 11th CD, entitled Amour, as band leader in 2017, and it was cited as one of the best jazz recordings of the year by Downbeat magazine.  Based in New York, Blue holds a master’s degree in Music Education from Columbia University.  He will be joined in concert by Ottawa pianist Steve Boudreau, Montreal bassist Alec Walkington and Ottawa drummer Michel Delage.

T.K. Blue will present a special Master Class on Thursday, December 15th from 4:30 to 6:00 pm entitled, “Using the Blues as a Vehicle for Jazz Improvisation: The African Aesthetic”.  The workshop will take place at Centretown United Church, 507 Bank Street, Ottawa, Ontario.  Limited parking is available off Argyle Avenue and in the Glashan Public School parking lot, located at 28 Arlington Avenue.

Advance tickets for both events are available here. Prices range from $20 to $45 – the workshop is FREE for high school students.

Check out T.K.’s music:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEXCBGtbAFE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WS6FBVSS79I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VwNbqP-7vg

More information about T.K. Blue is available at www.tkblue.com  For Information about the “JazzWorks Presents” Concert Series and Workshop, contact the Administrator at 613-220-3819 or by email at [email protected].

What a Wonderful Week! - Jazz Camp 2022
What an amazing experience this year at Jazz Camp 2022 has been.  Despite the past two and a half years of Covid uncertainty that have reigned over us, the last-minute start to registration and all the other challenges we faced to get to this moment in time, we made it happen - TOGETHER.

We had a fantastic turnout, considering lingering hesitation to commingle in public places.  Some of our faculty and campers came from far afield, and most took the two-hour drive to come to the beautiful CAMMAC facilities on Lac MacDonald and spend a wonderful week making music, meeting new friends, honing jazz skills and having fun.

We were so pleased to welcome many younger campers this year.  It was great to see the intergenerational feel that they brought to Camp.  It goes to show that making music is a universal endeavour that brings people together in wonderful ways.  We hope this trend continues as we approach our thirtieth year since our first Camp back in 1994!

SPECIAL THANKS...

To all our Volunteers...
who worked so hard to make this year's Camp a beautiful experience.
To our Sponsors...
whose support ensures our high quality of programming.
To our Campers...
who make Camp so special with their music and their very presence.

Composers' Symposium: August 22-25
Jazz Camp: August 25-28

Registration Opens June 15th!!
 
It has been two long years of waiting, and JazzWorks is thrilled to announce that our summer Jazz Camp and Composers' Symposium are ON this year! Located at the beautiful CAMMAC facilities on Lac MacDonald, these intensive jazz education sessions feature instruction and performances by Canadian and international guest musicians/educators and are ideal for anyone wishing to expand, improve and enjoy their jazz musicianship skills in a supportive and friendly environment. Whether you are a beginning jazz musician or a seasoned pro, the JazzWorks' Jazz Camp and Composers' Symposium is the perfect place to hone your skills. Learn from our highly esteemed faculty and play with your peers.

Among our esteemed faculty this year are Adrian Vedady as Musical Director, Sienna Dahlen, Roddy Ellias, Kirk MacDonald, Steve Boudreau, Nick Fraser, Derrick Gardner, Chad Linsley, Lorne Lofsky, Amy London, Nat Reeves, Jae Sinnett and Kate Wyatt.

We look forward to seeing you this summer at JazzWorks' 27th Jazz Camp!

Jazz Camp Registration

"JazzWorks Presents" Concert Series: Drummer-Composer Jae Sinnet
Join "JazzWorks Presents" on Friday, June 3, 2022 for an evening filled with top-notch jazz music accompanied by your favourite Japanese dishes. The concert features Virginia-based drummer-composer Jae Sinnett, accompanied by bassist Adrian Vedady and guitarist Roddy Ellias.

If you wish to make dinner reservations... please contact Festival Japan at 613-234-1224

Time: Friday, June 3, 2022 from 7:30-10:30 pm EST
Address: Festival Japan (149 Kent Street, Ottawa, ON K1P 6E6)

“The Rhythm of Jazz" Workshop: This workshop will provide a wonderful opportunity for students, professionals and jazz appreciators to experience and learn how the swinging pulse of jazz defines the foundation of jazz performance. Drummer, composer, music educator and Sonor and Sabian artist Jae Sinnett will conduct a masterclass workshop showcasing, discussing and demonstrating the feel of the intricate complexities of the swing rhythm.

Time: Saturday, June 4, 2022 from 2:00-4:00 pm EST
Address: Steve's Music Store (308 Rideau Street, Ottawa, ON K1N 5Y5)

*FREE FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS*

About Jae Sinnett
 
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.

On Thursday, Apr. 21, 2022, JazzWorks revives its beloved monthly jam sessions. The music starts at 7:30 pm at Festival Japan, 149 Kent St. Admission is $10, $5 for JazzWorks Friends. The host band will be Off the Record, featuring Frank Edgerton (piano), Neil Sealy (bass), André Ferraton (drums), and Edwin Gans (sax). Following their set, the stage will be open to all musicians for the rest of the evening. Vocalists, feel free to bring your own mics.

For those of you who enjoy a meal at the jams, food from Festival Japan's dinner menu will be available. Please make dinner reservations by calling (613) 234-1224. For participants who like to arrive later in the evening, a selection of appetizers and drinks will be available. The kitchen closes at 9 pm.

:Looking further ahead, planning is underway for a JazzWorks Memorial Jam in June (exact date TBD) to celebrate the lives of our JazzWorks friends Marylise Chauvette, Howard Tweedle, Loic Martin, Ryszard Kowalski, and Tim Leah. We need volunteers to help make this happen. If you are able to help, please contact Leslie Toope.

Register NOW and join us at JazzWorks for a Virtual Mentored Vocal Jazz Open Mic Night with Los Angeles Songwriter/Vocalist Mark Winkler!
March 2nd, 2022
7-9 pm EST
SEVERAL PERFORMER SPACES STILL AVAILABLE & LISTENERS ARE WELCOME TOO!

About Mark Winkler
http://markwinklermusic.com/
“Mark Winkler is a musical marvel. Finally, a writer who sings, and a singer who swings.” Entertainment Critic - Rex Reed.

Mark Winkler is a Platinum Award Winning singer/lyricist who has had over 250 of his songs recorded and/or sung by such artists as Dianne Reeves, Liza Minnelli, Steve Tyrell, Jane Monheit, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kenny Rankin and Sara Gazarek. Charting high on the Jazz Week charts with his last 6 vocal releases, in 2018, Mark was voted ”Rising Star” Male Jazz Vocalist in Downbeat Magazine and has been featured in Jazziz and Jazz Times Magazines.

Mark’s most recent album, “Old Friends” with David Benoit, was #1 on Amazon’s Hot New Vocal Chart, went to #18 on the JazzWeek Charts and was singled out as the best Jazz CD of 2021 by Jonathan Widran in JAZZIZ magazine. His previous CDs received great reviews, including his album ”Jazz and Other Four Letter Words” which was awarded Four Stars in Downbeat and Five Stars in All About Jazz. Mark plans to release his new CD “Late Bloomin’ Jazzman” in April of 2022.

Mark Winkler has sung at Birdland, the Bluenote and the Iridium in NYC and in San Francisco and also in Los Angeles, London, Tokyo and Australia. As part of his “West Coast Cool” project with Cheryl Bentyne of Manhattan Transfer, he has performed at the Syracuse Jazz Festival, in Tuscon, Arizona, Toronto, Canada and Madison, Wisconsin among many other cities.

As a lyricist Mark has 6 musicals to his credit, that are playing across the US - including one that has been Off Broadway for 21 years and is the 2nd longest running show in Off Broadway history - Naked Boys Singing! Mark’s  jazz film noir musical, “Play It Cool” played Off Broadway in 2011 and his musical “Bark!” has played in LA and over 25 other cities as well as going to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year.

As an educator Mark Winkler has been teaching his lyric-writing “Crafting Great Lyrics: A Songwriters Workshop” at UCLA Extension for the past 17 years and also at the Los Angeles School of Song writing. Mark also writes columns for Music Connection Magazine and jazz interviews and reviews for LA Jazz Scene.

Please email Peggy Cameron to register for the event and receive the Zoom link.