February 14, 2020
The Bettys
featuring:
Lisette St. Louis - vocalist
Patty Pedersen - vocalist
Kayla Ramu - vocalist
Michael Herring - bass
Jesse Whitely - piano
Ian McKay - drums
Harmony and humour come together with The Bettys, a jazzy, sassy girl trio whose engaging, high-energy sets cover the decades, from 1920s to modern-day hits. This Toronto based vocal trio escorts their audiences through the decades, bringing close harmony into the modern age. Glammed out in fabulous era-themed attire, Lisette St. Louis, Patty Pedersen and Kayla Ramu get their “sister act” on with inspired arrangements and theatrics that commemorate musical time ... a classy Puttin’ On The Ritz, jitter-bugging Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy or rocking a sultry Dude Looks Like a Lady by Aerosmith. With a talented four-piece band accompaniment (heck, the drummer tap dances!), the act customizes its musical riffs on jazz, swing, Motown and classic rock for generational appeal.
Nov 7, 2019
Jeremy Price Quartet
featuring:
Jeremy Price - flute
Zen Zadravec - piano
Paco Luviano - bass
Rich Brisco - drums
If there is anyone who has picked up the torch to continue the jazz flute tradition, Jeremy Price would surely be a candidate as a successor to a tradition was widely recognized to have begun with Wayman Carver(1905-1967) who was known for his flute work in Chick Webb’s band. Jeremy Price prefers performing live and is resurrecting a tremendous interest in jazz flute.
Over the past three decades Vancouver-based musician Jeremy Price has built a reputation as a jazz flute specialist in Canada. His voice speaks the language of straight-ahead jazz but is also strongly influenced by Brasilian music – particularly through a long-term musical association with NYC jazz icon Hendrik Meurkens.
September 27, 2019
Jennifer Thorpe Quartet
Featuring:
Jennifer Thorpe - vocals
Chris Norley - guitar
Larry Ernewein - bass
Richard Brisco - drums
Jennifer “Red” Thorpe is an award-winning jazz vocalist who has performed in clubs, concerts and festivals throughout Ontario. Witty, lyrical and always at ease, she is a consummate entertainer whose sets include everything from Fats Waller to bebop, jazz standards to new Canadian ‘standards.’ A proud graduate of Western’s performance program, Jennifer continues to work in many languages, singing original jazz lyrics in Portuguese, French and Spanish.
May 22, 2019
Charlie Rallo Quartet
featuring:
Charlie Rallo -piano
Larry Ernewein - bass
Rich Brisco - drums
Barry Usher - sax
Charles Rallo is a graduate of Oscar Peterson’s Advanced School of Contemporary Music and has played in numerous Ontario bands and orchestras, including The Peter Appleyard Quartet, The Canadian Modernaires, The Gordon Delamont Big Band featuring Rob McConnell, The Ron Collier Quintet, etc,
His trio was the house band at Toronto’s Town Tavern during the 70’s backing jazz artists such as Al Cohn, Zoot Sims, Carmen McCrae, Sarah Vaughan, Donald Byrd, Bobby Hackett. Rallo has toured with Mel Torme, Gloria DeHaven and has played three television specials with Tony Bennett.
September 28, 2018
Sonja Gustafson Quartet
featuring:
Sonja Gustafson - vocals
Charlie Bell - tenor sax
James Addis - piano
Jack McFadden - bass
Steve Wood - drums.
London’s award-winning Jazz songstress Sonja Gustafson is a talented vocalist with a unique style and polish. Her traditional approach reflects an appreciation for the forerunners of vocal jazz, bringing a cool verve to classic and lesser-known standards. Honest and soulful in her delivery and grace, Sonja Gustafson is dazzling whether performing passionate ballads, scatting with abandon, or crooning popular covers.
February 15, 2019
Denise Pelley Quartet
featuring:
Denise Pelley - vocals
Steve Holowitz - piano
Darryl Stacey - bass
Greg Mainprize - drums
Denise has performed with many great artists including acclaimed trombonist Ray Anderson, Gospel/Blues legend Jackie Richardson and Flamenco guitarist Jesse Cook. She has opened for Aretha Franklin at the John Labatt Centre in London, Ontario.
Denise has performed with symphony orchestras and festivals which have included the du Maurier Downtown Jazz Festival (Toronto), Ottawa Jazz Festival, The Royal Canadian Big Band Festival (London), Bluesfest (London), Waterloo Jazz Festival and Sunfest (London), among others.
Denise also enjoys acting and has been part of The Grand Theatre (London) seasons performing in the Fats Waller musical Ain’t Misbehavin’, Wang Dang Doodle with Denis Simpson and A Streetcar Named Desire. Denise’s one-woman show, Jazzabel premiered in September 2004 at the McManus Theatre (Grand Theatre), London, Ontario to sold out audiences!
November 23, 2018
Ariel Kasler Quintet
featuring:
Ariel Kasler - guitar & piano
Ed Croft - bass
Rich Brisco - drums
Bobbie Thompson - alto sax
Barry Usher - tenor sax & clarinet
Guitarist/pianist Ariel Kasler is a versatile performer and educator. His career has included activities ranging from releasing an album, Above the Sound (2015), which includes original jazz compositions and arrangements of jazz standards, to performing and commissioning contemporary music for electric guitar and saxophone with his wife, saxophonist Bobbi Thompson.
