tenth annual - yardbird suite · of chris potter and ari hoenig. their material ranges from...

Peter Belec

Cara Matthew

A/B Trio

Grdina/Houle/Loewen

Avi Granite’s Verse

Thom Bennett Quartet

Amanda Tosoff Quintet

Quinsin Nachoff’s Flux

Modo Trio

Ken Aldcroft’s Convergence Ensemble: Celebrating the Life and Music of Ken Aldcroft

Matthew Stevens Trio

November 4-12, 2016

tenth annual

Amanda Tosoff

www.yardbirdsuite.com

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Edmonton Jazz Society’sBoard of Directors

2015 • 2016Francis Remedios • President

Dominique Roy • Vice PresidentStuart Crosley • Treasurer

David MacFarlane • SecretaryAdrian Albert • Past President

Board MembersMonique Bielech • Craig Brenan

Pam Josey • Jasiek Poznanski • Sergio Rodriguez Dave Babcock • Reg Wilkes

Yardbird SuitePROGRAMMING • Adrian Albert, Nico Arnáez,

Dave Babcock, Dan Davis, Julie King, Jasiek PoznanskiPRODUCTION • Lisi Sommer

TUESDAY NIGHT SESSIONS • Dan DavisLITTLEBIRDS DIRECTOR • Joel Gray

JAZZ FOR KIDS DIRECTOR: Sandro Dominelli & Brandy Dominelli

FINANCE • Suzanne MorterPRESS RELEASES • Reg Wilkes

TRANSPORTATION • Alan SpenceHOUSE MANAGER & VOLUNTEER

COORDINATOR • Pam Josey

Our Volunteer House ManagersSue Cameron • Jan Doll • Julie Janczyn Pam Josey • Gail Kelly • Tracy KolenchukLen Penner • Marilyn Rude • Collette Slevinsky Rhonda Smith • Karen Voller

Yardbird Suite NewsletterThe Yardbird Newsletter is published fourtimes per year by the Edmonton Jazz Society.

EDITOR • Adrian Albert • Jasiek Poznanski

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TicketsTickets for Yardbird Suite shows are available at Tix on the Square and at the door on the night of the performance.

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Have you considered volunteering? The Yardbird Suite operates with the enthusiastic support and efforts of music lovers just like you!

If you would like to explore volunteering opportunities with the Yardbird Suite and Edmonton Jazz Society, please email our volunteer coordinator or ask any of our terrific volunteers for an application at the next show you attend.

Email: [email protected]

Jazz on the RadioCBC 101.1 FMMonday to Friday from 17:30h to 20:00h“Quand le jazz est là...” with Stanley Péan

CBC Radio 2 90.9 FMMonday to Saturday from 8pm to 10pm“Tonic” with Tim Tamashiro

CJSR 88.5 FMSunday from 9:00am to 11:00am“Jazzology” with Steve MacLeod

CKUA 94.9 FMSaturday from 12:05pm to 3:00pm“A Time For Jazz” with Kodi Hutchinson

CKUA 94.9 FMSunday from 2pm to 3pmSaturday 3am to 4am“The Old Disc Jockey” with John Worthington

CKUA 94.9 FMSunday from 3pm to 4pm“Voices in Jazz” with Dianne Donovan

GET FESTIVAL PASSES TO ALL SHOWS INCLUDING

TUESDAY NIGHT SESSION, FOR ONLY $89!

PASSES AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE YARDBIRD SUITE

BOX OFFICE.

A regular on Edmonton’s music scene since the turn of the millennium, Peter and his friends are excited to be presenting an evening of original music, a few jazz standards and a pop arrangement or two. We are also especially excited to be joined by Doug Organ who has been living in Paris for the last 13 months. Come help us welcome him back!

Peter Belec

DOUBLE BILL

4 Yardbird Festival of Canadian Jazz 2016

DOUBLE BILL


Cara MatthewBorn in British Columbia but calling Toronto home, Cara Matthew is one of Canada’s most soulful and talented jazz and blues singers. Called “Canada’s next international jazz star” by Canadian Music magazine, Matthew has long demonstrated a unique talent for transforming pop singles into jazz and blues numbers.

A year after the release of her debut album “Make You Feel My Love” in 2009, Matthew went to the drawing board and began work on her second album “Everybody Hurts”. Launched in March, 2016, Matthew’s new record went straight to number one on the Canadian iTunes jazz chart. Including covers of songs from artists as diverse as Katy Perry and the Bee Gees, her sophomore album features a first for Matthew: a song she co-wrote with her producer Greg Kavanagh entitled “I Never Knew”.

WHEN...From Edmonton, Toronto, Calgary

FRIDAY • NOVEMBER 4MEMBERS $22GUESTS $26DOORS 7 PM - SHOW 8 PM

Peter BelecPeter Belec - guitarDoug Organ - piano Josh McHan - bass Jamie Cooper - drums peterbelec.com

cara matthewCara Matthew - vocalsTom Van Seters - pianoJosh McHan - bassTyler Hornby - drums

caramatthew.com


DOUBLE BILL

Chronograph recording artists A/B trio bring together three of Alberta’s most in-demand performing and recording musicians - Thom Bennett (drums and cymbals), Dan Davis (saxophone), and Josh McHan (double bass). This group is inspired by the open-sounding, chordless groups of Sonny Rollins and Joshua Redman, as well as being informed by the work of Chris Potter and Ari Hoenig. Their material ranges from inventive re-interpretations of standards to modern original repertoire. The trio’s format is fresh, and their music is at turns fun, accessible, melodic and compelling.

The group released their second disc “Out West” in February, 2015, with special guest Canadian jazz legend Mike Murley. The disc was #1 on the national Earshot jazz charts through February and March, and was #1 overall for 2015.

Says Tommy Banks of their first effort “Take No Prisoners”: “The music is all solidly crafted,

A/B Trio WHEN...From Edmonton, Vancouver

SATURDAY • NOVEMBER 5MEMBERS $24GUESTS $28DOORS 7 PM - SHOW 8 PM

a/B trIODaniel Davis - saxophonesJosh McHan - bassThom Bennett - drums

abtrio.com

GrdIna/hOule/lOewenGordon Grdina - guitar and oudFrancois Houle - clarinetKenton Loewen - drums

and the playing is too. These are no up-and-comers. The performances here are by mature players with lots to say notwithstanding their relatively young ages. A very good piece of work by very good players and craftsmen.”


Grdina/Houle/LoewenSince 2014, the collective Grdina/Houle/Loewen has been performing completely improvised concerts and different permutations of graphic scores. Recently however, the group has forged a new stream of complex compositions that meld together density, ferocious energy and technical virtuosity. The group’s versatility and wide dynamic range has become finely-honed, creating an ensemble that can change course dramatically.

The group recently spent time at Afterlife Studios recording two new CD projects, a set of quartet music with French pianist Benoît Delbecq, and an album of original compositions by Grdina and Houle, to be released by Songlines Records in the fall of 2016.

The group’s versatility and wide dynamic range has

become finely-honed, creating an ensemble that can change

course dramatically.


New York-based quartet Verse performs the modern jazz creations of Canadian guitarist and composer Avi Granite. This concert will showcase selections from the group’s debut recording “Snow Umbrellas” as well as newer works.

Best-known for his ferocious improvisational Toronto based sextet AG:6, Granite calls Brooklyn home where his latest works are performed by his quartet Verse and experimental project Graphic Tongue. Granite has performed around the globe and studied with some of the best including Joe Lovano, John Scofield and Chris Potter.

As a composer, he has been commissioned by playwrights and string quartets. Honoured as guest lecturer at several universities, Granite has developed creative workshops for corporate education while concurrently illuminating students as young as three years of age. He is also sole proprietor of boutique record label Pet Mantis Records.

Avi Granite’s Verse

WHEN...From New York

SUNDAY • NOVEMBER 6MEMBERS $22GUESTS $26DOORS 7 PM - SHOW 8 PM

Jim Lewis - trumpetAvi Granite - guitarAidan O’Donnell - bass Owen Howard - drums

avigranite.com


TUESDAY NIGHT SESSION

Thom Bennett is a professional musician, producer, recordist and educator based in Edmonton. He has toured throughout Canada, the U.S. and Europe, has shared stages with the likes of Shai Maestro, Tommy Banks, Kathleen Edwards, Harry Allen and Aaron Neville and performs regularly around western Canada and beyond.

Outside of performing, Thom splits his time between producing and engineering records at Sanctuary Studios; working with Concordia University, MacEwan University, and Alberta College; and in session studio work and private instruction. Thom’s jazz group A/B trio held the #1 on the Earshot Jazz charts in 2015 with their release “Out West” and won the 2016 EMA for Best Jazz Recording. Thom is also the creator and overseer of the ELM (Edmonton Live Music) Initiative, which aims to improve Edmonton’s live music ecosystem.

Thom Bennett Quartet

WHEN...From Edmonton

TUESDAY • NOVEMBER 8MEMBERS $5 GUESTS $5TICKETS AT THE DOOR ONLYDOORS 7 PM - SHOW 8 PM

Audrey Ochoa - tromboneBrett Hansen - guitarRubim De Toledo - bassThom Bennett - drums


On her brand new release “Words”, jazz pianist and composer Amanda Tosoff takes an adventurous leap beyond the confines of conventional jazz. She has taken poems and lyrics that possess a personal resonance for her and framed them in original new compositions that utilize vocals for the first time. The result is an eclectic collection that incorporates elements of jazz, art song, classical, and folk/pop.

This concert will include repertoire from Amanda’s latest release “Words” which features poems by award-winning Canadian poets Tim Bowling, Laura Lush, and Carole Glasser Langille; and songwriters Melissa Mansfield, and Lloyd and Ted Tosoff. The program will also include Amanda’s compositions and arrangements of poetry by William Wordsworth, Edgar Allan Poe, Edgar Lee Masters, and Pablo Neruda - as well as contemporary artists like Joni Mitchell and Yo Yo Ma.

Amanda Tosoff Quintet

WHEN...From Toronto, New York

WEDNESDAY • NOVEMBER 9MEMBERS $22GUESTS $26DOORS 7 PM - SHOW 8 PM

Lydia Persaud - voiceAlex Goodman - guitarAmanda Tosoff - pianoDan Fortin - bassMorgan Childs - drums

amandatosoff.com

New York-based Canadian saxophonist, clar-inetist and composer Quinsin Nachoff “is one of the truly bright younger jazz minds” (Globe and Mail). A graduate of the University of Toronto, Nachoff has been colliding genres since his 2006 debut “Magic Numbers” which melded a jazz trio with a string quartet. He’s since composed music for the Penderecki String Quartet, the Toronto Jazz Orchestra, and the Cecilia String Quartet, as well as his own ensembles. As a sideman he’s performed and/or recorded with Kenny Werner, Howard Johnson, Tim Hagans, Kenny Wheeler and Don Thompson, amongst others.

On his most recent recording “Flux”, Nachoff explores the elusive terrain between modern jazz and contemporary classical. Flux creates a fervently original sound that evokes bold, incisive playing from a singularly innovative quartet. It’s “a pure, bracing through-provoking music… cliché- and convention-free,” says Peter Hum in the Ottawa Citizen. Jazz Magazine in France gave the recording 4-stars, calling Quinsin “a brilliant virtuoso musician.” The music has “an intensity and modernity, a brashness and in-your-face confidence of delivery,” notes All About Jazz.

Quinsin Nachoff’s Flux



THURSDAY • NOVEMBER 10MEMBERS $24GUESTS $28DOORS 7 PM - SHOW 8 PM

Quinsin Nachoff - saxophone and clarinetDavid Binney - saxophoneMatt Mitchell - keyboardsNate Wood - drums

quinsin.com


DOUBLE BILL

The Edmonton-based Modo Trio was founded in 1999 by trombonist Craig Brenan and bassist Jeff Johnson to explore their mutual interest in African and Spanish music, as well as the drum ‘n’ bass music that was reaching western Canada at that time. The group solidified its current line-up when drummer Bill George joined the group in 2003, and has continued to evolve its approach, bringing inspirations such as dub music into its already eclectic sound.

Defined by Brenan’s rare use of harmonizers and loops to augment the sound of his acoustic trombone, Modo Trio has been called “a fascinating mix of exotic contemporary grooves and improvisation” (Roger Levesque, Edmonton Journal), has toured across its native Canada and appeared on Canadian television.

Modo Trio

WHEN...From Edmonton, Toronto

FRIDAY • NOVEMBER 11MEMBERS $24GUESTS $28DOORS 7 PM - SHOW 8 PM

mOdO trIOCraig Brenan - tromboneJeff Johnson - bassBill George - drums

deathdefyingrecords.com/craig-brenan

Ken aldcrOft’s cOnverGence ensemBleEmily Denison - trumpetKaren Ng - alto saxScott Thomson - tromboneAndrew Furlong - bassJoe Sorbara - drums

kenaldcroft.com


On September 17, 2016, guitarist Ken Aldcroft suffered a fatal heart attack. He was only 46 years old. Ken had spent considerable time and energy arranging a Canadian tour for his Convergence Ensemble. His wife, Maria, and the members of the group decided to forge ahead with the tour as a way of commemorating and celebrating his life and music.

The Convergence Ensemble, featuring the instrumentation of a fairly conventional modern jazz ensemble, is the primary conduit for Aldcroft’s compositional and conceptual work. In performance, a set list serves less as a road map for the execution of Ken’s varied and dynamic pieces and more like a menu of possibilities; the group’s members can, individually or collectively, spontaneously arrange any of the available material. Employing a system of aural and gestural cues, the group playfully and creatively reshapes

Ken Aldcroft’s Convergence EnsembleCelebrating the Life and Music of Ken Aldcroft

each piece in the spirit of free improvisation, the approach that underpins the ensemble’s composite musical experience.

Originally from Vancouver, Ken spent some time in Edmonton in the 1990s studying in the music program at what was then Grant MacEwan Community College. He moved to Toronto in 2001 and began a career as a musician, recording artist, composer, and educator. Aldcroft was a leader of the improvised music community in Toronto and an inspiration to those with whom he interacted.


Guitarist Matthew Stevens is “a singular talent brimming with a strong identity” (Downbeat) who “navigates with ease among jazz, indie-rock, and soul” (New York Times).

He is considered one of the most promising artists in contemporary jazz through his associations with NEXT Collective, Christian Scott, Esperanza Spalding, Terri Lyne Carrington, Walter Smith III, and Harvey Mason.

His debut recording as a leader “Woodwork” showcases his diverse stylistic mastery, at times warm, robust, fluid, and emotive. The album showcases Stevens’ diversity from his robust sound, to his fluid, emotive playing at the helm of a stellar group.

A self-described guitar fanatic who fell in love with his father’s Jimi Hendrix records as a child, Stevens purposely assembled his band to allow the guitar to express his melodies alone.

Matthew Stevens Trio


SATURDAY • NOVEMBER 12MEMBERS $24GUESTS $28DOORS 7 PM - SHOW 8 PM

Matthew Stevens - guitarMatt Brewer - bassHenry Cole - drums

mattstevensmusic.com

The album’s title, Stevens says, reflects the almost tactile way in which he creates music. “It’s a metaphor for how I see myself interacting with sound. “Woodwork” is an act of creation in collaboration with the natural world; it invokes a sense of being handmade or one of a kind. These raw materials exist regardless of whether or not you do something with them, so I try to respect that and let the music unfold naturally.”

The touring trio for this concert features two outstanding New York-based jazz musicians, Matt Brewer on bass and Henry Cole on drums.

EDMONTON JAZZ SOCIETY11 TOMMY BANKS WAY(Corner of 102 St & 86 Ave)EDMONTON AB T6E 2M2

PM40047729

November 4-12, 2016

tenth annual

ALL SHOWS BEGIN AT 8PM (DOORS OPEN AT 7PM)Visit www. yardbirdsuite.com

Friday, November 4DOUBLE BILL• Peter Belec• Cara MatthewMEMBERS $22, GUESTS $26

Saturday, November 5DOUBLE BILL• AB Trio• Grdina/Houle/LowenMEMBERS $24, GUESTS $28

Sunday, November 6Avi Granite’s VerseMEMBERS $22, GUESTS $26

Tuesday, November 8Thom Bennett QuartetMEMBERS $5, GUESTS $5

Wednesday, November 9Amanda Tosoff QuintetMEMBERS $22, GUESTS $26

Thursday, November 10Quinsin Nachoff’s FluxMEMBERS $24, GUESTS $28

Friday, November 11DOUBLE BILL• Modo Trio• Ken Aldcroft’s

Convergence Ensemble: Celebrating the Life and Music of Ken Aldcroft

MEMBERS $24, GUESTS $28

Saturday, November 12Matthew Stevens TrioMEMBERS $24, GUESTS $28

tenth annual - yardbird suite · of chris potter and ari hoenig. their material ranges from...

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