Live Music at The Jazz Room
Featuring International jazz acts that play the world’s top clubs (the Saturday program features artistic direction from Mark Kelso).
Please note that only Grand River Jazz Society events are shown below.
Photo credit to: Nadezhda Hope Boginya of Pure Muse Portrait
One of Tim Moher’s earliest and most significant musical influences was Paul Desmond. Tim was introduced to him when his highschool friend gifted him The Duets album for his 16th birthday. Throughout his musical career, Tim would often receive compliments from musicians and audience on how his tone is similar in quality and style to Paul Desmond. Paul was born on November 25th, 1924. To celebrate his 100th birthday Tim gathered a terrific group of musicians to mark Paul’s life in music. This tribute to Paul and the many musicians who he performed with him throughout his career includes Dave Brubeck, Jim Hall, Ed Bickert, Gerry Mulligan and Chet Baker. This is a concert you won’t want to miss. Personnel:
Born into a musical family, Frank became a first call drummer in Hungary at an early age. He worked and recorded with Hungary’s most well known musicians including Szakcsi, Tony Lakatos, Robert Lakatos, Gabor Gado. Frank studied at the Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music with Gyula Kovacs and Ivan Nesztor. After leaving the school in 1991, Frank won first place in the “Krakow International Jazz Competition” in Poland. He has played on the main stages of European jazz festivals. In 1998 Frank Botos immigrated to Canada. Shortly after arriving in Canada with his brother Robi Botos, (winner of the “Montreux Jazz Festival Solo Piano Competition 2005″), Frank and Robi became well established in the Toronto jazz scene as “The Botos Brothers”. They soon released their independent CD featuring Pat LaBarbara, Don Thompson and Attila Darvas, which has received extensive airplay. Frank continued his professional development in Canada by studying with renowned jazz educator Jim Blackley. Since then, Frank has worked with such international and local stars as Bela Fleck and Jean Luc-Ponty (Toronto International Jazz Festival main stage 2005), Avishai Cohen (Hungarian Jazz Festival 2005),Sonny Fortune(Hungarian Jazz Festival 2006), Mario Rodrigues, Joe Sealy and Paul Novotny (Du Maruier International Jazz Festival Toronto 1999), Dave Young, Pat LaBarbara, Don Thompson, Kirk MacDonald, Mike Murley, Michael Stewart,Phil Dwyer, Hugh Fraser, Jake Langley, Steve Wallace, Bernie Senensky,Stan Fomin, Shawan Nykwist, Neil Swanson, Gene Dinovi, David Braid, Lorne Lofsky, Shelley Berger, Nancy Walker,Mike Downs, and Kirk Lightsey to name few.
Personnel:
Ferenc Botos-drums
Robi Botos -piano
Daniel Barta-saxophone
Christopher Parnis-bass
Check out: “Facebook” “Softly as in a Morning Sunrise” “Fly Me to the Moon” “Jazz Panorama”
Velvety-voiced pianist Elizabeth Shepherd arrived on the international scene in 2006 when her debut album Start To Move was voted one of the top jazz albums of the year by the listeners of the influential Gilles Peterson Show on BBC Radio Worldwide. Since then, the Montreal-based soul-jazz innovator has established herself as one of the most alluring and imaginative artists on the scene today. Elizabeth has been hailed as “a jazz virtuoso blessed with a pop sensibility”, praised by critics worldwide for her arrestingly original writing and soulful delivery.
For her 7th album, ‘Three Things‘, Elizabeth Shepherd has created a collection of songs that bring together soulful jazz sounds and synth-based electronica. Created during lockdown, it is an ode to life, joy and resilience, and combines samples, lyrical pop and her trademark brand of soul-jazz alongside a stellar cast of musicians, to bring us her catchiest and most hip work to date. The album drops February 24, and she will be debuting it at the K-W JazzRoom as she launches her cross-Canada release tour.
Here she is with Shine On doing John Lennon’s “Across the Universe”. (We apologize for Gomeshi at the beginning and end, but it is a lovely video….)
Personnel:
This performance is part of the WOMEN IN JAZZ series, sponsored by DIVA INTERNATIONAL, makers of the Diva Cup.
Singer-songwriter Sammy Jackson (BMus, HBA) is quickly becoming one of Canada’s top
vocalists, with a personal style that deftly blends jazz, pop, and R&B. With a resume that boasts
a JUNO Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year, collaborations with top artists such as Barbra Lica, Robi Botos, Rich Brown, and Larnell Lewis, and performances at some of Canada’s most prestigious venues, including the Glenn Gould Studio, Koerner Hall, the TD Toronto Jazz Festival, and Westben. Jackson
consistently captivates audiences with her singing, compositional accomplishments, and
collaborative creative spirit. Her latest EP – the JUNO-Award winning “With You” – is a
sophisticated, intelligent, heart felt portrait of a musician coming into her artistic prime, and
features some of the top young musicians in Canada.
Personnel:
Voice – Sammy Jackson
Guitar – Tom Fleming
Piano – Chris Pruden
Bass – Mark Godfrey
Drums – Ian Wright
Check out: “With You“ “Take Me Back”
This performance is part of the WOMEN IN JAZZ series, sponsored by DIVA INTERNATIONAL, makers of the Diva Cup.
“I am fortunate enough to have dear friends who are some of the finest jazz musicians in Canada. We have enjoyed headlining the “Jazz At The Registry” series at the Registry Theatre in Kitchener for over a dozen years, and have performed at the Stratford Festival as part of their “Night Music” series for the past 11 seasons, with our next appearance just 10 days from tonight.
Personnel:
Check out this is a video of Larry playing and discussing his love of Jazz…
Photographer: Max Power
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS is an Emmy Award-winning holiday movie tradition, enjoyed by children and grownups everywhere. The 1965 soundtrack ranks among the best-selling jazz albums of all time, having been certified 5-times platinum. The cherished and nostalgic holiday music composed by Vince Guaraldi is equally as magical as the film, especially hits such as “Christmas Time is Here.” Join us this holiday season for a jazz performance with beloved jazz musicians Kyle Sullivan Teri Parker and Chris Kettlewell.
Kyle Sullivan is a versatile drummer recognized across Toronto’s music scene. With an impressive 20 album credits, most receiving radio airplay, Kyle is an alumnus of Humber College’s esteemed Jazz Music Program. Over the years, he’s collaborated with Canadian music luminaries like Ron Sexsmith, Cowboy Junkies, and has shared a 20-year journey with Jerry Leger.
Teri Parker (MA, BMus) is a jazz aficionado — pianist, composer, and bandleader —deeply rooted in Toronto. She honed her skills at the University of Toronto’s acclaimed Jazz program, learning from legends like David Braid and Phil Nimmons. Teri has been granted multiple awards to refine her craft internationally. Currently, she’s a mainstay in Canadian jazz, gracing stages from the Toronto Jazz Festival to JAZZ.91 FM broadcasts.
Chris Kettlewell, an exceptional multi-instrumentalist, holds his laurels from Humber College’s Jazz Performance program and Thompson Rivers University’s Music initiative. Since his Toronto advent, he’s collaborated with renowned artists, from Fred Penner to Maylee Todd. Chris is integral to several prominent Toronto projects, including The Blazing Fiddles and The Toronto Jazz Collective. His musical journey spans global tours, from France to Japan, and includes a memorable stint in London’s “Made in Dagenham”
musical.
Featuring:
Check out: “Billie’s Bounce” “Segment” “Saturn” after Erik Satie
This performance is part of the WOMEN IN JAZZ series, sponsored by DIVA INTERNATIONAL, makers of the Diva Cup.
Photo Credit: Jen Squires
Steven Taetz and friends celebrate the sounds of the season during an evening full of Christmas classics and holiday hits. The crooner and songwriter mixes a cool cocktail of vocal jazz, roots, and soul to each performance, alongside award-winning musicians. JazzTimes Magazine calls Taetz “a unique, arresting talent.” Previous performances include mainstage performances at Waterloo Jazz Festival, Ottawa Bluesfest, National Arts Centre (Ottawa), Capital Pride Washington D.C., L’Astral Theatre (Montreal), Rockwood Music Hall (NYC), and Rochester International Jazz Festival. Friends and family will enjoy this night of festive fun!
Personnel:
Steven Taetz – lead vocals,
Jack Gaughan – guitar + BG vocals,
Julian Anderson Bowes – bass
Jacob Damelin – piano
Will Fisher – drums
Check out: “Magic for Me” “Only the Night Knows” “At the Rochester International Jazz Festival” “At the Jazz Bistro”
The mesmerizing vocals and exceptional keyboard skills of Astrid Ripepi is testament to her passion for the art of music. This singer/songwriter captures the essence of every song she sings. Astrid leaves the listener with an emotional connection to the music she performs and has the ability to put her own creativity into every song leaving you with an experience not just a performance.
Check out: “O Holy Night” “Everything/All Night” “Fallin”
This performance is sponsored by DIVA INTERNATIONAL, makers of the Diva Cup, for the” Women in Jazz Series”
