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:

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.

                    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”

                                                                    Photographer Credit Hilary Gauld

Come feel the coziness of the holidays with Christmas faves like “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”, “The Christmas Song”, and more songs from Mary-Catherine’s recent Christmas release “Christmas: Live at The Jazz Room”. There will be new holiday arrangements unveiled as well, in addition to some new arrangements of Great American Songbook standards.

For the past decade, Mary-Catherine has since been working steadily as a performer, freelance vocalist and recording artist, music educator, vocal coach, and music director. Performance highlights include the American debut of Songs for My Mother Off-Broadway at Symphony Space (NYC), jazz performances at the iconic Birdland Jazz Club (NYC), and headliner at: Uptown Waterloo Jazz Festival, Jazz Bistro (Toronto), The Rex (Toronto), The Jazz Room (Waterloo), and The Registry Theatre (Kitchener). She has also been a featured soloist with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony.  Her debut album “You’re Gonna Hear From Me” was released to critical acclaim and received airplay on CBC and JazzFM, among others.

Personnel (LAST TIME)):

Mary-Catherine Pazzano, Vocals
Mark Eisenman, Piano
Jason Hunter, Sax
Pat Collins, Bass
Steve James, Drums

Check out:  “Just One of Those Things”   “Have Yourself a Very Merry Christmas”   “I’ve got my Love to Keep me Warm”  “Its Magic/Sentimental Journey”      “A Simple Conversation”     “River”    “I Feel Pretty” Live at Birdland

This performance is part of the WOMEN IN JAZZ series, sponsored by DIVA INTERNATIONAL, makers of the Diva Cup.