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.
“Sometimes, hard hitting, melodic and groovy, and at other times sublime and spacious, The Artie Roth Quartet is a Jazz group that equally blends Rock, Funk, and Avant- Garde harmonic and
melodic languages with Jazz forms and the Jazz “swing” rhythmic feeling. Dangerous and modern, this is Canadian jazz infused with catchy melodic hooks and Bass lines”“Resonants” is the third release by the Artie Roth Quartet, featuring 10 new compositions by Toronto composer, bassist and bandleader Artie Roth and recorded in the fall of 2022 at Grant Avenue Studio, the
erstwhile studio of legendary Canadian producer and musician Daniel Lanois. It builds on the critical acclaim of their debut and sophomore releases “Currently Experiencing”(2015) and “Discern”(2017).
“Bursting with insistent movement…Roth’s bass is everywhere…a dominant force deeply engaged with all the music” Geoff Chapman, The Toronto Star
Toronto-born jazz bassist Artie Roth has been an active composer, bandleader, performer and educator in the national and international jazz communities, since his graduation from York University in 1992 with the Oscar Peterson Scholarship. After two Canada Council sponsored study tenures in New York City (1993 and 1997), Artie returned to Toronto establishing himself as one of the busiest, full-time composer/performers in Toronto. As well as leading his own group, Artie is also an active member of The Rich Underhill Group, The Bob Brough Quartet and Kollage.
Personnel:
Artie Roth-acoustic/electric bass and compositions
Mike Felice-Tenor/soprano saxophone and flute
Anthony Michelli-drums
Sam Dickinson-guitar and effects
Check out: “Resonants EPK” “At the Nisville Jazz Festival” “Currently Experiencing” “Live at The Gladstone”
The Tom Nagy Christmas Experience: Won’t Someone PLEASE Think Of Some Of The Children?!
The group has got a fantastic show planned – including some brand-new, never-before-heard arrangements of timeless and timely Christmas songs that are sure to knock your socks off, and gently remove the socks from otherwise-inattentive children!
And what better reward for Experiencers of all ages than free, freshly-sliced CAKE! The last few Experience CDs will be available at a vastly-depreciated price, well below the cost of manufacture!
We believe that children are our future. Teach them well, and let them lead the way to the Tom Nagy Christmas Experience’s First Ever Sunday Matinee Show!!
PS: If your children don’t like jazz, tell them it’s ChristmasCore. Or make up your own word. That’s what parenting is.
Personnel (AKA The Grand Lineup):
The Tom Nagy Christmas Experience: Won’t Someone PLEASE Think Of Some Of The Children?!
Second show due to popular demand.
Personnel (AKA The Grand Lineup):
Here is what Tom and the group recorded for us in lieu of their covid-cancelled 2020 show:
Photo Credit: Zach Bachand
Jonathan graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA (2012-2016) where he studied on a full-tuition scholarship. In 2018, he earned a M.Mus from the Schulich School of Music at McGill University.
Personnel:
Check out: “Tricotism” “Shelter” Bass Solo on “Billie’s Bounce”
The Triodes is a funky instrumental group in the spirit of The Meters, Maceo Parker, John Scofield, Booker T, Monty Alexander, and more modern peers such as Scary Pockets and Vulfpek, where creative sounds and jazz vocabulary meet the desire to make people’s bodies move! The group’s first album Chunked featur
Michael Occhipinti is a versatile, sound-sculpting guitarist and composer/arranger, who has spent decades freely moving between jazz, chamber music, world music, r&b/funk, and anything involving modern guitar sounds. Michael has received 11 JUNO Award nominations and 2 JUNO Awards including the 2022 JUNO Award for Jazz Group of the Year as a member of Avataar. 2022 also saw his duo with Elizabeth Shepherd (ES:MO) nominated for Jazz Vocal Album of the Year. In addition to ES:MO, Michael leads or co-leads several acclaimed groups including The Sicilian Jazz Project, IN ORBIT ( with Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band) on saxophone, and Felix Pastorius on bass), Shine On: The Universe of John Lennon, The Triodes, and the acclaimed 16-piece group NOJO (Neufeld-Occhipinti Jazz Orchestra).
Personnel:
Check out: “Live at the Toronto International Jazz Festival” “Live at the Vernon Jazz Club”
Returning recently from Europe, where this 23 year old performed, and earned her master’s degree in music from Berklee College of Music in Valencia, Spain, Canadian Billboard-charting recording artist and Alternative Soul singer Avery Raquel has entertained audiences professionally for over a decade. Having released 4 solo albums to critical acclaim worldwide, her 2022 self-titled release, debuted on the Canadian iTunes Top 200 RnB/Soul album chart at #5. Five tracks from that album were finalists in the John Lennon Song Writing Competition in 2022, in 4 different categories, with one winning the Grand Prize.
“Avery Raquel is one the most exciting and dynamic young vocalists I’ve had the chance to work with. Her command of the stage and crowd is nothing short of remarkable, her original material always leaves the crowd wanting more, and she is the consummate professional. This rising star is most DEFINITELY one that I’ll be watching.” ~ Sean Jones – Soul In The City, Toronto, ON Canada
“ Her instrument is gorgeous; lustrous, precise, and luminously powerful. Her musicianship is fierce as she digs into the expression of each word of the lyrics she writes and sings.” ~ Raul da Gama, theWholeNote Magazine
Personnel:
Check out: “No Ordinary Love” “Nothing More” “Been Through Live” “Helpless” “Come Right Back to You”
New Year’s Eve at The Jazz Room. Buy your tickets soon- it was sold out last year!
Doors open at 7 PM
Dinner music provided by our own Andriy Tykhonov followed by dancing until midnight to The Purpletones
Price is $125 per person, which features a 3 course meal (including tax and gratuities)!
Not included are any beverages or tax and gratuities on those beverages.
Note that this is a special event not covered by the Jazz Room passes.
Seating is non-reserved.
The Purpletones were featured back in January of 2024 and are an 8 piece band that focuses on performing high-energy danceable music with a distinctive Rhythm & Blues sound – from early Motown to 70’s funk, Prince to Bruno Mars, and everything in between!
Check out: “Ain’t No Mountain” “Uptown Funk” “Happy”
Jazz Room New Year’s Eve Menu:
Starter:
Roasted Red Pepper Soup or Garden or Caesar Salad
Main Course:
1. Thai Coconut Curry:
Sautéed veg, served on a bed of Basmati Rice, chicken breast & pita bread, in a curry sauce.
2. Half Rack of Smoked Ribs:
Fall off the bone ribs smothered in Adlys BBQ sauce, sautéed vegetables, with mashed potatoes or basmati rice.
3. Maple Glazed Salmon:
Baked Atlantic salmon, maple glaze, sautéed vegetables with mashed potatoes or basmati rice.
4. Vegetarian Teriyaki Stir Fry:
Sautéed mixed vegetables, sesame oil, teriyaki sauce, tofu
Dessert:
Carrot cake with homemade cream cheese icing or Decadent dark chocolate cake
As a jazz singer and pianist (and Member of Parliament), Tim Louis offers something very special. His voice is his own and his talents appeal to those of us who crave warm retro feelings but want something fresh and new. Tim has been described as a triple-threat talent: singer, songwriter, and pianist.
Born in New Jersey, Louis first studied under jazz great Kenny Barron, earning a BA in Music from Rutgers University before moving to the New York scene, eventually working alongside the iconic Teo Macero.
A move to Canada brought with it a period of youthful exuberance as he took his musical talents and dallied in rock and country bands, looking for where he felt he belonged. Jazz is where he belongs! He has crafted an amalgam of Nat King Cole, meets Chet Baker, meets Frank Sinatra, meets John Pizzarelli, meets Vince Guaraldi, meets Ray Charles………
He brings his usual top-shelf local talent and Jazz Room favourites to the stage and always allows his collaborators to stretch!
Personnel (USUALLY):
Dave Thompson-guitar
Here is Tim at the Jazz Room playing his originals:
