Photo credit – Sanja Antic

Mark Kelso, the Jazz Room’s Artistic Director requires no introduction. He has performed at The Jazz Room on countless occasions  Originally hailing from Belfast, Northern Ireland,  Mark has made Toronto his home. Not only is he a skilled musician who plays drums in any style, but he is also a singer, producer, composer and band leader as well. Tonight he appears not in the form of the  Fezziweg Project, Jazz Exiles, nor in the guise of Jazz Meets Elvis! Just take a look at Mark’s sidemen and hold on tight! This will be a great night.

Regarding Mark’s most recent recording:

The Mystic Isle Project is three-time JUNO nominee, Mark Kelso’s 8th release as a leader. It’s also his most personal recording to date. The 11 songs featured are all dedicated to various places that Mark remembers fondly from his youth growing up in Northern Ireland. Scenic locales such as the Antrim Coast, Portrush, the Giant’s Causeway and Carrickfergus are all included, as are much more personal locations. Areas such as Duncairn Gardens, where his Mother grew up, Tate’s Avenue Bridge where his Father lived and Ardmillan Drive where Kelso himself was brought home to, as a newborn baby, are all included in song titles. Mark says, “Even though I’ve lived in Canada since I was 9 years old, Northern Ireland has always stayed close to my heart, and through all the visits there over the years, it has remained one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. I’m thrilled to be honoring my homeland at this point in my life”. Joining Mark in his all-star quartet are his long-time compadres, 2023 JUNO nominated Luis Deniz, on alto and soprano sax and two-time JUNO winner, Mike Downes, on acoustic bass. Rounding out the group is up and coming rising star, Ewen Farncombe, on piano.

Personnel:

Mark Kelso-drums
Mike Downes-bass
Ewen Farncombe-piano
Luis Deniz-alto saxophone

Check out:  “Giant’s Causeway”   “Portrush by the Sea”

Having originally trained and performed classical music for decades (The K-W Community Orchestra, Waterloo Chamber Players, the K-W Chamber Orchestra, many musical production pit bands) and concurrently spending 35 years playing with a classical / gospel quartet, Crowning Brass, Paul Fehderau branched into big band and pops while with the Windjammers ensemble.  Paul eventually pursued his passion for jazz, playing with The Deacons of Jazz and, presently, Big Band Theory. 

Paul enjoyed a career in music, first as a college music prof, and then as a middle school music educator with the WRDSB, for many years.

Paul is excited to return to the Jazz Room, this time performing jazz standards and pop arrangements with musical colleagues from a variety of other ensembles:

Personnel:

Paul Fehderau – trumpet / Big Band Theory

Ken Foster – tenor saxophone / Big Band Theory 

Jeff Daniels– piano /

Darren Pries Klassen – vocalist / The Light Fandango

Andy Macpherson – drums / New Vibes Jazz Quartet

Greg Prior – bass / Phoenix Jazz Group

Barry Elmes has occupied a position of prominence on the Canadian jazz scene since
the 1980s and has become internationally respected over the years since, not only as
one of Canada’s most talented drummers, but for parallel accomplishments as a
composer, producer, recording artist, and dedicated educator. His award-winning
work has been documented on over 90 jazz CDs and he has performed all over the
world with many renowned jazz artists including Dizzy Gillespie, Tommy Flanagan,
Charlie Haden, Diana Krall, Joe Henderson, John Abercrombie, Oliver Jones, Cedar
Walton, Phil Nimmons, and Moe Koffman. In 1991 he formed the Barry Elmes Quintet,
featuring a “who’s who” of the best in Canadian jazz. A success from the beginning,
this group has toured internationally and released seven critically acclaimed
recordings. The new CD “Night Flight” showcases Barry’s arrangements of
compositions by a wide range of iconic jazz composers, from Duke Ellington to Charles
Mingus to Keith Jarrett.
At the Jazz Room performance, the quintet will perform selections from “Night Flight”
and from all their previous releases.
.

Personnel:

Barry Elmes (drums/leader)
Brian O’Kane (trumpet, flugelhorn)
Chris Gale (tenor sax)
Lorne Lofsky (guitar)
Pat Collins (bass)

Check out:    “The New Shim Sham Shimmy (with dancer)”   

Denise Pelley 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!  In October 2005 Jazzabel was performed in Washington, DC at the National Museum for Women in the Arts and in February 2006 to audiences in New York City at Urban Stages Theatre.  As well, she was premiered in the February 2006 issue of O (Oprah Winfrey) Magazine.  Denise’s recording credits include seven CD’s.

Personnel:

Denise Pelley-vocals
Nevin Campbell-piano
Larry Ernewein-bass
Greg Mainprize-drums
Ken Foster-saxophone

Check out:         At the Registry Theatre                     a bit of the documentary by the late Philip Bast

This performance is sponsored by DIVA INTERNATIONAL, makers of the Diva Cup,  for the” Women in Jazz Series”

                                            Band photo credit: Ted Haberer

Saxophonist Mike Murley and pianist Mark Eisenman co-lead the 2023 Juno-nominated recording, Recent History (Cornerstone Records).  The internationally renowned rhythm section of bassist Neil Swainson and drummer Terry Clarke complete the quartet.  Murley and Eisenman perform four duo tracks, featuring music from Monk, Strayhorn and two standard tunes. The quartet takes on seven Murley/Eisenman compositions, reflecting the co-leaders’ shared interest in writing new melodies on standard chord progressions (contrafacts). Recent History is mainstream jazz at its best, capturing four of Canada’s most respected jazz artists in top form.

Personnel:

Mike Murley-saxophone
Marl Eisenman-piano
Neil Swainson-bass
Terry Clarke-drums

Check out: “I Only Want”    “Soul Wise”

All About Jazz Review: https://www.allaboutjazz.com/recent-history-mike-murley-and-mark-eisenman-cornerstone-records-inc

“This fantastic big band packs an irresistible wallop of musical entertainment – spirited, talented and fun!” says Grand River Jazz Society’s president Stephen Preece.

Since its inception in October 2011, the band has brought a great variety of programs to their audiences: from Count Basie and the old swing dance classics, to punchy horn bands of the 70’s and 80’s, as well as contemporary big band arrangements by Gordon Goodwin and L.A.’s Big Phat Band. Under the artistic direction of Jim Edwards, BBT has started to feature many arrangements by members of the band, other Canadian musical connections, and of course many by Jim himself.

A highlight in their history has been performing on three occasions with legendary Canadian jazz musician, Don Thompson on vibraphone and can be heard on Big Band Theory’s debut CD Evidence. As well, BBT has performed the music and arrangements of Juno award-winner John MacLeod of the Rex Hotel Orchestra and Juno award-winner Michael Occhipinti. In December of 2018, BBT released their second recording entitled: “A Swingin’ Joy” which features the voices of Derek Hines, Joni NehRita and Randy Lyght.

In June of 2019, Glenn Woodock of Jazz FM 91.1 wrote that KW Big Band Theory was one of 14 bands in North America keeping the sound of big band music alive.

BBT has twice been the recipient of Waterloo Regional Arts Grant, and most recently has produced a very special recording featuring entirely Canadian jazz composers and arrangers which will be very soon on all streaming platforms. The Jazz Room performance on March 14 will feature a number of selections from this exciting project

Check out: The Big Band Theory video on their website

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