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
If you cannot see the calendar below, try our alternate calendar page or update your web browser.
“Napoli-Rio: round world, flat ninths” is a musical trip from Napoli, in the south of Italy, to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The journey will start with classical Neapolitan songs (famous examples of which are “‘O sole mio” and “Torna a Surriento”) arranged in latin jazz, and end with instrumental Brazilian popular music, including samba, bossa nova, and choro compositions. The collection of tunes played by Natu Trio will follow the common thread in the harmonic sonorities of these two traditional forms of music from, only apparently, distant worlds.
Gennaro Notomista is a roboticist and a musician from a small town in southern Italy, halfway between Napoli and the Amalfi coast. Classically trained, he has played in a number of small jazz ensembles (trios and quartets) as well as big bands, both in Italy and in Canada.
Greg Prior has been established in the Waterloo scene for over 16 years. He has been a regular performer with local groups such as The Phoenix Jazz Group, Big Band Theory, Ernie Kalwa, and played with many other local performers. Prior to moving to the region, Greg toured out west with artists such as Prairie Ceilidh (Celtic/Canadian), Barrage (Fiddle group), Vibre (Jazz Ensemble), and Vicky Oveson’s Masacote (Latin Jazz). He has played 9 major jazz festivals across Canada, and toured and recorded extensively. Comfortable with symphonic, jazz and Latin styles, Greg brings diverse talent to the stage.
Rico Oliveira is a musician from São Paulo, Brazil. He began his musical activities at an early age while in contact with many cultural influences in his local surroundings. He completed his education at the Conservatório de Música do Morumbi. He has been a professional musician for 43 years performing in festivals, shows, and nightclubs. He recorded with various musicians in Brazil, Portugal, Canada, and Europe.
Personnel:
- Gennaro Notomista (from Napoli, Italy), acoustic piano
- Greg Prior (from Calgary, Canada), acoustic and electric bass
- Rico Oliveira (from São Paulo, Brazil), drums and percussions
Dizzy & Fay is a fresh new songwriting duo performing original compositions that are heartfelt and familiar. The Wholenote describes them as ”highly musical tunesmiths and storytellers” whose latest album “Hooked” “is playful and cool but will break your heart if you let it.” (Cathy Riches).the newest project from songwriters Mark Lalama and Amanda Walther.
Based in Southern Ontario, the piano/vocal duo has released two full-length recordings of original music and is currently spinning on jazz radio stations throughout the United States and Canada. Dizzy & Fay craft songs that sound like timeless classics you’ve loved your entire life and their intuitive musical chemistry is captivating on stage, where audiences are fast becoming lifelong fans. “Hooked” was named “Ringer of the Week” at Jazz Weekly. It’s clear that with two albums in two years, the Dizzy & Fay Songbook is only just beginning.
Dizzy is Mark Lalama –piano singer/songwriter/pianist/producer, he has performed extensively and recorded/toured with countless artists including Guido Basso, Molly Johnson, Jackie Richardson, Marc Jordan, Chrissie Hynde, Olivia Newton John, Harry Manx, and many more.
Fay is Amanda Walther –vocals Juno nominated singer-songwriter and award winning composer from Toronto, Amanda has spent most of her career as half of acclaimed folk-roots duo Dala, and recently composing music for film.
Drew Jurecka-violin/clarinet was nominated for a Grammy for Record of the Year Grammy for his string arranging, playing and engineering work for pop sensation Dua Lipa. Drew has produced and recorded countless arrangements for artists including Metric, Alvvays, Donovan Woods, Jill Barber, Bahamas, Rose Cousins, Royal Wood, Laila Biali, Dermot Kennedy, Bülow and Ron Sexsmith./p
Check out: “Valentine’s Day” “Never Mind” “All the Things”
Check out: “Dancing to the Rhythm of Life”
also Here is a clip from the Waterloo Jazz Festival….
Photos – Pascal Milette
For 27 years now, Alain Bédard has been pursuing a very interesting career with L’AUGUSTE Quartet, which he travels to all continents. Playing only his original music, he has performed in more than 25 countries on 4 continents. Thus L’Auguste has had the ability and expertise to carry out all his projects in countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, USA, Italy, Hungary, Ireland, UK, Belgium, Luxembourg, Estonia, Poland, Russia, Netherlands, Germany, Morocco, Spain, Portugal, France and Canada (all major cities and almost all jazz festivals), etc.
He has released 6 albums including the CDs “Auguste”, “Sphère Réflexion”, “Bluesy Lunedi” nominated for the ADISQ and JUNO award in the category best album of the year 2010, “Homos Pugnax”, “Circum Continum”, the Auguste quartet plays today the music of “Exalta Calma”. Auguste has played many times on radio recordings for Radio-Canada and CBC, Radio-France and Radio-Belgique.
Personnel:
Alain Bédard-bass
Mario Allard-alto and soprano saxophones
Marie-Fatima Rudolf-piano
Michel Lambert-drums
Check out: “La Silva Major” “Jazzy Colours” “O Comme H2O”
Immerse yourself in a night of unforgettable performances that traverse the rich tapestry of soul, from the heart-wrenching ballads to the upbeat anthems that have defined generations. This tribute is a heartfelt recognition of the indomitable spirit of women who have fearlessly used their voices to tell stories of love, strength, and empowerment.
From the iconic voices of Aretha Franklin and Etta James to the contemporary brilliance of Gladys Knight and Whitney Houston and many more, this Tribute brings together a diverse array of soul queens who have left an indelible mark on the genre. Feel the passion and emotion as each note resonates with the power and authenticity that define soul music.
Join us as we celebrate the women who have not only shaped the musical landscape but have also paved the way for future generations of artists. This Tribute to Women of Soul Music is a moving testament to the enduring legacy of these remarkable women and a reminder of the boundless influence they continue to have on the world of music and beyond. Get ready to be uplifted, inspired, and moved by the undeniable magic of soulful voices that echo through the ages.
Personnel:
Check out: “Private Dancer” “The Journey” “The Sky is Crying” Live at Hugh’s Room “Georgia on My Mind”
This performance is part of the WOMEN IN JAZZ series, sponsored by DIVA INTERNATIONAL, makers of the Diva Cup.
Check out: “Stardust”
“His creativity is so obvious,
that it is at once both startling and inspiring …”
-Steve Kinigstein, Just Jazz Guitar
Roddy Ellias’ music has been described as “unapologetically beautiful” (All About Jazz) and his creativity “both startling and inspiring” (Just Jazz Guitar). A passionate improviser and prolific composer, Canadian jazz guitarist Roddy Ellias is an artist whose work defies simple definition. His musical journey has taken him from his early roots in pop and R&B bands and classical music, to the improvised world of jazz, through African and other world beats all the way to writing an opera, and everything in between. Along the way he’s performed with some of the great names in jazz, from Lee Konitz and David Liebman to Joel Frahm and Dr. Lonny Johnston. In 2013, Roddy was the only Canadian recipient of the Jazz Journalists of America Jazz Hero Award.
Personnel:
Roddy Ellias-guitar
Felicity Williams-vocals
Ted Lewis on clarinet/sax
Josh Cole-bass
Check out: “Not This Rome” with Kellylee Evans “Sonnet”
Oliver Whitehead is a guitarist and composer, originally from England, who has worked mostly in Canada. His jazz album “Free For Now” was nominated for a Juno Award as Best Jazz Album of 1985. Oliver Whitehead is a guitarist and composer. His compositions include works for orchestra, choir and chamber groups, as well as music for TV, radio, theatre and ballet. He has performed at major jazz festivals including Montreal and Detroit. His recordings include a Juno nominated jazz album. He currently performs with many jazz groups and singers in London
Hilary Welch has the influences of early Sarah Vaughan and the powerhouse 60’s soul singers. Hilary showcases her range through the performance of beloved jazz standards and the re-imagination of popular music. The time Hilary spent studying Jazz at the University of Toronto under Canadian greats Phil
Nimmons, Alex Dean and Kirk MacDonald and vocalist Heather Bambrick instilled a great respect and love for the genre. Hilary credits performance opportunities with members of the renowned New York Voices, Oscar Peterson and Peter Appleyard as major influences on her performance.
Personnel:
Oliver Whitehead (guitar)
Hilary Welch (Vocalist)
Barry Usher (saxophone)
Larry Ernewein (bass)
Rob Larose (drums)