Season 15

Check out;     “Fasten Your Seatbelt”     “Suspend Yourself”

Since moving to the Greater Toronto Area in 2017, Kyle Pogline has proved himself to be one of the city’s finest upcoming jazz trumpet players. At the age of 21, coming out of the traditional playing style of Clifford Brown as well as the fierce and modern sounds of Woody Shaw, he has developed his own unique sound and vocabulary that has heavily lent to his ability to find a musical voice in most of all types of jazz music.

Get ready for an afternoon of Bebop and hard bop jazz!

He has thus far shared the stage with many of Canada’s finest jazz musicians such as Pat LaBarbera and PJ Perry and has performed in some of Toronto’s finest big bands such as the Alex Dean Jazz Orchestra and Mike Malone Jazz Orchestra. With the last year of his undergraduate degree under way, he’s amassed a wide variety of performance experience in a wide variety of ensembles, such as concert bands, pit orchestras, small and large jazz ensembles as well as pop/commercial bands. His array of experiences has earned him the reputation of being a versatile player, capable of taking command of any musical situation.

Personnel:

Check out: “Live from Studio2”    “Rain Dance”

After a sold-out show last June featuring the music of Ray Charles – Lance Anderson and Matt Weidinger return to the Jazz Room to premiere a new show celebrating the music of two iconic keyboardists (organ/piano) known for defining soul, funk and R&B. Jones is a Grammy Award-winning musician, producer and arranger, best known as the leader of Booker T and the MGs, crafting instrumental classics like ‘Green Onions’. Preston was a brilliant pianist, singer and songwriter, and a sought-after session keyboardist in the 1960s, backing artists including Little Richard, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. In the 1970s Preston achieved significant solo success, writing and releasing major hits including ‘Will It Go Round in Circles’, ‘Nothing from Nothing’ and ‘ Outa-Space’.

Both were masters of soulful grooves, improvisation and session work, inspiring countless artists with their distinct yet complementary styles. Join us for an exciting and energizing evening celebrating these two icons’ contributions and ongoing inspiration! Piano and Hammond organ makes a glorious sound and Matt and Lance are two of the countries top players. This will truly be an Organ and Piano Summit.

Personnel: 

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

First formed in 1997, the Antler River Project (named after the indigenous name for London’s river) is a group of seasoned musicians with high profiles and diverse backgrounds in jazz, classical and Latin-American music. The sound of The Antler River Project is a creative mix of styles, blending jazz and world music. The group’s personnel have changed over the years. Over the past decade the group took a break of several years but re-formed in 2024. The repertoire of The Antler River Project is mostly original, composed by Oliver Whitehead and Stephen Holowitz. Collaboration began in 1997 through a CBC recording of “A Mass for All Creatures” by Oliver Whitehead. Since then, The Antler River Project has developed a spectrum of original concert material often in collaboration with London painters and poets such as James Reaney. The Antler River Project has twice won the Forest City London Music Award as Best World Music Group.

Personnel:

“I’ve seen a lot of guys play Sinatra. Adam’s the best” – QUINCY JONES

Adam James is a multi-passionate and award-winning Canadian jazz vocalist, keynote performer, songwriter, and thought leader who inspires audiences to embrace creativity, connection, and co-creation. With a unique blend of soulful music, transformative storytelling, and visionary philosophy, Adam challenges societal norms and lights up stages worldwide.

His big break happened when he was asked by Frank Sinatra’s family to perform as Ol’ Blue Eyes himself on stage in the first musical they produced to honour his legacy. Adam then originated the role of Frank Sinatra in the musical Sammy at The Old Globe Theater, San Diego. It was at this performance that Quincy Jones made his famous remark, “I’ve seen many guys play Sinatra on stage. Adam’s the best.”

Originally from Georgetown, Ontario, Adam has since lived in Montreal, New York, and Hollywood. He has shared the stages of: Ray Charles at the Montreal Jazz Festival, Tony Bennett at The Montreal F1 Grand Prix, Liza Minnelli in a Montreal jazz club, and Jann Arden at The Calgary Stampede.

Whether performing jazz standards, delivering keynote concerts, or facilitating interactive workshops, Adam’s work sparks expansion, curiosity, and meaningful growth. www.adamjames.us

Personnel:  

Check out:  “The Way You Dance Tonight”   “What a Wonderful World”   “Song for a Winter’s Night”

Web site:       www.adamjames.us

Although initially self taught, Doug Wilde was able to talk his way into a few music schools. At Humber College he studied arranging with the legendary Ron Collier, and was awarded the Duke Ellington Memorial Scholarship. He later studied film scoring and advanced arranging with Rayburn Wright and Manny Albam at the Eastman School of Music. After working for three decades as a professional composer, Doug returned to the academic world earning a master’s degree in composition (2016) and a PhD in musicology/composition (2021) from York University.

Doug is the principle composer, music director, and keyboard player for the Canadian world/ jazz /fusion group Manteca and plays keyboards with David Woodhead’s Confabulation. As well as composing for Manteca, Doug has released a number of projects under his own name, both “Chamber/ Scenic Jazz” and “Ambient Music”. He also worked as a keyboard player with numerous Canadian artists including Leonard Cohen, Jane Siberry, Nancy White, Manteca, Simon Wynberg and Scott Merritt.

As a composer and founding partner of the music production company “Harris Cole Wilde ” (later known as “Jungle Music”) Doug spent many years writing and learning on the front lines – creating all kinds of music, working with great musicians and recording everyday. As a screen composer, Doug has created well over 1000 scores for radio and television commercials – including numerous scores for TV variety, documentary programming and radio drama. Doug also has extensive experience as a music director for live television. He has composed, arranged, and led bands for the Gemini and Genie awards, weekly national variety shows, Canada Day from Parliament Hill and the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Personnel:

Doug Wilde–piano
Colleen Allen-saxophone
Henry Heillig-bass
Charlie Cooley-drums
Eric St-Laurent-guitar

Check out: “the Maestro”