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.
Photo Credit: Jemall Earle
Avery Raquel is a Canadian Alternative Soul/Jazz artist whose music fuses vintage soul, R&B, and jazz, into a modern, emotionally resonant sound. With a voice that defies her age and songwriting that blends vulnerability with maturity, Avery delivers a refreshing take on soul-infused storytelling. Avery released her new EP ‘Scratching at the Surface’ in Spring 2024, and more recently has released a number of poignant singles including ‘Hard To Stay’ in April, ‘Like the Rain’ in July, the highly anticipated ‘The Letter’ in September, and ‘Shoes’ in November of 2025. These tracks blend Soul with subtle Alternative influences, creating a captivating vibe that melds colour into music and along with 2 more, will be released as a new EP in February 2026.
“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”
Joel Hayes has grown from his early community musical experiences in his hometown of Burlington, Ontario, and has progressed to playing with some of the finest jazz artists. Highlights include being nominated for a “National Jazz Award” in 2003 and two nominations in 2009 for CD of the Year and Drummer of the Year.He has performed at many international jazz festivals in North America, Europe, China, Japan, South Korea, South America, Australia and the Caribbean.
Joel has also recorded over 30 recordings as a side man including artists such as; Seamus Blake, Russell Malone, Ray Anderson, David Braid, The Cookers and Denzel Sinclaire.Joel’s debut CD, released in November 2005, (Cellar Live Records, Vancouver) is entitled “The Time is Now”, with special guest vocalist, Denzel Sinclaire.
In February 2008, Joel recorded his second CD, “Transitions”, live at the Cellar Jazz Club over three nights with special guest Seamus Blake.His much anticipated 3rd recording after 15 years, The Return (Cellar records) was recorded in Vancouver on February 7th, 2023 and released on September 8th, 2023 with Seamus Blake, Tilden Webb and Neil Swainson.
Personnel:
Check Out: “The Time is Now” “Transitions”
Photo Credit Joseph Naim
Kyle Brown is a Toronto-based singer and actor presenting a celebration of Soul, R&B, and Funk, inspired by what he calls his Trinity of Soul—Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Donny Hathaway. Their influence forms the foundation, but the performance moves beyond them, exploring the wider roots and evolution of Soul music and the artists who continue to shape it.
He is thrilled to be performing at The Jazz Room for the first time, sharing this music in a space made for joy, groove, and good company.
Kyle’s artistry is born of faith, heritage, and community. The son of Trinidadian immigrants, he first found his voice in the church, where music became both expression and identity. He has since appeared in musical productions including Dreamgirls, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Come From Away which he performed at The Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto and on the Australian National Tour.
Tonight’s performance invites the audience into a living musical lineage—honouring the artists who shaped the genre while celebrating the ongoing spirit and heartbeat of Soul, R&B, and Funk today.
Personnel:
The Clefs of Moher was formed in 2014 specifically to perform for an annual series of Multiple Sclerosis Fundraisers at the Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts in Kitchener. This Celtic-inspired modern 7-11 piece ensemble had so much fun bringing down the house for those events, that they went on to play the RegistryTheatre (and the Jazz Room annually from 2017-20. More recently, the large ensemble was revived due to popular demand to play the ‘First on Stage Series’ at First United and the Sun Life Financial Uptown
Waterloo Jazz Festival, Belmont Village Festival and Neruda Arts newest festival ‘All That Worldly Jazz Festival’. Some of their spirited original compositions have been aired on CBC Radio and CKWR. Of note, one of Tim Moher’s hits – Wicklow Mountain – was performed on CBC across Ontario featured on Craig Norris’ program “In the Key of C”.
In November of 2022, the Clefs of Moher released their second album at The Registry Theatre to a packed house. The long-awaited Vol 2 is a mix of explosive, high-energy Celtic Irish music with jazzy overtones and symphonic pieces with hauntingly beautiful melodies woven throughout each measure. A musical exploration of Tim Moher’s Irish roots with the stellar arrangements of co-producer, Juno-nominee, Rick Hutt. In January 2023, the Clefs of Moher were the guest artists to another sold out show with the
Stratford Symphony Orchestra.This Jazz Room performance will feature some of Tim’s original jazz compositions, including newly released Clefs of Moher tunes as well as some audience favourites of the Clefs.
Personnel:
Check out: Link to Clefs of Moher Videos
Ted Quinlan is regarded as one of Canada’s top guitar players. His skills are highly in demand as a jazz player, session musician, writer and educator. As a busy sideman Ted has performed with Chet Baker, Freddie Hubbard, Jimmy Smith, Joey DeFrancesco, Michael Brecker, Dave Holland, Maria Schneider and Dave Liebman. His debut CD ” As If” received a Juno nomination for Contemporary Jazz. It was followed by “Streetscape” which features him in a trio setting and “Around the Bend”, a duo collaboration with piano great Brian Dickinson. His latest recording “Absolutely Dreaming” is scheduled for release in the fall of 2019.
Ted’s other numerous recording credits include his performances on Mike Downes’ Juno winning CD’s “Ripple Effect” and “Root Structure”, Doug Riley’s “Con Alma”, Radioland Records’ ” Tribute to Wes Montgomery”, Phil Dwyer’s ” Road Stories”, Dave Restivo’s ” Prayer for Humankindness”, Ted Warren’s ” First Time Caller”, David Clayton-Thomas’ “Combo” and “Canadiana” and Nancy Walker’s “New Heiroglyphics” and “ ‘Til Now Is Secret”. Ted is the former Head of the Guitar Department at Humber College’s Music Program in Toronto.
They will be playing music from our Juno nominated album “Absolutely Dreaming” as well as jazz standards and brand new material.
Personnel:
Ted Quinlan-guitar
Brian Dickinson-piano
Dan Fortin-bass
Ted Warren-drums
Listen to Ted in “Absolutely Dreaming” “Babylon” “X Marks the Spot”
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:
Mary-Catherine Pazzano (vocals)
Jason Hunter (saxophone)
Mark Eisenman (piano)
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
Diane Roblin’s dynamic career has earned her a place among Canada’s most respected women in jazz. Diane is an International Songwriter Competition winner. She is known for her powerful compositions and expressive keyboard style blending technical agility with a deep commitment to the connective power of music. As a composer, pianist, electric keyboardist, improviser, and bandleader, Diane’s spirited, genre-crossing work has led to collaborations with artists ranging from avant-garde improviser Charles Gayle to the iconic rock band Rough Trade.
Her new album, Breath of Fresh Air, released on Zsan Records in late 2024, continues this legacy. It showcases Roblin’s expansive musical voice, weaving jazz, funk, and impressionist harmony into compositions that are both adventurous and deeply moving. Leading her six-piece ensemble, Life Force, Diane explores high-energy soundscapes punctuated by intricate, emotionally resonant improvisations. A classical pianist by training, Diane pursued a diverse music education, immersing herself in jazz improvisation, world music, as well as electronic composition with David Rosenboom. She has also studied with mridangam master Trichy Sankaran and participated in the Ornette Coleman/Karl Berger workshop in NYC, where she worked with luminaries like Lee Konitz, and in the Dutch Improv Academy with drummer Hans Bennink.
Diane’s collaborations span an impressive range of Canadian jazz and experimental musicians, and she regularly performs in both traditional and experimental contexts. Her CDs have had international airplay and her performances have reached audiences at major venues and festivals in North America and Europe including Amsterdam’s Bimhuis and New York’s Smalls. Diane is also an active member of the Association of Canadian Women Composers. www.dianeroblin.com
“Their masterful collaboration has created an extraordinary, multifaceted musical journey that sparks the imagination and uplifts the spirit. Highly recommended!”..midwest.com
“Diane Roblin is respected as one of Canada’s important women in jazz. Not only is she an expressive and master keyboardist, she’s a powerful composer. Her performances, along with this recording, exemplify her technical agility and spirited genre-crossing arrangements that sparkle under the umbrella of jazz. This newly released album “Breath of Fresh Air” continues her legacy. Dee Dee McNeil, Making the Scene:
Diane Roblin’s Life Force band has been described as a “virtuosic ensemble of Canadian hotshots” who play Diane’s diverse and spirited compositions that blend her broad influences ranging from high-energy jazz-funk to impressionism…something unique to offer jazz fans” (JAZZ.FM91). www.dianeroblin.com
Personnel:
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”