The Jefferson-Grant Quintet won an Opus Award for their first recording and was nominated as Acoustic Ensemble of the Year by the National Jazz Awards.
Trombonist, composer and arranger Kelsley Grant received his Bachelor of Music from McGill University and completed his graduate studies at the Manhattan School of Music. Shortly after leaving New York, he joined Maynard Fergusonʼs Big Bop Nouveau and toured the United States, Germany, Switzerland and England. Kelsley has performed with Aretha Franklin, Jackie Richardson, Frank Sinatra Jr., Michael Buble, Maria Schneider, Michel Legrand, Nicholas Payton, Sophie Milman, Ranee Lee, and Nikki Yanofsky. He toured with Forever Swing and took part in the Toronto productions of Annie, Romancing The One I Love, Ainʼt Misbehavinʼ, The Rat Pack, Kinky Boots, Matilda, and Beautiful -The Carol King Musical. He has played on several movie soundtracks including Born to Be Blue, Cirque de Soleil – Alegria, and Les Triplettes de Belleville. Kelsley has been twice nominated for trombonist of the year by the National Jazz Awards.
Kelsley has served as a faculty member at McGill University, University of Montreal, and University of Toronto. He has given master classes and clinics at universities across Canada and is currently a full-time faculty member at Humber College.
Multiple Juno award–winning saxophonist, composer and educator Kelly Jefferson has been a leading figure in the Canadian jazz community and beyond for over twenty-five years. He has performed with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Maria Schneider, Christian McBride, Kenny Werner, Phil Woods, Clark Terry, Al Jarreau, Michel LeGrand, Brian Blade, Randy Brecker, Renee Rosnes, Russell Malone and Joey DeFrancesco. Kelly holds a Bachelor of Music degree from McGill University in Montreal and a master’s degree from Manhattan School of Music in New York City. Kelly has performed extensively in Canada, the United States, Japan, Thailand, Europe, South Korea and China, including a nine-month tour with legendary trumpeter Maynard Ferguson.
Mr. Jefferson is currently a faculty member at both the University of Toronto and York University. An active freelance musician and guest artist, Kelly performs regularly with groups that include the Carn-Davidson 9, Emilie-Claire Barlow and The Shuffle Demons.
Personnel:
Kelsey Grant-trombone
Kelly Jefferson-saxophone
Ian Wright-drums
Brian Dickinson-piano
Mike Downes-bass
Check out: “As One-Reprise” “As One”
