Attendees at the 2026 Markham Jazz Festival will have the opportunity to witness an unusual jazz singer’s performance. Jazz singers, especially men, are a rare breed. They use their voices not only as painters of melody but as instruments for improvisation. John Neudorf achieves this difficult balance. A native of Hamilton, he began his career as a drummer, blues singer and songwriter in the Niagara region and now plays major Ontario venues as well as performing with the Hamilton Philharmonic.