Artists 2018

Adrean Farrugia / Brad Goode Quartet

Location:  Pfaff Town+Country BMW Stage - Millennium Bandstand Date: Saturday, August 18, 2018 Time: 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm Canadian pianist Adrean Farrugia and American trumpeter Brad Goode met at the Rex Hotel. Brad was passing through town and decided to stop in to play a few tunes with the house band, in which Adrean was playing piano. There was instant musical chemistry between the two musicians. Since then Brad and Adrean have performed together on five albums and have been heard together by audiences worldwide. This quartet features Brad Good (trumpet), Adrean Farrugia (piano), Jim Vivian (bass) and Terry Clarke (drums).

Andrew Craig

Location: Piano Fest - Central United Church Stage Date: Saturday, August 18, 2018 Time: 12:00 pm Andrew Craig is a Guelph-based multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, producer, director, composer, broadcaster and impresario, working in multiple musical genres, and collaborating with artists in other disciplines. He has worked with diverse artists, including Molly Johnson, Measha Bruggergosman, Jackie Richardson, Ashley MacIsaac and Wynton Marsalis. Andrew has directed for Canstage, Soulpepper Theatre, and the Grand Theatre, and composed music for OMNI Television, as well as for numerous choreographers.

Attila Fias

Location: Piano Fest - Central United Church Stage Date: Saturday, August 18, 2018 Time: 3:30 pm Attila Fias is a Hungarian-born, Toronto-raised pianist, composer, arranger and producer. He combines elements such as Brazilian lilt and rhythm, Indian phrasing, Hungarian harmonic and melodic expression, Latin intensity and excitement, and synthesizes it all into one distinct musical flavour with his jazz background serving as the glue that binds it all together. Attila has also recorded three full albums of original material. His latest album, Ride was released in October 2016 and has received regular airplay on Jazz-FM, CBC radio, and others. For more information visit www.attilafias.com

Barbra Lica

Location: Pfaff Town+Country BMW Stage – Millennium Bandstand Date: Sunday, August 19, 2018 Time: 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm Juno-nominated artist Barbra Lica is a fast-rising star on the Canadian Jazz scene. Barbra is currently promoting her Juno-nominated album, I’m Still Learning, released September 2016 by Justin Time Records. It was co-produced by Nelly Furtado guitarist/co-writer James Bryan and accomplished pop/jazz bassist Marc Rogers (Joe Lovano, Nikki Yanofsky, Norah Jones).The album also features Lou Pomanti (Anne Murray, Michael Bublé) on keyboards and Larnell Lewis (Snarky Puppy, Michael Brecker) on percussion along with Barbra's touring band of up-and-coming jazz musicians who will be joining Barbra this summer. For more information visit www.barbralicamusic.com

Chris Wallace’s Many Names

Location: Source Office Furnishings Stage - Varley Art Gallery Patio Date: Saturday, August 18, 2018 Time: 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Drummer and composer Chris Wallace has enjoyed nearly twenty-five years in the music industry. For twelve years he was a fixture on the Scottish jazz scene. Since returning home to Canada in 2014, he has been a member of the Alison Young Quintet and a sideman with many top Canadian performers. His quartet, ‘Many Names’ has been building a following around the GTA, their debut CD, Somewhere Sacred was released in 2017. The quartet includes: King (tenor sax), Farrugia (piano) and Roth (bass). For more information visit www.chriswallacedrums.com

Dan Hill

Location: Pfaff Town+Country BMW Stage - Millennium Bandstand Date: Sunday, August 19, 2018 Time: 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm How does one describe the creative force driving Dan Hill? Nominated for a Grammy for Best Male Vocal, winner of a Grammy (as co-producer of Seduces Me on Celine Dion’s Falling Into You album), winner of five Juno Awards and the Harold Moon Award (Canadian Lifetime Songwriting Achievement Award). Dan has also recorded and released multiple gold and platinum albums. His classic hits, such as Sometimes When We Touch, Can’t We Try and Never Thought (That I could Love), all remain staples of radio stations worldwide. For more information visit www.danhill.com

Dee Dee Bridgewater

Location: Pfaff Town+Country BMW Stage - Millennium Bandstand Date: Saturday, August 18, 2018. Time: 9:00 pm - 10:30 pm Over a multifaceted career spanning four decades, Grammy and Tony Award-winning jazz giant Dee Dee Bridgewater has ascended to the upper echelon of vocalists, putting her unique spin on standards, as well as taking intrepid leaps of faith in re-envisioning jazz classics.  The three-time Grammy-winner recently won the Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album for Eleanora Fagan (1915-1959): To Billie With Love From Dee Dee. Bridgewater has performed with such jazz notables as Max Roach, Sonny Rollins and Dizzy Gillespie.  She has also had a stellar career in such theatrical musicals as “The Wiz,” “Lady Day” and “Cabaret”. She recently received a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Fellows Award at the Kennedy Centre. We are thrilled to welcome Dee Dee to the TD Markham Jazz Festival! For more information visit ... [Continue reading →]

Deva Mahal

Location: Pfaff Town+Country BMW Stage - Millennium Bandstand Date: Friday, August 17, 2018 Time: 9:30 pm - 11:00 pm A powerhouse vocalist and songwriter, and coming to visit us from New York, Deva Mahal is the daughter of legendary blues musician Taj Mahal, with whom she wrote the song, Never Let You Go on his Grammy Award nominated album Maestro. Deva’s particular brand of soul embraces her blues roots, with an infusion of gospel-tinged vocals, funk rhythms, jazz-like arrangements, and an R&B sensibility. Her undeniable vocal talent never ceases to blow audiences away, and her star continues to rise with new music due out on Motéma in 2018. For more information visit www.devamahal.com

Devin Cuddy

Location: Watford Group Stage - McKay Wine & Beer Garden Date: Sunday, August 19, 2018 Time: 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm A lanky young man sits at a battered piano in a dark, cramped club. His hair falls in large sweaty tussles over his eyes. As he kicks his band into the immortal, Mystery Train, he cocks his head toward the crowd, Jerry Lee Lewis-style. The setting could indeed be Memphis or New Orleans in 1959, but this is Markham in 2018 where a new generation has picked up rock and roll’s torch -- chasing the rhythm with pure heart and soul. For more information visit www.devincuddy.com

Dobranotch

Location: Watford Group Stage - McKay Wine & Beer Garden Date: Sunday, August 19, 2018 Time: 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm Russia’s Dobranotch performs its own irreverent brand of Jewish, Gypsy and Balkan traditional music, drawing on deep knowledge of traditions, rich experience in traveling and interacting with traditional musicians from different countries. The band’s repertoire also includes Russian songs of the golden age of brass bands. Featuring many of the leading players in Russia’s post-Soviet Jewish music renaissance, the band has toured more than twenty countries and recorded seven albums. Co-presented with the Ashkenaz Festival. For more information visit http://dobranotch.ru/english.html

Genevieve Marentette & Robert Scott

Location: Piano Fest - Central United Church Stage Date: Saturday, August 18, 2018 Time: 2:30 pm Robert G. Scott is an award-winning Juno-nominated pianist, composer, songwriter and lyricist. He will be performing with singer Genevieve (Gigi) Marentette. Robert is known for his virtuosic technique and highly passionate performances. He wrote, played the piano, and sang the falsetto background vocals on Michael Bublé’s hit single, Hollywood. Genevieve has established herself as one of Toronto’s most recognizable and illustrious vocalists. She is one of the founders of the Kensington Market Jazz Festival and is currently working on several recording projects. For more information visit www.robertscottpiano.com or www.genevievemarentette.com

Hilario Duran ‘Contumbao’

Location: Piano Fest - Central United Church Stage Date: Friday, August 17, 2018 Time: 9:00 pm Hilario Duran ‘Contumbao’; in a quartet formation, spans the entire spectrum of Cuban music featuring his authenticity. This quartet delivers creative vision, expert musical knowledge, and respect for the tradition with an extraordinary collection of musicians providing an exciting experience in art. The quartet showcases Hilario’s diverse stylistic experiences with all his African and Cuban identities. Cuban-Canadian Award winner and pianist, Hilario Duran, will be joined by musicians: Roberto Riveron (bass), Jorge Luis Torres ‘Papiosco’ (percussion) and Amhed Mitchel (drums). For more information visit www.hilarioduran.com

Ian Hendrickson-Smith with Morgan Childs’ Soul Jazz Revue

Location: Pfaff Town+Country BMW Stage - Millennium Bandstand Date: Saturday, August 18, 2018 Time: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Drummer Morgan Childs is a unique talent on the Canadian music scene, equally at home playing straight-ahead jazz, modern original music, or funky break beats. Morgan started the Soul Jazz Revue to celebrate the music of soul jazz pioneers like Grant Green and Lonnie Smith. Ian Hendrickson-Smith is the saxophonist for The Roots on NBC's The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, and previously spent six years touring and recording with Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. He has recorded and performed with such greats as Al Green, Amy Winehouse, and Lonnie Smith. For more information visit www.morganchildsmusic.com

Jackie Richardson and Joe Sealy

Location: Piano Fest - Central United Church Stage Date: Saturday, August 18, 2018 Time: 7:00 pm For more than five decades Joe Sealy has enjoyed a successful career as a musician, actor, composer, music director and recording artist. Tours have also played a significant part in Joe’s career. Some of the more notable ones include: six months on the road with Blood, Sweat and Tears; a 19 concert tour of Africville Suite (including an appearance at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C.); a 20 city national tour of Timothy Findlay’s Piano Man’s Daughter (along with Veronica Tennant and Sylvia Tyson); and a 2 week tour of Norway and Denmark including a performance at the world famous Jazz House in Copenhagen. All of this work and success has not gone unnoted. Joe is both proud of, and humbled by, the acclaim he has received. Major awards include: a Juno Award for CD, Africville ... [Continue reading →]

Jeff McLeod

Location: Piano Fest - Central United Church Stage Date: Saturday, August 18, 2018 Time: 5:30 pm Pianist, organist, composer and arranger Jeff McLeod has played with many great musicians. His debut release, Double Entendre, was nominated for a 2012 Western Canadian Music Award for Jazz Album of the Year. His second album, Belaney’s Secret was co-led with saxophonist Donny Kennedy and released in 2013. Joining Jeff and Donny on the release are Frasier Hollins and Dave Laing. Jeff has recently recorded material for Alison Young and John Pittman. For more information visit www.jeffmcleodmusic.com

Joanna Majoko

Location: Source Office Furnishings Stage - Varley Art Gallery Patio Date: Saturday, August 18, 2018 Time: 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Born to German & Zimbabwean parents, Joanna grew up in a culturally diverse home that moved from Germany to Zimbabwe, South Africa, and finally to Canada. She was exposed to a rich practice of music and a growing love for jazz that brought her to where she is today. Although her greatest affinity is for jazz, Joanna is versatile within many musical genres. She has worked with Grammy nominated and award-winning artists such as Otis Brown III, Ulysses Owens Jr., David Clayton-Thomas and Jane Bunnett. For more information visit www.joannamajokomusic.com

Julian Fauth

Location: Piano Fest - Central United Church Stage Date: Saturday, August 18, 2018 Time: 1:30 pm Stu Harrison was born and raised in South-Western Ontario, beginning piano instruction at the age of three. In 2016, Stu released his debut album, ‘Volume 1’ (One Nightstand Records), to critical acclaim, featuring Canadian legends Terry Clarke, and Neil Swainson. He has performed with artists such as Larnell Lewis, Billy Newton-Davis, Mark Cassius (The Nylons), Alicia Mackenzie, Jeni Walls, June Garber, Donna Grantis (Prince) and many more. Stu continues to perform, accompany, MD, and arrange regularly throughout Canada. For more information visit http://www.stuharrison.com

Laila Biali

Location: Varley Art Gallery Lobby Date: Wednesday, August 15, 2018 Time: 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm PURCHASE TICKETS TO THIS OPENING NIGHT CONCERT Award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter and pianist Laila Biali's accolades include “SOCAN Composer of the Year” and “Keyboardist of the Year” at Canada’s National Jazz Awards. Her recording, Tracing Light, received a JUNO nomination in 2011 for “Best Vocal Jazz Album of the Year". In 2015, Laila released her first album of entirely original music, House of Many. Laila is currently set to release a new album of original songs alongside covers of David Bowie, Coldplay and more. She is also the host of Saturday Night Jazz on CBC. For more information visit www.lailabiali.com

Laura Campisi

Location: Source Office Furnishings Stage – Varley Art Gallery Patio Date: Sunday, August 19, 2018 Time: 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Award-winning songwriter and jazz singer, Laura Campisi, has performed with various musical ensembles and produces a wide range of music: from Jazz and Folk, to the traditional Sicilian repertoire as well as Italian and Mediterranean songs. In 2017, Laura released her debut album, Double Mirror. The album was welcomed with high praise by the international press, Downbeat Magazine, and was featured in the Best of 2017 by both Cadence Magazine and All About Jazz. Laura was also featured in the 2018 Luminato production of the Ward Cabaret. For more information visit www.lauracampisi.com

Lily Frost

Location: Watford Group Stage - McKay Wine & Beer Garden Date: Saturday, August 18, 2018 Time: 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm Lily Frost, one of Toronto’s most prolific and respected singer/songwriters, has been engaging musical audiences with her passionate performances across Canada and Europe. After pursuing formal studies at the Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto) and Concordia University (Montreal), Lily traveled, wrote songs, performed with different bands and recorded twelve albums. Presently, Lily performs live, hosts her own radio show for Zoomer Radio, writes songs and records music. Frost warning ... new album, STARR will be out this fall. For more information visit http://lilyfrost.com/2017

Lydia Persaud

Location: Pfaff Town+Country BMW Stage - Millennium Bandstand Date: Sunday, August 19, 2018 Time: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Raised on a healthy dose of the country music narrative and the spiritual motivation of gospel hymns, Lydia Persaud is reconnecting with her roots with her debut EP, Low Light. Winner of the 2013 Oscar Peterson Award, Lydia has been actively involved in the Toronto music scene since her graduation from Humber College's Jazz program. Lydia's intimate songwriting, paired with subtle instrumentation, inspired by her process of writing with voice and baritone ukulele, is a highlight of the EP. For more information visit www.lydiapersaud.com

Mary McKay

Location: Watford Group Stage - McKay Wine & Beer Garden Date: Saturday, August 18, 2018 Time: 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm Whether she is singing with her jazz quartet, opening for Holly Cole, being featured on Jazz FM, or belting out a soulful tune with the Hamilton Philharmonic, Mary will enrapture her audience right away. Mary has writing and recording credits under her belt, including original music for television, lending her voice to popular advertisements, and having features on other artists’ albums. Keep your eyes out for Mary’s album of original R&B and soul music in the fall, 2018.

Nefe

Location: Watford Group Stage - McKay Wine & Beer Garden Date: Sunday, August 19, 2018 Time: 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm Combined with the soulful power of Tracy Chapman, the uniqueness of Bruno Mars, and a voice that can silence a room, Nefe is a burgeoning Canadian talent that is sure to take the industry by storm in the coming years. Born Sarah Jea Felker, Nefe is a singer/songwriter that hails from Guelph. Her stage name was adopted from Queen Nefertiti. Though Nefe is soft spoken, she is loud on the inside, with a rich soul, and expresses her voice through her music. For more information visit www.facebook.com/nefemusic

Neon Eagle

Location: Source Office Furnishings Stage – Varley Art Gallery Patio Date: Sunday, August 19, 2018 Time: 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm Neon Eagle is an improvising quartet lead by Michael Eckert at the pedal steel guitar. Inspired by musicians from across the world spectrum, we strive to create melodies and soundscapes in the moment. The quartet is anchored by Rich Brown on bass and Galen Pelley on drums. We use the eagle as a vehicle to improvise freely in a dynamic listening environment, where each choice influences every subsequent one.

Nick Maclean Quartet

Location: Source Office Furnishings Stage - Varley Art Gallery Patio Date: Sunday, August 19, 2018 Time: 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm This contemplative and often thrilling quartet's explorations of modern, original repertoire is led by a fast-rising star in Toronto's jazz piano community, 26 year old Nick Maclean. Formed in 2016, Maclean's foursome delivers jazz between the two poles of thoughtful introspection and powerhouse conveyance, taking influences from Herbie Hancock's primordial 1960's Blue Note era recordings, while featuring one of Canada's most provocative improvising trumpet-playing iconoclasts Brownman Ali. For more information visit www.nicholasmaclean.com

OKAN

Location: Pfaff Town+Country BMW Stage - Millennium Bandstand Date: Friday, August 17, 2018 Time: 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Blending jazz, Afro-Cuban and classical forms, and world rhythms, OKAN - meaning Soul in the Afro Cuban religion Santeria - takes inspiration from the roots of Cuban music and contributes to the contemporary evolution of these powerful traditions in the global context. Embracing genres and roles that have historically been dominated by men, co-leaders, composers and multi-instrumentalists Elizabeth Rodriguez and Magdelys Savigne, bring a fresh perspective to Latin and world jazz fusion through their powerful vocals, incredible musicianship and potent lyrical content.

Rob Tardik

Location: Source Office Furnishings Stage - Varley Art Gallery Patio Date: Saturday, August 18, 2018 Time: 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm Rob Tardik is a multi-award winning “FUNlectic” guitarist and contemporary pop/jazz/world/fusion instrumental music artist. His last five CDs have spawned five U.S Billboard charting singles. Rob’s sixth album, SYNERGY, was released January 2018 with the first single, Synergy, debuting as one of the most added on the U.S Billboard Smooth Jazz charts. It spent three weeks at #1 on the Wave.FM charts in Toronto. His second radio single, Perseverance, is out this summer. Rob was the 2010 Canadian Smooth Jazz Guitarist of the Year. For more information visit www.robtardik.com

Ryan McNally

Location: Watford Group Stage - McKay Wine & Beer Garden Date: Saturday, August 18, 2018 Time: 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm Ryan McNally and his band find their inspiration from the south USA, performing music that is a mix of New Orleans Jazz and Country Blues. In 2017, Steppin’ Down South was nominated for Blues Artist of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards (WCMA). That year, Ryan also had the privilege and opportunity to perform for Prince William and Princess Kate during their Yukon visit. McNally plays the guitar, harmonica, mandolin, violin and banjo effortlessly and in his own signature style. For more information visit www.ryanmcnally.ca

Sarah Thawer

Location: Source Office Furnishings Stage - Varley Art Gallery Patio Date: Saturday, August 18, 2018 Time: 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Sarah Thawer is a drummer based in Toronto, Canada. She started playing drums at the age of two. Sarah is currently freelancing, touring, recording and performing with international artists playing various genres including jazz, fusion, Latin, gospel, funk, R&B, hip hop, Indian and world music. She studied jazz and world music at York University. Sarah was the recipient of the Oscar Peterson Scholarship, the highest award given by the institution, in addition to graduating with the Summa Cum Laude distinction. For more information visit www.sarahthawer.com

Skyliners

Location: Watford Group Stage - McKay Wine & Beer Garden Date: Saturday, August 18, 2018 Time: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Their sound harkens back to what bands sounded like in the night clubs of New York, Chicago, and Detroit in the 1960's – calm, intense, coolness. Jake Chisholm sings like a beautiful bird and plays guitar with fiery urgency. Second guitarist, Judd Ruhl, is a virtuoso of seductive understatement. Darcy Yates is simply everything you dream a bass player should be. Dani Nash swirls her supple groove through the songs. Jenie Thai Nolan, piano, is a servant of song. Experience the coolness of the Skyliners.

Stacie McGregor

Location: Piano Fest - Central United Church Stage Date: Saturday, August 18, 2018 Time: 4:30 pm Stacie McGregor is considered a premiere pianist and composer who’s established a reputation as a major talent on the Canadian jazz landscape. She is a Juno Award recipient in the ‘World Music’ category having recorded with blues guitarist Madagascar Slim in 1999. She has since recorded three jazz albums on the G-THREE jazz label as a leader with her debut, Straight Up. Her latest recording, Rhythm, Hart & Soul features original compositions performed with New York based veteran musicians Billy Hart (drums) and Santi DeBriano (bass). For more information visit www.staciemcgregor.com

The Tiki Collective

Location: Pfaff Town+Country BMW Stage - Millennium Bandstand Date: Saturday, August 18, 2018 Time: 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm The Tiki Collective (TTC) is a who’s-who collection of Toronto’s finest jazz musicians and vocalists. They perform jazz, exotica, and surf-pop – all under the direction of guitarist Eric St-Laurent. The band features many musicians and singers per show. Their debut CD, MUSE, was produced by Jaymz Bee and Jono Grant for Vesuvius Music. TTC has performed at venues such as Lula Lounge, La Reolucion and the Legendary Horseshoe Tavern. Musicians include: Eric St-Laurent (guitar) George Koller (bass), Great Bob Scott (drums), Michael Davidson (vibraphone), Ernie Tollar (saxes), Bill McBirnie (flute), and Drew Jurecka (violin). Vocalists featured include: Jocelyn Barth, Genevieve Marentette Tyra Jutai, Joanna Majoko, Heather Luckhart, Irene Torres and Denielle. For more information visit www.thetikicollective.com

The Willows

Location: Pfaff Town+Country BMW Stage - Millennium Bandstand Date: Saturday, August 18, 2018 Time: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm The Willows are making a name for themselves with their debut album, Tea For Three, showcasing a fresh take on the group’s signature, nostalgic style. These dynamic ladies combine intricate three-part harmonies with jazzy, pop-infused instrumentation to get you up on your feet. With Krista Deady as contralto, Andrea Gregorio as soprano and Lauren Pedersen as mezzo-soprano, the refreshing harmonies of these sophisticated songstresses will transport you back to the classiest of eras in music – today.

Thompson Egbo-Egbo Trio

Location: Piano Fest - Central United Church Stage Date: Friday, August 17, 2018 Time: 7:00 pm Being a Canadian jazz pianist means refining your own sound while standing on the shoulders of some of the greatest musicians to come from this country, or from anywhere, for that matter. Toronto’s Thompson Egbo-Egbo has done precisely that on his latest album, A New Standard. The album is available now via Entertainment One Music Canada. It is the first through the label as a new signee and the first made with his group consisting of drummer Jeff Halischuk and bassist Randall Hall. For more information visit www.egbomusic.com