Millennium Bandstand

Alison Young

Millennium Bandstand Friday, August 16, 2019 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm www.alisonyoungmusic.com Fresh off her Quintet’s ‘19 JUNO Award winning debut album So Here We Are -- Yes, JUNO Award winning Debut Album! -- Alison Young is a highly talented Toronto-based saxophonist, vocalist and composer. Since moving from Ottawa to study music at the U of T, Alison has been actively sharing her energy and flair for hard-bop, soul and New Orleans funk on the Toronto jazz scene. In ’17, Alison was chosen by the CBC as one of the ‘Best 35 Canadian Jazz Artists under 35’. Since then, Young has toured with acts such as Joe Sealy, The Heillig Manoeuvre, Johnny Reid and the Shuffle Demons. Alison is currently touring across Canada with iconic pop star Corey Heart.

Allison Au

Millennium Bandstand Saturday, August 17, 2019 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm www.allisonau.com Award-winning saxophonist, composer and arranger, Allison Au (pronounced “ow”) weaves a mosaic of influences into her seamless and soulful sound - steeped in jazz, yet skillfully laced with elements of classical, pop, R&B/hip hop, Latin, and world music. A 2016 Juno winner, Allison garnered her 3rd Juno nomination earlier this year as "Best Jazz Album of the Year: Group" for her latest release "Wander Wonder." Formed in 2009, The Allison Au Quartet has won the 2017 Montreal Jazz Festival TD Grand Prix de Jazz, the 2017 Halifax Jazz Festival Sting Ray Rising Star Award, and was named a 2017 Finalist for the Toronto Arts Foundation Emerging Jazz Artist Award.

BMC Organ Trio

Millennium Bandstand Saturday, August 17, 2019 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm The BMC Organ Trio is a soul-jazz trio from Toronto focused on original interpretations of 1960s Hammond organ “Chitlin Circuit” soul jazz. Inspired by organist Jimmy Smith and guitarist Grant Green, the trio is co-led by three of Canada’s leading instrumentalists and like-minded tone junkies in search of the perfect blend of the classic and contemporary. BMC Organ Trio is Ben Bishop (guitar), Morgan Childs (drums), and Jeff McLeod (organ)!

Brandi Disterheft

Millennium Bandstand Sunday, August 18, 2019 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm www.brandidisterheft.com Bassist, singer, composer Brandi Disterheft has been under the apprenticeship of Miles Davis’s bassist, Ron Carter, since she relocated to NYC from Vancouver. It’s not only her fiery bass playing, it’s also her innovative live shows as she sings in both English and French, showcasing her ambient, dreamy voice. Winning a JUNO for her “Debut” album, Brandi has performed with Benny Green, Cyrus Chestnut, Jeremy Pelt and Renee Rosnes to name a few. Brandi is a Canadian staple of the NYC jazz scene. Presented by Minken Employment Lawyers

George Koller and Secret Space Program

Millennium Bandstand Saturday, August 17, 2019 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm www.georgekoller.com One of Canada’s most prolific and in-demand composers, producers and bassists, Toronto-based George Koller has performed on over 900 albums, and has toured with the likes of Peter Gabriel, David Clayton-Thomas, Chaka Khan and Laila Biali. With his Secret Space Program project, George performs impressionistic jazz, blending trad. jazz with world, free and contemporary styles - while focusing on depth of spirit and spontaneous interplay between musicians and audience.

Heather Bambrick

Millennium Bandstand Sunday, August 18, 2019 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm www.heatherbambrick.ca Heather Bambrick is a JUNO-nominated vocalist who’s collaborated with Phil Nimmons, Fred Hirsch, Gene DiNovi, Guido Basso, Rob McConnell, Peter Appleyard, Toronto Symphony Orch., Newfoundland Symphony Orch. and many more. She’s released three recordings to date, and her latest Fine State is being released June,’19. You’ll recognize Heather from being the award-winning host on JAZZ.FM91 and recently co-founder of JAZZCAST, an internet-based Jazz station. Heather is also one of Canada’s top voice actors, a highly sought after music educator, and sits on the Advisory Council for Music Canada.

Kollage

Millennium Bandstand Sunday, August 18, 2019 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm www.kollage.ca Award-winning “hard-bop” sextet Kollage was originally formed in 1999 -- as Toronto’s legendary drummer and Order of Canada recipient, Archie Alleyne, joined forces with Doug Richardson -- to create a band that preserves the tradition and importance of jazz born of the Blue Note Records era 50’s and 60’s. Since then, Kollage has been one of Canada’s most influential jazz bands, developing some of Canada’s best known jazz musicians. In 2013, the now late Alleyne, and last founding band member, passed the band’s leadership onto Musical Director Stacie McGregor. In 2017, Kollage released a recording of original compositions titled, No Fuss, No Muss.

Low Down Brass Band

Millennium Bandstand Friday, August 16, 2019 9:30 pm - 11:00 pm www.lowdownbrassband.com LowDown Brass Band (LDB), synthesizes the gritty sounds of Chicago with the high energy street beat of New Orleans. LDB brandishes a powerful brass frontline of trumpets, trombones, saxophones, with a funky backline of drums and sousaphone. Stellar vocal harmonies. adventurous improvisation, movement, and grooves serve to create LDB’s infectious and diverse sound that has something for everyone. LDB is now touring their latest release titled LowDown Breaks (2018) feat. MC Billa Camp on vocals. This new record steps deeper into refining LDB’s unique sound, combining hip hop breaks with live soul samples and deep cut grooves.

Michael Kaeshammer

Millennium Bandstand Saturday, August 17, 2019 9:00 pm - 10:30 pm www.kaeshammer.com Internationally acclaimed Michael Kaeshammer has toured the world with his talents as a singer, songwriter, pianist & producer. A spellbinding and JUNO Award winning artist, Kaeshammer’s performances are intimate and inviting affairs. His new album, SOMETHING NEW, is a new musical adventure. It features original songs about love, life, travel and politics. As a trademark, Michael is unafraid of crossing genre boundaries and uses his many influences to take the listener along on a most memorable journey.

Tia Brazda

Millennium Bandstand Saturday, August 17, 2019 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm www.tiabrazda.com Tia Brazda’s jazz-pop gems have pay homage to the golden era, while remaining daringly modern. Her retro style and distinctive voice have garnered comparisons to Billy Holliday and Amy Winehouse, while her mix of jazz and pop, she quotes is, “sort of Ella Fitzgerald meets The Everly Brothers”. Tia honed her unique sound in the jazz rooms of Toronto. Her 2012 debut EP Cabin Fever, and 2015 album Bandshell, both met with resounding #1 iTunes Jazz Chart success. Her latest album Daydream (2018), sees her versatility reach bold new directions, where bossa nova, soul, pop, jazz and the tango-infused French chanson “Un amour bohème”, are all superbly interpreted.