This dynamic quartet is retro: spanning the jazz and pop hits of early New Orleans ala Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton and Young Tuxedo Brass Band to the funky sounds of the Meters, Professor Longhair, James Brooker, Jimmy Smith & Lee Morgan. The group is a who's who of notable celebrities and artists - think organ trio with a blazing trumpet. Peter Hill - Piano; Denis Keldie - Organ; Chris Lamont - Drums; Kevin Clark - Trumpet.

This high-energy organ-driven quartet is reminiscent of the hard-bop organ tradition of the mid-1960s. Montreal-based Vanessa Rodrigues is one of Canada's premier young jazz organists. Vanessa has always been interested in a wide variety of musical styles, and actively pursues different projects involving jazz, funk, soul, world and classical. Joining her is Chris Gale, one of Toronto's most sought-after and versatile saxophonists; David DiRenzo on drums; and renowned Canadian guitarist and educator Mike Rud.

The MJF All-Stars is an auditioned big band made up of Markham and area high school and university students. The band is led by educator Scott Harrison (most recently with Markham District High School). The All-Stars rehearsed throughout the summer in preparation for tonight's appearance at the Millennium Bandstand.

Toronto's own Buena Vista Social Club! Though they are collectively younger and bring a fresh urban vibe and energy, close your eyes for a moment and you'll be magically transported back to the Golden Age of Cuba's Tropicana shows, to the streets of Havana, when life was music and music was life. Including: Cristian Saldivia, Angel Luis, Alberto Alberto, Alexis Baro, Rufino Maciero, Josua Cabrera, Pabloski Rosales, Chendy Leon Sr., Chendy Leon Jr., Johan Aguirre, Ricky Franco.

A powerhouse singing sensation, Shakura S’aida has enriched the jazz, blues and classic R&B communities with her soulful voice, enthusiastic personality and commitment to music as an art form. Shakura has taken to the musical stages with roles in such productions as Ain't Misbehaving and Momma, I Want to Sing; her talent has spanned genres and countries and taken her to some of the most noted jazz stages in the world.

Maria is a 2008 International Jazz award nominee and is recognized world-wide as one of the definitive Brazilian jazz vocalists of her generation. Her embracing voice executes the technically difficult Brazilian jazz style with warm emotion and style; interwoven scat singing and exotic wordless vocals add flavour to the session. The Jongo Trio is made up of Roy Patterson, guitars; Andrew Downing, cello and bass; and Alan Hetherington, drums and percussion.

Autorickshaw's music lies on the cultural cutting edge – where contemporary jazz and funk easily rub shoulders with the classical and popular music of India. One of the most intriguing acts on the world music and jazz landscapes, Autorickshaw consists of four of Canada's most exciting and interesting musicians: Suba Sankaran, Ed Hanley, Rich Brown and Patrick Graham. Each has achieved excellence on their respective instruments, and when their forces are combined, the results are "utterly unique and musically pioneering."

Ted is regarded as one of the most versatile guitar players in Canada, a multi-faceted jazz musician, highly skilled as a solo jazz guitarist, session player, writer, and dedicated educator. He is a sought-after sideman, frequently appearing with the "who's who" of Canadian jazz artists. His music is an eclectic mix of original, contemporary tunes as well as standards both old and new. The Trio includes Kieran Overs on bass and Ted Warren on the drums.

Guitarist/composer Michael Occhipinti has a modern and eclectic approach to jazz which has earned him a broad array of listeners and the respect of the industry. The Sicilian Jazz Project has been dazzling audiences since its debut in 2004 with its intriguing mix of Sicilian folk source material and the best elements of modern jazz. Featuring: Roberto Occhipinti, Ernie Tollar, Dominic Mancuso, Kevin Turcotte, Louis Simao, Barry Romberg, Michael Occhipinti, Maryem Tollar, Hugh Marsh and a string quartet.

The Lithuanian Empire has combined forces to put fresh spins on tunes while still maintaining their traditional klezmer mother tongue: pickled herring, bagels & lox, and kugel meet Led Zeppelin, margaritas, and Nils Landgren to make beautiful harmonies. What all members share is a deep love of klezmer, and the creativity to take this traditional music in new directions. Featuring: Becky Wexler, Kinneret Sagee, Eva Boodman, Fern Lindzon, Andy John and Lorie Wolf.

Ochoa, nominated for the Canadian Latin Jazz Artist of the Year, released his latest recording in spring 2008 entitled Momentos Cubanos with his newly founded acoustic quintet, where he showcases his virtuosity and versatility with authority. Joining him on the project is acclaimed Cuban pianist Hilario Durán and a dynamic rhythm section with Paco Luviano on bass, Luis Orbegoso on timbale/drum and Jose Luis Torres on congas.

A Toronto based group that fuses jazz with funk and world music including the traditional genres of China, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. Featuring original compositions as well as jazz characterized adaptations of popular folk themes. Their signatures are the unorthodox adaptation of traditional genres, diverse sound colour, mixed instrumentation featuring western and oriental instruments, and the interplay between fixed and improvised musical elements. Featuring: Jarek Dabrowski, Michael Goutman, David MacDougall, Erika Nielsen, Klaus Anselm. This concert will feature as a special guest multi-award winning Trinidadian born jazz trumpet player Brownman, taking time out of his globe-hopping touring schedule as the featured soloist with Guru's Jazzmatazz to join Ethnocity on stage. Brownman is heralded as "Canada's preemient jazz trumpet player" by New York City's Village Voice magazine.

An energetic and creative piano jazz/funk trio that is both beautiful and sizzling in its musical approach. Mike is a well trained classical musician with strong technical and music theory skills. His musical journey includes forays into the worlds of rock, funk, folk and jazz. For the past fourteen years, Mike has elected to make playing and improvising jazz a personal and professional priority. Mike Janzen, piano and vocals; Ben Riley, drums; Marc Rogers, bass

George's primary area of interest is the pre-bebop jazz era of the 1920's and 1930's; Bohemian Swing veers towards a more ethnic sound and the trio plays a combination of straight ahead jazz, original tunes and standards. They play an infectious brew of standards, gypsy jazz and - as their name implies - eastern-flavoured melodies and klezmer guaranteed to get your feet tapping. Featuring: George Grosman, Jonathan Marks, Ian MacGillivray, Fabrice Sicco and Abbey Sholzberg.

Barber, a fabulous singer, has a long list of credits, including performances with the Canadian Opera Company, in the major nightclubs in Ontario and Quebec, on television and in movies, and a tour to the Far East to entertain the Armed Forces. She sings currently with the vocal group The Canadian Singers. She will be appearing at the jazz festival as a quartet: Solveig Barber, Larry Bond, Bob Mills and Richard Moore.

Fern Lindzon is an engaging pianist and singer who brings an unassuming authority, an inquiring spirit and a natural grace to contemporary jazz. Fern's eclectic musical interests have kept her extremely busy and much in demand with her own jazz ensembles, in several klezmer bands and as a freelance musician. Lindzon is a truly outstanding performer; the music never gets in the way of her floating voice, but provides a perfect background for her inventive style.

Best quoted by Ross Porter of Jazz FM91, "...Russ Little is one of the most virtuosic trombonists on the planet. He plays with an exuberance and honesty that both exude and generate the pure joy of jazz. His boundless instrumental fluency embodies the characteristics that also comprise the mettle of the man - thoughtful, intelligent, articulate, insightful - a rare combination of inherited and acquired attributes that keep his illustrious career soaring higher into the jazz stratosphere with every new recording, every performance..."