CHRIS ANDREW
Musical Director & Piano

Although well known as a jazz educator, pianist/composer Chris Andrew is best known for his ability to play. His journey in jazz started early, included exposure to an array of opportunities included studying with luminaries like Tommy Banks and travels abroad in Cuba, touring coast to coast as a bandleader, sideman and member of beloved groups like Maracujah, Bomba and the Jump Orchestra, and receiving the CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award at the Canadian National Jazz Awards. Chris brings ingenuity, highly acclaimed technical abilities and passionate performances to the musical table, making it a table other musicians want to join. Chris continues to master his craft and has shown himself to be a serious jazz composer delivering work that can be found on recordings performed by artists across North America.

ARTIST WEBSITE

KATE BLECHINGER
Vocals

Kate is an inventive and charismatic Edmonton-based vocalist/composer/arranger. Originally hailing from Regina, Saskatchewan, Kate takes direct influence from the vast prairie landscapes of her youth to create expansive, evocative compositions and arrangements for listeners to enjoy. Kate’s “jazz” is the musical equivalent of an artist’s palette, and is definitely a hybrid of sorts; she pairs the harmony, instrumentation and improvisation of more traditional jazz forms with the lyricism of modern jazz and folk genres. What results is a music that is personal, poetic, and playful – and one that involves audiences in a truly eclectic musical journey!

ARTIST WEBSITE

RUBIM DE TOLEDO
Bass

Bassist and composer Rubim de Toledo, combines the influences of his Brazilian heritage and his dedication to the jazz tradition, to create an approach to music that is refreshing and uplifting. Rubim is well known as bassist and founding member of respected Latin-Jazz group Bomba and a mainstay in both Caravan and Montuno West. Boasting a diverse rhythmic palette inspired by world music, jazz, and contemporary music, a lure towards improvisation and a forward-looking traditionalism, de Toledo nurtures a commanding sound and style as a bassist, soloist, and composer. Rubim’s achievements as both performer and composer have been recognized by nominations and awards from the Western Canadian Music Awards, Edmonton, Music Awards, and Calgary Music Awards.

ARTIST WEBSITE

SANDRO DOMINELLI
Drums

Through his continued success as a much sought-after composer, bandleader, session drummer, and producer, Sandro Dominelli has proven to be an established luminary in the Canadian music scene. His musical sensibilities have caught the attention of international and local jazz icons alike, lending to inspired performances and recordings with his influence, and his collaborations include a long list of the veritable who’s who of the global jazz scene. As a composer Sandro has garnered rave reviews and accolades for his work, including a Juno Award nomination and top honours at numerous industry recognition events including the Western Canadian Music Awards and Canadian Music Week Award to name a few.

ARTIST WEBSITE

JIM HEAD
Guitar

Jim Head has spent much of his career in Edmonton sharing his talent as an acclaimed guitarist, bandleader, composer and educator. Jim maintains close ties with the city of Montreal where he lived for several years studying at McGill University, working with many of the leading artists in the Montreal jazz scene. Appearing on over 30 recordings, this Juno Award nominated artist has worked with a multitude of jazz greats and has made numerous appearances on CBC and SRC radio programs such as Jazz Beat, Canada Live, and Jazz Sur La Vif. As a composer his work has been described as modern improvised jazz featuring richly detailed, unpredictable, and adventurously melodic and has taken him across Canada, as well as to markets like China, Mexico, and the U.S.

ARTIST WEBSITE

AUDREY OCHOA
Trombone

Unbound by any predisposed ideals around genre or delivery, trombonist Audrey Ochoa has achieved the ideal: presenting meticulously influential compositions with a playful and liberated approach. Classically trained but with a voracious appetite for honing her craft in any genre, this rising star is decidedly captivating and original, and her compositional skill and talent on her instrument is spectacular. She is a decorated award nominee and recipient, having earned recognition at the Western Canadian Music Awards, the Global Music Awards and as well as the Edmonton Music Project. With a magnificent and fresh-faced approach, she defies categorization and plants her flag firmly as a centrepiece of the Canadian music arena.

ARTIST WEBSITE

PJ PERRY
Saxophone

P.J. Perry has become recognized by critics, colleagues and listeners as being one of North America’s premier saxophonists. Having shared the stage with countless heavyweights like Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Shaw, Slide Hampton, just to name a few, to his performances with Symphony’s across the country, PJ has left his mark on the Canadain Jazz Scene. Perry’s masterful playing has earned him countless awards and honours, including multiple JUNO Awards, the Order of Canada, and even an honourary doctorate.

ARTIST WEBSITE

BOB TILDESLEY
Trumpet

Bob quickly emerged as one of the city’s leading jazz trumpeter with his work in the late 1970’s with pianists Tommy Banks and Bill Emes, and saxophonists Bill Jamieson and P.J. Perry. An expressive soloist, particularly skilled with mutes, Tildesley is as adept to playing bebop as he is to handling blues and swing or participant in post bop, post modern and “free” situations. Over the years, this in-demand studio player has appeared on dozens of top-drawer albums by such greats as Tommy Banks, Brian Buchanan, and Bill Jamieson just to name a few.