Live Music at The Jazz Room
Featuring local, national and international performers Friday and Saturday nights,
Soul/R&B shows on select Thursdays, and special Sunday matinees.
This calendar includes only Grand River Jazz Society shows. For other events booked
in The Jazz Room, please contact the event organizer directly or search online for
event details and ticket information.
The leader and founder of the Royal City Saxophone Quartet, Ernie Kalwa is a graduate of the University of Waterloo in Mathematics and Music. A native of Peterborough, Ontario, Ernie now calls Elora home. He studied saxophone at Humber College with Pat LaBarbera, Alex Dean, Mark Promane, and later in the USA with James Houlik, Jerry Coker, Eric Alexander, and Berklee College of Music. He has traveled to play in jazz events and festivals throughout the United States and Canada. His influences include Stan Getz, Sonny Stitt, Zoot Sims, Dexter Gordon, Hank Mobley, Branford Marsalis, Eddie Daniels, and various classical performers.
In 2006 he produced his first Jazz Quartet CD “The Autumn Leaves” and is working on new recordings in addition to teaching saxophone, clarinet and flute privately to aspiring musicians. Lately, the Ernie Kalwa Jazz Quartet tours performing concerts as “A Tribute to 1960s Jazz and Bossa Nova”, including at the KW Jazz Room. Ernie teaches woodwinds to private students at his Studio in Elora, Ontario. For many years he has assisted with coaching the University of Waterloo Jazz Ensemble, performing in concerts at Conrad Grebel University College, and is Professor of Saxophone at the University of Waterloo.
Personnel:
Ernie Kalwa – saxophones
Michael Wood – vibraphone and percussion
Keith Murch – guitar
Greg Prior – bass
Jay Boehmer – drums
Check out: “Wave”
Tickets: https://www.showpass.com/ernie-kawala.
Brenda Earle Stokes is a Sarnia-born jazz pianist, singer and songwriter. A longtime resident of New York City, Brenda has played with a “who’s who” of artists including trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, Broadway luminary Maurice Hines and the award winning Diva Jazz Orchestra.
A compelling performer, Stokes weaves together her virtuosic piano skills with expressive lyrics and her signature sense of humor. You don’t have to be a jazz fan to enjoy her music! Her music is engaging and satisfying for all.
Stokes grew up in Sarnia, Ontario and started piano lessons at age 4. Never an enthusiastic practicer, Stokes was exposed to the music of Canadian jazz legend Oscar Peterson and something “clicked”. Her father started driving her to London, Ontario on weekends to take jazz piano lessons with London’s own Grant Graham and she ended up attending York University on the Oscar Peterson scholarship.
Her career has taken her around the globe, touring with legendary artists (she once opened for Duran Duran!) and as a bandleader with her own groups. She has performed across the US and Canada and as far away as Australia and New Zealand. She was a top ranged cruise ship performer and has worked as an off-Broadway music director and choral conductor. In addition to her work as a recording artist and performer, she maintains an active career as an educator with her highly popular private studio and a YouTube channel with nearly 50,000 subscribers.
Personnel:
Brenda Earle Stokes – vocals/piano
Mike Downes – bass
Mark Kelso– drums
Rebecca Hennessy – trumpet
Check out: “Performance Reel” “Motherhood” “The Letters on the Pages-Live at Smalls” “Demo 2026”
Anthony D’Alessandro is a pianist, composer, arranger, and bandleader based in Toronto, Ontario. His own bands have been showcased in many notable venues and festivals across Canada including the Jazz Bistro, the Toronto Summer Music Festival, the Jazz Sudbury Festival, and the Rex Hotel Jazz and Blues Bar, among others. He regularly performs alongside a who’s who of Canada’s great jazz musicians including Neil Swainson, Reg Schwager, Caity Gyorgy, Kevin Turcotte, and Ernesto Cervini, and has worked with NYC based musicians such as Benny Benack III, Alexander Claffy and Joe Farnsworth.
Anthony’s music has also taken him throughout the United States and Europe including performances at festivals in Iowa, Florida, New York City, and composition at the Casalmaggiore International Music Festival in Casalmaggiore, Italy. In 2023, Anthony toured Canada from coast to coast with two-time JUNO winning vocalist Caity Gyorgy. Anthony’s debut full length album Searchin’ will be out in April 2024 featuring original music presented by an all-star cast of NYC’s Benny Benack III, Caity Gyorgy, Ernesto Cervini, and Neil Swainson.
Personnel:
Anthony D’Alessandro (piano)
Kayla Ramu (vocals)
Ernesto Cervini (drums)
Jonathan Chapman (bass)
Check out: “The Golden Mean” “Third Time’s the Charm” “At Birdland NYC”
Tickets: https://www.showpass.com/anthony-dalessandro-gershwin-tribute.
“An Evening of Soul with Xavier Solis & Simone Miller”
“Featuring the powerful voices of Xavier Solis and Simone Miller, An Evening of Soul is a celebration of the music that has moved generations and given a voice to love, longing, heartbreak, joy and desire. ” From the timeless sounds of Motown, R&B, Soul and Jazz to beloved pop classics and unforgettable duets, Xavier and Simone come together for an intimate musical experience rooted in the great tradition of soul. Expect rich harmonies, powerful vocals, master musicianship, and undeniable chemistry. The evening pays homage to the artists and songs that made soul music timeless while bringing a fresh generation of performers into the conversation.
Two Voices. One Stage. An evening dedicated to the Soul.”
Simone Miller is an a singer/songwriter and actress from Toronto. From a young age, Simone has always enjoyed being a performer and has sung since she was able to speak. Her acting has been featured on CBC, Lifetime and PBS s be Simone has been working diligently towards writing and composing her own original music, having released a number of original songs and videos, one of which released 4 original songs she conceptualized and co-directed at 16 years old. In 2022, Simone was thrilled to open for Blue Rodeo and the Arkells.
Xavier Solis is a Toronto-born musician of Latin American descent, trained and experienced as a singer, vocal coach, composer, and music director, across a number of genres including jazz, opera, pop, musical theatre, soul funk and gospel. No stranger to The Jazz Room, Xavier’s powerful voice and dynamic stage presence have earned him a reputation for delivering high-energy live performances that captivate audiences.
Come enjoy the magic and connection of music that inspired generations, and continues to provide a backdrop to our own journeys and lives. Simone and Xavier will have you captivated from the first note to the last encore!
Personnel:
Simone Miller – vocals
Xavier Solis – vocals
Keys: Max DeGroot
Bass: Carlo Domingo>
Drums: Petros Anagnostakos
Guitar: Federico Luiu
Saxaphone: Mattaus Gretzinger
Check Out: Simone’s Older Simone’s Singing Reel Xavier’s All For Love Xavier’s I Want It
Learn more at instagram.com/simone.mcq and www.xaviersolis.com
Tickets: https://www.showpass.com/simone-miller-zavier-solis.
“…a cohesive unit with an extraordinarily flexible mindset…at every step of the way, this band breathes and bends as one.” (Dan Billawsky, All About Jazz)
Hailed by Downbeat for its “deft analysis of choice repertoire,” and by the Chicago Reader for its “diversity of approaches to all kinds of source material,” the JOE POLICASTRO TRIO is a forward-thinking, Chicago-based jazz trio led by bassist Joe Policastro featuring guitarist Dave Miller and drummer Mikel Avery. While firmly rooted in jazz, the band’s open-minded, inclusive nature draws upon a wide array of
musical styles and sources while still keeping the aesthetic of an acoustic trio intact.
True bands are a rarity in jazz these days, especially ones that hone theircraft as consistently as this one does. The band held court thrice weekly at Pops for Champagne in downtown Chicago. Beyond Chicago,
the trio has been extensively playing together throughout the US and Canada having even performed for President Barack Obama.
Personnel:
Joe Policastro, bass
Dave Miller, guitar
Mike Avery, drums
Check out: “No Idea” “Having an Average Weekend” “I’m On Fire” Website
Paydora ensemble: “Each musician is a star soloist in their own right. Playing together has allowed them to develop and mature turning Payadora into a superstar group.” – The WholeNote Magazine www.payadora.com
Payadora is a contemporary chamber music ensemble that performs Argentinian/Uruguayan tango and folk music and original compositions inspired by that tradition. Payadora has self produced two albums and has developed a loyal following across Canada over the past six years. The ensemble balances a combination of virtuosity and creativity, with stylistic accuracy. The ensemble features a collection of some of the most respected chamber musicians in Canada. Drawing from eclectic backgrounds in Classical, Jazz, Latin, Eastern European folk music, and improvisation, Payadora’s performances exude technical virtuosity, playful spontaneity, and rhythmic vitality.
Personnel:
Rebekah Wolkstein, violin, voice
Drew Jurecka, bandoneon
Ewan Farncombe, piano
Joe Phillips, bass
Elbio Fernandez, voice
Check out: “Live at Cafe Dominguez” “Live“at The Canadian Opera Company”
The music of Fifth Element is rooted in The Great American Songbook, and this rich resource has allowed artists from all generations in the jazz genre to explore creative artistry both individually and collectively.
Fifth Element was founded in 2016 by former tenor saxophonist and arranger, Dave Coules, who passed away in February of 2025. Many of the arrangements performed by the ensemble were crafted by Dave and designed to honour the original song as well as to provide fresh interpretations of this music for our listeners. In doing so, Fifth Element celebrates the history of the great vocalists such as Ella Fitzgerald and Carmen McRae who have performed these songs. In addition, our music captures facets of current renditions by artists such as Karrin Allyson and Stacey Kent.
In 2020, we released our first album “Fifth Element” which has aired across Canada and internationally to very positive reviews. It was nominated and won Best Jazz Album for 2021 on One World Music Radio.
Personnel:
Glenn Anderson – Drums
Jack Gelbloom – Piano
Nina Richmond – Vocals
Ron Johnston – Bass
Kurt Lund – Woodwinds
Check out:
“My Shining Hour” “Stompin at the Savoy” “Secret Love at The Jazz Room” “Website”
Tickets: https://www.showpass.com/fifth-element-3.
Celebrated by international jazz critics and presenters, Samuel Bonnet brings his acclaimed trio on tour for an evening of exquisite guitar playing and beautifully crafted contemporary jazz. Since performing at the prestigious Jazzahead! tradeshow (Bremen, Germany) in its 2023 “Quebec Showcase,” the Montreal-based Samuel Bonnet has been building a reputation in Europe and across Canada for what critics call his “luminous, meticulous technique” and the “raw authenticity” of his playing. His soon to be released album “SLOW” (October 2026) features the renowned New York trumpeter Joe Magnarelli, while a 2025 tour of Italy and upcoming performances in Europe further highlight his growing profile on the world jazz scene. This concert is part of a “Slow” album-launch tour across Western and Central Canada. Expect elegant melodies, subtle interplay, and the kind of intimate musical conversation that can only happen in a small room with exceptional musicians!
“Truly magnificently delicate and harmonically rich” ~ Dahlia Bellaiche of Jazz Club Étoile (Paris)
“Raw and true … a wonderful discovery” ~ Jazz Infos France
“Luminous, meticulous technique, sincere inspiration” ~ Frédéric Cardin, Pan M 360
Personnel:
Guitar : Samuel Bonnet
Double bass : Jonathan-Guillaume Boudreau
Drums : Simon Bergeron
Check out: “Live at The Jazz Room” ” Live at Creasphere” “Recuerdos de Alhambra”
Toronto-based Start Run Radio cooks up an instrumental stew of Funk, Jazz, and Soul, paying homage to masters such as Dr. Lonnie Smith, Grant Green and The Meters, and incorporating modern New Orleans flavours and classic Soul/R&B gems.
When organist Alan Zemaitis brought guitarist Evan Desaulnier and drummer Josh Park into the same room, an instant connection took hold. Over several sessions, the trio explored favourite tunes and workshopped original material, quickly realizing their sound deserved a wider audience. As the band played regularly across Southern Ontario, they brought saxophonist Bobby Shaw into the lineup, which deepened their chemistry and sharpened the material.
In 2024 Start Run Radio released their debut album, Mirepoix – distinct, groove-forward, and unmistakably their own. The band are thrilled to make their debut on The Jazz Room stage, performing a mix of originals and favourite covers. Get ready for an electric, energetic show sure to pick up your spirits and get you dancing in your seat!
Personnel:
Alan Zemaitis – organ
Evan Desaulnier – guitar
Josh Park – drums
Bobby Shaw – saxophone
Check out: Easy LB Lotsa Work Can Only Think
Learn more at: startrunradio.com
Tickets: https://www.showpass.com/start-run-radio.
Andriy Tykhonov has become a Jazz Room favourite having performed to capacity crowds numerous times since the venue’s inception. Andriy’s enthusiasm, energy and musicianship are infectious and always leave the crowd smiling. A graduate of the Jazz Department of the Glier State Music College of Kiev in 1995, Andriy Tykhonov is recognized as a prominent Jazz pianist now living in the Waterloo Region. He has been a regular performer at various venues in Waterloo, Cambridge, and Guelph. Moreover, he has been recognized for crafting three attention-getting CDs in the recent past, including “Live from the Floor”, “Live in Manhattans, “One More Time”.
Andriy’s performing genres include swing, bossa nova, samba, ballad, movie themes, ragtime, rock, blues, country and Russian and Ukrainian folk music. This diversity lends inspiration to his improvisation, adding depth to each tune without ever losing the color and intent of its genre. Andriy plans to draw special guests from the community. Don’t miss this performance of one of KW’s most beloved jazz players.
Personnel:
Andriy Tykhonov – piano
Kelly Jefferson – saxophone
Clark Johnston – bass
Joel Haynes – drums
“Quintessential” Is a dynamic Jazz Quintet created by award winning Trombonist Karl Silveira featuring a unique instrumentation and some Canada’s finest Jazz musicians.
For this exclusive performance at The Jazz Room, Silveira leads “Quintessential,“ a powerhouse ensemble assembled to deliver a masterclass in modern acoustic jazz. Inspired by the great Pepper Adams/Curtis Fuller Quintet, This ensemble pushes the limits of this unique instrumentation with a wide dynamic range of repertoire with music by Benny Golson, Curtis Fuller, Wayne Shorter, Duke Jordan, Miles Davis and Oscar Pettiford.
“Quintessential” promises an evening of compelling original writing and refined ensemble interplay, capturing the very best of the contemporary Canadian jazz landscape.
Personnel:
Karl Silveira-trombone
Terry Clarke-drums
David French -baritone saxophone
Pat Collins-bass
Mark Eisenmann-piano
Check out: “Table Chess” “Corrida Del Torro”
Tickets: https://www.showpass.com/quintessential.
“It’s an honest sound that John uses to converse with the listener. Nothing is hidden. It’s all there on the table. Heart. Experience. Pleasure. Life.” -Sheldon Zandboer
The group’s repertoire consists of jazz standards, American songbook, and originals ranging from swing, bebop, and Brazilian rhythms.
John MacMurchy is a Canadian performer, composer and recording artist. He has released six albums to critical acclaim and international airplay. John has worked with international artists as varied as Warren Vache, Howard Alden, Guido Basso, Henry Mancini, Cleo Laine, Linda Ronstadt, Keith Emerson, and John Dankworth. John’s large band, Art Of Breath, has three albums out featuring his original compositions performed by seven of the finest instrumentalists in Canada as well as some superb vocalists. Reviews have highlighted the combination of sophistication and accessibility in the music. He has also written for string quartet and orchestra.
A versatile musician, John is busy as a session player, sideman, and arranger on the Toronto scene. The latest release is a live record with 8-string guitar virtuoso Dan Ionescu, recorded before a small studio audience.
“John MacMurchy is a fleet, accomplished reedman with a knack for writing and arranging. John’s got everything together and balanced out when it comes to: Tone, Technique extraordinaire, and seemingly unending ideas.”
Personnel:
John MacMurchy-tenor saxophone
Sheri Weldon-vocals
Danny McErlain-piano
Michael Herring-bass
Check out: “Round Midnight” “Neverwhere-Live at The Jazz Bistro”
An engaging, lyrical saxophonist, Mike Murley is one of Canada’s most celebrated and well-respected jazz artists. Currently active as a leader in various formations from duo to septet, Murley also maintains a busy schedule as both a sideman and an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto Jazz Program. He has played on fourteen Juno Award-winning recordings since 1990, seven as a leader or co-leader, seven as a sideman. His most recent Junos include The North (2018), Metalwood’s Twenty (2017) and his trio’s Test of Time (2013).Since moving to Toronto from his native Nova Scotia in 1981 Murley has enjoyed a career that has spanned a wide stylistic spectrum. Recordings with legendary Canadian artists such as Ed Bickert, Guido Basso, and Rob McConnell showcase the saxophonist’s talents in the mainstream standard repertoire. On the more contemporary side, Murley has collaborated frequently with the younger generation of improviser/composers including pianist David Braid and guitarist David Occhipinti. He is also well known for his work with the three-time Juno Award winning electric jazz group Metalwood. In addition he has recorded and performed with numerous other Canadian and international artists including John Abercrombie, David Liebman, Paul Bley, John Schofield and Kenny Wheeler.
Personnel:
Mike Murley-tenor saxophone
Nick Fraser-drums
Dan Fortin-bass
Kevin Turcotte-trumpet
Check out: “You Must Believe in Spring” “How High the Moon” “Embraceable You”
Tickets: https://www.showpass.com/mike-murley.