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.
Photo Credit : Roslyn Witter
Dave Wiffen received a BMUS (performance) from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Masters of
Music (Jazz and Contemporary Media, performance) from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester New York. Right after graduating, he toured North America and Japan with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
and has since performed all over the world including England, Mexico, Holland and Dubai.
He has performed with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Orchestra London, the Hamilton
Philharmonic Orchestra, Manteca, The Peter Appleyard Jazz Orchestra, The Spitfire Band, and
The New Berlin Chamber Ensemble.
He has backed up such diverse artists as Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Marvin Hamlisch,
Michael Brecker, Jerry Mulligan, The Tenors, Dinah Shore and Steve Allen, among many others.
He has been the saxophone instructor in the music department at Wilfrid Laurier University since
2000 and held the same position at Western University for seven years.
He has been a member of many pit orchestras including the Stratford Festival and the Toronto
productions of The Full Monty and The Producers.
He has appeared on numerous recordings, including nationally broadcast television and radio
commercials, two Juno nominated jazz CD’s and has recorded a live CD at the Jazz Room that
was produced by the Grand River Jazz Society.
He was a member of Blues legend Mel Brown’s band for 10 years and appears on the CD,
“Homewreckin’ Done Live”.
Personnel:
Dave Wiffen,tenor sax
Paul Mitchell, trumpet
Dave Thompson, guitar
Matt Lima, bass
Ted Warren, drums
Please join us for two exciting sets of original and standard Jazz music played in an intimate organ trio setting.
Émile d’Eon (Guitar) is a member of the Faculty of Music at Humber College in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In 2011 Émile released Storyline, his debut album and has performed and recorded with artists including Robben Ford, Rik Emmett, David Grissom, Duke Robillard, Andy Timmons, Natalie McMaster, Don Thompson, Chris Cummings, Divine Brown, Sarah Slean, Paula Cole, Tebey, Jason Blaine, The Lovelocks, Tara Oram, Marshall Dane, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Jessie Farrell, The Tenors and Rich Little. He is also a guitarist for K. W. Glee, Cyanide and Happiness.
Tyler Viaene (Hammond Organ) is a freelance musician on both keyboards and saxophone; who has played with artists such as Deedee & The Martinis, Scott McCord & The Bonafide Truth and The Blues Brothers.
Bryan Humphreys (Drums) is a freelance musician and educator in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He has performed and/or recorded with the likes of The Jeff Healey Band, Curtis Lee, Sheila James, Jim Clayton’s Greenhouse, Louise Lambert, Scott McCord & The Bonafide Truth and Still Life.
Emile d’Eon’s B3 Organ Jazz Trio
- Emile d’Eon (guitar)
- Brian Humphreys (drums)
- Tyler Viaene (organ)
Check out: “Move ,Move, Move” “The Vibrator”
“Emile d’Eon’s B3 Organ Trio Live at The Registry Theatre”
Tickets: https://www.showpass.com/emil-deon-trio.
Three-time Latin Grammy nominee Jovino Santos Neto, a master pianist, composer and arranger, is one of the most important Brazilian musicians working today. Currently based in Seattle, Washington, he has throughout his career been closely affiliated with the Brazilian master Hermeto Pascoal. He was an integral part of Pascoal’s group from 1977 to1992, where he fine-tuned his artistry, performing around the world and co-producing several legendary records.
His personal style is a creative blend of energetic grooves, deep harmonies, telepathic improvisation, lyrical melodies and great ensemble playing, always inspired and informed by the colorful richness of Brazilian music. His compositions include samba, choro, baião, xote, forró, marcha and many more styles, rooted in centuries-old musical tradition while pointing to new and adventurous harmonic languages.
He can also be heard around the world as a piano soloist, working with symphony orchestras, jazz big bands, chamber music groups, and in collaboration with musicians such as his mentor Hermeto Pascoal, Bill Frisell, Paquito d’Rivera, Airto Moreira, Claudio Roditi, David Sanchez, Joe Locke, Anat Cohen and many more.
Personnel:
Jovino Santos Neto-piano
Michael Occhipinti-guitar
Roberto Occhipinti-bass
Mark Kelso-drums
Check out: “NPR Tiny Desk Concert” “Donkey Xote”
A transcultural re-imagining of the music of John & Alice Coltrane and beyond, featuring an eclectic collection of instruments, sounds, rhythms, and melodies from around the world by some of Canada’s top jazz and global musicians. Inspired by the counter-cultural spiritual revelations of John and Alice Coltrane in the late 60’s, Jonathan and Andrew Kay are continuing the Coltrane’s search for a “multicultural theory of musical transcendence.” Based on their roots as jazz musicians in Toronto and inspired by their extensive training in North Indian classical music while living in Kolkata, the Kay brothers have been experimenting in re-imagining Coltrane’s music through a unique and compelling transcultural lens. In 2021, the Kay brothers released their first album The Coltrane Sutras in collaboration with renowned jazz musicians Roberto Occhipinti and Pat LaBarbera. The full band features a dynamic percussion section featuring Dhaivat Jani on drumset.
John Coltrane was an innovator, a visionary, a revolutionary and one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. He endlessly redefined musical horizon’s in search of a universal music to unite humanity and transform the world into a place of heaven. As a leading influence of the counter-cultural Jazz revolution of the 1960’s, Coltrane influenced a paradigm shift marked by deep existential inquiry. His search lead him to find wisdom in Eastern religious and spiritual cultures, leading him to integrate non-western ways of musical knowing into his own unique voice that could be described as spiritual expressionism. Coltrane devoted the last years of his life in search of a “multicultural theory of musical transcendence”, and believed not only in a universal musical structure that transcended ethnic distinctions, but also in being able to harness the mystical powers of music itself. Coltrane’s studies of Indian music with Ravi Shankar led him to believe that certain sounds and scales could “produce specific emotional meanings”, and stated “all a musician can do is to get closer to the sources of nature, and so feel that he is in communion with the natural laws.”
Personnel:
Jonathan Kay – tenor/soprano saxophones, Indian esraj (21-stringed bowed instrument), shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo flute)
Andrew Kay – alto sax/clarinet, a set of Himalayan singing bowls
Pat LaBarbera – tenor/soprano saxophones
Julian Anderson-Bowes – upright bass
Dhaivat Jani – drums
Check out: “Coltrane Sutras” “Dusk Dawn Suite: Alabama • Dusk-Dawn • Offering • Peace on Earth”
Keyboardist and arranger Michael Shand is excited to curate and perform a soul/R&B show for the Jazz Room audience for the first time! No stranger to the Jazz Room, Michael has shared our stage with his jazz trio as well as Dawn Taylor Watson, Micah Barnes, Selena Evangeline, Larnell Lewis, to name a few.
Michael began piano lessons at the age of 13 and progressed quickly through the Royal Conservatory of Music’s classical system, completing grade ten within only four years. Shortly after leaving York University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and the coveted Oscar Peterson Scholarship Award, Michael became pianist and musical director for the jazz group Kollage.
Like many young players who define this generation, raised in an era of unprecedented musical diversity and accessibility, Michael’s inspiration and style exhibits a creative energy that encompasses many genres. Blues, reggae, hip-hop, funk, house, R&B, soul and Latin music all form his identity as a performer, writer and arranger. Michael has performed in many genres on stages across North America and the world, dazzling audiences alongside such artists as Molly Johnson, Matt Dusk, Johnny Reid, Divine Brown, Jully Black, Jacksoul and Kardinal Offishall.
Personnel:
Michael Shand – keyboards, vocals
KC Roberts – guitar, vocals
Calvin Beale – bass
Austin Gembora – drums
Check out: Brothas Concert Teaser Blue Bossa No Access Markham Jazz Fest
Tickets: https://www.showpass.com/michael-shand.
Hines, Farrugia, Wagler and Bowman……..Sounds like a law firm, but I wouldn’t trust them to negotiate any deals. Their abilities are a bit more niche and artistic in nature. Join them for an evening of standards and reimagined pop songs.
Derek Hines’ book of vocals is quite diverse. The themes focus on traditional standards from Evans to Monk. The sub-plots are a jazz take on legends from Lennon/McCartney to Jimmy Webb. This wonderful local singer and chef brings an amazing band to his yearly Jazz Room show. Derek sings jazz as it should be sung, with skill and emotion. Highlights of his career include performances with Freddy Cole, and 70′s television great John Davidson. Interesting interpretations of old and new standards. A series of introspective conversations between old musical friends.
Derek is, if nothing else consistent. Each time he performs at the Jazz Room he brings a new band and new additions to the set list. This performance will be no different. Nothing crazy, just some guys who enjoy hitting stuff. Music that swings and will hit your heart when you least expect it.
Personnel :
Derek Hines – vox
Adrean Farrugia – Piano
Tyler Wagler – Acoustic bass
Adam Bowman – Drums
Tickets: https://www.showpass.com/derek-hines-3.
The Bob Brough Quartet is a distinguished jazz ensemble featuring saxophone, piano, bass, and
drums. Comprised of accomplished musicians with extensive performance experience, the quartet
presents a refined and engaging program that celebrates the rich tradition of jazz while embracing
contemporary influences.
Their repertoire includes beloved jazz standards, carefully selected lesser-known compositions,
and original works by members of the ensemble. From the timeless sophistication of classic swing
to the vibrant rhythms of sambas and bossa novas, the quartet offers a diverse musical experience
that is both artistically compelling and broadly appealing. The group also brings a fresh perspective
to familiar popular songs through imaginative jazz arrangements.
Known for their musicianship, tasteful improvisation, and polished presentation, the Bob Brough
Quartet is equally at home in concert halls, jazz festivals, corporate events, private functions, and
community celebrations. Whether providing elegant background music or delivering an engaging
featured performance, the quartet creates an atmosphere of warmth, sophistication, and
exceptional musical artistry.
Bob Brough, one of Toronto’s most powerful tenor saxophonists, has been a highlight on the
Toronto jazz scene since 1969. He first came to prominence with Time Warp in the early 1980’s
with his solid tone and deep blues influences. His style ventures to soulful Coltrane-inspired
tenor playing and can also step outside to play magnificently in free and experimental jazz
contexts. Bob leads his own quartet and has also played with everyone of note on the Toronto
Jazz scene including Tenor Madness, Richard Underhill, Bill King’s Saturday Night Fish Fry,
The Wayne Gilpin Singers, Jim Galloway, The Jive Bombers, and with visiting international
stars such as Natalie Cole, Tony Bennett and Gladys Knight.
Personnel:
Bob Brough – tenor saxophone https://BobBrough.com
Adrean Farrugia-piano
Artie Roth – bass https://artieroth.com
Mark Kelso– drums.
Check out: “Rapture of the Deep” “I’ll Rember April” “Modo Grande”
Tickets: https://www.showpass.com/bob-brough-2.