Currently studying at McGill, Maia Prasad is a Montreal based jazz vocalist drawing inspiration from the voices of Betty Carter, Sarah Vaughan, and Erykah Badu, among others. With her blues, soul, and folk influences, you’ll find yourself transported into a world of velvety tones and raw feeling. Join us for an evening of some of Maia’s favorite jazz and blues standards.

Musicians:
Maia Prasad – Voice
Yannick Anctil – Piano
João Menegale Barbi – Bass
Alex Johnson – Drums

Youtube video: “Baltimore”

One of Canada’s most sought after musicians, Jim Doxas plays extensively both nationally and overseas. Distinguished for his improvisational approach to jazz, he makes the case that percussion can be as performative as a lyrical instrument.

Video: “Upstairs Jam Session hosted by Jim Doxas”

Born in Santiago de Cuba, young Andy Rubal Bello has had music running through his veins ever since he was a little boy.

Musicians
Andy Rubal: piano and vocals
Yojan Vargas: bass
Lazaro Martinez: percussions

Youtube video: “Carola” live at Festival International Nuits d’Afrique 2023″

Jazz guitarist and composer, Carlos Jiménez is a sought-after musician and educator on the Montreal jazz scene. He has shared the stage with some of the most expressive names of Canadian jazz. His versatility and ability to play multiple styles on both electric and classical instruments has made him a first-choice guitarist for many recording and touring projects.

Along with his work as a sideman, Carlos Jiménez has produced and released four albums as a leader and has been involved in a variety of productions ranging from jazz, Brazilian music, and popular music. A recipient of both composition and recording grants, in 2009 he received a studying grant from the Canada Council for the Arts to study with American guitarist Adam Rogers, in New York. More recent projects include recording and touring with American award-winning jazz vocalist Ranee Lee, touring with Quebec singer Florence K for her new Brazilian music project, as well as producing his fifth album as a leader to be released in the Fall 2024. Carlos Jiménez is currently on faculty at the Schulich School of Music of McGill University in Montreal, where he teaches jazz guitar, jazz ensembles and jazz improvisation. He holds a Doctorate degree in jazz performance.

Musicians:
Carlos Jiménez: guitar
Frank Lozano: Tenor Sax
Mike DeMasi: bass
Rich Irwin: drums

Youtube video: “No You Didn’t”

Juno Award-winning Singer-Songwriter Dawn Tyler Watson has earned her place among the International Blues elite. She adopted Montreal as her home after earning her BFA in Jazz Studies and Theatre from Concordia University.

Since then, her fiery stage presence and soul-stirring performances have garnered her national and world-wide recognition with multiple awards including Maple Blues Awards for Songwriter, Best Album, Female Vocalist of the Year, and a 2020 American Blues Music Nomination for Vocalist of the Year alongside greats like Curtis Salgado & Mavis Staples.

Her latest record “Mad Love,” was just awarded the 2020 JUNO award for Blues Album of the Year.

Musicians:
Dawn Tyler Watson: vocals
John Sadowy: piano
Clinton Ryder: bass
Al Bourgeois: drums

Youtube video: “It Don’t Mean A Thing”