CALENDAR

Ben’s soulful voice is reminiscent of the greatest Rhythm and Blues vocalists of the ‘50s and ‘60s. Inspired by artists such as Junior Walker, Bill Withers, Stevie Wonder and Clarence Carter, he will take you back to the days when vocals were the center point of music.

His critically acclaimed debut album “One Of A Kind” was nominated this year for a “Maple Blues Award”

He is also a lot more than just a voice. His guitar playing covers a wide range of styles – pleasing blues and funk fans alike.

From the moment he hits the stage, his contagious energy and charisma combine for a sound that is truly original. You’ll be tapping your feet within the first few notes.

Ben Racine: Vocals/Guitar
Nicky Estor: Drums
François Dubé: Bass
Kaven Jalbert: Tenor Sax
Mathieu Mousseau: Baryton Sax

The Jim Doxas Quartet features Jim Doxas on drums, Lex French on trumpet, Adrian Vedady on bass and Steve Raegele on electric guitar.

This band explores the intersection between jazz and atmospheric roots, folk, and classical composition. Jim Doxas has been heavily influenced by rock, jazz, Motown and World Music. His work can be heard on over 150 albums and soundtracks, and he is a popular featured artist at jazz festivals worldwide.

Jim has been recognized by way of receiving Felix and Juno Awards, as well as nominations for Academy and Grammy Awards.

Musicians
Jim Doxas: drums
Steve Raegele: piano
Lex French: trumpet
Adrian Vedady: bass

Andy Rubal Cuban Quartet – Tribute to Buena Vista Social Club

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

Andy Rubal: piano & vocals
Marion Brunelle: Vocals
Kiko Osario: Bass
Luis Izquierdo: Percussion

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
Morgan Moore: bass
Rich Irwin: drums

Taurey Butler is a phenomenal jazz pianist of the highest calibre.

Hailing from East Orange, New Jersey, he has played in numerous cities across the world from Hong Kong to New York and now makes his home in Montréal.

Taurey’s debut self-titled recording on the Justin Time label was released in November 2011 to resounding critical acclaim.

He emerges as a fully-formed master of hard-driving swing with a deep feeling for the blues and ballads.

It’s easy to get lost in the fire and funk, the sweetness and swing, of Taurey Butler. But you can also follow the light that his music emanates.

Musicians:
Taurey Butler (piano)
Morgan Moore (bass)
Wali Muhammad (drums)

Justin Time Records

Taureybutler.com

NOMAD is the explosive and unprecedented encounter between the piano of composer Simon Denizart and the calabash of virtuoso percussionist Elli Miller Maboungou.

Together, the two musicians form an original and dynamic duo that pushes the boundaries of traditional instrumental aesthetics and offers an eclectic journey through a rhythmic, melodious and cinematic music.

After fourteen months of travelling through Texas, California, Canada, Morocco and France, the nomadic life was a great source of inspiration and a pretext to tell these journeys, these stories and these encounters.

The album was released in Canada by Arte Boreal Records and in France by Laborie Jazz on 23 April 2021.

Ranee Lee is now celebrating thirty-five years in Montreal, Canada, where she enjoys a successful, multi faceted career as one of Canada’s most popular jazz vocalists, an award-winning actress, a songwriter, and a proud author of children’s books. Ranee has recorded twelve albums, a proud discography of acclaimed recordings that feature some of the finest jazz musicians of our time among its sidemen.

In November 2007, Ranee recorded her tenth album. Recorded live over two nights at The Upstairs, Lives Upstairs offers up 10 tracks penned by the likes of Miles Davis, Pat Metheny, James Taylor and Ranee herself (The Storm) that showcase her expressive, old-school, Sarah Vaughan-style vocals and growth as an artist. Lives Upstairs won the coveted Juno Award for Vocal Jazz Album Of The Year 2010.

Ms. Lee is also an excellent and respected teacher. As an educator, Ranee has been part of the University of Laval for eight years, and McGill for over twenty years.

Throughout her career, Ranee has performed with many jazz notables, including Clark Terry, Terry Clarke, Bill Mayes, Herbie Ellis, Red Mitchell, Milt Hinton, Oliver Jones, John Bunch and George Arvanitas.