Off the Hook delivers a captivating blend of blues and standard instrumentals that are guaranteed to energize any audience. Sometimes diving into different early jazz vibes while keeping a strong link to the rich, warm blues tones of yesteryear.

In recent years, OTH collaboration with the talented Luso-Canadian jazz vocalist Suzi Silva has added a dynamic flair, as her powerful stage presence and exceptional voice truly capture the essence of the blues. Together, they create a complete musical experience that honors and celebrates a century of blues music, spanning from the deep South to the windy city of Chicago and everyplace in-between.

Musicians:
Suzi Silva | Vocals
Jean-Sébastien Clement | Upright Bass
Francis Laliberté | Drums
Bernie Yeo | Guitar
Mike Zablotsky | Guitar and vocals

Youtube video: “Rock me Baby”

Guillaume Martineau has pursued many years of professional studies in classical piano. Guillaume as a classical pianist received many honors including winning first prize at the Canadian Music Competion in 2009 and the opportunity to be heard playing Chopin in the recent movie “Louis Cyr”.

At the age of 13, Guillaume made his first attempts in jazz as a classical pianist with introduction from bassist Éric Lagacé. Over ten years later, Guillaume meets Éric Lagacé once again together with Oliver Jones and finally decides to make a diving transition into the world of jazz. After graduating from Berklee College of Music, Guillaume is now very active on Montreal’s music scene in many unique projects of his own.

Musicians
Guillaume Martineau, piano
Olivier Babaz, bass
Mark Nelson, drums

Youtube video: “Le matin des magiciens”

Hailed by Radio Canada jazz critic Stanley Pean as “an extraordinary trumpeter”, Lex French is fast becoming a bright star on the Canadian jazz scene, and is a highly in-demand composer and arranger. For this show, Lex will present music from his latest album, along with new compositions and well known jazz standards.

Joining are François Bourassa (piano), Walter Stinson (bass), and Jim Doxas (drums), all of whom are improvising musicians of the highest order who bring their individual and personal approaches to the music but also function as members of the group in order to create a whole that is great than the sum of its parts.

Video: “Live at Crescent”

Mason Jeffery-Off is a Canadian double bassist, electric bassist, composer and bandleader based in Montréal, Canada. Originally from Ottawa, Ontario, Jeffery-Off is in the fourth year of his Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Performance at McGill University. There, he has studied with Ira Coleman and Rémi-Jean LeBlanc. An on-call Montréal bassist, he has performed with the likes of Jean-Michel Pilc, Darrell Green, Caity Gyorgy and Kevin Dean.

This performance marks the debut of Jeffery-Off’s quartet with French pianist and McGill professor Jean-Michel Pilc on piano, as well as trombonist Margaret Donovan and drummer Julian Ferrer, both from Vancouver.

Musicians:
Mason Jeffery-Off (bass)
Jean-Michel Pilc (piano)
Margaret Donovan (trombone)
Julian Ferrer (drums)

Youtube video: Sorgen Sang

https://youtu.be/m01_ASKZvdc?si=vIrWUCIKlTYlDn3b

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″

Trumpeter and composer, Charles Ellison has performed with an impressive roster of artists and organizations including Cannonball Adderley, David Baker, John Blake, Ted Dunbar, Marvin Gaye, Henry Mancini, Johnny Mathis, Oliver Jones, The Staple Singers, Billy Taylor, Henry Threadgill, Vic Vogel, I Musici de Montréal and the Montreal Symphony.

Youtube video: “Tribute to Miles Davis”

Singer and composer Emma McDonald has been making waves in a variety of different music scenes since she can remember. Starting her studies at the early age of 3, she has starred in a number of productions by the Michigan Opera, performed in 50+ musical productions across the U.S. and Canada, won top vocalist at Warner Bros. Studios in LA, and performed at Carnegie Hall at only 14 years old.

Since coming to Montreal, she has immersed herself in her jazz studies at McGill University and has since become a leading musician in the city, leaning into her love of R&B and neo-soul.

Musicians:
Emma McDonald – voice
Julian Shively – piano
Ryan Bennett – drums
Michael Goulart – bass

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”

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)
Rémi-Jean LeBlanc (bass)
Wali Muhammad (drums)

Youtube video: “Taurey Butler Trio – The Preacher”

Come celebrate the launch of The Last Minute, the debut solo album by the sought after Brazilian trumpeter, composer, and educator João Lenhari. Recorded live in a single session in São Paulo, the album captures the raw energy and spontaneity of a world-class ensemble, with no edits or post-production — just pure, unfiltered jazz. Featuring original compositions and fresh arrangements, the music reflects a modern, post–hard bop sensibility, drawing inspiration from jazz styles spanning the 1980s to the early 2000s as well as Lenhari’s Brazilian roots. This special event promises an evening of dynamic performances, heartfelt artistry, and a deep connection to the spirit of live jazz.

João Lenhari – Trumpet/Flugel
Guillaume Carpentier – Tenor Sax
Louis Plouffe – Tenor and Soprano Sax
David Ryshpan – Piano
Mark Nelson – Drums
Nicolas Bedard – Contrebasse

Youtube video: chanson d’amour

Pianist and composer Kate Wyatt has been praised as having “musical ideas and a style of playing and writing that is on par with the current jazz piano elite: Mehldau, Yaron Herman, Shai Maestro, Fred Hersch.”, and has been hailed as “one of the top artists of Montreal, Quebec, or even Canadian jazz.” (Cardin/Brunet, panm360.com). Her recent debut album “Artifact” was released to overwhelmingly excellent critical reviews, and was featured on “Best Jazz of 2022” lists from Canada, the US and Europe.

For this very special evening of music Kate invites multiple Juno award-winning Toronto-based saxophonist and composer Kelly Jefferson to join her in performing a selection of original compositions and music from the Great American Songbook.

“[Kelly Jefferson’s] muscular playing, eloquence and range of emotion, and versatility
justify his popularity. — Peter Hum, Ottawa Citizen

Musicians:
Kate Wyatt: piano
Kelly Jefferson: saxophone
Adrian Vedady: bass
Rich Irwin: drums

katewyattpiano.com

Youtube video: “Kate Wyatt Quartet live at Crescent”

https://youtu.be/6G16XPDvLvU?t=942