Tuesday evenings, Upstairs showcases McGill University’s Schulich School of Music Undergraduate, and Graduate, Jazz Performance students.

As part of their jazz combo course requirements, students prepare sets of music encompassing tunes and arrangements from the jazz tradition, as well as, original compositions and arrangements. These students, coming from all over North America, and Europe, are some of the finest up and coming jazz performance students that you will hear anywhere.

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”

Since its formation in 2014, Fuel Junkie has revealed itself as one of the most promising upcoming artists on the Montréal blues scene. Passionate about the blues at a very young age, Mark LeClerc founded the group with close friends met during his music studies. Singer and composer of the band, he came up with the idea of a saxophone section brought to the spotlight by modern arrangements.

Grounded in the blues, Fuel Junkie is also strongly influenced by funk and soul music. The combination of a classic trio with three saxophones gives the band its unique identity that stands out on the blues scene. Creative interaction between the band members during solo sections make way for unexpected and standout moments at every concert. The group is known by its fans for the constant flow of energy and authenticity during every performance.

Musicians

Mark LeClerc: Lead Vocal/Tenor sax
Philippe Brochu: Tenor sax
Patrice Luneau: Baritone sax
Antoine Loiselle: Guitar
Jean-François Charest: Bass
Philippe Fleury: Drums

Youtube video: “High Stress, Low Money”

Winner of a Juno award ,the Montreal International Jazz Festival competition & 2nd prize at the world renowned Great American Jazz Piano Competition in Jacksonville, Canadian Jazz pianist and film composer, James Gelfand, has performed at numerous jazz festivals and clubs around the world, notably in Switzerland, France, Italy. Germany, the United States, and Canada. He has performed on over 40 albums, including 10 as leader and composer, with his latest Album “Ground Midnight” being
nominated for best Jazz album at ADISQ.

He will be performing his original arrangements of well known Xmas songs.

By day, Colin Hunter is the Founding President of the Sunwing Travel Group. By night, Colin pursues his passion for music. A huge fan of the 1950s crooner-jazz repertoire, he has launched a few CDs and has hit the stage many times with the ever-talented vocal singer Kim Richardson, not to mention his upbeat performances at the Salle Astral, House of Jazz, Upstairs Jazz Bar and Capitole de Québec. This entrepreneur–crooner is proving that following your passion can indeed take you anywhere!

Musicians:
Joe Sealy: piano
Frédéric Darveau: bass
Alain Bastien: drums
Al McLean: sax

Youtube video: “Colin Hunter – Live at L’Astral”

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:
Maude Fortier on Sax
Julian Shively on Piano
Sam Ripat on Bass
Ricardo Manuel on guitar
Edmund Paquin on drums

Julian Shively is a virtuosic pianist and cellist whose artistry spans a wide range of genres and influences. A graduate of McGill University with degrees in both jazz piano and classical cello, Julian’s musical experience has taken him across the globe, performing in a wide array of musical settings from serving as principal cello with orchestras traveling in Western Europe and China, to collaborating with jazz ensembles in the United States and The Bahamas, to performing as a featured soloist with 9 different orchestras.

Julian has developed a reputation for his versatility and technical prowess with an affinity for jazz and classical music (as well as a love for R&B and impressionist music) creating a dynamic and eclectic sound world. Julian invites you to experience an evening of original compositions and arrangements that reflect his unique creative journey. Join him for a night of beautiful and varied music, as well as many delightful surprises!

Julian Shively: piano & cello
Clay Wilkinson: alto/soprano saxes
Edmund Paquin: drums
João Menegale Barbi: acoustic/electric basses

Ecoutez “Alone together”:

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″

Full-time New Yorker David Rourke comes back to his home jazz club Upstairs to present a swinging quartet in time for Christmas. Come hear all of your favourite Christmas tunes played in a bebop fashion.

Musicians:
David Rourke — guitar
Michael Johancsik — saxophone
Carlos Malcisne — bass
Baptiste Lejeune — drums

Youtube video: The Shadow of your Smile”

This great pianist, songwriter, composer and arranger born in Holguin, Cuba, evolving on the at every concert, he continues to impress with its imaginative musical approach and the wide variety of musical styles he has masters.

Musicians:
Piano: Yoel Diaz
Bass: Luis Izquierdo
Congas: Diomer Gonzales
Drums: Jonathan Maldonado

Youtube video: “Yoel Diaz Quartet”

Born in 1965 in Newport, Vermont into a musical family with an English mother and a French-Canadian father, Mike Goudreau picked up his first guitar at age 14 and hasn’t stopped playing since.

Mike Goudreau & Friends presents the “Great American Songbook”, featuring songs made famous by Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Mel torme, Duke Ellington, Carlos Antonio Jobim just to name a few.

Musicians
Mike Goudreau: guitar & vocals
sax
drums
bass

Youtube video: Ain’t no guitar hero

Born into a family of drummer-composers dating back to his great grandfather, Donald Dogbois a visionary drummer, singer and composer from Ivory Coast based in Canada.

Musicians:
Donald Dogbo
Willy Javier Soto Barreto – piano
Alex Francoeur – sax
Christian Obam – bass
Elli Miller-Maboungou – percussions

Youtube video: “Coubli”

Michelle Sweeney has performed around the world and has worked beside some of the world’s greatest entertainers, including Celine Dion, Mary J. Blige, and Oliver Jones. For the past years, her main stage has been Montreal’s House of Jazz.

Michelle’s success is waking up and doing what she was born to do: share her voice and bring joy to everyone.

Musicians:
Michelle Sweeney – Vocals
Piano:
Bass:
Drums:
Sax:

Facebook Video

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”

Jeff Moseley & The Django Messengers is a jazz quintet strongly influenced by the masters of the swing era. The ensemble proposes a journey in the repertoire of the great Django Reinhardt in which the musicians add a modern hard-bop flavour inspired by the music of Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers.

The Clarinet and the violin harmonize the avant-garde melodies of Django while the manouche guitar, the upright bass and the drums lay down an energetic swing feel. The five musicians improvise using jazz language spanning from the Hot-Club de France to the bebop of New-York.

Musicians:
Yvan Belleau, clarinet and saxs
Maude Bastien, drums
Brenn Dalle, violin
Olivier Georget, bass
Jeff Moseley, guitar

Youtube video: “Deux-Cent-Trois”

Celebrate New Year’s Eve at the Upstairs with vocalist Dawn Tyler Watson and her band!

New Year’s Eve Menu

Charcuterie platter

Main Courses, 4 choices:
* Silt veal chop
* Duck breast, fig & porto sauce
* Red snapper, spicy mango salsa
* Vegetarian option

Upstairs dessert trio:
Profiteroles – Tiramisu – Chocolate Strawberry

Tea or Coffee

Bubbly at Midnight

Youtube video: “Purple Haze”

https://youtu.be/6r48rHhca70