| Denis Rondeau & Just Friends - 1:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. |
| Born in Brantford Ontario, Denis Rondeau was surrounded by music at home with the many kitchen parties his family would have. He pursued studies in both classical and jazz while earning certification from Mohawk College, McMaster University, University of Toronto, Western University, and the Royal Conservatory of Music. Denis plays both electric and double bass which allows him to experience music of many cultures. He has performed and recorded with artists who play classical, jazz, celtic, folk, bluegrass, rock and R&B. Denis also shares his musical experiences as music teacher at the W. Ross Macdonald School for the Blind in Brantford. This year he has received the distinct Cheryl Barry award for Leadership in Teaching. He will be joined on stage with Robin Habermehl on saxophone and vocals, Keith Murch on guitar, Andriy Tykhonov on piano, and Sean Habermehl on drums. |
| Quintessential - 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. |
| Quintessential… “A marvellous distillation of the very best that local teachers and organizations can produce” (Murray Charters). Founded in 2004 as a 5-piece jazz ensemble that grew out of a jazz improvisation course at Mohawk College, the original members of Quintessential consist of Karl Langton (saxophones), Kevin Williams (trumpet and flugelhorn), Mary Ann Gorcsi (keyboards), Joel Banks (bass) and Mikki Langton (drums and vocals). All members of the band have been studying and/or performing music most of their lives, and as a sum have attended workshops, music camps, music programs, and specialty courses both in Canada and the United States. In addition to music, they all have professional careers that keep them busy in their “spare time.” Like most musicians, they started out with classical training, but like most people growing up in the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and beyond, their musical interests are all over the map. The group has expanded in musical styles and now includes Latin, Funk, R&B, Soul, Rock, Alternative, and Comedy music. Additionally, the quintet’s numbers have grown to include Kathryn Scobie (trombone), who studies music performance at Sir Wilfred Laurier University and Dan Anderson (vocals), who studies vocal technique privately. Karl Langton, the leader of the group and president of the Brantford School of Instrumental Music, insists that while Quintessential’s roots are firmly footed in jazz, it specializes in “music that makes people happy.” |
| Local Stage - Dalhousie & Queen Street |