Our Local Stage
Each year the Brantford International Jazz Festival is proud to feature local and area performers on our Local Stage, part of our ongoing commitment to the community. Be sure to check out the local talent and familiar faces on our Local Stage, located on Dalhousie Street in front of the Post Office building.
Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013
Denis Rondeau & Just Friends
1:30 pm to 2:00 pm
Born in Brantford Ontario, Denis Rondeau has spent the last year leading his own bands as well as freelancing close to home. 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, where he has revamped the theatre, and designed a recording studio and two recording labs for the students.
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.
The Rob Santos Quartet
3:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Roberto (“Bobby”) Santos began playing drum set in grade 9 while attending St. Johns College High School in Brantford Ontario. After graduating high school, at Assumption College in Brantford, Roberto began studying privately with Mr. Frank DiFelice in preparation to enter the Applied Music Program at Mohawk College, in Hamilton Ontario. After graduating from Mohawk College in 1998, Roberto worked as a show band drummer for Carnival Cruise Lines for one year. When returning from the Cruise Lines and residing back in Hamilton, Roberto went on and continued his musical education by earning a Bachelors Degree in Music from McMaster University, as well as a Bachelors of Education from Nipissing University. Roberto currently teaches full time music with the Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School board, at St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary High School in Hamilton Ontario. There, he directs the St Thomas Jazz Band, an 18 piece ensemble. The St. Thomas More All Star Jazz Band has participated in Music Fest Canada on numerous occasions. “Bobbby” tries to keep a busy performance and freelance schedule in the Hamilton and Golden Horseshoe. Roberto leads his own Jazz Trio and other ensembles. Roberto is pleased and honored to be performing at this years Brantford International Jazz Festival.
Cheri Maracle
4:30 pm to 5:00 pm
Cheri Maracle is a multi-award nominated Mohawk/Irish actor/singer/songwriter of the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. She has been performing for the stage and small screen for the past 20 years professionally. Cheri is known for her film and television roles on ‘Blackfly’, ‘Moccasin Flats’, the award winning film ‘Tkaronto’ and is a featured actor in the critically acclaimed series ‘Blackstone’ airing in September, 2013 on APTN. She also regularly performs the one-woman stage musical ‘Paddle Song’, the life story of E. Pauline Johnson, most recently at the third annual Planet IndigenUS festival at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto, ON. Cheri is also an accomplished vocalist and has been performing her original music and jazz for the past 8 years, professionally. Cheri has performed at the Ottawa Blues Fest, the Barrie Jazz and Blues Fest, the Brantford International Jazz Fest, APTN Live! and Arbor LIve! to name a few.
Sunday, Sept 15, 2026
Steve Beach and Secret Sauce
1:00 pm to 1:30 pm
Think about it! When four musicians with a combined 100 years of experience get together to make some music -not for the money, not for any accolades, but for the sheer enjoyment created by playing music they all love, well, it’s got to be something special. Something they don’t necessarily want to share with anyone. Something they want to keep to themselves…. a secret. A mixture of all their earliest influences, a blend of the best of the best, a potion with a passion, a musical ointment… a sauce.
Steve Beach, Stan Szymkow, Bruce Wilson and Chris Nemeth make up the band. The music is a melting pot of jazz, funk and blues from a time not so long ago when toe-tappin’ feelin’ good music was the norm. Much of it was based around the sound of the legendary Hammond B-3 organ. Artists like Jimmy Smith, Richard ‘Groove’ Holmes, Jack McDuff, Jimmy McGriff, Joey Defrancesco, Tony Monaco, Tower of Power, Levon Helm, Booker T & the MG’s. Musical tributes to these legends. This is what you’re going to hear.
But it’s the sauce that make’s this band’s music so appealing, a spicy mixture of all that’s good. It’s a sound that has redeeming qualities… it makes you feel better! It’s unique, it’s special, it something you’re not likely to hear around these parts. ‘Til now, it’s been a secret. But not for long.
Lauren Roy & Southbound Soul
2:00 pm to 3:15 pm
Hailing from Paris, Ontario, vocalist Lauren Roy is thrilled to be home again and honoured to have been invited to perform at the Brantford International Jazz Festival. After experiencing four fascinating years in Montreal on the jazz and theatre scene, she immersed herself in Toronto pursuing film and television. Fueled by this diversity and with credits including film production, leads in major musicals, TV commercials and performances with Juno Award winning musicians, Lauren is back on the local scene and couldn’t be happier.
Recent collaboration with some incredible musicians; (William Mukuna, Jono Blaak & Justin Sauson) all graduates of the Mohawk College Jazz Performance Program, has culminated in two new projects. SteelRiver Duo (with guitarist William Mukuna) can be found performing in and around the Golden Horseshoe at clubs, weddings and corporate events and Southbound Soul whom Lauren is thrilled to be performing with at this event. Joining Southbound Soul on horns will be Brantford’s own, Kevin Williams.
Johnny Nixon
4:15 pm to 5:00 pm
A native of Toronto, Johnny has called Brantford his home for the last 16 years. Johnny will be performing music of the Funk/Fusion variety form his four CD releases. He will be joined by some of Toronto’s most talented and hard working musicians (and wonderful artists/producers/studio musicians all on their own) with Mike Janzen on Keys/Piano, Mike Siracusa on Drums and Phil Albert on Bass. The band are also members of a fantastic music camp called Guitar Workshop Plus which runs each summer. Guitar Workshop Plus offers high quality teaching and gives the students unique experiences by meeting some of music heroes and living legends. Some of the amazing guests artists that have come through and inspired so far are- Joe Satriani, Alex Lifeson (Rush), John Scofield, John Petrucci (Dream Theater), Robben Ford, Billy Sheehan, Mike Stern and many many others. Johnny and the band are faculty and if you like what you see, please check out the website at guitarworkshopplus.com.