The Brantford International Jazz Festival continues our support of local and area performers with a great line-up of acts on our Local Stage, which can be found on Dalhousie Street near the Post Office building. Come out and show your support for local talent!
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2014
Jonathan Baker Trio • 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM
Trio Jazz • 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Sonny Sinclair • 4:30 PM to 5:00 PM
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2014
Louise Chiasson • 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Kara Promise Chandler • 2:30 PM to 3:15 PM
Ross Wooldridge • 4:15 PM to 5:00 PM
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Jonathan Baker Trio
Saturday, September 13, 2014 • 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM
Local pianist and vocalist Jonathan Baker studied classical piano throughout his childhood until his interest in jazz led him to cross paths and train with Juno award winning pianist David Braid. Jonathan then continued his training in the prestigious University of Toronto jazz program. While there Jonathan gained recognition from leading musicians and friends for his playing ability and compositions. Soon thereafter Jonathan obtained a teaching degree from the University of Toronto, and has since worked as a music teacher and freelance mainstream jazz artist in both solo and ensemble contexts throughout Ontario and New Brunswick. Currently he resides in north Brantford, teaching piano and composing at his studio while performing at venues in the surrounding area, as well as serving as a music educator and jazz piano instructor at Redeemer University.
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Trio Jazz
Saturday, September 13, 2014 • 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Having initially met in the Mohawk College jazz improvisation program, a trio of guitar, bass and trumpet was formed exploring classic jazz standards and accompanying area vocalists. Eventually, these musicians began to take calls for gigs of their own and rounded out the core group with a drummer and original compositions. Trio Jazz members share a unique style and enjoy creating their own sound – putting their spin on jazz standards, show tunes, pop melodies and even their own original compositions. The group remains in demand for an array of events, due to its extensive varied repertoire and reputation for presenting thrilling performances.
Kevin Williams (Trumpet, Flugelhorn and Percussion) began piano studies in Brantford at a young age, before moving to the trumpet at age 10. He studied under the tutelage of the late Wilf Manning where Kevin experienced many opportunities to learn the various disciplines of the instrument.
Nick Bastian (Guitar) was born to a musical household in 1971, found his ‘voice’ on the guitar at age 14 and has been attached to the instrument ever since. A former student of Mohawk College’s jazz program, Nick maintains an active student roster and thanks all past and present students for allowing him to “live the dream” that has been a rewarding musical career.
Joel Banks (Electric & Upright Bass) has worked as a musician and music teacher in the Hamilton and Niagara corridor for more than a decade. A graduate of the Mohawk College jazz program, he plays in a variety of different styles with many different acts and ensembles.
Jon Blaak (Drums) began taking private lessons at age 7, studying under Brian Doerner of “Helix / Saga” fame. He has playing experience with rock, R&B and jazz groups along with an active history in musical theatre. His passion for jazz led him to the Mohawk College jazz program where he graduated with honours and was featured on JAZZFM’s “Jazzology” for up and coming jazz artists.
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Sonny Sinclair
Saturday, September 13, 2014 • 4:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Sonny Sinclair took up the guitar to play in his family’s band. In his Elementary School years, Sonny studied cello and loved it.
Sun Studio recordng artists Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley were a lasting influence on Sonny’s musical taste in his teens. In his twenties, Sonny hit the road to play six-nighters throughout North America. He went on to write and record songs that received radio play across Canada.
Sonny says, these days his radio choices are Jazz, Western Swing and Blues. Our trio is delighted to be part of the 7th Annual Brantford International Jazz Festival.
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Louise Chiasson
Sunday, September 14, 2014 • 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Louise Chiasson has always been ‘starry-eyed’ when it comes to The Arts. Most of her childhood was spent embracing ballet and figure skating while studying piano and flute at the Quebec Conservatory of Music. As a concert pianist and composer, Chiasson soon discovered her vocal abilities and became a devoted performer/singer-songwriter in many venues in Canada as well as around the world.
Her ambitions resulted in a ten title first release and in 2013, she writes, arranges and produces six new songs including “Ça coûte cher aller dans l’sud”, “Le Canada” and a jazzy adaptation with lyrics of Glazunov’s “Petit Adagio”. This new release is a cheerful Pop, Jazz and Latin mixture of sweet and sour lyrics served with velvety vocals carrying the seal of transparency.
Born and raised in Rimouski, Quebec with strong ties to her Acadian background, Chiasson is now part of the growing Ontarian French/English music scene. As a performer, she charms her audiences with her charisma and commitment to lyrics as well as her sense of rhythm, musicality and gracefulness.
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Kara Promise Chandler
Sunday, September 14, 2014 • 2:30 PM to 3:15 PM
Kara has been singing and acting since the tender age of six. Through her teenage years and early 20’s, much of Kara’s focus was on that of musical theatre, which lead to such roles as “Rizzo” in Grease, “Diana Morales” in “A Chorus Line”, “The Wicked Witch” in “The Wizard of Oz”, “Juliet” in “Romeo and Juliet” and many, many more throughout her career. But it wasn’t until she starred in a small ensemble play about 5 women during WWII called “Waiting for the Parade” that she fell in love with jazz music and the itch began! It was not long after that Kara realized she had a natural voice and passion for this genre and started singing small clubs, casual fine dining establishments, golf clubs, weddings and the list goes on. Now in her prime of life, married with 3 beautiful boys that she chases around on a daily basis, she has found that life experience has given her the ability to evoke emotion through jazz song, which is exactly the kind of singer she always wanted to be when she was that little girl of six!
Performing with Kara are:
Joshua Kuehnel – Keyboards
Randy Vanee – Bass
Jeff Allman – Drums
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Ross Wooldridge
Sunday, September 14, 2014• 4:15 PM to 5:00 PM
Born 1962 in Hamilton Ontario, Ross Wooldridge showed early musical ability, taking piano lessons by age four. Self taught on clarinet at age 13, he took up the saxophone while a student at Ancaster High.
While attending Mohawk College and Humber College, Ross honed his skills as a multi-instrumentalist arranger and composer. Afterwards he added to his portfolio the skills of Producer, Conductor, Transcription specialist and Educator.
Ross enjoys co-leading an excellent traditional jazz band the Dixie Demons with trombonist Dan Douglas, and a busy career of playing and recording. Notable names he has recorded with are Peter Appleyard, Don Thompson, Alex Pangman, Jaymz Bee, Terra Hazelton and the late Jeff Healey.
Ross is the leader/musical director of Toronto’s Galaxy All Star Orchestra. He has written many of their arrangements and produced their CD “Tribute to the Kings of Swing” which is played regularly on radio stations across North America.
Notable is his critically acclaimed new CD, Ross Wooldridge and his Tribute to the Benny Goodman Sextet. A stellar group stocked with world class musicians such as Don Thompson that has been in demand at festivals and concert venues since 2005.
Ross teaches elementary school band classes for the Toronto District School Board.
Don’t forget to check out the performers on the Bell Stage, the Dixieland Stage, and the Next Generation Stage! We’ve got 22 live performances over 3 days of great music, plus…
Don’t miss our 2014 headliner:
Frank Sinatra Jr.
Sinatra sings Sinatra
Saturday, September 13, 2014 at the
Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts, Brantford, ON
Tickets $55/$65/$75
1-800-265-0710 or 519-758-8090 or online here
