The 8th Annual Brantford International Jazz Festival
Performer Biographies - Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015
The Club DJango Sextet
THE MAIN STAGE
12:45 PM to 1:45 PM
Sept. 19, 2015
In 1995, in Toronto, a group of Django Reinhardt’s fans got together for the
sheer enjoyment of playing the music of the Quintet of the Hot Club of France. In time, a nucleus of these dedicated musicians decided to perform publicly and so the Club Django Toronto was born.
In May 2000, the group released its first CD, entitled A Tribute to the Hot Club de France. In April 2001, the CD received the Canadian Collectors’ Congress Award for the Best Album 2000, Traditional / Classic Jazz Performance.
The original musicians were John Farrell on lead guitar, Jonathan Marks on violin, Fabrice Sicco on accordion, Abbey Sholzberg on double bass, Tony Oldland and André Séguinot (the founder) on rhythm guitars. Gerry Duligal (accordion) and Rodion Boshoer (violin) in 2001 and 2002. Wayne Nakamura. In the fall of 2003, the Club Django Toronto was nominated for the National Jazz Award…
For the past sixteen years Club Django Toronto has performed in many of the major jazz festivals including, Toronto Jazz Festival, Markham Jazz Festival, Ottawa Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival and Syracuse Jazz Festival
The next CD, “La Gitane” was released in January 2004 has received air play on all jazz radio stations across Canada. The group is currently promoting their new CD called “Stompin’ At The Ritz”
The VegasNorth Orchestra
featuring Vincent Wolfe with Frank & Dean
THE MAIN STAGE
3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Sept. 19, 2015
The VegasNorth Orchestra from Toronto, Canada showcases exciting arrangements of new and old big band favorites, as well as jazz, pop and latin selections for top tier Canadian Entertainers this side of the border. The orchestra performs in a variety of venues such as theaters, nightclubs, corporate events, festivals and private/public functions.
By adopting the “Funk Bros.” formula from old Motown, (“The Funk Bros.” were the one band that performed for all the entertainers back in the day) the VNO are proud to host and back up top quality Canadian entertainers to showcase them with a Vegas-style look and feel. The VNO are excited to “shake up”, “energize” and “wow” audiences this 2015.
The VegasNorth Orchestra is proud to host Canada’s Favorite Crooner Vincent Wolfe and our resident Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin Impersonators at this year’s Brantford International Jazz Festival. The VNO (VegasNorth Orchestra) and our Entertainers are so excited and ready! It will be sure to be an exciting and fun experience for all. Much thanks to the Brantford Jazz Festival Organizers/Sponsors and to Frank DiFelice for inviting us to perform.
Sultans of String
THE MAIN STAGE
5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Sept. 19, 2015
2010 JUNO Award nominees and “Canada’s ambassadors of musical diversity” Sultans of String thrill their audiences with their global sonic tapestry of Spanish Flamenco, Arabic folk, Cuban rhythms, and French Manouche Gypsy-jazz, celebrating musical fusion and human creativity with warmth and virtuosity. Fiery violin dances with rumba-flamenco guitar while a funk bass lays down unstoppable grooves. Acoustic strings meet with electronic wizardry to create layers and depth of sound, while world rhythms excite audiences to their feet with the irresistible need to dance.
The band is riding a wave of success from their sold out Yalla Yalla! and MOVE Canadian CD release tours, to their national features on CTV’s CanadaAM and CBC’s Canada Live, and their quadruple nomination for the 2012 Canadian Folk Music Awards, winning World Group of the Year. Their CDs soared to #1 across Canada on Top Ten national radio charts, and Sultans of String won the award for Best Variety Act from Festivals & Events Ontario as well as the International Song writing Competition! The buzz extends into the U.S., with acclaimed promoter David Wilkes (Emmylou Harris, Bela Fleck, Jesse Cook) now representing the band.
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal recipient and 2009 JUNO Award Nominee, six-string violinist/bandleader Chris McKhool grew up in a house bursting with music and diversity. His paternal Makhoul grandparents immigrated to Canada from Lebanon in the early 1900’s. His Egyptian-born mother is a piano and theory teacher. Growing up Chris was fed a steady diet of delicious musicality along with Middle Eastern cuisine and violin lessons.
When McKhool (who has performed with Jesse Cook and Pavlo) first heard founding guitarist Kevin Laliberté’s rumba rhythm their musical mind-meld created the Sultans of String’s sound – the intimate and playful relationship between violin and the flamenco guitar. Sultans of String includes such amazing musical friends as: guitarists Kevin Laliberté (Jesse Cook, the Chieftains) & Eddie Paton (Robert Michaels), bass master Drew Birston (Chantal Kreviazuk), and Cuban master percussionists Chendy Leon & Alberto Suarez.
Touring as a duo to quintet, McKhool draws from this collective of master musicians to bring Sultans of String to community, festival and intermediate/high school audiences around the world including the Celtic Connections Festival in the UK, Birdland jazz Club in NYC, Mariposa Folk Festival, National Arts Centre, and performing with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at Roy Thompson Hall.
Sultans of String are also available for performances with a Cuban Trumpet Ensemble, and have an evening of music orchestrated for full symphony orchestra.
JOHN MOORHOUSE QUARTET
THE LOCAL STAGE
12:00 PM to 12:45 PM
Sept. 19, 2015
John Moorhouse (Brantford) piano/vocals. The QUARTET will be presenting the Harlem Stride piano style as pioneered by Thomas Fats Waller, Pinetop Perkins and Moon Mullican. In Brant County John is known for being the featured nightly pianist/vocalist at the Olde Schoolhouse Restaurant for 25 years.
Ian McLean (Paris) drums. Ian is originally from Glasgow, Scotland and he still keeps connected with his mates from there. Glasgow is known for its high caliber musicians - some of which Ian has performed with since 1965 including the late Gerry Rafferty (Stealers Wheel).
John Till (Stratford) lead guitar. John was Janis Joplin’s lead guitarist in her Kosmic Blues Band and Her Full Tilt Boogie Band. John is the guitarist on Janis Joplin’s “Pearl” album.
Shawn Till (Stratford) bass guitar.
Shawn is John’s son , and provides the solid bass in the John Moorhouse Quartet. In Stratford he also enjoys performing with Plum Loco Band
The Roberto Santos Quartet
THE LOCAL STAGE
1:45 PM to 2:30 PM
Sept. 19, 2015
Roberto “Bobby” Santos Drummer/percussionist Roberto currently teaches full time instrumental music at St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary High School in Hamilton. There he directs the St Thomas More All Star Jazz Band, an 18 piece ensemble.. “Bobbby” also keeps a busy performance and freelance schedule in the Hamilton and Golden Horseshoe and leads his own Jazz Trio, Quartet and other ensembles. Roberto is pleased and honoured to be performing at this year’s Brantford International Jazz Festival.
Robert C. Fekete is a Canadian Jazz pianist and composer who shares his musical philosophy with others through performance and audio recording. His roots are planted firmly in classical and jazz traditions while aspiring to build a bridge between modern popular music and older musical art forms.
Clark Johnston started his professional career as a jazz bassist in 1994 and has since had the opportunity to work with the likes of Diana Panton, Peter Appleyard, Gene DiNovi, Reg Schwager, Don Thompson, and John Sherwood-just to name a few.
Stan Szymkow has been playing saxophone professionally since 1970. He has been blessed playing with a number of groups/musicians over the years: The Warren Stirtzinger Group, both the Niagara College and Mohawk College jazz bands, Doug Mundy, Jay Reed, Secret Sauce, Pink Floyd Niagara, Walter Ostanek and The Langtones.
George Rose & Upbeat
THE LOCAL STAGE
4:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Sept. 19, 2015
Born into a musical family in Burlington, ON, George studied piano as a youngster and then switched to trumpet at ten years old as a member of the local town band. He furthered his studies on trumpet with acclaimed brass instructor Don Johnston, Eric Ford and later Clint McLaughlin in Desoto, Texas. Having won several musical awards as a student, Rose was soon getting playing engagements with Hamilton Theatre Orchestra, the Hamilton Opera company, The Burlington Starlight Orchestra and many dance and entertainment ensembles including eight years with the Leander Boat Club house band. In 1982 George formed The George Rose Big Band in Brantford, ON which to date has recorded six albums and several DVD’s plus performed all over Ontario. Occasionally, George assembles a smaller group for special occasions called “UPBEAT”. This is the ensemble performing for the year’s Brantford International Jazz Festival.
Amber-Leigh Jazz Trio
THE NEXT GEN STAGE
12:00 PM to 12:45 PM
Sept. 19, 2015
“Where words fail, music speaks”
Born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, Amber-Leigh Palka is Jazz Vocalist with a strong passion for music. She has had a passion for singing her whole life and was also taught piano since the age of 8.
Amber-Leigh is actively performing all over Hamilton, Niagara Falls and Toronto. She performs regularly at The Cat N Fiddle, The Art Bar, Mulberry Café, AG Fine Dining Cuisine and recently performed in the TD Toronto Jazz Festival in June with her Jazz Trio. She is currently studying with Sophia Perlman who is an amazing teacher with an old-soul voice and is also studying with guitarist Bob Sheilds. Amber-Leigh now performs heartfelt jazz standards with a modern twist in the Amber-Leigh Jazz Trio with upright bass player Jill McKenna and guitarist Thom Mason! ~Keep a look out for this emerging artist!
Kalya Ramu Quintet
THE NEXT GEN STAGE
1:45 PM to 2:30 PM
Sept. 19, 2015
Kalya Ramu, born 1993, is a Canadian jazz, blues, and big band vocalist. Born and raised in the heart of Toronto, Kalya started her professional career at the age of 12, recording albums and performing and volunteering with big bands such as the Sheraton Cadwell Orchestra and the Toronto All Star Big Band. Singing her way through all the classic swing tunes and ballads of the 1920s-60s, Kalya developed a love for performance, and the courage to run a stage. Kalya recently graduated the four-year contemporary music degree program at Humber College and has just released her first EP album. Over the past four years while there, she was involved in many jazz ensembles notably the John Macleod Jazz Ensemble, the Nancy Walker Jazz Ensemble and the Hilario Duran Latin Workshop.
Kalya has performed in hundreds of different venues, including The Prince Edward County Jazz Festival (2015), Breakfast Television (2013), The Glenn Miller Festival in Iowa (2011), The Beaches Jazz Festival and various other events. She has shared the stage with several known jazz musicians such as Doc Severinsen, Barry Harris and Jackie Richardson. She can light up any stage and will never give up the chance to perform to an audience!
David Brideau Trio
THE NEXT GEN STAGE
4:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Sept. 19, 2015
David Brideau(Guitar), Luke Wood(Bass) and Jonathan Pascoal(Drums) have been playing together in the Hamilton area as a trio for three years. Among originals written by the band, they play a wide range of Jazz standards focusing on show tunes from the 40’s and 50’s.
Subourbon Street
THE DIXIELAND STAGE
12:00 PM to 12:30 PM
1:45 PM to 2:15 PM
4:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Sept. 19, 2015
Bringing “New Orleans” Jazz to Ontario, Subourbon Street is making a name for itself as one of the few bands in this area to offer the energetic and authentic instrumentation of the world-renowned style often referred to as “Dixieland”.
The members have a passion to keep traditional jazz music alive and thriving. Subourbon Street has enjoyed entertaining audiences since 2005 at regional Ribfests and Jazz Festivals, as well as in far away and unique places like Lake Nipissing (on a boat!) and the Mardi Gras Parade at the Canadian National Exhibition in 2011.
Tickets are now available for our 2015 headline performer:
Saturday, September 19, 2025 at The Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts
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