WinterTide

Queen Kong is an exploration of sounds inspired by the Radical Jewish Culture movement in New York founded by pioneer John Zorn. Led by Toronto drummer, vocalist and composer, Lorie Wolf, Queen Kong seamlessly blends Ashkenazi Jewish idiom with jazz, free improv, rock and punk to explore new sounds and ideas.

Led by Toronto drummer, composer, Lorie Wolf, Queen Kong seamlessly blends Ashkenazi Jewish idiom with jazz, free improv, rock and punk to explore new sounds and ideas. Shortly after forming Queen Kong in 2019, Wolf traveled to New York to study with Frank London of the famed band The Klezmatics. During this sojourn, Wolf crossed paths with klezmorim clarinet superstar Michael Winograd. Intrigued by the project, Winograd was eager to join the band for the three-day recording session that resulted in this new record. Wolf’s ten originals move through moments of off-kilter syncopation (Bethema), jazz (If/Then), elegiac meditation (Kaddish for Jonny), pizzicato-punctuated Balkan funk (“East 3rd and C”), and more. This year, Queen Kong received a coveted recording grant from CCA and was nominated for “Performance Artist of the Year” by Folk Music Ontario. and has been featured at the Toronto Jazz Festival, Ashkenaz Festival, BLOK Festival of Slavic Music, Parry Sound Festival and Jewish Music Week.

Multi award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter, pianist and CBC Music national radio host Laila Biali has headlined festivals and venues spanning five continents from New York City’s Carnegie Hall to Beijing’s National Centre for the Performing Arts, and supported international icon Sting. Her 2020 album release, Out of Dust, received rave reviews and was nominated for a 2021 JUNO Award. Laila was also honoured by SOCAN Music with the Hagood Hardy Award for Excellence in Songwriting. In 2019, Laila’s eponymous release won her a JUNO Award (Canada’s GRAMMY) for “Vocal Jazz Album of the Year.” The year prior, she was awarded top prize at the Canadian Songwriting Competition in the Jazz category. Laila was also the youngest-ever double winner at Canada’s National Jazz Awards when she was named “SOCAN Composer of the Year” and “Keyboardist of the Year.” She received her first JUNO nomination for Tracing Light (2011), and a spot on DownBeat Magazine’s “Best Albums of the Year” for both Live in Concert (2013) and Out of Dust (2020). In September of 2017, Laila was brought on as the host for CBC Music’s national radio show, Saturday Night Jazz, a weekly show broadcast to millions of listeners across Canada. While Laila continues to earn high honours in the jazz world, her signature sound transcends genre as she “masterfully mixes jazz and pop, bringing virtuosity and unpredictability to songs that are concise and catchy” (Washington Post). Her latest release – Your Requests – showcases personal arrangements of jazz classics requested by her social media community and features guest vocalists Kurt Elling, Emilie-Claire Barlow, and Caity Gyorgy as well as instrumentalists Anat Cohen, Grégoire Maret, Kelly Jefferson, Michael Davidson, George Koller, Larnell Lewis, Ben Wittman and Maninho Costa.

Wanderer is an 8-piece band led by Zachary Lewinson which showcases original compositions and unique arrangements of jazz and pop songs in a way that opens rooms for jazz improvisation and expression. In 2023 they released their factor-funded debut album “Summer Travels” which puts their love for jazz, jazz fusion, and funk music on full display. In their first year as a band, they played at several local venues across the GTA including Drom Taberna and The Emmet Ray. To end the year, they were given the opportunity to perform on the main stage at the T.U. Jazz Festival (2023) as well as hosting their album release show.

The Beelays, a female-fronted funk-rock fusion sensation in Hamilton, Ontario, deliver a soulful and electrifying musical experience. With spontaneous improvisation and a captivatingly quirky style, they defy expectations, pushing boundaries with original lyrics and funky grooves. The Beelays create an immersive, uplifting, and contagious energy that transcends the stage.

Personnel

• Drums – Tyler Goertzen
• Bass – Jesse Visser
• Keyboard and Vocals – Jocelyn McIntosh
• Guitar – Scott McIntosh
• Vocals – Emily Kemp

John Amato brings his take on classic and modern jazz standards, swinging and singing in the likes of Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme and Michael Buble.

Being raised by a jazz musician father, John was exposed to all the classics at a young age and has been singing as a jazz musician since he was 17. Now with a degree from Humber college’s vocal jazz program, he performs for audiences, arranges, teaches and runs his own bands. With a great respect for the music and its history, he sings every song with a smooth dynamic energy. He has sung at venues and concert halls across Ontario as a featuring artist and with the Toronto All-Star Big Band.

John brings with him some of Toronto’s finest up-and-coming talents; Jesse Whitely (Feb 18th) David Burlacu (Feb 18th) John Kervin (March 9th, March 18th) Aaron Blewett (March 9th, March 18th) and Matt Savard.

Formed in 2019, El Ceibo is a music group that performs a variety of Argentinian folk music.

Through original arrangements of all-time favourites and contemporary compositions, the audience can experience an eclectic collection of authentic rhythms, characteristic harmonies and melodies from different regions of the country. Through dynamic performances, they showcase a cross-section of jazz elements with the rich and colourful sounds of the Argentinian folk music tradition.

The group’s self-released EP (January 2022) exemplifies their distinct sound and refreshing repertoire. Said elements led to features by the Toronto Jazz Festival (OLG First Plays – December 2021), CBC Radio 1 (Big City, Small World – January 2022), and Jazz Fm (Cafe Latino – June 2022).

El Ceibo has performed in a broad variety of settings, including a number of community events and international music festivals, such as the Toronto Jazz Festival and Vamos a la Feria Latina (among others).

Based in Mississauga, Canada, El Ceibo is comprised of professional musicians from both Canadian and Latin American cultural backgrounds, which seeks to honour this music, but also exemplify the wonderful diversity of the local music scene.

Joshua Pascua is a Filipino-Canadian known for his soulful and funky music. Born in Montreal and raised in the Toronto area, where he first discovered his love and passion for music. Growing up, he was heavily influenced by the sounds of Pop, classic funk & soul which helped shape his musical style. Joshua studied contemporary vocals and jazz. He’s been gaining attention and a reputation for his energetic and engaging live performances. Joshua has released many records showcasing his dynamic range and versatility as a singer. His music blends classic funk and soul sounds with modern production techniques, creating a sound that is both timeless and contemporary. He has gained a dedicated following of fans who appreciate his heartfelt lyrics and infectious grooves. With his soulful voice and catchy melodies, Joshua Pascua is a rising star in the world of funk soul and disco music and is poised to make a significant impact on the music industry and beyond.

Personnel

• Joshua Pascua – vocals
• Kev Mak – keyboard
• Tim Mata – drums
• Caleb Khuu – guitar
• Cam Watson – Bass

Luis Anselmi, a scholar of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, skillfully merges his Venezuelan roots with diverse world music influences. Proficient in playing the Venezuelan Cuatro, piano, and lending his voice to both singing and song writing, he performs with his band ‘GRATITUD’. Together, they create a vibrant Latin-World sound that seamlessly blends each member’s unique cultural background. With intricate rhythms and uplifting lyrics, their music is a captivating celebration that will inspire you to dance! With the support of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, Luis completed the Music Performance program at Holland College’s School of Performing Arts and the Bachelor of Music Program at Humber College. Recognized for his outstanding accomplishments, he was honored with the Academic Award of Excellence from Humber College. Collaborating with esteemed artists like Eliana Cuevas, Junior Santos, Jonathan Nvita, Camila Lozada and Roshane Wright, Luis’ performances resonate across diverse genres and settings, gracing events like the Toronto Jazz Festival, T.U. Jazz, DiverseCity, and Mississauga Latin Festival, while also leaving his mark at prominent Toronto venues like Drom Taberna, Lula Lounge, and the Jazz Bistro.

Alongside his musical pursuits, Luis has organized, produced, and promoted events within communities like Arts Etobicoke and the Village of Islington. During the pandemic, a grant from the Musical Stage CO. enabled his engagement with South Etobicoke’s youth through the ‘Beat Makers!’ program. This dedication is complemented by his involvement in music industry associations such as Music PEI.

Luis Anselmi’s journey reflects the harmonious blend of artistic endeavor and community engagement,

inviting all to partake in the joyous unity of cultural diversity.

Ryan Gazzola’s music combines pop songwriting with a love for retro musicianship and musicality. Originally from Vancouver, the Toronto-based singer-songwriter started a new project in 2022. “With this project, I am attempting to marry the sweet and catchy melodies of modern music with grooves built on the backbone of funk and soul instrumentation”, Gazzola explains, “it has a wide range of inspirations, from modern contemporaries: Maroon 5, Tom Misch, and Shawn Mendes, to icons: Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson.”

The independent songwriter performs across Canada live with the four-piece Ryan Gazzola Band, a group of talented musicians formed during Gazzola’s time studying at McGill University (Montreal).

Named for the sixth month of the year and a semiprecious stone said to protect anyone travelling by night or by water, Junestone is the innovative and illuminating musical vision of Olivia Brown, Borys Franiczek, Ian Aisling, and Justin McHugh.

Audiences are transported through endless floors of heavenly wonder as the band’s strikingly eternal love for jazz, funk, and indie alt-rock transfigures into psychedelic songs of fun and freedom. This music is for people who just want to be themselves and for once it’s fine.