Aaron Shragge: Dragon Mouth Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Shakuhachi
Ben Monder: Guitar

This World of Dew is Aaron Shragge’s third release with Ben Monder.

The duo project, an exploratory, meditative collaboration, has been praised as “…lyrical and heartwarming…” (Jazz Times) and “thoroughly modern with a definitive sound…” (The Birmingham Times).

The album features guitarist Ben Monder’s otherworldly harmonic virtuosity in expansive sonic textures that highlight Shragge’s subtle and distinctive lyrical voice on the shakuhachi and dragon mouth trumpet (a custom microtonal instrument).

The fourteen new compositions by Shragge are inspired by the writings of both ancient and modern poets: Kobayashi Issa, Matsuo Bashō, Li Po, Nishiyama Sōin and Charles Bukowski.

Tracks 2-7 make up “This World of Dew Suite” which follows the emotional arc of poet Kobahashi Issa’s grief as he mourned the loss of his young daughter. What ties all these compositions together is how they explore themes of loneliness, perseverance and impermanence.

Aaron Shragge: Dragon Mouth Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Shakuhachi
Ben Monder: Guitar

This World of Dew is Aaron Shragge’s third release with Ben Monder.

The duo project, an exploratory, meditative collaboration, has been praised as “…lyrical and heartwarming…” (Jazz Times) and “thoroughly modern with a definitive sound…” (The Birmingham Times).

The album features guitarist Ben Monder’s otherworldly harmonic virtuosity in expansive sonic textures that highlight Shragge’s subtle and distinctive lyrical voice on the shakuhachi and dragon mouth trumpet (a custom microtonal instrument).

The fourteen new compositions by Shragge are inspired by the writings of both ancient and modern poets: Kobayashi Issa, Matsuo Bashō, Li Po, Nishiyama Sōin and Charles Bukowski.

Tracks 2-7 make up “This World of Dew Suite” which follows the emotional arc of poet Kobahashi Issa’s grief as he mourned the loss of his young daughter. What ties all these compositions together is how they explore themes of loneliness, perseverance and impermanence.

Muse is the debut album by The Tiki Collective: an all-star Toronto band featuring fifteen incredible guest vocalists.

The name Muse carries with it two meanings: Firstly as a noun, “to honour a person who is a source of artistic inspiration”, and secondly as a verb, because they “mused” over how to create a fresh new sound. The album is a blend of exotica, jazz, and pop music that will have you dreaming of beaches, palm trees, and wondrous sunsets. The melodies are timeless, while the production is modern and seamless.

The recording features new arrangements of popular songs including “Don’t Fear The Reaper” and “The Sweetest Taboo,” as well as exquisite classic rarities such as “All Too Soon” and “Chelsea Bridge.” Also featured are original compositions “Dreaming” and “The Wanderer”.

For his sophomore feature-length album, accomplished singer and composer/lyricist Steven Taetz presents cocktail of vintage-pop, jazz, and swing, backed by a sure shot band made up of several of Canada’s top jazz musicians. The album presents six new compositions sure to become popular additions to the American Songbook, and reinvents several classic standards.
Drink You In contains material co-written with award-winning artists including JUNO-winner Sonia Johnson, JUNO-nominee Barbra Lica, Tia Brazda, and producer Drew Jurecka.
As a lyricist and composer, Steven Taetz has written for many internationally renowned artists including Simone Denny (Love Inc.) and Billboard chart-topping Brazilian artist Amannda. He has performed in venues such as Carnegie Hall, Rockwood Music Hall (NY), The Rogers Centre (Toronto), Blue Room (Korea), Capital Pride (Wash DC), Hotel Café (LA) and Koerner Hall Galleria for Sinatra’s 100th.
Drink You In will be released on Friday, September 28th, 2018 and distributed worldwide by Flatcar Records // Fontana North. The release will be celebrated with a performance on Sunday, September 30th at The Jazz Bistro in Toronto. This will be followed by a Canadian release tour.

Marie Goudy – Trumpet & Voice
Jocelyn Barth – Voice
Brad Eaton – Trumpet & Flugelhorn
Matt Woroshyl – Alto & Soprano Saxophones
John Nicholson – Tenor Saxophone & Voice
Conrad Gluch – Baritone Saxophone
Charlotte Alexander – French Horn
Paul Tarussov – Trombone
Zach Smith – Trombone
Chris Platt – Guitar
Josh Smiley – Piano
Alex Lakusta – Bass
Keagan Eskritt – Drums
Andrés Gándara – Vihuela

Toronto trumpeter and composer Marie Goudy’s debut album The Bitter Suite is an ambitious and beautiful act of storytelling – a vivid depiction of young love as reflected in the distinct character of each of the year’s four seasons. This haunting, lyrical song cycle features her lifelong friend, vocalist Jocelyn Barth, and 10 of Toronto’s most exciting young instrumentalists.

In four movements, the lyrics express the excitement of new summer love; the warmth and comfort of a new partnership in autumn; the distinctive chill that only heartbreak in winter can bring; and the wistfulness of spring, when new growth brings a reminder of past loves now lost.

The Bitter Suite is an exciting addition to Canada’s large jazz ensemble tradition. Producer John MacLeod – one of Canada’s best known big band leaders and trumpeters – helps connect it to that storied history. In addition to jazz influences, The Bitter Suite is also heavily informed by mariachi music, a style in which Marie has worked for years – it features pieces written in the Son Jailciense and Huapango styles.

Emily Denison - Trumpet
Harrison Argatoff - Sax
Dan Pitt - Guitar
Noah Franche-Nolan - Piano
Andrew Downing - Bass
Harry Vetro - Drums

In 2017, as Canada celebrated 150 years of confederation, 23 year old Hamilton drummer Harry Vetro took to the road. He traveled coast to coast, visiting communities in Canada's six indigenous cultural areas (Arctic, Subarctic, Northwest Coast, Plateau, Plains, and Eastern Woodlands) in an effort to connect with musicians and artists from different backgrounds, and to better understand the land's long cultural history.
Northern Ranger - Vetro's debut album - tells the story of his travels. A jazz musician by training, Harry melded his own style of improvised music with folk and classical influences to create a deeply personal statement, one that speaks to the country as a whole.
A recent graduate of the University of Toronto Jazz program, Vetro leads an active performing career, Past performances include the TD Toronto Jazz Festival, Ottawa Jazz Festival and Orillia Jazz Festival.
Proceeds from this album will assist in starting an outreach initiative for youth with limited access to music education. The program will be titled "Northern Ranger Outreach" and Vetro will be partnering with his father, who is an educator and musician with connections in the school system.