GALLERY
Photos taken during performances at the 'Junction' and special event venues
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PERFORMERS AT PAST EVENTS (click/tap controls on live audio clips)
Shawn Sasyniuk & Friends
Shawn has well over 20 years of professional playing experience backing up some of Canada’s most well known artists. On bass is Scott Aultman, a seasoned recording artist and gigging musician. Rounding out the lineup is freelance guitar player Eric Treleaven, also experienced in sharing the stage with touring performers.
Ben Hermann
Ben Hermann: guitar/vocals; Vince Aquilina: drums;
Andrew Sowka: bass; Peter Cliche: guitar/violin/vocals
Originally from North Bay, Ben is a songwriter, recording artist and performer currently based in Toronto. His music is jazzy, sophisticated and thoughtful, with strong finger-style guitar playing and nuanced vocals. As an ensemble, these four accomplished performers create multi-layered vocals, instrumental expressions and rhythms, producing a rich interplay of sounds and styles.
Sarah Craig Jazz Trio
Sarah Craig is a jazz artist from Sudbury, Ontario who has the ability to sing anything from old country to jazz and pop like an angel.
Along with a variety of jazz styles, the Sarah Craig Jazz Trio plays fun pop-reggae and soulful originals. Her fellow musicians, drummer Christopher Dardick and saxophonist Sean Whalen, are also from the Sudbury area.
NorthFacing Folk
Featuring a wide range of folk & acoustic classics, with a strong focus on Canadian songs...this band will put a smile on your face and get you ready for a toe-tapping time!
The J Houston Band
The J Houston Band consists of Jim Houston on guitar and vocals, John Chapman, vocals and percussion and Carolyn Saini on bass and back up vocals. The group performs a unique repertoire of original and cover tunes, featuring the melodic rock and blues style of the group.
Find out more: Link to Bio
RON NIGRINI
Singer, songwriter, guitarist, craftsman, poet and performer...after 52 years of performing professionally, Ron made the decision this year to retire from public performance. His 'last hurrah' was a special farewell concert for the Jazz Club on October 22 2019.
The room was packed; it was a true highlight of the year's line up of events, ending with a standing ovation.
Thanks, Ron, for a magical evening!
JOY BAND, JOY BAND TOO
and NORTH BAY UKULELE
PEFORMANCE BAND
Betty Farris, director of Joy Band; Neil Kennedy, director of Joy Band Too;
Heather Topps , director of the Ukulele Performance Band
The Ukulele Band plays tunes from all genres of music, including pop, country, blues, folk, rock & roll, R&B/soul, rockabilly, jazz & Tin Pan Alley favourites, and sing in 2, 3 and 4 part harmony.
The Joy Band and Joy band Too are excellent community concert bands that feature Jazz, swing, Big Band, funk, blues, Broadway, pop, ballads and traditional music.
Jake Thomas
Jake is a world-class guitarist, inspired by Chicago blues, Delta blues, good old Rock & Roll, R&B, and everything in between. Jake and The Fundamentals have released six CDs and hope to record again in the near future. Also, Jake has released two solo acoustic guitar CDs with a few songs getting extensive airplay on CBC, satellite blues stations and FM radio. His latest concert at the Junction gave us a special kind of "history lesson" that opened up the heart and soul of Jake’s musical journey…an "up close and tuneful" solo acoustic night of Roots & Blues music, including personal favourite songs from the last hundred years that have been influential in shaping the music we listen to today, as well as some self-penned tunes to round out the mix.
Twilight
Twilight is a four-piece band with Charlie Zavitz on Drums (and occasionally vibraphone), Bob Bartlett on stand-up bass, with lively song introductions and vocals, Mary Kennedy on piano with sweet lead vocals, and Neil Kennedy on clarinet & sax. Twilight brings you a blend of swing standards, light jazz, latin & ballads- creating the perfect musical ambiance for an enjoyable evening of all your listening favourites. LINK TO BIO
Shirantha Beddage Quintet
Shirantha Beddage, baritone sax
with Brian O'Kane, trumpet; John Kervin, piano;
Ryan Rogers, bass; Rob Joanisse, drums
Joined by an outstanding group of fellow musicians, Shirantha Beddage, musician and composer at a world class level of achievement, performs his distinctive brand of high-octane jazz , featuring original compositions from his JUNO-nominated albums. His performances have drawn packed houses whenever he has played back in his home town of North Bay.
Mike Landoni Quartet
Mike Landoni, sax, flute, clarinet; John Kervin, piano; Rob Joanisse, drums; Ryan Rogers, bass
Fresh sounds from the jazz, latin & soul genres
Maple Hill Project
Pat O’Kane, guitar; Doug Herbrand, guitar;
Mark Robinson, bass; Rob Aultman, guitar/mandolin; Robin Bilan, keyboards
Classic rock songs with great melodies, performed with the rich vocal harmonies that make them your all time favourites.
“Good music, from a good time, for a good time!”
Songwriter's Circle
with Ron Nigrini, Jake Thomas & Peter Cliche
Three talented songwriters share the lead in performing their songs and describing the stories behind them. An intimate acoustic showcase of their standout individual styles, as well as the incredible chemistry they have when playing together.
L-R: Jake Thomas, guitar/vocals; Ron Nigrini, vocals/guitar; Peter Cliche, multi-instrumentalist/vocals
Bear Claw Blues Band
Bob Barraclough: vocals, guitar; Peter Pelletier: harmonicas, percussion and vocals; Bernie Desjardins: keyboards, vocals; John Zytaruk: guitar, lap slide guitar, vocals; Bill MacInnis: drums; with guest Ken Hull on bass
The band stays true to the style and spirit of classic delta and Chicago blues, while pushing boundaries to create a unique Northern Ontario sound, as well as blending original tunes into the repertoire.
Harry Vetro's Northern Ranger
Jillian McKenna (upright bass), Harry Vetro (drums), Noah Franche-Nolan (piano), Nelson Moneo (violin)...all four members of the band are highly talented young Canadian musicians representing a new generation of Jazz in Canada. LINK TO BIO INFO (PDF)
A jazz musician by training, Harry has melded his own style of improvised music with folk and classical influences to create a deeply personal statement.
This June, Harry Vetro’s Northern Ranger tours from Hamilton to Halifax with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.
Shawn Sasyniuk
Known primarily as a drummer with well over 20 years of stage and studio experience backing up some of Canada's most well known artists such as Susan Aglukark, Roch Voisine, Survivorman Les Stroud, Wilfred Lebouthillier, Gold City Ashes, Shawn occasionally likes to be left alone on a stage with a few guitars and some of his favourite songs. Scott Aultman joins him on bass when they play as a duo. Sam Depatie (fiddle, vocals) joins them when they play as the Angry Pants trio.
Juan Barbosa
Huntsville, Ontario native Juan Barbosa is a versatile and dynamic musical talent who has achieved recognition for his unique delivery of the blues with a funky and sometimes soulful edge.
Jake Thomas Trio with Mike Landoni
Jake Thomas on electric guitar, Rob Joannisse on drums, Ryan Rogers on electric bass, complemented by Mike Landoni on sax. A mix of music from the jazz and blues greats, funk, latin flavoured light rock, and more...featuring dazzling solos from all the players LINK TO BIO (PDF)
Minor Empire
Ozgu Ozman, vocals; Ozan Boz, electric guitar; Chris Gartner, bass;
Rob Joanisse, drums; Tamer Pinarbasi, kanun
Variously described by reviewers as “trippy”, “dreamy”, “cinematic”, “stylishly hip” and “deeply exotic”, award winning Turkish Canadian group Minor Empire has racked up a lengthy list of plaudits for its seamless blend of Turkish traditional music and modern sounds. LINK TO BIO
Jake Thomas with Ryan Rogers & Jesse Thomas
A lively blend of jazz, blues, funk, bop and rock, featuring both acoustic and electric guitar styles… a showcase of originals and songs from both well-known and lesser known writers...with the emphasis on GROOVE!
Jake Thomas, electric & acoustic guitar/vocals; Ryan Rogers, bass; Jesse Thomas, guitar/vocals
The Cliche Collective
Swingy old jazz, fusion, folk-rock, fiddle tunes, and world beat... acoustic and electric arrangements
Peter Cliche, multi-instrumentalist, vocals;
Rob Joanisse, drums;
Dan Colomby, bass
Garry White Trio with Marion Linton
(Marion Linton, jazz violin; Garry White, guitar; Rob Joanisse, drums; Renée White, bass)
An exceptional blend of musical talents, showcasing the best of instrumental jazz from many musical eras, including popular jazz standards, be-bop, latin and soul jazz.
Shirantha Beddage
Two-time JUNO-nominated musician Shirantha Beddage is a baritone saxophonist, composer & educator from Toronto. His original music combines hard bop and modern jazz to create a sound that is both accessible and sophisticated.
Jillian McKenna Project
Internationally renowned artist, Jillian McKenna, is a Canadian bassist and composer from Hamilton, Ontario. Her concert at Jazz at the Junction was part of her June tour "The Jillian McKenna Project". She has played in many venues in the Toronto area and also in New York, and has now taken her experience and moved back to Hamilton where she has the space to explore the new music she is currently creating. Today she can be found performing across the country with a variety of musicians, as she composes and researches, fusing her many interests and experiences into a style uniquely her own.
Jillian McKenna, bass; Adrean Farrugia, piano; Mackenzie Read, drums
Visit Jillian's website at www.jillianmckennamusic.com
Solid Gold
Golden hits of light jazz, pop standards, Latin across the decades, with a sprinkle of contemporary pop.
Nostalgic and memorable tunes you love to sing along with and dance to!
Doug Sewell, keys; Bruce Burns, saxes; Mike Gagne, drums; Jordan Wyshniowsky, bass; Andy McLellan, guitar; Joanne Sullivan, vocalist/bandleader
Ron Nigrini & Jake Thomas
Two of a different kind...
Ron is a singer-songwriter, a craftsman of beautiful melodies and poetic lyrics that create a unique artistic voice. With hit singles in 1976 (I’m Easy) and 1983 (Baby I’m A Lot Like You) and still writing & recording in his fifth decade on the music scene, Ron continues to play for the love of the music. Website: www.ronnigrini.com LINK TO BIO (PDF)
Jake is a world-class guitarist, inspired by Chicago blues, Delta blues, good old Rock & Roll, R&B, and everything in between. Jake and The Fundamentals have released six CDs and Jake has released two acoustic guitar solo CDs with some tracks getting extensive airplay on CBC, satellite blues stations and FM radio. LINK TO BIO (PDF)
The Cliche Collective
Swingy old jazz, funky fusion, folky folk rock, fiddle tunes, and world beat arrangements, acoustic and electric styles...feel good music played with feeling!
Peter Cliche, guitars, harmonica, flute; Dan Colomby, bass; Shawn Sasyniuk, drums; Mike Brewes, keyboard
Restoration Jazz Band
This amazing 'little big band' brings you quality community instrumentalists playing top-notch combo charts from a variety of jazz genres, as well as featuring favourite Dixieland tunes.
Allison Denomme on Trumpet
Neil Kennedy on Alto Saxophone/Clarinet
Darren Denomme on Trombone
Dave Wilks on Trombone/Tuba
Theresa McDermott on Piano
Bob Bartlett on Upright Bass/Bass Guitar/Banjo
Charlie Zavitz on Drums
Mike Landoni
Mike is a welcome addition to our musical community, having previously been actively involved in the Toronto music scene. He plays four instruments of the woodwind family: alto & tenor saxophone, clarinet & flute. Recently he has performed at Jazz at the Junction with Jake Thomas & band, Trilogy and the Marco Souza Band. LINK TO PRESS RELEASE (PDF)
David Laronde Band
David Laronde is an Indigenous singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Teme-Augama Anishnabai (Deep Water People) Northern Ontario. The group plays music that seamlessly bridges folk, rock & blues.
David Laronde, vocals & rhythm guitar; Peter Cliche, lead guitar; Shawn Sasyniuk, drums & vocals; Scott Aultman, bass; and Sam Depatie, violin & vocals.
Jake Thomas Trio
Jake Thomas on electric guitar, Rob Joannisse on drums, Ryan Rogers on stand-up and electric bass, all world class musicians. The trio plays an eclectic mix of music from the jazz and blues greats, funk, latin flavoured light rock, and more...featuring bring-down-the-house solos from all the players as well as hauntingly beautiful guitar solos from Jake's guitar. LINK TO BIO (PDF)
Ron Nigrini
Ron is a singer-songwriter, a craftsman of beautiful melodies and poetic lyrics that create a unique artistic voice. HIs easy-listening and folk tunes are reminiscent of Jim Croce and Harry Chapin. He had a hit with I’m Easy in 1976, and Baby I’m A Lot Like You in 1983. In his fifth decade on the music scene, Ron Nigrini still plays for the love of the music. Website: www.ronnigrini.com
Pulling Strings (Bill Stewart Trio)
Bill Stewart, guitar/vocals; JoAnn Robert, vocals, bass; and Marion Linton, jazz violin
This highly accomplished trio plays a pleasing mix of easy listening music that includes jazz standards and contemporary songs.
Jazz North
An eclectic group of talented local musicians who blend their individual versatility and experience to bring you a crowd-pleasing repertoire of jazz favourites - from the early days of jazz (Birth of the Blues) through the Big Band era - including select vocal interpretations. (LINK TO BIOs)
Doug Sewell, keyboard; Chris Clarke, drums; Gord Hamden, saxophone; Jordan Wyshniowsky, bass
Marco Souza Trio
with guest Mike Landoni
The trio brings you an elegant repertoire of jazz entertainment, original compositions and arrangements by Marco Souza, a performer who is passionate about music and enjoys the opportunity to share his musical ideas.
Marco Souza: keys; Rob Joanisse: drums/percussion; Ryan Rogers: bass; Mike Landoni: sax.
Midnight Blue
Midnight Blue is a new jazz band in town, comprised of: Matthew Whitehead (percussion), Gord Hamden (horns), Doug Sewell (keyboard) Joanne Sullivan (vocal) and Jordan Wyshniowsky (bass).
Trilogy
This ensemble brings you a delightful repertoire of early jazz, swing, ballads and light latin - featuring Cliff Gervais on keyboard, Scott Barons on double bass, and Charlie Zavitz on percussion.
Garry White Trio
Garry White, guitar; Renee White, electric bass; Rob Joanisse, drums. The instrumental trio plays music from many musical eras, including popular jazz standards from the 30's & 40's, be-bop from the 50's, and soul jazz from the 60's. LINK TO BIO (PDF)
Tom & Cilla Dunn
Tom and Cilla bring their own style of harmonies and arrangements to well-known or original songs. Their repertoire ranges from heartfelt to upbeat in a mix of songs and instrumentals that reflect influences from folk, jazz and ragtime to contemporary. As guitarists, they use finger picking styles to create delicate harmonies and counter melodies. LINK TO BIO (PDF)