Mike Murley & Heather Bambrick’s “Cruise Band”
April 14 & 15 @ 8:30 pm

Mike Murley - Saxophone
Heather Bambrick - Vocals
John Macleod - Trumpet
Lee Wallace - Guitar
Pat Collins - Bass
Barry Elmes - Drums

An engaging, lyrical saxophonist, Mike Murley is one of Canada’s most celebrated jazz artists.  He has played on fourteen Juno Award-winning recordings since 1990, seven as a leader or co-leader, seven as a sideman.  His most recent Junos include The North (2018), Metalwood’s Twenty (2017) and his trio’s Test of Time (2013).

Heather Bambrick is a JUNO and ECMA nominated vocalist and an award-winning host on Toronto’s JAZZ.FM91.  She’s worked with renown artists in various styles, including Rob McConnell, Fred Hersch, Guido Basso, Peter Appleyard, Phil Nimmons, Kenny Wheeler, Ian Shaw, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, and many others.  

The Canadian Jazz Cruise band features some of the finest artists in the country whose collective resumés include work with Dizzy Gillespie, Moe Koffman, Diana Krall, Cedar Walton,  Jimmy Cobb, Herb Elis, Lee Konitz, Oscar Peterson, Joe Henderson, and countless other national and international artists.

Catch the debut performance for this ensemble exclusively at the Rex!

Mike Murley & Heather Bambrick’s “Cruise Band”
April 14 & 15 @ 8:30 pm

Mike Murley - Saxophone
Heather Bambrick - Vocals
John Macleod - Trumpet
Lee Wallace - Guitar
Pat Collins - Bass
Barry Elmes - Drums

An engaging, lyrical saxophonist, Mike Murley is one of Canada’s most celebrated jazz artists.  He has played on fourteen Juno Award-winning recordings since 1990, seven as a leader or co-leader, seven as a sideman.  His most recent Junos include The North (2018), Metalwood’s Twenty (2017) and his trio’s Test of Time (2013).

Heather Bambrick is a JUNO and ECMA nominated vocalist and an award-winning host on Toronto’s JAZZ.FM91.  She’s worked with renown artists in various styles, including Rob McConnell, Fred Hersch, Guido Basso, Peter Appleyard, Phil Nimmons, Kenny Wheeler, Ian Shaw, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, and many others.  

The Canadian Jazz Cruise band features some of the finest artists in the country whose collective resumés include work with Dizzy Gillespie, Moe Koffman, Diana Krall, Cedar Walton,  Jimmy Cobb, Herb Elis, Lee Konitz, Oscar Peterson, Joe Henderson, and countless other national and international artists.

Catch the debut performance for this ensemble exclusively at the Rex!

CHRIS GALE TRIOS
APRIL 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 @ 5:30 PM

Chris Gale - Saxophone
Harley Card - Guitar ( April 2, 9, 16)
Pat Collins - Bass ( April 2, 9, 16)
John Macleod - Organ(April 23, 30)
Jeff Halischuk - Drums (April 23, 30)

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Chris Gale is a Toronto-based nationally recognized saxophonist, composer, producer and educator whose driving style and rich tone can be heard on over one hundred and fifty recordings. As as leader and a sideman, Gale has performed around the globe in theatres, clubs and at festivals, impressing crowds with his lyrical sensibility and soulful approach. Chris has performed with Colin
James, Michael Kaeshammer, Blue Rodeo, Jeff Healy,
Arkells, Ron Sexsmith, Brandi Disterheft, Johnny Reid,
The Powder Blues Band and more. Gale is also a long
standing member of The Worst Pop Band Ever and
Gordon Mowat’s Skeleton Crew. As a leader, Chris
recently released Uncharted with his group Hector;
featuring Ted Quinlan (guitar), Jeff McLeod (Hammond B3
organ) and Chris Wallace (drums).

“I’ll quite happily go out of my way to hear Chris Gale, a
tenor saxophonist – among Toronto’s finest – who has
matched an impressively sure, though not showy
command of the instrument to a strong sense of it’s older
and newer traditions in the service of a distinctive style
that is timelessly melodic yet distinctively modern.”
~Mark Miller, critic/author – jazz history and biography

Jon Maharaj Ensembles
April 3, 10, 17, 24 @ 5:30 PM

Jon Maharaj - Bass
Adriana Malandrino - Vocals (April 3 & 10)
Hayden Stapleton - Saxophone (April 3 & 10)
Hanson Goodwin - Saxophone (April 3 & 10)
Dipo Adeola - Guitar(April 3 & 10)
Eric Liang - Piano (April 3 & 10)
Pable Marin-Marquez - Drums (April 3 & 10)
Duncan Wilson - Piano (April 17 & 24)
Petros Anagnostakos - Drums (April 17 & 24)
Hiro Tanaka - Bass (April 24)

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Jon Maharaj is a JUNO award winning bassist who has performed and / or recorded with The Tenors, Emilie-Claire Barlow, Allison Au, Amanda Tosoff and many others.  He has toured North America extensively with a variety of artists and has performed overseas everywhere from Tokyo to Monte Carlo. Jon was also the bassist in the Canadian company of the multiple award winning musical Come From Away, where he got to perform the show for over 1 million people over the course of its record breaking run. 

Michael Occhipinti’s “In Orbit”
April 17, 18, 19, 20 @ 8:30 PM

Michael Occhipinti - Guitar
Felix Pastorius - Bass
Davide Direnzo - Drums
TBA - Piano

Michael Occhipinti is a versatile, sound-sculpting guitarist and composer/arranger, who has spent decades freely moving between jazz, chamber music, world music, r&b/funk, and anything involving modern guitar sounds. Michael has received 11 JUNO Award nominations (Canada's Grammy) and 2 JUNO Awards including the 2022 JUNO Award for Jazz Group of the Year as a member of Avataar.  2022 also saw his duo with Elizabeth Shepherd (ES:MO) nominated for Jazz Vocal Album of the Year.    In addition to ES:MO, Michael leads or co-leads several acclaimed groups including The Sicilian Jazz Project, IN ORBIT ( with Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band) on saxophone, and Felix Pastorius on bass), Shine On: The Universe of John Lennon,  The Triodes,  and the acclaimed 16-piece group NOJO (Neufeld-Occhipinti Jazz Orchestra).

Michael's creative guitar playing has made him the ideal compliment to a diverse range of groups,  including the aforementioned Avataar, Italian vocalist (and frequent guest with the Sicilian Jazz Project) Ilaria (Pilar) Patassini, and chamber group The Gryphon Trio.  He’s as happy playing clean rhythm guitar with his funk band Grooveyard as he is creating stunning ambient sounds behind the Turkish electronic group Minor Empire.  The range of Michael's musical experience is best illustrated in the many celebrated musicians Michael has performed with, including  Bruce Cockburn, Don Byron, Stewart Goodyear, The Cecilia String Quartet, Kenny Wheeler, Trey Anastasio, Divine Brown, The Toronto Symphony, Sam Rivers, Tony Allen, Joe Lovano, Laila Biali, The Gryphon Trio, Dave Douglas, Andrea Bocelli,  Bill Frisell, and the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra.   Michael Occhipinti's touring resume includes The Umbria Jazz Festival (Italy), the Festival Cultural de Zacatecas (Mexico), the Jazz Yatra (India), The Ubuntu Project (Netherlands), Musikfest (USA), the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival (Canada), and numerous other venues around the world. 

Michael's own projects explore everything from Sicilian culture to songwriters such as John Lennon and Bruce Cockburn, instrumental New Orleans funk, and adventurous original music for both small groups and string orchestras.  Michael has received commissions to compose music for the Royal Conservatory of Music's 21C Festival of new music (featuring The Gryphon Trio and Don Byron),  for bassoonist Nadina Mackie-Jackson and trumpeter Guy Few and the Group of 27’s JUNO Nominated Canadian Concerto Vol. 1, for Quartetto Gelato's 100% Canadian, and is currently writing a piece for the Kitchener-Waterloo Guitar Orchestra.   Michael’s versatile guitar palette can be heard on recent albums by Elizabeth Shepherd,Melody Diachun's Music of Sting, Peter Campbell, the Mexican-reggae mashup of Los Variants, Italian vocalist Giuseppe di Bella's Orfeo project, Louis Simao’s Brazilian/Portuguese world jazz album A Luz, and Michael’s work with soul/pop singer Lester McLean. 

Michael teaches jazz ensembles and songwriting at the Royal Conservatory of Music, guitar and pop ensembles at Centennial College,  and leads the jazz orchestra at McMaster University.  Michael has given clinics at universities and schools across Canada, the Netherlands, and Sicily.   Michael Occhipinti has been profiled on Bravo TV's Arts and Minds, CBC television's On The Arts, CBC radio's Canada Live , CTV’s Mike Bullard Show and TV Ontario's Studio 2. His projects have been praised by critics worldwide, including the American magazines DownBeat and Jazz Times, Italy’s Il Sole and Musica Jazz, and newspapers in India, The Netherlands, and across Canada.   

Michael Occhipinti is a Music Programmer for Hugh's Room Live, and served as the Artistic Director for the Markham Jazz Festival from 2009-2015, growing the festival and presenting international artists such as Lionel Loueke, Bill Charlap, Don Byron, Dave Douglas, John Pizzarelli, Sheila Jordan, and Maceo Parker.  He has also been a past director of Lakefield Summer Music. 

Michael Occhipinti is in the process of completing his M.A. in Composition at York University.  Michael has attended the Banff Centre for The Arts jazz workshops three times, working with faculty such as Slide Hampton, John Clayton, Muhal Richard Abrams, Mick Goodrick, Bunky Green, Steve Coleman, and Hugh Fraser.  Michael received his BFA (Hons). from York University in Toronto.

Michael Occhipinti’s “In Orbit”
April 17, 18, 19, 20 @ 8:30 PM

Michael Occhipinti - Guitar
Felix Pastorius - Bass
Davide Direnzo - Drums
TBA - Piano

Michael Occhipinti is a versatile, sound-sculpting guitarist and composer/arranger, who has spent decades freely moving between jazz, chamber music, world music, r&b/funk, and anything involving modern guitar sounds. Michael has received 11 JUNO Award nominations (Canada's Grammy) and 2 JUNO Awards including the 2022 JUNO Award for Jazz Group of the Year as a member of Avataar.  2022 also saw his duo with Elizabeth Shepherd (ES:MO) nominated for Jazz Vocal Album of the Year.    In addition to ES:MO, Michael leads or co-leads several acclaimed groups including The Sicilian Jazz Project, IN ORBIT ( with Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band) on saxophone, and Felix Pastorius on bass), Shine On: The Universe of John Lennon,  The Triodes,  and the acclaimed 16-piece group NOJO (Neufeld-Occhipinti Jazz Orchestra).

Michael's creative guitar playing has made him the ideal compliment to a diverse range of groups,  including the aforementioned Avataar, Italian vocalist (and frequent guest with the Sicilian Jazz Project) Ilaria (Pilar) Patassini, and chamber group The Gryphon Trio.  He’s as happy playing clean rhythm guitar with his funk band Grooveyard as he is creating stunning ambient sounds behind the Turkish electronic group Minor Empire.  The range of Michael's musical experience is best illustrated in the many celebrated musicians Michael has performed with, including  Bruce Cockburn, Don Byron, Stewart Goodyear, The Cecilia String Quartet, Kenny Wheeler, Trey Anastasio, Divine Brown, The Toronto Symphony, Sam Rivers, Tony Allen, Joe Lovano, Laila Biali, The Gryphon Trio, Dave Douglas, Andrea Bocelli,  Bill Frisell, and the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra.   Michael Occhipinti's touring resume includes The Umbria Jazz Festival (Italy), the Festival Cultural de Zacatecas (Mexico), the Jazz Yatra (India), The Ubuntu Project (Netherlands), Musikfest (USA), the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival (Canada), and numerous other venues around the world. 

Michael's own projects explore everything from Sicilian culture to songwriters such as John Lennon and Bruce Cockburn, instrumental New Orleans funk, and adventurous original music for both small groups and string orchestras.  Michael has received commissions to compose music for the Royal Conservatory of Music's 21C Festival of new music (featuring The Gryphon Trio and Don Byron),  for bassoonist Nadina Mackie-Jackson and trumpeter Guy Few and the Group of 27’s JUNO Nominated Canadian Concerto Vol. 1, for Quartetto Gelato's 100% Canadian, and is currently writing a piece for the Kitchener-Waterloo Guitar Orchestra.   Michael’s versatile guitar palette can be heard on recent albums by Elizabeth Shepherd,Melody Diachun's Music of Sting, Peter Campbell, the Mexican-reggae mashup of Los Variants, Italian vocalist Giuseppe di Bella's Orfeo project, Louis Simao’s Brazilian/Portuguese world jazz album A Luz, and Michael’s work with soul/pop singer Lester McLean. 

Michael teaches jazz ensembles and songwriting at the Royal Conservatory of Music, guitar and pop ensembles at Centennial College,  and leads the jazz orchestra at McMaster University.  Michael has given clinics at universities and schools across Canada, the Netherlands, and Sicily.   Michael Occhipinti has been profiled on Bravo TV's Arts and Minds, CBC television's On The Arts, CBC radio's Canada Live , CTV’s Mike Bullard Show and TV Ontario's Studio 2. His projects have been praised by critics worldwide, including the American magazines DownBeat and Jazz Times, Italy’s Il Sole and Musica Jazz, and newspapers in India, The Netherlands, and across Canada.   

Michael Occhipinti is a Music Programmer for Hugh's Room Live, and served as the Artistic Director for the Markham Jazz Festival from 2009-2015, growing the festival and presenting international artists such as Lionel Loueke, Bill Charlap, Don Byron, Dave Douglas, John Pizzarelli, Sheila Jordan, and Maceo Parker.  He has also been a past director of Lakefield Summer Music. 

Michael Occhipinti is in the process of completing his M.A. in Composition at York University.  Michael has attended the Banff Centre for The Arts jazz workshops three times, working with faculty such as Slide Hampton, John Clayton, Muhal Richard Abrams, Mick Goodrick, Bunky Green, Steve Coleman, and Hugh Fraser.  Michael received his BFA (Hons). from York University in Toronto.

Shannon Butcher Quartet
april 5, 12, 19, 26 @ 5:30

Shannon Butcher - Vocals
Michael Shand - Piano
Michael Herring- Bass
Tim Shia - Drums

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Shannon Butcher is an acclaimed Canadian singer, songwriter, arranger and record producer. She charms audiences with her joyful wit and warm energy - her performances capturing the unique spirit of each song while also celebrating the playful nature of jazz.

She has toured across Canada, including performances at Victoria’s Hermann’s Jazz Club, Edmonton’s Yardbird Suite, Montreal’s Upstairs Jazz and the major jazz festivals in Ontario. She has performed across The United States and in England.  

Shannon’s original songs reveal the breadth of her influences, from the sounds of Big Band music halls to Yorkville folk coffee houses. As an arranger, she interprets chart topping pop songs with a fresh and exciting jazz perspective.

Shannon has released five albums under her own label Summer Bloom Records, her first album earning an iTunes’ Best New Jazz Artist of the Year award. In addition to her solo work, she has performed and recorded with Swing Rosie - an Andrews Sisters-inspired trio - as well as the folk quartet Samways, which released its self-titled debut album in 2021.

In 2022, Shannon released two singles: a bass/voice duet recording of “They Say It’s Spring” with her longtime collaborator, bassist Ross MacIntyre; as well as her original song “You’re Getting Nothing For Christmas (But My Love)”, recorded by the Shannon Butcher Quintet featuring John MacLeod on trumpet.

Her sixth album, “Earbuds”, with Ross MacIntyre, will be released in Spring 2023.

Michael Occhipinti’s “In Orbit”
April 17, 18, 19, 20 @ 8:30 PM

Michael Occhipinti - Guitar
Felix Pastorius - Bass
Davide Direnzo - Drums
TBA - Piano

Michael Occhipinti is a versatile, sound-sculpting guitarist and composer/arranger, who has spent decades freely moving between jazz, chamber music, world music, r&b/funk, and anything involving modern guitar sounds. Michael has received 11 JUNO Award nominations (Canada's Grammy) and 2 JUNO Awards including the 2022 JUNO Award for Jazz Group of the Year as a member of Avataar.  2022 also saw his duo with Elizabeth Shepherd (ES:MO) nominated for Jazz Vocal Album of the Year.    In addition to ES:MO, Michael leads or co-leads several acclaimed groups including The Sicilian Jazz Project, IN ORBIT ( with Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band) on saxophone, and Felix Pastorius on bass), Shine On: The Universe of John Lennon,  The Triodes,  and the acclaimed 16-piece group NOJO (Neufeld-Occhipinti Jazz Orchestra).

Michael's creative guitar playing has made him the ideal compliment to a diverse range of groups,  including the aforementioned Avataar, Italian vocalist (and frequent guest with the Sicilian Jazz Project) Ilaria (Pilar) Patassini, and chamber group The Gryphon Trio.  He’s as happy playing clean rhythm guitar with his funk band Grooveyard as he is creating stunning ambient sounds behind the Turkish electronic group Minor Empire.  The range of Michael's musical experience is best illustrated in the many celebrated musicians Michael has performed with, including  Bruce Cockburn, Don Byron, Stewart Goodyear, The Cecilia String Quartet, Kenny Wheeler, Trey Anastasio, Divine Brown, The Toronto Symphony, Sam Rivers, Tony Allen, Joe Lovano, Laila Biali, The Gryphon Trio, Dave Douglas, Andrea Bocelli,  Bill Frisell, and the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra.   Michael Occhipinti's touring resume includes The Umbria Jazz Festival (Italy), the Festival Cultural de Zacatecas (Mexico), the Jazz Yatra (India), The Ubuntu Project (Netherlands), Musikfest (USA), the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival (Canada), and numerous other venues around the world. 

Michael's own projects explore everything from Sicilian culture to songwriters such as John Lennon and Bruce Cockburn, instrumental New Orleans funk, and adventurous original music for both small groups and string orchestras.  Michael has received commissions to compose music for the Royal Conservatory of Music's 21C Festival of new music (featuring The Gryphon Trio and Don Byron),  for bassoonist Nadina Mackie-Jackson and trumpeter Guy Few and the Group of 27’s JUNO Nominated Canadian Concerto Vol. 1, for Quartetto Gelato's 100% Canadian, and is currently writing a piece for the Kitchener-Waterloo Guitar Orchestra.   Michael’s versatile guitar palette can be heard on recent albums by Elizabeth Shepherd,Melody Diachun's Music of Sting, Peter Campbell, the Mexican-reggae mashup of Los Variants, Italian vocalist Giuseppe di Bella's Orfeo project, Louis Simao’s Brazilian/Portuguese world jazz album A Luz, and Michael’s work with soul/pop singer Lester McLean. 

Michael teaches jazz ensembles and songwriting at the Royal Conservatory of Music, guitar and pop ensembles at Centennial College,  and leads the jazz orchestra at McMaster University.  Michael has given clinics at universities and schools across Canada, the Netherlands, and Sicily.   Michael Occhipinti has been profiled on Bravo TV's Arts and Minds, CBC television's On The Arts, CBC radio's Canada Live , CTV’s Mike Bullard Show and TV Ontario's Studio 2. His projects have been praised by critics worldwide, including the American magazines DownBeat and Jazz Times, Italy’s Il Sole and Musica Jazz, and newspapers in India, The Netherlands, and across Canada.   

Michael Occhipinti is a Music Programmer for Hugh's Room Live, and served as the Artistic Director for the Markham Jazz Festival from 2009-2015, growing the festival and presenting international artists such as Lionel Loueke, Bill Charlap, Don Byron, Dave Douglas, John Pizzarelli, Sheila Jordan, and Maceo Parker.  He has also been a past director of Lakefield Summer Music. 

Michael Occhipinti is in the process of completing his M.A. in Composition at York University.  Michael has attended the Banff Centre for The Arts jazz workshops three times, working with faculty such as Slide Hampton, John Clayton, Muhal Richard Abrams, Mick Goodrick, Bunky Green, Steve Coleman, and Hugh Fraser.  Michael received his BFA (Hons). from York University in Toronto.

York University Jazz Orchestra
April 20 @ 2:00 PM

No Reservations
Cover Charges:
$15 Front Section
$10 Back Section

The University of York Jazz Orchestra is a single-seat, auditioned jazz orchestra playing contemporary arrangements for big band. The Jazz Orchestra is led by a guest director — previous years have included James Mainwaring and John Warren. They perform jazz classics as well as more recent works by John Law, John Warren, Kenny Wheeler and others. We also welcome any players interested in composition to write for the ensemble. There are two concerts each year, which offer collaborations with musicians such as Iain Dixon, Malcolm Earle Smith and Nikki Iles. In the summer term, they perform at the National Centre for Early Music in York.

Michael Occhipinti’s “In Orbit”
April 17, 18, 19, 20 @ 8:30 PM

Michael Occhipinti - Guitar
Felix Pastorius - Bass
Davide Direnzo - Drums
TBA - Piano

Michael Occhipinti is a versatile, sound-sculpting guitarist and composer/arranger, who has spent decades freely moving between jazz, chamber music, world music, r&b/funk, and anything involving modern guitar sounds. Michael has received 11 JUNO Award nominations (Canada's Grammy) and 2 JUNO Awards including the 2022 JUNO Award for Jazz Group of the Year as a member of Avataar.  2022 also saw his duo with Elizabeth Shepherd (ES:MO) nominated for Jazz Vocal Album of the Year.    In addition to ES:MO, Michael leads or co-leads several acclaimed groups including The Sicilian Jazz Project, IN ORBIT ( with Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band) on saxophone, and Felix Pastorius on bass), Shine On: The Universe of John Lennon,  The Triodes,  and the acclaimed 16-piece group NOJO (Neufeld-Occhipinti Jazz Orchestra).

Michael's creative guitar playing has made him the ideal compliment to a diverse range of groups,  including the aforementioned Avataar, Italian vocalist (and frequent guest with the Sicilian Jazz Project) Ilaria (Pilar) Patassini, and chamber group The Gryphon Trio.  He’s as happy playing clean rhythm guitar with his funk band Grooveyard as he is creating stunning ambient sounds behind the Turkish electronic group Minor Empire.  The range of Michael's musical experience is best illustrated in the many celebrated musicians Michael has performed with, including  Bruce Cockburn, Don Byron, Stewart Goodyear, The Cecilia String Quartet, Kenny Wheeler, Trey Anastasio, Divine Brown, The Toronto Symphony, Sam Rivers, Tony Allen, Joe Lovano, Laila Biali, The Gryphon Trio, Dave Douglas, Andrea Bocelli,  Bill Frisell, and the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra.   Michael Occhipinti's touring resume includes The Umbria Jazz Festival (Italy), the Festival Cultural de Zacatecas (Mexico), the Jazz Yatra (India), The Ubuntu Project (Netherlands), Musikfest (USA), the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival (Canada), and numerous other venues around the world. 

Michael's own projects explore everything from Sicilian culture to songwriters such as John Lennon and Bruce Cockburn, instrumental New Orleans funk, and adventurous original music for both small groups and string orchestras.  Michael has received commissions to compose music for the Royal Conservatory of Music's 21C Festival of new music (featuring The Gryphon Trio and Don Byron),  for bassoonist Nadina Mackie-Jackson and trumpeter Guy Few and the Group of 27’s JUNO Nominated Canadian Concerto Vol. 1, for Quartetto Gelato's 100% Canadian, and is currently writing a piece for the Kitchener-Waterloo Guitar Orchestra.   Michael’s versatile guitar palette can be heard on recent albums by Elizabeth Shepherd,Melody Diachun's Music of Sting, Peter Campbell, the Mexican-reggae mashup of Los Variants, Italian vocalist Giuseppe di Bella's Orfeo project, Louis Simao’s Brazilian/Portuguese world jazz album A Luz, and Michael’s work with soul/pop singer Lester McLean. 

Michael teaches jazz ensembles and songwriting at the Royal Conservatory of Music, guitar and pop ensembles at Centennial College,  and leads the jazz orchestra at McMaster University.  Michael has given clinics at universities and schools across Canada, the Netherlands, and Sicily.   Michael Occhipinti has been profiled on Bravo TV's Arts and Minds, CBC television's On The Arts, CBC radio's Canada Live , CTV’s Mike Bullard Show and TV Ontario's Studio 2. His projects have been praised by critics worldwide, including the American magazines DownBeat and Jazz Times, Italy’s Il Sole and Musica Jazz, and newspapers in India, The Netherlands, and across Canada.   

Michael Occhipinti is a Music Programmer for Hugh's Room Live, and served as the Artistic Director for the Markham Jazz Festival from 2009-2015, growing the festival and presenting international artists such as Lionel Loueke, Bill Charlap, Don Byron, Dave Douglas, John Pizzarelli, Sheila Jordan, and Maceo Parker.  He has also been a past director of Lakefield Summer Music. 

Michael Occhipinti is in the process of completing his M.A. in Composition at York University.  Michael has attended the Banff Centre for The Arts jazz workshops three times, working with faculty such as Slide Hampton, John Clayton, Muhal Richard Abrams, Mick Goodrick, Bunky Green, Steve Coleman, and Hugh Fraser.  Michael received his BFA (Hons). from York University in Toronto.

OVK3 Trio Featuring N.Y's Manuel Valera
April 21 & 22 @ 8:30 PM

Manuel Valera - Piano
Roberto Occhipinti - Bass
Mark Kelso - Drums

OVK 3 - the classic format of piano, bass
and drums trio. Manuel Valera, Roberto
Occhipinti and Mark Kelso have performed
together in a number of projects and came
together to record in Toronto at RHC studio
November of 2023.
7 originals by Manuel Valera , 1 by Roberto
Occhipinti and the classic Soul Eyes by Mal
Waldron, all recorded live off the floor ,
beautifully recorded by Jeff Wolpert and
produced by Roberto Occhipinti for Modica
Music .
Release date is April 21, in tandem with
performances at the Rex Jazz and Blues Club
in Toronto.

OVK3 Trio Featuring N.Y's Manuel Valera
April 21 & 22 @ 8:30 PM

Manuel Valera - Piano
Roberto Occhipinti - Bass
Mark Kelso - Drums

OVK 3 - the classic format of piano, bass
and drums trio. Manuel Valera, Roberto
Occhipinti and Mark Kelso have performed
together in a number of projects and came
together to record in Toronto at RHC studio
November of 2023.
7 originals by Manuel Valera , 1 by Roberto
Occhipinti and the classic Soul Eyes by Mal
Waldron, all recorded live off the floor ,
beautifully recorded by Jeff Wolpert and
produced by Roberto Occhipinti for Modica
Music .
Release date is April 21, in tandem with
performances at the Rex Jazz and Blues Club
in Toronto.

CHRIS GALE TRIOS
APRIL 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 @ 5:30 PM

Chris Gale - Saxophone
Harley Card - Guitar ( April 2, 9, 16)
Pat Collins - Bass ( April 2, 9, 16)
John Macleod - Organ(April 23, 30)
Jeff Halischuk - Drums (April 23, 30)

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Chris Gale is a Toronto-based nationally recognized saxophonist, composer, producer and educator whose driving style and rich tone can be heard on over one hundred and fifty recordings. As as leader and a sideman, Gale has performed around the globe in theatres, clubs and at festivals, impressing crowds with his lyrical sensibility and soulful approach. Chris has performed with Colin
James, Michael Kaeshammer, Blue Rodeo, Jeff Healy,
Arkells, Ron Sexsmith, Brandi Disterheft, Johnny Reid,
The Powder Blues Band and more. Gale is also a long
standing member of The Worst Pop Band Ever and
Gordon Mowat’s Skeleton Crew. As a leader, Chris
recently released Uncharted with his group Hector;
featuring Ted Quinlan (guitar), Jeff McLeod (Hammond B3
organ) and Chris Wallace (drums).

“I’ll quite happily go out of my way to hear Chris Gale, a
tenor saxophonist – among Toronto’s finest – who has
matched an impressively sure, though not showy
command of the instrument to a strong sense of it’s older
and newer traditions in the service of a distinctive style
that is timelessly melodic yet distinctively modern.”
~Mark Miller, critic/author – jazz history and biography

Jon Maharaj Ensembles
April 3, 10, 17, 24 @ 5:30 PM

Jon Maharaj - Bass
Adriana Malandrino - Vocals (April 3 & 10)
Hayden Stapleton - Saxophone (April 3 & 10)
Hanson Goodwin - Saxophone (April 3 & 10)
Dipo Adeola - Guitar(April 3 & 10)
Eric Liang - Piano (April 3 & 10)
Pable Marin-Marquez - Drums (April 3 & 10)
Duncan Wilson - Piano (April 17 & 24)
Petros Anagnostakos - Drums (April 17 & 24)
Hiro Tanaka - Bass (April 24)

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Jon Maharaj is a JUNO award winning bassist who has performed and / or recorded with The Tenors, Emilie-Claire Barlow, Allison Au, Amanda Tosoff and many others.  He has toured North America extensively with a variety of artists and has performed overseas everywhere from Tokyo to Monte Carlo. Jon was also the bassist in the Canadian company of the multiple award winning musical Come From Away, where he got to perform the show for over 1 million people over the course of its record breaking run. 

Neil Swainson Group
April 24, 25, 26, 27 @ 8:30 PM

Neil Swainson - Bass
Kevin Turcotte - Trumpet
Mark Eisenman - Piano
Joel Haynes - Drums

Four-time Juno award winner and recipient of the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Toronto Musician’s Association, Neil Swainson is among the most respected and accomplished bassists on the jazz scene today.

Born in Victoria, British Columbia in 1955, Neil discovered the acoustic bass in high school and primarily taught himself how to play. From 1975 to 1977, he toured Canada with one of the early pioneers of new age music, the flutist Paul Horn. Soon after, Neil relocated east to Toronto where for the next decade, he worked with such Canadian jazz masters as Rob McConnell, Ed Bickert, Moe Koffman and Peter Appleyard. During this time he was also the bassist of choice for many visiting American musicians including saxophonists James Moody, George Coleman, Lee Konitz, Sonny Stitt and Joe Farrell, pianists Jay McShan, Tommy Flanagan, Joanne Bracken, and guitarists Barney Kessel and Herb Ellis. Internationally,

Neil frequently shared the stage with the innovative and dynamic trumpeter Woody Shaw, touring Europe with him in 1985 and again 1987. He recorded two albums with him: In My Own Sweet Way (In’n Out), and Solid (Muse). Both Shaw and tenor sax legend Joe Henderson were featured on Neil’s 1989 debut album, 49th Parallel (Concord Records), and showcased five Swainson compositions.

Valued for his intuitive accompanying skills, harmonic depth, technical prowess and stylistic versatility, Neil also caught the ear of the great, British pianist George Shearing, who invited him to join his band. Neil appeared on over a dozen recordings with the pianist, and together they worked with Canadian composer and arranger Robert Farnon, singers Mel Tormé, Nancy Wilson, Joe Williams and Diana Krall. It was a relationship that would last from

Neil Swainson Group
April 24, 25, 26, 27 @ 8:30 PM

Neil Swainson - Bass
Kevin Turcotte - Trumpet
Mark Eisenman - Piano
Joel Haynes - Drums

Four-time Juno award winner and recipient of the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Toronto Musician’s Association, Neil Swainson is among the most respected and accomplished bassists on the jazz scene today.

Born in Victoria, British Columbia in 1955, Neil discovered the acoustic bass in high school and primarily taught himself how to play. From 1975 to 1977, he toured Canada with one of the early pioneers of new age music, the flutist Paul Horn. Soon after, Neil relocated east to Toronto where for the next decade, he worked with such Canadian jazz masters as Rob McConnell, Ed Bickert, Moe Koffman and Peter Appleyard. During this time he was also the bassist of choice for many visiting American musicians including saxophonists James Moody, George Coleman, Lee Konitz, Sonny Stitt and Joe Farrell, pianists Jay McShan, Tommy Flanagan, Joanne Bracken, and guitarists Barney Kessel and Herb Ellis. Internationally,

Neil frequently shared the stage with the innovative and dynamic trumpeter Woody Shaw, touring Europe with him in 1985 and again 1987. He recorded two albums with him: In My Own Sweet Way (In’n Out), and Solid (Muse). Both Shaw and tenor sax legend Joe Henderson were featured on Neil’s 1989 debut album, 49th Parallel (Concord Records), and showcased five Swainson compositions.

Valued for his intuitive accompanying skills, harmonic depth, technical prowess and stylistic versatility, Neil also caught the ear of the great, British pianist George Shearing, who invited him to join his band. Neil appeared on over a dozen recordings with the pianist, and together they worked with Canadian composer and arranger Robert Farnon, singers Mel Tormé, Nancy Wilson, Joe Williams and Diana Krall. It was a relationship that would last from

Shannon Butcher Quartet
april 5, 12, 19, 26 @ 5:30

Shannon Butcher - Vocals
Michael Shand - Piano
Michael Herring- Bass
Tim Shia - Drums

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Shannon Butcher is an acclaimed Canadian singer, songwriter, arranger and record producer. She charms audiences with her joyful wit and warm energy - her performances capturing the unique spirit of each song while also celebrating the playful nature of jazz.

She has toured across Canada, including performances at Victoria’s Hermann’s Jazz Club, Edmonton’s Yardbird Suite, Montreal’s Upstairs Jazz and the major jazz festivals in Ontario. She has performed across The United States and in England.  

Shannon’s original songs reveal the breadth of her influences, from the sounds of Big Band music halls to Yorkville folk coffee houses. As an arranger, she interprets chart topping pop songs with a fresh and exciting jazz perspective.

Shannon has released five albums under her own label Summer Bloom Records, her first album earning an iTunes’ Best New Jazz Artist of the Year award. In addition to her solo work, she has performed and recorded with Swing Rosie - an Andrews Sisters-inspired trio - as well as the folk quartet Samways, which released its self-titled debut album in 2021.

In 2022, Shannon released two singles: a bass/voice duet recording of “They Say It’s Spring” with her longtime collaborator, bassist Ross MacIntyre; as well as her original song “You’re Getting Nothing For Christmas (But My Love)”, recorded by the Shannon Butcher Quintet featuring John MacLeod on trumpet.

Her sixth album, “Earbuds”, with Ross MacIntyre, will be released in Spring 2023.

Neil Swainson Group
April 24, 25, 26, 27 @ 8:30 PM

Neil Swainson - Bass
Kevin Turcotte - Trumpet
Mark Eisenman - Piano
Joel Haynes - Drums

Four-time Juno award winner and recipient of the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Toronto Musician’s Association, Neil Swainson is among the most respected and accomplished bassists on the jazz scene today.

Born in Victoria, British Columbia in 1955, Neil discovered the acoustic bass in high school and primarily taught himself how to play. From 1975 to 1977, he toured Canada with one of the early pioneers of new age music, the flutist Paul Horn. Soon after, Neil relocated east to Toronto where for the next decade, he worked with such Canadian jazz masters as Rob McConnell, Ed Bickert, Moe Koffman and Peter Appleyard. During this time he was also the bassist of choice for many visiting American musicians including saxophonists James Moody, George Coleman, Lee Konitz, Sonny Stitt and Joe Farrell, pianists Jay McShan, Tommy Flanagan, Joanne Bracken, and guitarists Barney Kessel and Herb Ellis. Internationally,

Neil frequently shared the stage with the innovative and dynamic trumpeter Woody Shaw, touring Europe with him in 1985 and again 1987. He recorded two albums with him: In My Own Sweet Way (In’n Out), and Solid (Muse). Both Shaw and tenor sax legend Joe Henderson were featured on Neil’s 1989 debut album, 49th Parallel (Concord Records), and showcased five Swainson compositions.

Valued for his intuitive accompanying skills, harmonic depth, technical prowess and stylistic versatility, Neil also caught the ear of the great, British pianist George Shearing, who invited him to join his band. Neil appeared on over a dozen recordings with the pianist, and together they worked with Canadian composer and arranger Robert Farnon, singers Mel Tormé, Nancy Wilson, Joe Williams and Diana Krall. It was a relationship that would last from

Dan Bodanis Big Band
april 27 @ 2:00 PM

No Reservations
Cover Charges
$15 Front Section
$10 Back Section

With a rich history of individual accomplishment, the musicians in The Dan Bodanis Big Band have collectively performed as sidemen and band leaders for Diana Krall, Mel Torme, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Natalie Cole, Cleo Laine, Dizzy Gillespie, Moe Koffman, Peter Appleyard, Count Basie, Woody Herman, Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass, Buddy Rich, Billy Cobham, The Brecker Brothers, Santana, Lighthouse, Blood, Sweat & Tears, and more!

Featuring the very finest Studio Musicians in Canada, The Dan Bodanis Band have been engaged to perform for American Presidents: Obama, Bush 1&2, and Clinton; Canadian Prime Ministers P.E. Trudeau, Chrétien, Martin, Mulroney, Clark, and Campbell. Dan’s smaller band, The Dan Bodanis Band, was selected as the official Jazz Band of the G20 Summit in Toronto. The Dan Bodanis Band also performed for several other world leaders. Additionally, the band has performed for Miss Universe, The Rogers Cup International Tennis Tournament, the Inauguration of Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie, and several other top-profile events on stage, film, radio, internet, and television.

If you like jazz from the “Great American Songbook,” The Dan Bodanis Band, featuring Bernie Senensky and Steve Wallace performed every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Azure Restaurant and Bar, for years, in the Intercontinental Hotel.

June 2021, Dan Bodanis was recognized and awarded with the “50 Year Pin for Outstanding Contribution and Musicianship,” by the President of Local 149, of the Toronto Musicians Association/American Federation of Musicians.

As a Professional Studio Drummer, Dan performed on the TV Show “Live It Up, for many years, played on countless TV/Radio Commercials, and more ‘45’s & albums’ than he can now remember!

Neil Swainson Group
April 24, 25, 26, 27 @ 8:30 PM

Neil Swainson - Bass
Kevin Turcotte - Trumpet
Mark Eisenman - Piano
Joel Haynes - Drums

Four-time Juno award winner and recipient of the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Toronto Musician’s Association, Neil Swainson is among the most respected and accomplished bassists on the jazz scene today.

Born in Victoria, British Columbia in 1955, Neil discovered the acoustic bass in high school and primarily taught himself how to play. From 1975 to 1977, he toured Canada with one of the early pioneers of new age music, the flutist Paul Horn. Soon after, Neil relocated east to Toronto where for the next decade, he worked with such Canadian jazz masters as Rob McConnell, Ed Bickert, Moe Koffman and Peter Appleyard. During this time he was also the bassist of choice for many visiting American musicians including saxophonists James Moody, George Coleman, Lee Konitz, Sonny Stitt and Joe Farrell, pianists Jay McShan, Tommy Flanagan, Joanne Bracken, and guitarists Barney Kessel and Herb Ellis. Internationally,

Neil frequently shared the stage with the innovative and dynamic trumpeter Woody Shaw, touring Europe with him in 1985 and again 1987. He recorded two albums with him: In My Own Sweet Way (In’n Out), and Solid (Muse). Both Shaw and tenor sax legend Joe Henderson were featured on Neil’s 1989 debut album, 49th Parallel (Concord Records), and showcased five Swainson compositions.

Valued for his intuitive accompanying skills, harmonic depth, technical prowess and stylistic versatility, Neil also caught the ear of the great, British pianist George Shearing, who invited him to join his band. Neil appeared on over a dozen recordings with the pianist, and together they worked with Canadian composer and arranger Robert Farnon, singers Mel Tormé, Nancy Wilson, Joe Williams and Diana Krall. It was a relationship that would last from

Dan Pitt Quintet
April 28 @ 8:30 PM

Dan Pitt - Guitar
Naomi McCarroll-Butler - Saxophone
Pat Smith - Saxophone
Alex Fournier - Bass
Nick Fraser - Drums

Dan Pitt is a guitarist, composer, educator and improviser who has been a part of Toronto’s jazz and improvised music scene for the past several years. He has studied with notable musicians such as Geoff Young, Dave Restivo, Ben Monder, Brad Shepik and Michael Formanek. Aside from managing a solo, trio and quintet project, Dan has played guitar in a variety of bands with musicians such as Dave Young, Pat Collins, Terry Clarke, Terry Promane, Tim Berne and Michael Attias. He has also worked and recorded with Noah Franche-Nolan, Harrison Vetro, Lina Allemano, Nick Fraser and Andrew Downing.

Dan released four albums as a bandleader including two trio albums ("Fundamentally Flawed" and "Stages") one solo album ("Monochrome") and a quintet album ("Wrongs"). With music referred to as "atmospheric with guts" (All About Jazz), Dan works to blend influences from across the music spectrum with jazz serving as the foundation of all his bands and music. 

Dan and his quintet return to the Rex to perform a new book of original music to prepare for the upcoming recording of their next album. The group features Dan's longtime trio of Alex Fournier on Double Bass and Nick Fraser on drums along with Patrick Smith and Naomi McCarroll-Butler bringing a tetrad of woodwind instruments to the mix.

“Dan Pitt is one of Toronto’s brightest jazz lights. Whether he’s solo, leading his trio or quintet, he’s a bubbling cauldron of creative ideas and stellar improvisation.” (Mike Greenblatt - Goldmine Magazine)

"Sharp, angular jazz clearly loaded with modern edges, this is a welcome home for the ears of tomorrow." (Chris Spector – Midwest Record)

"Together these musicians present a diverse, dynamic vibe that works as a strong example of great contemporary jazz." (Keith Black - Winnipeg Free Press)

CHRIS GALE TRIOS
APRIL 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 @ 5:30 PM

Chris Gale - Saxophone
Harley Card - Guitar ( April 2, 9, 16)
Pat Collins - Bass ( April 2, 9, 16)
John Macleod - Organ(April 23, 30)
Jeff Halischuk - Drums (April 23, 30)

No Reservations
$10 Cover Charge

Chris Gale is a Toronto-based nationally recognized saxophonist, composer, producer and educator whose driving style and rich tone can be heard on over one hundred and fifty recordings. As as leader and a sideman, Gale has performed around the globe in theatres, clubs and at festivals, impressing crowds with his lyrical sensibility and soulful approach. Chris has performed with Colin
James, Michael Kaeshammer, Blue Rodeo, Jeff Healy,
Arkells, Ron Sexsmith, Brandi Disterheft, Johnny Reid,
The Powder Blues Band and more. Gale is also a long
standing member of The Worst Pop Band Ever and
Gordon Mowat’s Skeleton Crew. As a leader, Chris
recently released Uncharted with his group Hector;
featuring Ted Quinlan (guitar), Jeff McLeod (Hammond B3
organ) and Chris Wallace (drums).

“I’ll quite happily go out of my way to hear Chris Gale, a
tenor saxophonist – among Toronto’s finest – who has
matched an impressively sure, though not showy
command of the instrument to a strong sense of it’s older
and newer traditions in the service of a distinctive style
that is timelessly melodic yet distinctively modern.”
~Mark Miller, critic/author – jazz history and biography

Huntertones June 25 & 26 @ 8:30 PM

​Dan White: Saxophones
Jon Lampley: Trumpet/Sousaphone​
Chris Ott: Trombone/Beatbox
Adam DeAscentis: Bass
John Hubbell: Drums
Josh Hill: Guitar

Huntertones brings people together around the globe with fun, imaginative and fearless music. Their high energy, horn-driven sound features genre bending composition and unconventional covers. Every show is a social experience celebrating the joy of music.

Over the years, they’ve captivated massive audiences at such esteemed festivals as Umbria Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, and Toronto Jazz Festival, performing in over 25 countries world wide sharing the stage with acts like Lake Street Dive, Charlie Hunter, Kurt Elling, Louis Cato, and Cory Wong. Huntertones claims more authority than ever as they drive into their 10th year. 

“Honest, genuine, skillfully executed music without limitations that is uplifting and cannot be quantified.” -Jon Batiste

“Soulful, tasty and groovy. I dare you not to dance or be in a good mood during and after listening to this beautiful music” -Lionel Loueke

​

Huntertones June 25 & 26 @ 8:30 PM

​Dan White: Saxophones
Jon Lampley: Trumpet/Sousaphone​
Chris Ott: Trombone/Beatbox
Adam DeAscentis: Bass
John Hubbell: Drums
Josh Hill: Guitar

Huntertones brings people together around the globe with fun, imaginative and fearless music. Their high energy, horn-driven sound features genre bending composition and unconventional covers. Every show is a social experience celebrating the joy of music.

Over the years, they’ve captivated massive audiences at such esteemed festivals as Umbria Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, and Toronto Jazz Festival, performing in over 25 countries world wide sharing the stage with acts like Lake Street Dive, Charlie Hunter, Kurt Elling, Louis Cato, and Cory Wong. Huntertones claims more authority than ever as they drive into their 10th year. 

“Honest, genuine, skillfully executed music without limitations that is uplifting and cannot be quantified.” -Jon Batiste

“Soulful, tasty and groovy. I dare you not to dance or be in a good mood during and after listening to this beautiful music” -Lionel Loueke

​