2019 will see a collection of some of Canada’s finest Jazz artists coming together to form an all-star group for several shows, beginning in January.

Members of the ensemble include world-renown flugelhorn master and Officer of the Order of Canada Guido Basso, multiple JUNO-award winning saxophonist Mike Murley, internationally-recognized bassist and Officer of the Order of Canada Dave Young, JUNO-winning piano phenomenon Robi Botos, multi-faceted and in-demand drummer Davide DiRenzo, and JUNO-nominated vocalist Heather Bambrick.

This collection of highly respected members of the Canadian Jazz establishment will wow audiences in three shows planned for early 2019:  January 23 at the First Ontario Performing Arts Centre in St. Catharines, January 24 at the Flato Markham Theatre in Markham, and January 25 at the Grand Theatre in Kingston.  There are more shows to be announced later in the year.

For more information regarding this group, contact Robert Missen at the Bobolink Agency.

You’ll Never Know continues to draw attention and accolades, and now features a brand new video!  Hot on the heels of a 2018 East Coast Music Award for Best Jazz Recording, and a 2017 JUNO Award nomination for Vocal Jazz Recording of the Year, the official music video for the re-imagining of Bruce Cockburn’s pop-rock classic “Lovers In A Dangerous Time” is released.

The video was shot and directed by Carlos Coronado, and features performance by the Heather Bambrick Quintet, as well as the stories of four individuals making their way through day-to-day life – and making connections at the same time. The visual narrative brought out in these characters and their stories also serves to highlight Cockburn’s beautifully poetic lyrics.  Stay tuned right to the finale for a poignant and perhaps even “surprise” ending!

Shot in the streets and neighbourhoods of Toronto, viewers will catch several familiar landmarks, as well as some familiar faces, including those of Colleen Allen, Adrean Farrugia, Ross MacIntyre, Ben Wittman, Clifford Frimpong, Sam Lonen, Prasanna Mondal, and Emily Shem.

Here’s the official music video for Heather Bambrick’s recording of “Lovers In A Dangerous Time”.

Heather Bambrick and Friends returns to the TD Toronto Jazz Festival as part of the “Festival Within The Festival”.  This year’s series features some of country’s top legendary Jazz talents, as well as outstanding artists that Canada has exported south of the border.

The series takes place over four nights at the Home Smith Bar at the Old Mill, Toronto, and all four shows will once again be under the musical direction of the incomparable Russ Little, along with his phenomenal musicians:  Tom Szczesniak (piano), Scott Alexander (bass), and Brian Barlow (drums).

The 2018 line-up of “Friends” may very well be one of the finest since the series began, and is sure to cause tickets to sell out quickly!

It all begins on Friday, June 22, with world-renowned trumpet and flugelhorn icon, incredible entertainer, and member of the Order of Canada, Guido Basso.  (Click HERE for details.)

The second night of the opening weekend – Saturday, June 23 – brings back a festival favourite:  singer, actor, entertainer, and Canada’s reigning Queen of Jazz, Blues, and Gospel – Jackie Richardson.  (Click HERE for details.)

The following weekend sees a return of two Canadian Jazz stars who have made names for themselves in the US, on the NY and LA music scenes.  We begin on Friday, June 29, with the classy vocals of Canada’s gift to the New York club scene – sultry songstress, Melissa Stylianou.  (Click HERE for details.)

The series closes with the sophisticated and sensuous styling of multiple JUNO nominee and international entertainer, LA’s gift from Toronto – Carol Welsman.  (Click HERE for details.)

All shows begin at 7:30 pm at the Home Smith Bar, in the Old Mill, Toronto.  Festival tickets are on sale now at Ticketpro.ca or by calling 1-888-655-9090.  There are no reserved seats;  ticket-holders will be seated at the Home Smith Bar on a “first come, first selection” basis on the night of each show.  Home Smith Bar doors will open at 6:30 pm.

For more information on the entire series, visit www.torontojazz.com.

This is sure to sell out very quickly, so don’t wait!  Get your tickets ASAP and don’t miss this incredible line-up of world-class entertainers!

On Monday, January 29, the East Coast Music Association announced the nominations for the 2018 East Coast Music Awards and I am thrilled to announce that You’ll Never Know has been nominated for Jazz Recording of the Year.  This is a very special honour for me, personally, as the ECMAs pay tribute to East Coast musicians and their music, so to receive this sort of recognition from my “Homeland” is pretty darned great!

I’m also delighted to be in the same category as these other brilliant musicians.  Some of them – like Florian Hoefner and Paul Tynan – are people I’ve worked or performed with in the past, and I’m truly a fan of theirs.  The others are artists whose music I’ve recently discovered and appreciate immensely!  It’s certainly a broad (and tough) category, and I’m honoured to be a part of it!  For a full list of nominees in all categories, click HERE.

This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the ECMAs which will be celebrated in Halifax, NS, from May 2-6, 2018.  The awards, themselves, will be handed out on Thursday, May 3rd, in a ceremony hosted by Jonathan Torrens and featuring performances by Sloan, Rose Cousins, The Once, The Barra MacNeils, and more.  You can watch the festivities live as they happen on Bell Alliant Fibe TV1, or at ECMA.com.

After two very successful and well-received shows this past summer with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, JUNO-nominated jazz vocalist Heather Bambrick returns to this wonderful format with three more orchestral shows to help close out 2017.

O CANADA with the WINDSOR SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA     October 28 & 29

Heather will be reunited with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra as they present “O Canada” on October 28 and 29.  Heather first worked with the WSO in 2016 as a member of Broadsway in their debut performance of Broads on Broadway.  This month, she’ll join the award-winning orchestra for a program that celebrates the music of Canadian stage and screen, including works from some of the country’s best-loved musical icons Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, and Neil Young.  Performances will be held at the Capitol Theatre (21 University Avenue West, Windsor) and tickets / information can be found at www.windsorsymphony.com.

ONTARIO POPS ORCHESTRA     November 25

The celebration of Canada’s Sesquicentennial continues with a performance of more “Canuck Hits” courtesy of the Ontario Pops Orchestra and Durham Chamber Orchestra.  Once again, Heather will be featured on some Canadian classics, including those from Anne Murray and Paul Anka.  This is a one-time-only performance in Etobicoke (Toronto’s west end), at Humber Valley United Church (76 Anglesey Blvd, Etobicoke) on Saturday, November 25.  For tickets and information, visit www.ontariopops.com.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS with the HAMILTON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA     December 16

What could be better than some of your favourite Holiday music performed by the wonderful Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra?  Heather reunites with conductor Lucas Waldin to make her debut with this outstanding ensemble for a program of seasonal classics and lesser-known gems!  The concert takes place at the FirstOntario Concert Hall on Saturday, December 16.  Ticket and concert information can be found at www.hpo.org.

For more information on these and other performances from Heather Bambrick, visit www.heatherbambrick.ca.

On April 4th, the TD Toronto Jazz Festival announced this year’s line-up for Heather Bambrick and Friends, the series that anchors “The Festival Within The Festival”.  And what a line up it is!!

We start things off on Friday, June 23, with the delightful, delicious, delovely JUNE GARBER, featuring Jazz at its most elegant, sensuous best.  If you’ve ever seen June in performance, you already know her masterful skills as a performer, easily moving from Jazz standards to Cabaret-inspired gems.  Originally from South Africa, June is truly and international entertainer and crowd favourite here, in the country she now calls home.  She’s the perfect way to launch the series!

The only way to follow this strong a start is with a powerhouse performer, so on Saturday, June 24, we’ll welcome a woman with talent, energy, “sass”, and incredible command of every stage she graces:  Shakura S’Aida!  From across the US, into Europe, Shakura has established herself as a true Blues superstar, and we’re incredibly excited to have her “Force-of-Natureness” as a part of the series this year!!

The following weekend marks Canada’s birthday and we’re thrilled to start the weekend on Friday, June 30, with a woman who’s brought her Mexican / South African Roots and flamenco soul to Canada, becoming one of the leading Latin and World Music artists in the country:  Amanda has toured internationally, representing her unique brand of multi-influenced Latin Jazz.  On this evening, she’ll bring with her a flavour and spirit that will light the Home Smith Bar on fire!

Finally, on Saturday, July 1, we close out the series with the charming, charismatic, and ultra-suave Micah Barnes, whose latest recording New York Stories is delighting audiences across Canada and around the world.  As a musician, Micah is a “multi-threat”, working as a singer, songwriter, pianist, and all-round entertainer.  We can’t think of a better way to close the series and celebrate Canada’s birthday, than with one of Canada’s best artists.

As in previous years, the stellar cast of musicians with whom everyone will be performing will be lead by the incomparable Russ Little, who will be directing the musical traffic with his usual panache and flair!  Once again, the band will include the creme-de-la-creme of the Jazz world, including Tom Szczesniak on piano, bassist Scott Alexander, and drummer Brian Barlow.

If past years are any indication, this series is guaranteed to sell out.  It’s a highlight of the TD Jazz Festival, and not to be missed, so don’t wait!  Book your tickets today and mark the dates on your calendars!  Heather Bambrick and Friends, as a part of the TD Toronto Jazz Festival’s “Festival Within The Festival”  –  June 23, 24, 30 and July 1 at the Home Smith Bar in the Old Mill Toronto!!

For more information about the series, and to order your tickets, click HERE.

See you in JUNE!!