Mount Royal University Theatres Tickets

KEITH O'ROURKE
Friday, April 11, 2025

Keith O'Rourke - Saxophone
Andre Wickenheiser - Trumpet
Sheldon Zandboer – Piano
Kodi Hutchinson – Bass
Jim Johnston – Drums

Keith O’Rourke is an established figure in the Calgary jazz community. His diverse tastes in jazz inspired by generations of musicians such as saxophonists Sonny Rollins, Joe Lovano, Cannonball Adderley, Ben Webster, Donny McCaslin and countless others has led to his tasteful blend of modern and traditional jazz. His most recent album “Imperfect Perfectionist”, released September 30, 2022, displays his melodic style over original music as well as re-imagined standards. This latest project is very much inspired by Keith’s endless pursuit of excellence balanced with the inevitable fact that no matter how much is learned and achieved, there will always be more to learn, pursue and play.

This is Keith’s third album as a leader. His 2020 release, as co-leader and founder, “Baritone Madness” was a hit on the Canadian Earshot Jazz charts spending three consecutive months at #1 (2019) and charted as high as #7 on the US NACC charts. His first project “Sketches From The Road” received rave reviews for his compositions with The Whole Note writing “O’Rourke shines in his ability to write the most interestingly complex and wonderfully arresting music.”

JON DAY
Friday, May 23, 2025

Jon Day is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, recording artist, and educator. After nearly 12 years as Musical and Artistic Director at a variety of churches across Canada and the U.S., Jon returned to Calgary, Alberta in 2012 where he joined the jazz performance and theatre faculties at Mount Royal University and Rocky Mountain College. Jon has had the privilege of sharing the stage with an extensive list of international artists ranging from the likes of Alex Acuna and Oscar Cartaya through Jann Arden and Clarence Clemens (and the "Temple of Soul”). In 2023, Jon joined the music faculty at University of Calgary as the Jazz Piano instructor and Co-Director of the UofC Jazz Orchestra. Jon also serves as a clinician, adjudicator and education committee member for JazzYYC, an organization committed to local music education and outreach.

Jon now works as a sought-after freelance performer, vocal and orchestral arranger, producer, recording artist, conductor, songwriter, accompanist, and educator. For more info, visit www.jdaymusic.com.

Jon Day - Piano 
Sean Craig - Saxophone
Steve Shepard - Bass
Jon May - Drums

DEREK STOLL
Friday, June 27, 2025

Derek Stoll – Piano
Shane Statz – Saxophones
Kai Poscente – Bass
Robin Tufts – Drums


Derek Stoll has been playing music professionally since he was in grade 11. Derek obtained a Bachelor of Music (Composition) from the University of Calgary in 1983. He is a jazz piano instructor at the Mount Royal University Conservatory. He was the lead consultant and examiner for Conservatory Canada’s Contemporary Idioms piano syllabus, where he has lectured across the country introducing piano teachers to the new system. He maintains a busy schedule of teaching, performing and adjudicating. One of his primary motivations as an educator is to facilitate students' innate creativity, by imparting a thorough knowledge of musical structure, harmony and style. He encourages students to explore musical creativity, which he views as an integral part of the learning process. He has been an integral instructor at the MRU Conservatory since 2001.

Derek was the managing director of the MusiCamrose from 1989-1995, during which time he performed regularly on low brass and bass with performers such as Bob Stroup, Tommy Banks, PJ Perry and Bob Tildesley. Derek has performed extensively as a jazz pianist and bassist, working with musicians/groups including Bob Day, Ralf Buschmeyer, Vicky Oveson, Pat Belliveau, Verismo, Terrain, Masacote, Prime Time Big Band, The Real Deal and Ninth Avenue Band. As a first call pianist, he’s had the opportunity to perform with international jazz artists including: Phil Woods, Oliver Jones, Doc Severinson, Pete Christlieb, Pat LaBarbera, Phil Nimmons, Lew Tabackin, Guido Basso, Jens Lindemann and Hugh Fraser. He has been commissioned to arrange for the Canadian Brass, Calgary Stampede and award-winning trumpeter Jens Lindemann.

Derek is currently recovering from Guillain–Barré syndrome and is pleased to be asked to be part of the Jazz at Lincoln Park series! The June 27 installment of Jazz on Lincoln Park will feature the “The Legacy Project” which is a Calgary based group featuring Shane Statz, Robin Tufts and Kai Poscente. They will be performing the works of departed Calgary jazz musicians, as well music written by the performers themselves.