Mount Royal Conservatory Presents Jazz on Lincoln Park
Experience Calgary's jazz scene at "Jazz on Lincoln Park," a concert series, presented by the Mount Royal Conservatory, spotlighting some of the city's top jazz artists. Join us for monthly Friday evenings and experience Calgary's jazz culture unfold in the heart of Lincoln Park! Each evening will feature vignettes of interviews with the artists to meet the people behind the music!
JIM BRENAN
Friday, February 16, 2024
Jim Brenan- Saxophone
Sheldon Zandboer – Piano
Jon Wielebnowski – Bass
Afolabi Fapojuwo – Drums
Award Winning Saxophonist, educator and composer Jim Brenan is one of Canada’s foremost Jazz Musicians. Besides being a Full Professor at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta, he performs as musical director and composer of the Jim Brenan 11, as a member of groups led by Bassist Rubim De Toledo and pianist Chris Andrew, and leads a variety of all-star ensembles made up of himself, and Canada’s most dynamic musicians. His latest release ‘50/50’, features Brenan for the first time on disc as a bandleader of a large ensemble after performing for decades in an almost exclusively small group format with the likes of Bryan Lynch, Terrell Stafford, Tommy Banks, PJ Perry, Luis Bonilla, Randy Brecker, Maynard Ferguson, Peter Bernstein, Dana Hall, Geoff Keezer and Oliver Jones among others. Brenan’s extensive studies of music as diverse as Afro-beat from Nigeria, Black American Jazz and funk, and other cultures have greatly informed his thinking. “It’s exposed me to rhythms and harmonies and ways of communing with music that I never would have been exposed to had I not studied it,” says Brenan, who is presently composing music for his next large ensemble release.
This will be a special evening of great jazz with interview vignettes to meet the person behind the Saxophone.
ANDRÉ WICKENHEISER
Friday, March 15, 2024
André Wickenheiser – Trumpet/Flugelhorn
Nate Waters - Saxophone
Joanna Borromeo -Piano/Keyboards
Daniel Nava – Bass
Sanah Kadoura – Drums
André Wickenheiser's sound is all his own. Whether it's the sound of his trumpet, or his compositional style, it is immediately recognizable. Calgary based trumpeter André Wickenheiser began his musical studies at Mount Royal University where he completed an Artist Diploma in jazz performance. From there, he went on to finish both a Bachelor Degree, and Masters Degree in jazz performance at McGill University in Montreal.
André has performed with artists and groups including Laila Biali, The Canadian National Jazz Orchestra, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and Jens Lindemann.
This performance will feature all new, original compositions by André Wickenheiser. It will showcase some of his favorite styles of music ranging from hip-hop to swing, with acoustic and electric sounds. André will be backed up by an extremely talented group of musicians including Sanah Kadoura on drums, Nate Waters on tenor saxophone, Joanna Borromeo on keys, and Daniel Nava on the bass.
This will be a special evening of great jazz with interview vignettes to meet the person behind the Trumpet.
JON MCCASLIN
Friday, April 19, 2024
Jon McCaslin – Drums and Cymbals
Aaron Shorr- Guitar
Jeff Gammon – Bass
Recognized as one of Western Canada’s leading jazz drummers and educators, Jon McCaslin brings excitement and his passion for the jazz tradition and its future to the bandstand and to the classroom.
Raised in Regina, Saskatchewan Jon began playing the drums at the tender age of nine while progressing through the Regina Lions Junior Band and award-winning music program at his high school, Campbell Collegiate, soon developed a passion for playing the drums and jazz. Ultimately, Jon's interest in music led him to enroll in the Jazz Studies program at McGill University, graduating with distinction in 1999. While at McGill, Jon had the opportunity to study with some of the finest jazz educators in the country including Gordon Foote, Kevin Dean, Jan Jarcyzk, Joe Sullivan, Remi Bolduc, Chris McCann, Andre White, Michel Lambert and Dave Laing. He attended the Banff Centre for the Arts in 1997, where he performed with Canadian jazz greats Hugh Fraser, Don Thompson and Kenny Wheeler. In the spring of 2002 McCaslin completed his Master's in Jazz Studies at McGill University where he studied jazz drumming, improvisation and composition.
In 2012 he released his album “Sunalta” on the Cellar Live jazz record label featuring Brad Turner, Phil Dwyer, Tilden Webb and Jodi Proznick. This music was nominated in 2013 for the Western Canadian Music Awards in the “Best Jazz Recording” category. As a busy sideman he has also performed with such internationally recognized artists as Mulgrew Miller, Peter Bernstein, Ralph Bowen, Hendrik Meurkens, Sean Jones, PJ Perry, Charlie Biddle, Hadley Caliman, Kelly Jefferson, Ian McDougall, Jeff Johnston, Lorraine Desmerais, Steve Amirault, Hugh Fraser, Chucho Valdes, Uri Caine, Peter Apfelbaum, Wycliffe Gordon, Terell Stafford, Dick Oatts, Luis Bonilla, Linda Oh, Harold Mabern and Pat LaBarbera. Dr. McCaslin completed his Doctorate in Jazz Studies through the University of Toronto in 2015, researching the conceptualization of contemporary melodic jazz drumming. Since 2009 he has authored “Four on the Floor” www.jonmccaslinjazzdrummer.blogspot.com , one of the world’s most recognized on-line jazz drumming blogs.
This will be a special evening of great jazz with interview vignettes to meet the person behind the Drums.
AL MUIRHEAD
Friday, May 17, 2024
AL Muirhead - Trumpet/Flugelhorn/Bass Trumpet
Pat Belliveau - Saxophone
Kodi Hutchinson – Bass
Jon Day – Piano
Jon May – Drums
Al has recorded as a sideman on 26 albums and recently released his first solo album featuring himself and his old friend Tommy Banks called 'It's About Time'. The critically acclaimed album received a JUNO nomination in 2016. Al and Tommy began their friendship when they were 15 and have remained friends and colleagues to this day. As a special guest, Al features Juno-winning saxophonist and Order of Canada recipient PJ Perry. All three musicians are featured on Al's sophomore album 'Oop!' released in early 2016.
The lists of musicians with whom Al has performed speak highly of his skill. Dizzy Gillespie, Guido Basso, Tommy Banks, Diana Krall, Paul Anka, Rosemary Clooney, Frank Mills & P.J. Perry top the lists. In 2008 Al had the honor of recording "All the Stars aren't in the Sky" with the all-star ensemble; Ted Godwin, Tommy Banks, Campbell Ryga, George Koller, and Blaine Wikjord.
Throughout Al's career, he has had many milestones and accomplishments that have helped form him to be the musician he is today. Al was a trumpet player in the Regina Symphony, Assistant Conductor with the Regina Police Boy's Band, and opened Arcade Music in Calgary in 1966, which is now known as St. John's Music. In the 70's Al was the Music Director for the CBC television show "On Stage" and toured Japan with the Frank Mills Orchestra. He performed in the 1988 Olympics under Tommy Banks and toured Hungary, Germany, and Switzerland with the "New Orleans Connection" Dixieland Band. In the 90's Al had already been the music director for the Calgary Stampede Youth Talent Show for a decade and continues to hold this position today. He mentored many young musicians, one being Johnny Summers who now leads the Calgary Jazz Orchestra that Al performs in and writes arrangements for. Today Al remains active in the music scene as a performer, clinician, adjudicator, arranger, and studio recording artist.
Al has lived through many decades of the music scene and has stories you could listen to for hours. You can listen through his words or the supreme level of musicianship through his trumpet playing. Al is a delight, a rare gem, and has a story to be heard.
This event will be a special occasion where you get to hear Al and his band play, and we will be mixing in some vignettes of interviews with Al to get to know the man behind the trumpet.
Friday, February 16, 2024
Jim Brenan- Saxophone
Sheldon Zandboer – Piano
Jon Wielebnowski – Bass
Afolabi Fapojuwo – Drums
Award Winning Saxophonist, educator and composer Jim Brenan is one of Canada’s foremost Jazz Musicians. Besides being a Full Professor at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta, he performs as musical director and composer of the Jim Brenan 11, as a member of groups led by Bassist Rubim De Toledo and pianist Chris Andrew, and leads a variety of all-star ensembles made up of himself, and Canada’s most dynamic musicians. His latest release ‘50/50’, features Brenan for the first time on disc as a bandleader of a large ensemble after performing for decades in an almost exclusively small group format with the likes of Bryan Lynch, Terrell Stafford, Tommy Banks, PJ Perry, Luis Bonilla, Randy Brecker, Maynard Ferguson, Peter Bernstein, Dana Hall, Geoff Keezer and Oliver Jones among others. Brenan’s extensive studies of music as diverse as Afro-beat from Nigeria, Black American Jazz and funk, and other cultures have greatly informed his thinking. “It’s exposed me to rhythms and harmonies and ways of communing with music that I never would have been exposed to had I not studied it,” says Brenan, who is presently composing music for his next large ensemble release.
This will be a special evening of great jazz with interview vignettes to meet the person behind the Saxophone.
ANDRÉ WICKENHEISER
Friday, March 15, 2024
André Wickenheiser – Trumpet/Flugelhorn
Nate Waters - Saxophone
Joanna Borromeo -Piano/Keyboards
Daniel Nava – Bass
Sanah Kadoura – Drums
André Wickenheiser's sound is all his own. Whether it's the sound of his trumpet, or his compositional style, it is immediately recognizable. Calgary based trumpeter André Wickenheiser began his musical studies at Mount Royal University where he completed an Artist Diploma in jazz performance. From there, he went on to finish both a Bachelor Degree, and Masters Degree in jazz performance at McGill University in Montreal.
André has performed with artists and groups including Laila Biali, The Canadian National Jazz Orchestra, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and Jens Lindemann.
This performance will feature all new, original compositions by André Wickenheiser. It will showcase some of his favorite styles of music ranging from hip-hop to swing, with acoustic and electric sounds. André will be backed up by an extremely talented group of musicians including Sanah Kadoura on drums, Nate Waters on tenor saxophone, Joanna Borromeo on keys, and Daniel Nava on the bass.
This will be a special evening of great jazz with interview vignettes to meet the person behind the Trumpet.
JON MCCASLIN
Friday, April 19, 2024
Jon McCaslin – Drums and Cymbals
Aaron Shorr- Guitar
Jeff Gammon – Bass
Recognized as one of Western Canada’s leading jazz drummers and educators, Jon McCaslin brings excitement and his passion for the jazz tradition and its future to the bandstand and to the classroom.
Raised in Regina, Saskatchewan Jon began playing the drums at the tender age of nine while progressing through the Regina Lions Junior Band and award-winning music program at his high school, Campbell Collegiate, soon developed a passion for playing the drums and jazz. Ultimately, Jon's interest in music led him to enroll in the Jazz Studies program at McGill University, graduating with distinction in 1999. While at McGill, Jon had the opportunity to study with some of the finest jazz educators in the country including Gordon Foote, Kevin Dean, Jan Jarcyzk, Joe Sullivan, Remi Bolduc, Chris McCann, Andre White, Michel Lambert and Dave Laing. He attended the Banff Centre for the Arts in 1997, where he performed with Canadian jazz greats Hugh Fraser, Don Thompson and Kenny Wheeler. In the spring of 2002 McCaslin completed his Master's in Jazz Studies at McGill University where he studied jazz drumming, improvisation and composition.
In 2012 he released his album “Sunalta” on the Cellar Live jazz record label featuring Brad Turner, Phil Dwyer, Tilden Webb and Jodi Proznick. This music was nominated in 2013 for the Western Canadian Music Awards in the “Best Jazz Recording” category. As a busy sideman he has also performed with such internationally recognized artists as Mulgrew Miller, Peter Bernstein, Ralph Bowen, Hendrik Meurkens, Sean Jones, PJ Perry, Charlie Biddle, Hadley Caliman, Kelly Jefferson, Ian McDougall, Jeff Johnston, Lorraine Desmerais, Steve Amirault, Hugh Fraser, Chucho Valdes, Uri Caine, Peter Apfelbaum, Wycliffe Gordon, Terell Stafford, Dick Oatts, Luis Bonilla, Linda Oh, Harold Mabern and Pat LaBarbera. Dr. McCaslin completed his Doctorate in Jazz Studies through the University of Toronto in 2015, researching the conceptualization of contemporary melodic jazz drumming. Since 2009 he has authored “Four on the Floor” www.jonmccaslinjazzdrummer.blogspot.com , one of the world’s most recognized on-line jazz drumming blogs.
This will be a special evening of great jazz with interview vignettes to meet the person behind the Drums.
AL MUIRHEAD
Friday, May 17, 2024
AL Muirhead - Trumpet/Flugelhorn/Bass Trumpet
Pat Belliveau - Saxophone
Kodi Hutchinson – Bass
Jon Day – Piano
Jon May – Drums
Al has recorded as a sideman on 26 albums and recently released his first solo album featuring himself and his old friend Tommy Banks called 'It's About Time'. The critically acclaimed album received a JUNO nomination in 2016. Al and Tommy began their friendship when they were 15 and have remained friends and colleagues to this day. As a special guest, Al features Juno-winning saxophonist and Order of Canada recipient PJ Perry. All three musicians are featured on Al's sophomore album 'Oop!' released in early 2016.
The lists of musicians with whom Al has performed speak highly of his skill. Dizzy Gillespie, Guido Basso, Tommy Banks, Diana Krall, Paul Anka, Rosemary Clooney, Frank Mills & P.J. Perry top the lists. In 2008 Al had the honor of recording "All the Stars aren't in the Sky" with the all-star ensemble; Ted Godwin, Tommy Banks, Campbell Ryga, George Koller, and Blaine Wikjord.
Throughout Al's career, he has had many milestones and accomplishments that have helped form him to be the musician he is today. Al was a trumpet player in the Regina Symphony, Assistant Conductor with the Regina Police Boy's Band, and opened Arcade Music in Calgary in 1966, which is now known as St. John's Music. In the 70's Al was the Music Director for the CBC television show "On Stage" and toured Japan with the Frank Mills Orchestra. He performed in the 1988 Olympics under Tommy Banks and toured Hungary, Germany, and Switzerland with the "New Orleans Connection" Dixieland Band. In the 90's Al had already been the music director for the Calgary Stampede Youth Talent Show for a decade and continues to hold this position today. He mentored many young musicians, one being Johnny Summers who now leads the Calgary Jazz Orchestra that Al performs in and writes arrangements for. Today Al remains active in the music scene as a performer, clinician, adjudicator, arranger, and studio recording artist.
Al has lived through many decades of the music scene and has stories you could listen to for hours. You can listen through his words or the supreme level of musicianship through his trumpet playing. Al is a delight, a rare gem, and has a story to be heard.
This event will be a special occasion where you get to hear Al and his band play, and we will be mixing in some vignettes of interviews with Al to get to know the man behind the trumpet.
