STEPHEN GUERRA AND TITUS STEVENS DUO
5.30
In 2009, Stephen left his career in finance to study music full-time. Today, Stephen performs and teaches choro around the US and Brazil and has played with Rogério Souza, Rosa Boêmia, Ronaldo Souza, Tiago Souza, Billy Newman, Eduardo Belo, Dennis Bulhões, Ami Molinelli, Edinho Gerber, and others. Stephen regularly appears at universities, festivals, cultural centers, and music clubs, including Northwest Jazz Festival, Buffalo AKG Art Museum, Buffalo International Guitar Festival, Yale University Luce Hall, Georgetown University Friday Music Series, Friends of Vienna Concert Series, Pausa Art House, Jazz Forum Arts, Boulder Guitar Society, and more. His work has been supported by numerous competitive artist grants and composer residencies. He’s published two full length albums and sheet music with Mel Bay, Guitar Chamber Music Press, and Bergmann Editions. He teaches music theory and the choro ensemble at the University at Buffalo and lives between NY and Rio de Janeiro.
TJ & THE CREW
8.00
TJ & The Crew stands as a prominent 10-piece funk ensemble based in Toronto, dedicated to both honouring and advancing the musical legacies of revered acts such as Tower of Power and Earth Wind & Fire. Under the artistic guidance of band leader TJ Campbell, the group distinguishes itself by performing original compositions that embody a fusion of funk, R&B, and soul influences. The band's repertoire is characterized by a meticulously crafted balance, comprising 50% instrumental compositions and 50% vocal performances. Drawing inspiration from iconic R&B, Funk, and Soul classics, the ensemble showcases their versatility through thoughtfully arranged covers and interpretations, seamlessly interwoven with TJ Campbell's original creations. The collective talents of TJ & The Crew are epitomized by its exceptional members, each contributing their unique artistry to the ensemble. The lineup features TJ Campbell on Alto Saxophone, Abu Ghouri on Vocals, Andrew Svendson on Trumpet, Riley Maguire on Tenor Saxophone, Dain Carandang on Baritone Saxophone, Mikael Johansson on Trombone, Ross Morgan on Guitar, Peter Holbrook on Keys, Devon Goping on Bass, and Zach Lewinson on Drums. For inquiries, bookings, or further information, please contact TJ Campbell at tylercampbell49@gmail.com. Experience the dynamic fusion of musical excellence brought forth by TJ & The Crew.
$20 cover after 10pm, with all proceeds going directly to the musicians performing.
AHMED AND TARA MONEKA
11.30
Led by charismatic bandleader Ahmed Moneka, Moneka Arabic Jazz is a project reflecting his life and journey in art from Baghdad to Toronto. It fuses Maqam – a style of Arabic music he learned in his native Iraq – and African groove and rhythm that he inherited from his African descendants. A true reflection of Toronto’s multiculturalism, the band combines styles and influences from the Mediterranean, to North Africa, the Middle East and North America. The band features members from across the world, who all found each other here in Toronto.
DISASTER PONY
2.30
Disaster Pony is a new jazz/EDM band led by Gordon Hyland, a saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist and composer based in Toronto. The Disaster Pony ethos is anchored in the electronic music of artists such as Amon Tobin, Bonobo and The Herbalist: artists known for combining hip-hip, downtempo, and jazz samples. Instead of sampling other artists, Adam Hindle (formerly of Born Ruffians), Ian Docherty (July Talk), Hyland, and a roster of other musicians performed their own grooves and improvisations using tracks by the likes of Amon Tobin, Madlib, MF Doom, and Beastie Boys as jumping off points. The recordings were then disassembled and reassembled, resulting in music that is groove-focused, tape drenched, saxophone friendly, and - above all - beautiful.