Saturday 12 September | 1:30pm | Royal City Mission
Sullivan Falls . saxophones
Atom Grimes-Huang . various instruments
Emmett Gonsalves . double bass, bass guitar
Ben Hopkins . double bass
Leo Stephens . guitar, drums
with special guest mentor, Tania Gill
The Guelph Youth Jazz Ensemble has been a key incubator for young musical talent in the city for many years. Founded by local musician and educator Brent Rowan, and now led by his colleague Tyler Wagler, the program has made its mark at the GJF with collaborations with many notable visiting artists. This year’s ensemble is building off the success of last year, a collaboration with violinist and composer, Aline Homzy, a challenging and inspiring experience that resulted in a very well received performance at the Royal City Mission. This year the band is excited to be continuing their creative momentum in collaboration with pianist and composer, Tania Gill.
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At just 16 years old, Sullivan Falls is already making a name for himself in the local jazz scene with his smooth saxophone sound and creative improvisation. With a strong passion for jazz, Sully is always looking to learn more, improve his craft, and share his music with others.
Atom Grimes-Huang is a multi-instrumentalist and aspiring composer. While his early studies were in bluegrass and blues, he now draws inspiration from all music.
Emmett Gonsalves is a dedicated young musician, playing both double and electric bass. The youngest in a musical family, his interests range from classical to Bill Evans to Tool.
Ben Hopkins is a KW-based multi-instrumentalist whose diverse tastes run from punk to bossa nova to modern jazz. In addition to playing double bass with the Guelph Youth Jazz Ensemble, he also plays in the grunge/indie rock band Sundried.
Leo Stephens first joined the Guelph Youth Jazz Ensemble as a guitar player and is now also performing with them on drums. Coming from a classical violin background, he is busy exploring a wide range of music.
This year’s mentor, Toronto-based pianist and composer Tania Gill, has spent over twenty years cultivating a singular but polymorphous musical approach. She has developed a distinctive improvisational language in jazz and improvised music, and has played in ensembles such as the Brodie West Quintet, Rebecca Hennessy’s FOG, See Through Trio, and the Titillators. She has also performed and recorded alongside Anthony Braxton, Kenny Wheeler, Joe Morris, Jean Derome, and Nick Fraser. Her own group, the Tania Gill Quartet, comprises leading Canadian musicians Lina Allemano (trumpet), Rob Clutton (bass), and Nico Dann (drums). Their acclaimed disc Bolger Station (2010, Barnyard Records), was nominated for best debut album in the Village Voice jazz critics’ poll and was included among the Globe and Mail’s top ten albums of the year. The follow-up, Disappearing Curiosities, launches in March 2022.
Gill’s unconventional versatility keeps her engaged in an eclectic array of styles. She was a member of Deep Dark United and the Flying Bulgar Klezmer Band, and is a regular collaborator to vocalist Fides Krucker, and singer-songwriter Kyp Harness. She has also shared the stage with Steve Reich, Chris Whitely, Man Forever, Gord Downie, Mary Margaret O’Hara, the Weather Station, Hector del Curto, Margaret Atwood, and Charles Spearin’s Happiness Project.
She is also supportive and dedicated educator and currently teaches at Humber College and University of Toronto, in addition to her roster of private students.
Be sure to hear Tania Gill with her new quartet, featuring longtime collaborators Rob Clutton, Nick Fraser, and Brodie West, at 6pm on Friday evening, September 11, on the TD Main Stage at the Royal City Mission.