The philosopher Joseph Campbell wrote extensively about “following one’s bliss.” These influential writings form the conceptual basis for Bliss Station, the 13th album of original music by Toronto-based guitarist and composer Eric St-Laurent. With plenty of time set aside to write, undisturbed by the fast pace of our ever-changing world, the creation, editing, and mixing of this album took place over several months in Berlin and Toronto. Every step of the production was slow, relaxed, and deliberate.

St-Laurent conceived this set of music with his 
long-time friend Sebastian Studnitzky in mind. The Berlin-based trumpeter’s soft, reflective tone lends an introspective quality to the recording. The fiery rhythm section of Michel DeQuevedo (percussion) and Jordan O’Connor (bass) provides a muscular counterpoint, while St-Laurent’s post-Benson approach to the guitar supplies the blues.

Born and raised in Montreal, St-Laurent studied improvisation in New York before moving to Berlin, where he toured with both big and small names in the German and Scandinavian music scenes. Since returning to Canada, he has been leading his own band, recording and touring extensively throughout Europe and Canada.

The weightless feeling of release when an airplane’s wheels leave the pavement; the moment in a concert when time suddenly slows to a halt, transporting the listener to another dimension; an out of body experience that leaves a performer feeling as though they’re in the audience, watching themselves improvise on stage. These experiences – simultaneously otherworldly and familiar – helped inspire Lift Off, the second recording by the Mark Segger Sextet.

Founded in 2008, Segger’s group features a top shelf selection of Toronto’s most accomplished improvisors. The project has been a common thread in the output of bandleader Mark Segger, who is currently based out of Edmonton where he is a doctoral Killam Scholar in composition at the University of Alberta. Segger has performed in jazz rooted scenarios with the likes of Allison Au, Lina Allemano, Jane Bunnett, Dave Burrell, Steve Swell, and Nate Wooley, among many others.

Much of this music was written in the two weeks leading up to the recording session, after a tour playing improvised music in Europe. Segger’s music reflects a wide range of creative interests, from the swing of Mel Lewis and his jazz orchestra to the revolutionary string quartet writing of the composers Bartok and Ligeti (heard clearly on For the Bees.) Bees also nods to the “insect music” of the 1960’s British Free Improvisation scene. An affinity for Berlin’s Echtzeitmusik tradition is apparent on the piece One Note.

Lift Off is a giant leap forward for Segger’s group, and is sure to become a touchstone recording in Canada’s jazz and creative music history.

www.marksegger.com

Doors: 6:30pm

2 sets starting at 8pm

Toronto’s iconic musical magicians the Shuffle Demons are excited to release their 9th album, Crazy Time. Their first studio album in 6 years, Crazy Time features 10 new original Shuffle Demons songs, 7 instrumental and 3 vocal that run the stylistic gamut, from hard driving instrumental modern jazz, to vocal driven funk rap, to blues.

The record introduces virtuosic newcomer Matt Lagan on tenor sax and bass legend Mike Downes to the Shuffle Demons universe, alongside veteran demons Kelly Jefferson, Stich Wynston, and Richard Underhill. In celebration of the band’s 35th anniversary, original band members Mike Murley and Jim Vivian are welcomed back in to the fold to work their magic on 5 of the album’s 10 tracks. This is a dynamic new recording that features in-from-the-outside writing, virtuosic playing, and that classic 3 horns and rhythm Shuffle Demons sound.

One of Canada’s hardest touring bands, the Shuffle Demons recorded Crazy Time between tours of Central America, New Zealand and Australia, and the Canadian jazz festival circuit. Long time Shuffle Demons listeners will find modern jazz instrumentals alongside the classic Bop/Rap vocal tunes that have comprised the band’s repertoire for 35 years. Nine of the 10 songs were written by Juno award winner Richard Underhill and one by Kelly Jefferson. The album was recorded by iconic engineer Jeremy Darby at Canterbury Music and produced, mixed and mastered by Jono Grant at Victory Drive Music.

www.shuffledemons.com

James Hill  - Piano and Keyboards
Rich Brown - Electric Bass
Ian Wright - Drums

LOCAL TALENT combines 3 of Canada’s most eminent instrumentalists performing together on record for the first time. The group is lead by composer and keyboardist James Hill, a rising star of the Toronto scene, known best for his work with international  jazz and hip hop sensations BADBADNOTGOOD and Autobahn Trio. Accompanying him are electric bassist Rich Brown (Rinse The Algorithm, Dapp Theory, Steve Lehman, Rudresh Mahanthappa) and drummer Ian Wright (one of Hill’s Autobahn Trio bandmates, and one of his earliest collaborators.)

The concept for this project came to Hill while he was travelling in Brazil: the majority of the works were composed during a stay in the Higienópolis neighbourhood of São Paulo. Moved by the world’s ongoing issues of economic disparity, and completely enthralled with Brazil’s abundance of artistic and musical talent, Hill was inspired to explore new musical directions. Higienópolis’ musical themes present a tableau of stark contrasts, ranging from dark, melancholic motifs to bright, yet eerily apprehensive anthems.

This album is a debut of sorts for Hill: it’s his first full-length release as a group’s sole composer and director. Aesthetically, Hill's ensemble is grounded in the improvisational realm of jazz music, though sonically, their reach is expansive, with elements that bring to mind ambient music, Classical, Brazilian pop, and fusion. The tongue in cheek name LOCAL TALENT serves as a reminder to audiences that wherever you are in the world, the odds are you’re surrounded by a wealth of artistic ability. With this album, Hill shines a light on the rich local talents of his adopted home town of  Toronto, Canada.