Mike Rud is a Juno award-winning jazz guitarist and songwriter. He is also a music instructor at Selkirk College in Nelson, BC. As an instrumentalist, Mike has played alongside some of the greatest jazz musicians of the era like Peter Bernstein, Kenny Wheeler, Herb Ellis and Joey DeFrancesco.

As a songwriter and arranger, Mike won the 2014 Juno Award for his album Notes on Montreal, a critically acclaimed musical portrait of the city.

Christine Jensen (alto sax)
David Restivo (piano)
Rich Irwin (drums)
Paul Johnston (bass)
Mike Rud (guitar and vocals)

Youtube video: I’m old fashioned

An active figure in Montreal’s vibrant music scene, Mike performs regularly both as a bandleader and a sideman. He has also appeared at prominent jazz venues across Canada. His performance and recording credits include collaborations with acclaimed artists such as Louis Hayes, Lenny White, Ben Solomon, Davis Whitfield, Miki Yamanaka, Emilio Modeste, Adam Arruda, Terry Clarke, André White, Kevin Dean, Ira Coleman, Caity Gyorgy, Laura Anglade, among many others.

Mike has assembled a dynamic new ensemble featuring some of the most exciting and accomplished musicians on Montreal’s vibrant music scene today. The group will perform selections from his two releases on Bent River Records, alongside fresh original compositions and thoughtfully curated hidden gems. With a strong emphasis on beauty, sonic depth, and expressive artistry, this project promises a captivating and immersive musical experience.

Musicians:
Mike Bruzzese – Guitar
August McKinney – Piano and keyboards
Devon Gillingham – Bass
Jacob Wutzke – Drums

Youtube video: “After the rain”

This tribute named *AVALANCHE *was put together 4 years ago by Leonard cohen aficionado Jerry Torres. Over 75 shows later it has gained recognition amongst Leonard Cohen die hard fans nationwide. Composed of professional musicians it is bound to wow you and ignite your musical palette. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear feel and see the magic of this local legend we are so proud to pay tribute to Mr Leonard cohen . This is not an imitation but a great interpretation.

Youtube video: “Avalanche”

https://youtu.be/XPt9WWvi4Bs

Mason Jeffery-Off is a Canadian bassist, composer and bandleader based in Montréal. Originally from Ottawa, Ontario, Jeffery-Off is a graduate of McGill’s Jazz Performance program. There, he studied with Ira Coleman and Rémi-Jean LeBlanc. An on-call Montréal bassist, he performs frequently with the likes of Jean-Michel Pilc, Darrell Green, and Kevin Dean.

In 2023, at age 19, Jeffery-Off was one of 16 international jazz musicians under the age of 25 to be selected for Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead, a performer-composer residency located at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts in Washington DC. In 2024, he received the Hnatyshyn Developing Artist Grant (Oscar Peterson Grant for Jazz Performance).

This concert exclusively features Jeffery-Off’s original compositions, arranged for a trio consisting of Sam Fortin on piano, and Benjamin Shaw on drums, both from Montréal. His music draws a line between jazz, 20th-century classical music and folk.

Youtube video: Sorgen Sang

One of Canada’s most sought after musicians, Jim Doxas plays extensively both nationally and overseas. Distinguished for his improvisational approach to jazz, he makes the case that percussion can be as performative as a lyrical instrument.

Video: “Upstairs Jam Session hosted by Jim Doxas”