demiLAN
Inspired by his mother, Nicholas used the Covid-19 pandemic as an opportunity to create a full length album demiLAN (released October 22nd 2021), in which he shows off his broad creativity as a writer, and creates a masterful performance alongside several flourishing/up-and-coming musicians. This body of work features a three horn lineup, vocals , and a full rhythm section. The band tackles compositions that are experimental, modern and energetic in nature. As a result, this ensemble captures an energetic, brave and thoughtful performance that is one of a kind.
The Band
Nick Adema
Trombone & Compositions
Nick Adema is a Canadian trombonist/composer currently based in Amsterdam. Nick obtained his undergraduate degree in jazz performance at the University of Toronto. While attending this school, Nick had the honors of receiving the Albert & Wilhelmine Francis Renewable Scholarship (UofT Faculty full scholarship). While at the school, they recorded a full length album with the UTJO entitled Embargo.
Nick has also taken part in the Ottawa Youth Jazz Summit, which brought together some of Canada’s brightest young jazz musicians in a ten day intensive. Nick has had the opportunity to gain instruction from Micheal Dease, Marshall Gilkes, Nils Wolgram, Mark Ferguson, WIlliam Carn, and has been able to perform on the same stage with Tim Hagans, Renee Rosnes, Kris Davis and Andrew Rathbun.
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Kaelin Murphy
Trumpet
Kaelin Murphy is an improvising trumpet player from Owen Sound, Ontario. He obtained his undergraduate degree in jazz performance at the University of Toronto. While in Toronto he remained an active musician playing in many different styles ranging from straight ahead jazz, to hip hop, to contemporary and free improvised music. He is also a graduate of the Banff International Workshop in Jazz and Creative Music, the School of Improvisational Music(Brooklyn, NY), and alumnus of the Ottawa Youth Jazz Summit.
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David Hodgson
Saxophones
Through music, David Hodgson captures poetic spontaneity and compassion. A recent graduate of the the University of Toronto’s Jazz Performance Program, he has established himself as an ambitious and lyrical artist in Toronto’s vibrant jazz community. Music has always been an important part of his life, and his participation in the 2017 National Youth Jazz Combo, the 2016 Berklee Jazz Workshop, and the 2015 and 2016 Conn-Selmer Centre-Stage Jazz Band cemented a deep appreciation of Black American Music and a passion for the saxophone. David is the recipient of the 2020 Oscar Peterson Developing Artist Grant, the 2017 Yamaha Performance and Passion Award, the 2017 Fraser MacPherson Jazz Fund, and the 2016 Golden Reed Award. Currently, David leads Stil Trio, which blends improvisation and through-composed music that draws from Jazz, Classical, and folk genres.
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Alyssa Giammaria
Voice & Lyrics
Based in Toronto, Alyssa Giammaria has been singing and playing piano from a very young age. She grew up in Hamilton, performing in musicals and began classical voice training at the age of 12. Alyssa is now undergoing a vocal masters degree at the University of Toronto. Previously she has also attended the New School in New York.
Alyssa performs as a solo artist singing and accompanying herself, as well as with other musicians and bands. She has played for several Jazz festivals around Southern Ontario. Outside of school and performing, Alyssa teaches voice and piano lessons. Alyssa is currently planning on releasing her own full length album in the fall of 2021.
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Julien Bradley-Combs
Guitar
Julien Bradley-Combs is a promising Toronto-based guitarist and composer. He has recently completed his Masters degree at the university of Toronto, and his Bachelors degree in Music, from Humber College, where he was the recipient of the Yamaha Music Award and the Musicounts Award
Julien is a regular performer around Toronto and Southern Ontario, and plays a variety of musical genres. He has performed in several local jazz festivals (Toronto Jazz fest, Niagara Jazz Fest, Kensington Market Jazz Fest, Orangeville Jazz Fest), as well as at Toronto venues such as The Rex Hotel, The Home Smith Bar, The Emmet Ray, 120 Diner, and many others. Julien has performed with many acclaimed musicians, such as Christian McBride and Emilie-Claire Barlow during their residencies at Humber College, Ted Quinlan, Vaughan Meisner and Drew Jurecka.
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Chris Pruden
Piano
Born in Edmonton, Chris Pruden is a pianist and keyboardist currently living in Toronto. His various mentors include Jacob Sacks, David Braid, Greg Oh and Geoff Young. With influences ranging from jazz, contemporary classical, folk, rock and electronic music, Chris has performed with many different groups across North America, China and Europe. He is a current member of the Juno-nominated Tara Kannangara group, Language Arts, Zinnia, RELAY, Future Machines, Illyin Pipes, Danielle Knibbe Band, Ronley Teper’s Lipliners, Mark Godfrey Quintet, Andrew Forde’s Ghost Tapes and more.
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Evan Gratham
Bass
Evan Gratham is one of the busiest young jazz musicians around and has received national acclaim for his bass playing, composing, and arranging. Evan has worked steadily in the Vancouver, and now Toronto, music scenes since he was just 13 years old, earning a reputation of excellence and professionalism.
Still early in his career Evan has accomplishments on multiple fronts. Evan has just been announced as the recipient of the prestigious Hnatyshyn Foundation Oscar Peterson Jazz Performance Award. He has received multiple awards from the BC Arts Council, the National Arts Council Award for most outstanding jazz performer in Canada, and the Jazz Educators’ Network Top Canadian Jazz Musician Award. He has played on featured stages in the Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, and Halifax jazz festivals. In addition to playing with many of his contemporary young artists he has performed with such established artists as Peter Bernstein, Tommy Banks, Mike Murley, Kirk MacDonald, Dick Oatts, etc.
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Jacob Slous
Drums
Jacob Slous is a drummer, composer, and educator currently in his second year of Jazz Performance Studies at the University of Toronto. He is known for his musicality and versatility on the drums, which has led to performance opportunities with a wide range of ensembles both within Canada and internationally. Being in the University of Toronto’s jazz program has granted Jacob the opportunity to study under some of Canada’s top names in jazz, including 14x JUNO award-winning saxophonist Mike Murley, renowned educator and session trumpeter Chase Sanborn, and Terry Clarke - a member of the Order of Canada. Jacob has been honoured to play in groups alongside the likes of bassist Steve Wallace - a former member of the Oscar Peterson Trio and Rob McConnell’s “The Boss Brass” - and legendary trumpet player and former leader of the Tonight Show Band, Doc Severinsen.
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