The unique concept behind The Cafe Ole is to join the exotic and passionate music of Spanish flamenco with the artistry of North American jazz. Together Cafe Ole creates a unique and refreshing style of music for their audiences to enjoy. Members include Celia Palli, pianist Scott Metcalfe, flamenco guitarist Benjamin Barrile, saxophonist Paul Metcalfe, bassist Dustin Shaskin, percussionist Diego las Heras, and drummer Max Senitt.

Blending acoustic soul and funk with hints of jazz, blues, reggae and Brazilian music, singer and song-writer Lester McLean adds his lyrical soprano saxophone to Michael Occhipinti on acoustic guitar and vocals and Louis Simao on upright acoustic bass and vocals.

While numerous singers attempt the classic jazz/swing genre, few succeed with the sincerity and authenticity that Alex evokes. A three-time National Jazz Award nominee, Alex has become one of Canada's leading classic jazz vocalists. Alex is immensely grateful for the quality of musicians she works with, and is thrilled to play this music for audiences young and old, to keep alive and re-invigorate the wonderful tunes of artists such as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Connie Boswell and Annette Hanshaw.

Shepherd pushes the boundaries of what is considered conventional jazz, all the while creating a sound completely her own. From London to Tokyo, she´s captivated audiences and critics on both sides of the pond. Her trio became a staple group in Toronto´s soul jazz scene, performing all over town in jazz and other concert venues alike. As a jazz performer, her music comes straight from the soul, and is more than just what she does, but what she loves and who she is.

Daniel's group focuses on the mainstream acoustic jazz tradition and at times expands into contemporary territory. The twist is Daniel wrote or arranged all of the material. The group members are refined players with distinctive instrumental voices who share a love for the tradition. This current group and material is a return to a musical home base, the launching pad for a career that continues to be a great musical adventure. Daniel Barnes - drums, Richard Underhill - saxophone, William Sperandei - trumpet, Robi Botos - piano and Paul Novotny - bass.

Martin Alex Aucoin is a multi-faceted musician with a host of influences. As a keyboard player, he has soaked up styles ranging from jazz greats Ray Charles to Leon Russell. As a songwriter, he has filtered greats such as Bob Dylan, Hank Williams, Duke Ellington, and more. Remaining true to his musical personality, Martin has immersed himself in the bustling blues/R&B scene in Toronto. Martin has recorded his first album, entitled "So Far", featuring a classic jazz quintet.

Rich Brown formed rinsethealgorithm with the purpose of taking a modern approach to the idea that Jazz was the original dance music. The music, while rooted in the Jazz tradition, is also heavily influenced by the Jazz-Rock and Jazz-Funk groups of the 70's, 80's, and 90's, but the main objective of rinsethealgorithm is to combine these older and newer traditions with elements of more modern forms of black music. The band features Rich Brown (electric bass/compositions), Robi Botos (piano/keys), Luis Deniz (alto saxophone), and Larnell Lewis (drums).

The Taurean Clarke Quintet features a fusion of jazz, calypso, reggae, Latin, and even pop music. The quartet's debut CD, "A Pannist's Dream", came out in December 2006 featuring many compositions by Taurean's influences in steelpan, including Robert Greenidge, Andy Narell, and his father. The CD also features some of his original compositions. Members of the quintet include: Taurean Clarke, Steelpan, Jasmine Jones, Drums, Tim Ball, electric bass, Hayoun Lee, Piano and Oliver Miguel, Tenor Sax.

Mike Cado and The Groovemeisters present both a combination of innovative and original compositions as well as sophisticated and fresh interpretations of well-loved standards, successfully covering much musical ground. Guitarmeister Mike Cado, Organmeister Gordon Sheard, Bassmeister Ross MacIntyre, and Drummeister Ben Riley comprise the tight-knit musical unit, excluding an infectious energy that guarantees to thrill any audience. Finally, if you wish to wisely ignore the aforementioned mumbo-jumbo ... plainly put, Mike Cado and The Groovemeisters deliver a groovin', swingin', happenin', and all-round good time for all!

Liza Williams has always had music in her life, and spent years looking for a musical partner with whom she had that 'click'... Ron Christian and Liza found that their taste and backgrounds meshed and a musical partnership was formed. Included in their performances you'll hear pop music from the 70's, jazz from throughout the 1900's, contemporary music from the 90's and 00's as well as a number of other styles that blend into an eclectic but pleasing evening of music.

Leader of several groups: Jazz Canada, Echoes Of Swing and "Wee Big Band". Jim has carved a niche for himself through his extremely personal tone on saxophone and his warm, lyrical approach to playing. Mark Miller describes Jim's playing perfectly: "his lines are all melody...melody, which in turn sings, purrs, smiles, lingers and arches into arabesques without obscuring the simplicity of Jim's fundamental design. There is a pure, timeless quality to the playing, something that exists outside any specific point of reference stylistically as a result, it is remarkably adaptable."

Ted's Warren Commission was formed in 1993 as an outlet for Ted Warren's compositions. With Ted Warren on his drums, he hired three of the best musicians on the Canadian scene to help him realize his goals. Guitarist Ted Quinlan, bassist Mike Downes, and trumpeter Mike Malone interpret Ted Warren's original music in a fresh, lively and invigorating way. Ted's music has been described as "A really weird weather report' and "The musical equivalent of eating cookies".

Arlene's repertoire is without borders; she offers everything from standards to rarely sung jazz compositions and ballads. Her CD "Stirred not Shakin" in which Mark Eisenman was on piano has garnered rave reviews. "Two For The Road", their latest CD is a collection of 'jazz' standards that exemplifies the beauty and clarity of a duo performance. In addition to being a pianist of great clarity and discipline, Mark has been developing his compositional skills.

Felix Stussi is a jazz pianist with an eclectic approach resulting in music that is consistently authentic and homogeneous. His music is an enterprising mix of modernity and tradition, refreshing and innovating. Like a painter using a vast array of colours, Felix uses many textures in his compositions. His quintet, made of some of Canada's finest young talents, is the perfect canvas on which Felix's music comes alive: Alex Cote and Bruno Lamarche on saxophones, clarinet and flute, Christophe Papadimitriou, double bass, and Isaiah Ceccarelli, drums

The MJF All-Stars is an auditioned big band made up of Markham and area high school and university students. The band is led by educators Leon Racine (Bayview Secondary School) and Jill Morrison (Reesor Park and John MacRae public schools). The All-Stars rehearsed throughout the summer - including a performance at the Beaches Jazz Festival - in preparation for tonight's appearance as the "opening act" for the festival headliners at TooGood Pond Park.

Bazaar will be performing compositions from Rez Abbassi's recent recordings, featuring music steeped in jazz, with influences from Indian to classical. These influences come in the form of rhythm and melody through his collaborations with Juno award winning vocalist Kiran Ahluwalia. Rez is considered by many to be one of the foremost modern jazz guitar players working today. Joining Rez & Kiran is the highly versatile organ player Sam Barsh and Internationally acclaimed drummer Jochen Rueckert.

Paradigm Shift is the brainchild of Melvin Henderson. Gerry Youngman joined forces with Melvin in the late 80's. Sean Jefferson recently joined this trio. When you combine the Guitarist Melvin, organist Gerry, and drummer Sean with their diverse musical contrast, they become an energetic and dynamic grooving trio. Paradigm Shift aims to create music that is original and that will draw people because of what it is, not what it resembles. Street Expressionism is a collection of original, traditional, and funk styles of jazz.

When you watch June sing, you feel as if she is singing directly to you. Her warmth & unmitigated joy of being on stage envelopes you and pulls you close and encircles you with her warmth! Every song that she chooses to sing connects to a base truth within - so there is never any artifice - only that which is true! The Band will be Bill King on Piano, Sly Juhas on Drums, Al Henderson on Bass & Chris Gale on Tenor Sax. Hot Band!

The Larry Bond Trio has been performing together since 2005. The trio consists of Larry Bond (piano), Bob Mills (bass), and Richard Moore (drums). Larry is a pianist of long experience in both classical and jazz fields. Richard and Bob are active freelance musicians, having performed with most of the orchestras in the Greater Toronto area. The trio has recorded a demo CD of jazz standards. Featured in the trio's repertoire are composers like Ellington, Monk, Rogers, Porter, Evans, and Davis.

Teenager Rob Christian is an amazingly talented, award winning, jazz flute and sax player. Rob's cool interpretations cause people to do a double take, when they realize it is such a young person performing. His technique, musicality and stage presence stop people in their tracks. Rob has an extensive repertoire of jazz, swing, Latin, funk, classical and popular standards. Performing with Rob will be: Sean Nimmons on keys, Larnel Lewis on drums, Andrew Stewart on bass and Rob Christian.

Everyone in the ensemble has enjoyed a busy and active career as jazz musicians in Toronto. Ryan's last gig was at the Blue Note playing his own big band arrangements. Ryan also has his own CD (available on iTunes now) called Convergence. The leader of the group, Mark Crawford, played and recorded extensively with Hagood Hardy and has just completed his masters in music composition. Members include: Mark Crawford - guitar, Kerri Oliver - alto sax, Ryan Oliver - tenor sax, Mike Downes - bass, Bob McLaren - drums.

Paul's outlet for funky and fun music takes a few different forms...from the street music of the New Orleans inspired Brass Band to the groovy and jazz inflected Organ Band to the soulful Gospel Band. Centered on the vocals and sax of Lester McLean, the guitar of Colin Campbell and the drums of Doan Pham, Paul plays organ and keyboards and leads the band through its mix of gospel, soul, funk, and reggae. Additional members include Jason Logue on trumpet, Stephen Donald on trombone, Sean O'Connor on saxophone.

Jake Wilkinson is an accomplished jazz trumpeter, composer and lyricist. He is a multi-faceted musician. His trumpet playing is soulful, introspective, and highly crafted. His compositions are tuneful and clear, his lyrics intelligent, contemporary and playful. Music critics and audiences alike have been impressed by his technical brilliance and strong personal style in performances at major jazz venues and festivals around the world. He has released two recordings: the critically acclaimed jazz record, This Time, and Walking On The World, a singer-songwriter collaboration.

Alexis Baro, born and raised in Cuba has been the lead trumpet on Canadian Idol for the past three seasons and is a feature soloist on Hilario Duran's 2007 Juno Award winning CD. Alexis brings a fusion of latin jazz and funk-jazz grooves on his soon to be released CD "From The Other Side". The sounds of Blues, Soul, R&B, and Funk are paid tribute on his latest offering with some new original funk-jazz creations.

Mandy Lagan, recognized for her distinctive vocal work, has been developing "VERSES", her 3rd CD, for the past four years. The CD is based on a collection of poems by Robert Louis Stevenson, written in 1885. Each poem has been treated as an art piece, with compositions created to fit the verse. Ms. Lagan has developed a stunning collection of songs. The musical styles are affected by jazz, classical and folk elements, enhancing the poems and bringing them to a new realm of artistry.

Infectious Caribbean music featuring the steel pan like you've never heard it before. The original compositions of pianist and bandleader Jeremy Ledbetter combine Trinidadian calypso with fiery Latin rhythms, jazz, and blues to create a unique, exciting sound. At the heart of this sound is its unconventional use of the steel pan, played by Mark Mosca. The group also includes Cuban powerhouse Alexis Baro on trumpet; soul screamer Braxton Hicks on the tenor sax; Yoser Rodriguez on bass; and the explosive rhythmic duo of Chendy Leon on drums and Alberto Suarez on congas.