Saxophonist and composer Tara Davidson is one of the leading lights in the next generation of Canadian jazz musicians. Her CD Code Breaking was a 2008 JUNO nominee, and earlier this year she released the recording View. Davidson has performed around the world at such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall, the acclaimed North Sea Jazz Festival, and The Kennedy Center. Davidson represented Canada as the lead alto/soprano saxophonist in the European Jazz Orchestra's 2008 European tour.

Founded by award-winning percussionist Rick Shadrach Lazar, Samba Squad is forging new directions by mixing world rhythms with the sound-power and street-feel of the drums of the Afro-Brazilian Samba tradition. The sixteen-plus-member 'percussion posse' exudes energy and embodies the joy of embracing different cultures. Featuring members of all ages and backgrounds, Samba Squad is a microcosm of cosmopolitan Toronto, and is joined by guest vocalists Lester McLean, Luanda Jones, and DIA.

Featuring five of Toronto's most accomplished musicians, The Montuno Police performs original instrumental compositions that combine the harmonic and improvisational traditions of jazz with the rhythmic and melodic influences of Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and Arabic music. The result is a fresh and unique concept that creates aural excitement as it organically mixes genres, giving birth to new and twisted musical directions. Strong compositions, wicked grooves, and creative interplay allow The Montuno Police to take their music to the edge.

A star of Ontario Tourism's "There's No Place Like This" commercials, Aline Morales is a talented singer/percussionist/composer. She has led the Afro-Brazilian percussion troupes Maracatu Nunca Antes and Baque de Bamba. Her debut solo album Flores, Tambores e Amores has been met with critical acclaim. Morales's music explores the traditional maracatu rhythms of North-eastern Brazil with lush, eclectic arrangements that seamlessly blend traditional and modern instruments. In 2009, Morales was named one of Exclaim Magazine's "Artists to Watch."

Boundary-breaking band Zebrina gives new meaning to the term klezmer-jazz-fusion. With their progressive East-meets-West sound, they offer up distinctive original melodies mixed with jazz, latin, reggae, and funk grooves. Brace yourself for an invigorating journey to unexplored musical realms that conjure up the klezmer tradition but also pioneer a non-conforming modern perspective. Get down with the grooves, reflect on the jazz, and be dazzled by the jams. Zebrina is a joyous revelation.

The JAZZ.FM91 Youth Big Band is for middle and secondary school students, providing an opportunity for young, talented musicians to participate in a formal audition process, and to potentially join a city-wide band. The programme helps exceptional student musicians to hone their skills while interacting with a new and diverse group in a professional setting. Led by Musical Director Jules Estrin, an educator and professional musician, they perform several times throughout the year.

This 2011 JUNO Nominee has showcased her music at New York's Carnegie Hall, the North Sea Jazz Festival, and Japan's Cotton Club. Laila's versatility has won her tours with Chris Botti, Suzanne Vega, and STING. Her newest album, Tracing Light, has been praised for its "youthful funkiness", and "ingenuity, verve and depth." Named SOCAN Composer and Keyboardist of the Year at the 2005 National Jazz Awards, Biali has moved from being an artist to watch to one who is 'it'; as Toronto Life states "on the way to setting, and playing, her own standards.

In December 2010, the Markham Jazz Festival marked the 30th anniversary of John Lennon's passing with a concert featuring guitarist Michael Occhipinti's original arrangements of Lennon's Beatle and solo career music performed by a stellar group of musicians. The group is now in the midst of completing a recording and reunites for an encore performance at the Markham Jazz Festival featuring Michael Occhipinti (guitar), Laila Biali (vocals/piano), Dominic Mancuso (vocals), Roberto Occhipinti (bass), and Mark Kelso (drums and vocals), with special guest Jeff Coffin on saxophone.

Johnny Max is a soulful singer who takes to performing like a fish to water, a perpetual motion machine, galvanizing his spicy blend of Stax/Volt, Atlantic, funk, and blues. While his first three releases firmly established Max in the blues idiom, his fourth, the JUNO nominated A Lesson I've Learned, had more to do with Southern Soul. Max's new disc, It's A Long Road, picks up where "Lesson" left off, with a heavy dosage of Gumbo R&B, and nods to Rock'em Sock'em Soul.

The Markham Jazz Festival is delighted to welcome saxophonist and composer Jeff Coffin as our Artist in Residence for 2011. As a member of Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, Jeff has received three Grammy Awards since he began playing with the group in 1997. In July 2008, Jeff began touring with Dave Matthews Band, and officially joined the group in 2009. Jeff Coffin rejects all labels and categories other than "music" and "musician" when asked how to describe his work. He has absorbed an astounding range of influences including African, New Orleans, Indian, funk, jazz, folk, Gypsy, rock, fusion, Brazilian and other styles of music. His passionate soloing, inspiring compositions, and frequent use of two Saxes simultaneously make him a must-see artist for this year's festival. Jeff's Mu'tet features a stellar lineup that includes drummer Jeff Sipe (Aquarium Rescue Unit, Trey Anastasio, Susan Tedeschi), Kofi Burbridge on keyboards and flute (Derek Trucks Band, Herbie Hancock), bassist Felix Pastorious (son of brilliant bassist Jaco Pastorious), trumpeter Bill Fanning, and guitarist Mike Seal.

Gretchen Parlato Clinic: Finding Your Voice: It's right here. Don't miss this unique opportunity to learn more about Gretchen Parlato's approach to music and singing! Clinics are open to anyone; however space is limited so please reserve a spot at contactus@markhamjazzfestival.com. Clinic will address: -Methods to discovering your most genuine, honest, pure sound -To sing as you would speak -Musicianship, technique, phrasing -Connecting to lyrics, telling the story of the song Mastery: Any Level

Suzie has won six Maple Blues awards, and released three critically-acclaimed folk-roots albums, including one that earned her a 2009 JUNO nomination. Her new CD Me 'n Mabel is her first solo outing as a blues artist. Blessed with a huge range, she can go from a sweet whisper to a growl and her singing expresses all the emotions covered in the blues lexicon. She can be sexy, humorous, struttin' her stuff, sassy or heartbroken. With her impeccable sense of dynamics, Suzie's voice commands attention, while her guitar playing is percussive and grooving.

This acoustic modern roots trio features Michelle Willis (vocals/pump organ), Hugh Marsh (violin) and Don Rooke (slide guitar). The band's original songs in combination with old instruments form a strong, identifiable texture, where sounds are so interwoven it's hard to distinguish one instrument from another. The musicians draw on years of experience in a variety of settings including jazz (Don Byron, Jon Hassell), alternative (Mary Margaret O'Hara), folk (Bruce Cockburn, Loreena McKennitt) and modern roots (The Henry's), to forge something distinctly their own.

At the young age of 28, Ernesto Cervini has had the opportunity to share the stage with many legendary jazz musicians; Joe Lovano, Clark Terry, Benny Golson, Cleo Laine, Pat LaBarbera, Dick Oatts, Buddy DeFranco, Eddie Daniels, Dave Binney, Jim McNeely, Phil Nimmons, Peter Appleyard, Ranee Lee and many others. His acclaimed 2009 recording Little Black Bird featured New York based saxophonist Joel Frahm who joins Ernesto for this performance.

Elmer Ferrer is one of the most versatile and prolific session musicians from Cuba. Elmer's signature fusion music has been called "an advanced mix of Cuban jazz with electric blues" that has brought him international acclaim as one of the strongest voices in today's world of modern guitar music. His recording credits comprise more than sixty CDs, including two Latin Grammy nominee albums and an Oscar nominated movie soundtrack.

Emerging Brazilian singer/songwriter Luanda Jones has been captivating audiences for over a decade with her unique blend of suave, jazz inflected vocals and stylized guitar harmonies, passionately interpreting some of the South American nation's most cherished popular musical traditions. Drawing from the effervescent wellspring of Brazil's diverse MPB (Brazilian Pop Music) genre, Luanda colours the expansive, encyclopedic sonic shades of her cherished influences with an unforgettable vocal charm and entirely welcoming onstage personality.

World music ensemble Minor Empire has developed a distinctive, exciting sound where ancient traditions of Anatolia (Turkey) meet soundscapes of psychedelic rock, electronica and jazz. Their debut Second Nature blurs the lines between traditional and electronic music, and features the compositions and arrangements of guitarist Ozan Boz and the voice of Ozgu Ozman, described as "captivating" and "sexy and serpentine". The group's eclectic musicians include Chris Gartner (bass), Debashis Sinha (percussion), Ismail Hakki Fencioglu (ud), Didem Basar (kanun) and Michael Occhipinti (guitar).

Chris Tarry is one of Canada's most celebrated electric bass exports. With three JUNO Awards and eight JUNO nominations, he has established himself as one of North America's top musicians. Since moving from Vancouver to New York in 2003, Chris has worked with musicians such as John Scofield, Ben Monder, Mino Cinelu, Lew Soloff, DJ Logic, and many others. Chris's group features guitarist Pete McCann, one of the first-call sidemen in New York, 2011 JUNO nominated saxophonist Kelly Jefferson, and brilliant drummer Barry Romberg.

The Markham Jazz Festival is delighted to welcome saxophonist and composer Jeff Coffin as our Artist in Residence for 2011. As a member of Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, Jeff has received three Grammy Awards since he began playing with the group in 1997. In July 2008, Jeff began touring with Dave Matthews Band, and officially joined the group in 2009. Jeff Coffin rejects all labels and categories other than "music" and "musician" when asked how to describe his work. He has absorbed an astounding range of influences including African, New Orleans, Indian, funk, jazz, folk, Gypsy, rock, fusion, Brazilian and other styles of music. His passionate soloing, inspiring compositions, and frequent use of two Saxes simultaneously make him a must-see artist for this year's festival. Jeff's Mu'tet features a stellar lineup that includes drummer Jeff Sipe (Aquarium Rescue Unit, Trey Anastasio, Susan Tedeschi), Kofi Burbridge on keyboards and flute (Derek Trucks Band, Herbie Hancock), bassist Felix Pastorious (son of brilliant bassist Jaco Pastorious), trumpeter Bill Fanning, and guitarist Mike Seal.

Vocalist Kellylee Evans continues to evolve her distinctive sound with her newest release Nina. This JUNO and Gemini Award nominee received accolades for her first two albums, which fuse jazz and her unique style of "soul pop".Nina is a beautiful tribute to one of jazz's greatest vocalists and pianists, Nina Simone. Approached by French label Plus Loin Music after her 2nd place finish at the Thelonious Monk Competition, Kellylee recorded in France in 2009. Using Simone's iconic repertoire, Nina showcases Kellylee's own versatility, creativity, and innate musicality.

Clinics are open to anyone; however space is limited so please reserve a spot at contactus@markhamjazzfestival.com Don't miss this unique chance to explore different facets of music and improvisation with a brilliant and enthusiastic clinician! Jeff Coffin's clinics are legendary for being engaging and interactive, and will change the way you listen to music or approach performing. Members of his Mu'tet will likely participate, so don't miss it!

A gifted saxophonist and Artistic Director of the Rochester Jazz Festival in Rochester NY, John Nugent, a native of Newfoundland, has performed with such legendary artists as the Woody Herman Orchestra, Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, the Temptations, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Dawn Thomson is a skilled guitarist, composer and vocalist, who has released six recordings and performed with such luminaries as Renee Rosnes, Mulgrew Miller, Don Thompson, and Harry Allen. They will be joined by Roberto Occhipinti (bass) and Mark Kelso (drums).

Vocalist and poet Rosina Kazi and producer Murr began collaborating on music as LAL in 1998, mucking about with gear and wild poetics. Their politically charged critically-acclaimed album Warm Belly, High Power earned them the distinction of '2004's Best Soul Album' by Exclaim! Magazine. Relentless touring across Canada and growing press attention followed, and accomplished bassist Ian de Souza joined the fray. Their dynamic live show explores the depths of humanism.

Scott Marshall's critically acclaimed quartet has been performing together for ten years and has thrilled audiences across Canada. The group is as comfortable swinging on old jazz standards as they are interpreting Marshall's beautiful and wide ranging compositions. The group's three recordings have been featured prominently on jazz radio stations around the world, including Jazz FM and the CBC. The quartet's regular members include Marcel Aucoin on piano, Wes Neal on Bass, and Nick Fraser on Drums.