THE YARDBIRD SUITE to Be Presented Live In April

The Yardbird Suite presents local and Canadian live, and streaming online, jazz musicians throughout April.

Curated by Edmonton musicians Nicolás Arnáez, Dave Babcock, Julie King, Mboya Nicholson, Stephanie Urquhart, Vadim Budman, all Yardbird Suite performances are AHS-approved with stringent safety protocols in place for audience members, artists, volunteers, and technicians.

Yardbird Suite presentations will also be streamed online. Tickets for in person and online shows, including memberships, are available on the Yardbird Suite website www.yardbirdsuite.com

Friday April 1

The Fusionauts
Edmonton
$25

7:00 p.m. Doors
8:00 p.m. Music

Paul Richey, keyboard
Mo Lefever, guitar
Shantel Koenig, bass
Bill George, drums
Dwayne Hrynkiw, percussion
Jared Greeve, trumpet
Joe Semple, tenor saxophone

The Fusionauts are a sophisticated synthesis of funk, jazz, Brazilian tropicália, Nigerian Afrobeat and a dynamic jazz workout for the dance floor. Come hear an incredible interplay by a collective of incredibly gifted soloists. The grooves here are perfumed with jungle flowers and salt from the ocean spray. As much a listening experience, as it is a dance floor filler The Fusionauts create a perfectly realized hybrid that serves both the brain and the booty.

Saturday April 2
Montuno West
Edmonton
Calgary
Cuba
$30

7:00 p.m. Doors
8:00 p.m. Music

Chris Andrew, piano
Rubim de Toledo, bass
Raul Tabera, drums / percussion
Luis "Pana" Tovar, drums / percussion
Special guest Israel "Toto" Berriel

Montuno West boasts an exciting and infectious sound strongly influenced by jazz, Cuban and other Latin styles. A true blend of tradition and modern approaches keeps the band's sound fresh, evocative, and, most importantly, uplifting! On April 2nd, Montuno West will be joined by special guest Israel "Toto" Berriel (Vancouver/Cuba). Berriel is a traditional Afro-Cuban percussionist, vocalist, and educator. He played with the world's best-known Rumba group, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, for twelve years, where he mastered the Afro-Cuban repertoire. Toto is an exceptional performer and a naturally gifted vocalist with a distinctive sound. Although deeply rooted in Afro-Cuban traditions, he is also comfortable with jazz, soul, and funk. Originally from Matanzas, Cuba, Toto has toured worldwide and has made Canada his home since 2001.

Tuesday April 5
Tuesday Jam Hosted by Up and Over Trio
Edmonton
$10

7:00 p.m. Doors
8:00 p.m. Music

Jamie Cooper, drums
Chris Andrew, piano
Rubim de Toledo, bass

Up and Over Trio is Alberta's hottest new modern jazz group featuring Galaxie Rising Star Award recipient Chris Andrew on piano, 2018 WCMA Jazz Artist of the Year winner Rubim de Toledo on bass, and Alberta's top call jazz drummer Jamie Cooper. Between them, they have accompanied some of the world's leading jazz artists and, as a trio, have worked extensively since 2016 backing the who's who of Albertan talent.

Thursday April 7
Danny Michel
Edmonton
$29

6:00 p.m. Doors
7:00 p.m. Music

This intimate, solo show with accomplished singer/songwriter Danny Michel is a very special co-production between the Yardbird Suite and JCL Productions.

The only good thing about not shopping in record stores anymore is you won't have to figure out what genre to look under for Danny. If that were the case, you could try looking under, rock, pop, folk, world or even classical. His own self-described musical A.D.D. has kept his music fresh for decades. Maybe it has something to do with being born next to a candy factory, or his ambidextrous brain, but his thoughtful lyrics and charming performances have earned a devoted fan base, multiple nominations for Junos, The Polaris Prize, CBC's "Heart Of Gold", and most recently winning the CFMA's "Producer of the year" and "Oliver Schroder Pushing the Boundaries" Awards. But Danny considers his career highlights to be the unique real life moments like performing for Jane Goodall's 85th birthday party, touring with Stuart Mclean, and working with charities close to his heart.

Friday April 8 and Saturday April 9
The McDade Brothers Mile - End Quintet
Montreal
Edmonton
$20

7:00 p.m. Doors
8:00 p.m. Music

Solon McDade, bass
Jeremiah McDade, tenor sax
Donny Kennedy, alto sax
Paul Shrofel, piano
Rich Irwin, drums

Juno Award winners Solon & Jeremiah McDade are excited to share the vibrancy of their Mile-End Quintet, a dynamic ensemble built around the original compositions of saxophonist Jeremiah McDade and bassist Solon McDade. Their music has evolved from years spent performing and collaborating in the rich and diverse music scene of their home neighbourhood of Mile End, Montreal. Both brothers can be heard on dozens of recordings and have performed all over Europe and North America. Joining The McDade Brothers are Grammy Award winning drummer Rich Irwin, alto saxophonist and McGill teacher Donny Kennedy, and pianist Paul Shrofel who has recorded with Quincy Jones, Sophie Milman, and Nikki Yanofsky.

Sunday April 10
A Bloodhound Salute to Harpdog Brown
$25

6:00 p.m. Doors
7:00 p.m. Music

Featuring Pete Turland
Graham Guest
Grant Stovel
and Ben Sures

Special guests Dan Shinnan on harmonica

and appearances by Charlie Jacobsen, Clayton Sample, and more

The Yardbird is proud to host a heartfelt tribute to Harpdog Brown, featuring longtime members of his band Harpdog Brown and the Bloodhounds.

An iconic figure on the North American blues scene and a true Edmonton music legend, Harpdog passed away in January 2022, just weeks before his 60th birthday gig was to take place at the Suite.

Now, some of his closest musical friends are coming together to pay tribute to the Dog, and to raise some money for his immediate family.

The occasion will feature music from the Harpdog Brown songbook, performed by musicians who all recorded and toured extensively with Harpdog over several decades.

It will be a great evening of blues music in celebration of the Dog, his music, and his one-of-a-kind, larger-than-life spirit.

Tuesday April 12
Parallel Motions
Emerging Artist Night
Edmonton
$15

7:00 p.m. Doors
8:00 p.m. Music

Adam Hoang, bass
Jeremie Gutierrez, keys
Josh Banks, keys
Ryan Simmons, guitar

With varying performance backgrounds across each of its members in a wide array of genres, including classical, jazz, and metal, Parallel Motions aims to bridge these genres and more with contemporary jazz tonalities and structures.

Wednesday April 13
Littlebirds
Edmonton
$15

7:00 p.m. Doors
8:00 p.m. Music

Altos: Ijaz Janmohamed, Amanda Dang
Tenors: Michelle Makila, Jonan Ulloa-Neilson
Bari: Caleb Hunt
Trumpets: Sam Heintzman, Ntibem Mencha Fonji, Anna Heintzman, Eric Flores-Moreno
Trombones: Brett Merkosky, Madeline Vandersluys, Paxton Atrens, Yitian Fan
Guitar: Thorin Freeman Peters.
Piano: Jeremy Wiens
Bass: Logan Calder, Jessica Pradhan
Percussion: Jacob Tanner, Tony Flanagan, David Bravo
Director: Joel Gray

The Littlebirds Big Band will be joined by international jazz artists Jeff Antoniuk and Allen Jacobson. Together they will be performing an eclectic concert that features South African freedom music (by Dudu Pakwana), original commissions and arrangements by Allan Gilliland, and some familiar favorites such as Wind Machine (Sammy Nestico).

Friday April 15
The High Society Jazz Band
Edmonton
$30

7:00 p.m. Doors
8:00 p.m. Music

Shelley Jones, vocals
Joel Gray, trumpet
Matt Michielin, trumpet
Doug Innes, clarinet, tenor saxophone
Allen Jacobson, trombone
Wes Jaciuk, guitar, banjo
Stephanie Urquhart, piano
Glenn Durksen, bass
Dean Pierno, drums

The Edmonton Jazz Society and the Dixieland Jazz Society of Alberta are co-sponsoring a new concert series at the Yardbird Suite. The High Society Jazz Band will be performing a concert of traditional jazz and New Orleans swing music. The High Society Jazz Band has been playing this music across the country for over 30 years, and features some of Edmonton's top jazz talent. In this show, the band will be playing some of the favorite tunes of our former band leader, Rollanda Lee, that are sure to leave you tapping your toes!

Saturday April 16
Fernanda Cunha and Reg Schwager
Edmonton
$30

7:00 p.m. Doors
8:00 p.m. Music

Fernanda Cunha, vocal
Reg Schwager, guitar
Chris Andrew, piano
Rubim de Toledo, bass

Fernanda Cunha is a Brazilian jazz singer from Rio de Janeiro with more than 20 years of career. Fernanda grew up with an affinity for both the music of her home country as well as jazz. She has toured Brazil, Europe, and North America, performing at prestigious international jazz festivals. Fernanda performs regularly with Toronto jazz guitarist Reg Schwager, one of Canada's most in-demand players.

During the pandemic, Reg wrote some songs and sent to Fernanda to add lyrics in Portuguese. They liked the result and decided to release an album with all originals. The duo will do the album release concert at Yardbird Suite on April 16th featuring Chris Andrew on piano and Rubim de Toledo on bass.

Tuesday April 19
Tuesday Jam Hosted by Jon Guenter
$10

7:00 p.m. Doors
8:00 p.m. Music

Jon Guenter, drums
Brett Hansen, guitar
Aretha Tillotson, bass

Edmonton-based drummer and composer Jon Guenter is exploring musical expression rooted in personal experiences. Since completing his undergraduate studies in 2019, Jon has been busy writing for his trio/quartet, while continuing studies on the drums. His love for music education has not only allowed him to share his knowledge with his students, but has given him the opportunity to study with renowned musicians like Marcus Gilmore, Jonathan Pinson, and David King. Jon's compositions are heavily influenced by the free and postmodern movements, and his experience playing several different genres helps to give his music a unique, Signature Sound.

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