The Music at the Guelph Youth Music Centre (GYMC) Series Presents 'Great Jazz In Support of The Centre'

The Music at the Guelph Youth Music Centre (GYMC) Series proudly presents "Great Jazz In Support of The Centre" with Versatile Vocalist Brenda Lewis & Friends Celebrating Her 25 Years of Singing!

This concert features Lewis with a number of guest musicians who have often joined her on that adventure: Margaret Stowe (jazz guitar), Jeff Bird (upright bass, harmonica, mandolin), John Zadro (piano), Andy MacPherson (drums, percussion) and Gayle Ackroyd (harmony vocals, ukulele, guitar). Artist biographies below.

"We are thrilled to host the musical talents of Brenda Lewis & friends at the GYMC," commented Gabriella Currie-Ziegler, Executive Director of the Guelph Youth Music Centre. "Expect to enjoy a matinee concert of smooth jazz, with a hint of eclectic."

Save Now by ordering your Advance Tickets online at: https://squareup.com/store/gymc/item/brenda-lewis-friends or by phone: 519.837.1119

Info at: Music at the GYMC presents Brenda Lewis & Friends

Brenda Lewis, Lead vocals and harmony vocals - Lewis started performing later than most but made up for lost time by starting a music career in the roots and R&B genres. She quickly became a regular feature around the area in the Arkell Schoolhouse Gallery Concert Series, Hillside Festival and many more events. She took the plunge into a jazzy style of music about twenty years ago and hasn't looked back. She has captivated audiences by performing with many of Canada's finest jazz musicians. She still enjoys success performing in her earlier genres, which adds diversity to her jazz repertoire. The mix satisfies both jazz audiences and her long-time folk/R&B fans. Most recently, she was featured in the sold-out two-night run of Canada's Gershwins "The Breithaupt Brothers Come Home to Kitchener" in the Jazz at the Registry Series, as well as the Jazz Room in Waterloo. The Jazz Bistro, The Old Mill's Home Smith Bar and 120 Diner, as well as across Ontario in the Niagara Jazz Festival's, "Twilight Jazz", McMichael Gallery's Jazz, Merrickville's Jazz Fest, Uptown Waterloo Jazz Festival, 1000 Islands Jazz Festival and the Midland Cultural Centre, to name a few. Her most recent Jazz CD, "Far & Near" (Nov. 2015) has been receiving airplay on JAZZ FM Toronto & CBC Radio across Canada and has been garnering rave reviews. Mark Rheaume from CBC Radio Canada, featured it on his picks for the new year on the Fresh Air show in January 2016. She is also a busy publicist and teaches singing lessons. http://www.brendalewis.ca/

Margaret Stowe, multi-stylistic jazz-based guitar - Stowe has performed all over Canada and Europe and has recorded and performed with a host of Canadian and International Artists, including Big Rude Jake, Max Woolaver, Mose Scarlett, Priscilla Wright, Sonya Cote and Brenda Lewis. She received the 2009 CIUT FM Porcupine Lenny Breau Award and is listed in the Canadian Encyclopedia of Music under guitarists of note. Harry Currie of the Waterloo Record wrote, "Guitarist Stowe is simply amazing. She plays long fluid lines that never seem to stop, the ideas pouring out of her in an uninterrupted flow." www.margaretstowe.com

Jeff Bird, upright bass, harmonica & other instruments - Bird is a founding member of the seminal folk group Tamarack and with Cowboy Junkies he was part of the legendary Trinity Session and continues to record and tour the world with them. He has realized 15 recordings of his own as a soloist and collaborator, as well as scored music for both film and television. As a multi-instrumentalist, he has appeared on more than 100 recordings and has worked with such diverse artists as Jane Bunnett, Fred Eaglesmith, Stephen Fearing, Loreena McKennitt, Natalie Merchant, Scott Merritt, Lynn Miles, Jane Siberry and Townes Van Zandt. www.jeffbird.com

John Zadro, piano - Zadro is a lifetime Guelph resident who has been a professional musician for more than 40 years, regularly performing as a jazz pianist, as well as in settings of Christian worship and has performed in Europe on numerous occasions. He holds three degrees/diplomas in music and is currently focusing on his own jazz-inspired compositions. He is a member of the New Vibes Jazz Quintet, bringing many genres and stylings to this group and others; including Gospel-influenced, striding honky-tonk, traditional and contemporary jazz. He is both exciting and expressive in his playing. http://newvibesjazz.ca/

Andy Macpherson, vibraphone & percussion - Macpherson has been playing vibes and percussion for more than three decades and is the leader of the New Vibes Jazz Quintet (NVJQ). He has worked in many large and small ensemble settings, spanning Latin, classical, rock and jazz. His studies at Humber College under the tutelage of Canadian jazz giants Ron Collier and Pat Labarbara in the late 80s were very formative. He continues to make music with many of the region's finest musicians and recently performed with Canadian jazz icon Don Thompson. He also currently plays with Kitchener Waterloo's Big Band Theory. http://newvibesjazz.ca/

Gayle Ackroyd, vocal harmonies, ukulele, guitar - A guitar slinger and blues singer, Ackroyd "belts out the blue-eyed soul with intense energy, grit and class all at the same time" (Lenny Stoute, Toronto Star). Originally from Brampton, Ackroyd has been writing and making music since her teens. Her identity has always been firmly planted in folk/roots, country and blues. A graduate of Oakville's Sheridan College Musical Theatre Program, she has performed onstage with many greats, including Jeff Healey, Jack DeKeyser and Amanda Marshall. A recipient of a Toronto Arts Council Songwriting Grant to live in Nashville. www.gayleackroyd.com

The GYMC is grateful for the support of Cascades Canada Ltd., sponsor of the GYMC Music Concert Series.

Established in 1992, the GYMC is a not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to education, enrichment and fostering the development of youth through music and the arts. The unique facility is an exciting cultural hub for children of all ages and backgrounds in the community. Through a variety of programs, provision of space to partner organizations and outreach into the community, the GYMC enriches many lives.

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