Jazz at the Centre – Coming Up!

For the second season of Jazz at the Centre I am pleased and excited to have three shows that demonstrate versatility, communication and openness in their respective projects; The Doxas Brothers, Colleen Allen and Nicky Schrire.

The series kicks off with a quartet co-led by brothers; saxophonist Chet Doxas and drummer Jim Doxas. While the Montréal-born duo have joined forces musically in various ways over the years, the formation of the Doxas Brothers quartet marked the beginning of a new chapter. As a listener, it is striking to witness the connectivity that the brothers have, translating to the other members of the group. Jim and Chet lead with humility both on and off stage, which when combined with their desire to evolve, share experiences and lean into inspiration, culminates in a mesmerizing concert experience that fills you with warmth.

The season continues with an evening in the presence of one of the most beloved names in jazz in Canada, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist, Colleen Allen. Her fearless versatility is demonstrated every time she steps on stage and it is one of the many reasons she has been a first-call musician throughout her career. Colleen leads with a warm and welcoming heart that instantly inspires everyone she shares the stage with as well as everyone in the audience. Colleen will play in duo with the exceptional pianist Chris Donnelly.

The last concert this season features a sensational vocalist, who’s newest album Nowhere Girl is a master class is songwriting and storytelling. After hearing this record I immediately immersed myself in Nicky Schrire‘s earlier work (which features a list of world class collaborators) and it became instantly clear to me that whether interpreting a song of writing her own, Nicky’s style could be compared to that of any seasoned veteran.

I am honoured to return as Curator of the CMC’s Jazz at the Centre series, which this season was rooted in my desire to highlight some of the names in our country’s overwhelming pool of talent that have recently reminded me of the immense connective power that this music holds. – Céline Peterson

Supported by:

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April 30, 2024
Doors: 7:00 PM / Concert: 7:30 PM

Nicky Schrire is a multitalented and inventive British-South African vocalist and composer based in Toronto, Canada. Her work has seen her likened to vocalists Joni Mitchell, Norma Winstone, and Esperanza Spalding with The Boston Globe’s Jon Garelick noting that “though her approach has earned her comparisons to Gretchen Parlato and Becca Stevens, the similarities are superficial…she’s got her own thing, and it’s very much worth listening to.”

Nicky’s latest album, Nowhere Girl, released in June to wide acclaim. Her original music is exciting, thought-provoking, intelligent and captivating. She has drawn in fans both within and outside of jazz through the accessibility of her music. Joining her on Nowhere Girl is Myriad3, Tara Davidson, Laila Biali and Julio Sigauque.

Event Page / Individual Tickets

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Jazz at the Centre

The Canadian Music Centre (CMC) is thrilled to announce Jazz at the Centre, a new performance series to formally establish a home at the CMC for contemporary jazz composers in Canada. The series will honour the heritage of jazz at the Canadian Music Centre, while also celebrating new Canadian jazz legacies. We will kick off the series on November 25th with a special performance by 2022 JUNO nominated pianist Amanda Tosoff and Jocelyn Gould, winner of the 2021 JUNO award for Best Jazz Album.

The Jazz at the Centre series is curated by Producer and Artist Representative, Céline Peterson, who says “It is a thrill and privilege for me to work with the team at the CMC in this capacity, as space is created where the work of our immensely talented jazz composers can be showcased nationally and internationally. Amanda Tosoff and Jocelyn Gould are two exceptionally talented, dedicated, and hardworking musicians and composers. The musical excellence that they embody as musicians, composers, and band leaders, is precisely what this series is about.”

CMC’s heritage is linked with contemporary jazz music, including heritage composers John Weinzweig, Phil Nimmons, Harry Freedman, Ann Southam, as well as Oscar Peterson, Hugh Fraser, Elizabeth Raum, Glenn Buhr, Elizabeth Knudson, James Harley, Jérôme Blais, Bob Erlandson and more. The works of many Canadian jazz composers can be found in CMC’s Lending Library and Shop. CMC Centrediscs has released many albums by Canadian jazz composers, including Beverly Johnston, Canadian Composer Portraits (Phil Nimmons by Dave McMurdo), Paul Hoffert and Jim Gelcer.

Jazz at the Centre will celebrate jazz composers through performances, promotion of composers and their compositions, access to works at CMC Library and shop and master workshops. It will provide mentorship, scholarship and professional development opportunities for emerging composers and the next generation of Canada’s jazz musician.

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About Céline Peterson (Jazz at the Centre, curator)

Céline Peterson is a producer, artist representative and radio/podcast host who has presented concerts and given inspiring speeches all over the globe. She manages some of the most exciting jazz artists on the jazz scene today, in Canada and internationally. She has worked on producing performances with such organizations as the Bravo Niagara! Festival of the Arts, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and many respected venues around the globe. Céline is also a proud member of the BuckingJam Palace Board of Directors.

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