Saxophonist Jon Bentley Quartet

Jon Bentley received his Bachelor Degree in Saxophone Jazz Performance from Capilano University in Vancouver. Jon has studied the tenor saxophone extensively both in Vancouver and in New York with critically acclaimed saxophonist Seamus Blake. Bentley was also the recipient of a Canada Council grant that sent him to London, England to study composition and arranging with Canadian trumpeter/ composer icon Kenny Wheeler.

Soulful, bluesy, funky, straight ahead and swinging. Jon Bentley’s saxophone/organ jazz quartet plays a mix of originals and classic jazz repertoire with a modern aesthetic. As of March 2025, their debut album “Go Ahead!” is now available on vinyl, CD, and all streaming platforms on the Cellar Music label.

An active fixture in Vancouver’s music scene as an acclaimed guitarist and studio musician, TRISTAN PAXTON has worked with many distinguished artists and producers including Shad, Hey Ocean!, Potatohead People, Brad Turner, Phil Dwyer, Jodi Proznick, Kevin Dean, Michel Donato, Ingrid Jensen, Hugh Fraser, Joe Lovano, Oliver Jones, Seamus Blake, Bernard Fowler, Wanting Qu and many more. He is a graduate of the Jazz Program at McGill in Montreal.

Since graduating with a Film Scoring degree from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in 1995, Vancouver native CHRIS GESTRIN has become an integral part of the Canadian music scene. As a versatile pianist and multi-keyboardist, composer, engineer and producer he has worked on over 500 albums covering a wide range of musical styles. From experimental electronic improvisations to greasy soul organ music, introspective piano jazz to top of the charts pop, rock and hip-hop, Gestrin is in high demand for his eclectic talents and ability to bring a high level of musical inspiration to any situation.

As a jazz artist, Gestrin has performed on and off the stage not only with his great Canadian colleagues, but with a who’s who of the Jazz world. Gary Peacock, David ‘Fat Head’ Newman, Kenny Wheeler, Jerry Granelli, Duke Robillard, Dave Douglas, Ben Monder, Michael Blake, Peter Bernstein, Jimmy Green, Ralph Bowen, PJ Perry, Red Holloway, and producer Lee Townsend to name a few. In the more mainstream music world, Chris has had the pleasure of working with a large number of prominent artists including Randy Bachman, Bryan Adams, D.O.A., Bob Rock, Paul Rodgers, Colin James, Jann Arden, Motley Crue, K-OS, Swollen Members, The Offspring, Jim Byrnes, Steve Dawson, Nickelback, Loudon Wainwright III, Long John Baldry and Jeff Healey.

Drummer JOE POOLE is gradually gaining an international reputation. Since earning his degree in Jazz Performance under the guidance of Oscar Peterson, Joe has been steadily honing his craft. His tasteful playing, sense of groove, rhythmic fluidity and creativity have led him to accompany many top musicians from the U.S.A, Europe and Canada, including: Ernestine Anderson, Curtis Fuller, Marcus Belgrave, Red Holloway, Houston Person, Don Thompson, Lew Tabackin, Guido Basso, Terell Stafford, Phil Dwyer, Brad Turner, Nick Brignola, Russell Malone, Bob Mover, Denzal Sinclaire, Scott Hamilton, Harry Allen, Richard Underhill, Jeff Healy, Champian Fulton, John Stetch, Jeremy Pelt, Danny Grissett, Dayna Stephens, Ned Goold, Taylor Eigsti, Dee Daniels, Jens Winther, Oliver Gannon, P.J. Perry, Tony Foster, James Danderfer, and Dmitri Shapko.

“I was in the mood to listen to Stablemates, so I YouTubed a few versions. This live version gets recommended, and I discover this killing Canadian drummer, Joe Poole. The man is such a pleasure to listen to: chops, feel, swing, and all that natural syncopation that really differentiates a jazz player.” ~ Poetman