Toronto Guitarist Jocelyn Gould Quintet

JOCELYN GOULD has performed and recorded internationally as a leader and with GRAMMY nominated vocalist Freddy Cole, JUNO-winning trumpeter and vocalist Bria Skonberg, Down Beat Trombonist of the Year Michael Dease, trumpeter Etienne Charles, Jon Gordon, Rodney Whitaker, Randy Napoleon, Will Bonness and Diego Rivera.

She is the first place winner of the 2018 Wilson Centre International Jazz Guitar competition.

Jocelyn’s debut album as a leader, Elegant Traveler, won the 2021 JUNO Award for Jazz Album of the Year: Solo. She was also nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award for Jazz Artist of the Year.

Golden Hour, Jocelyn’s sophomore album, showcases her virtuosic guitar playing and dynamic compositions, and introduces her voice. It has received international critical acclaim and radio play including extensive play on Sirius XM Satellite Radio. Golden Hour reached #1 on Canadian and #9 on North American college radio jazz charts. Jocelyn’s Golden Hour Tour took place in June 2022 with performances at 11 Canadian Jazz Festivals.

Jocelyn toured extensively in 2022, including a 6-week American tour featuring the music of Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday and Nina Simone. She began 2023 with a two-month North American tour from Florida to Alaska as one of four guitarists featured in a concert of solo guitar.

Her latest album, Sonic Bouquet was nominated for a 2024 Juno Jazz Album of the Year (Solo) award.

Jocelyn is a professor and Head of Guitar Department at in the renowned jazz program at Humber College in Toronto.

A trumpet virtuoso hailing from Southeast Michigan, ANTHONY STANCO embodies the soulful essence of Detroit’s musical legacy. Fueled by the city’s vibrant rhythms, Stanco hones his craft under the tutelage of local luminaries like Marcus Belgrave and Rodney Whitaker, absorbing their wisdom like the note of a melody.

Venturing beyond his hometown, Stanco’s musical journey led him to the bustling streets of Manhattan, where he refined his skills at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music under the guidance of renowned brass guru Laurie Frink. Eventually, he returned to Michigan State University to complete his formal education, leaving an indelible mark by clinching first place in the International Trumpet Guild’s coveted 2013 Jazz Improvisation Competition.

As leader of The Crucial Elements, Stanco commands attention with a distinctive blend of talent and charisma. Their music transcended borders while they served as cultural ambassadors through the US State Department’s “American Music Abroad” program. From the rhythmic pulse of South Africa to the exotic melodies of Indonesia, they enrapture audiences worldwide, gracing esteemed stages such as the Java Jazz Festival and the Cairo Jazz Club.

Stanco’s musical prowess extends beyond the stage, as evidenced by his critically acclaimed albums, including the electrifying “The Crucial Elements” and the soul-stirring “You Know The Feeling.” His upcoming release, “Stanco’s Time,” promises to further captivate listeners with its innovative soundscapes, set to be released on Origin Records.

A firm believer in paying it forward, Stanco channels his passion for music into education, nurturing the next generation of talent. Whether as a guest artist at prestigious institutions, or as an assistant professor at Michigan State University, his commitment to fostering musical excellence knows no bounds.

In recognition of his contributions to the jazz community, Stanco was awarded a Jazz Road Tours grant, allowing him to embark on a transformative journey through the heartland of America. As a proud Bach Trumpet endorsing artist, he continues to inspire and elevate the world of jazz with each note he plays.

Originally from Toronto now based in Winnipeg, Manitoba FABIO RAGNELLI is a Juno Award winning drummer and has been an in-demand sideman performing, recording, and touring with a number of artists including the award winning Allison Au Quartet.  He has performed at the Montreal and Monterey Jazz Festivals and at some very prestigious venues including Koerner Hall, The Blue Note Jazz club in New York, The National Arts Centre, and Place des Arts.

He holds a Bachelor of Music from Humber College and a Masters of Music from Brandon University and is currently an Assistant Professor of Jazz drums at the University of Manitoba’s Desautels Faculty of Music.

JULIAN BRADFORD is one of the most in-demand bassists in Winnipeg and can be heard with Ariel Posen along with many of the finest jazz musicians.

Winner of the 2022 JUNO Award for Jazz Album of the Year (solo), and Jazz Artist of the Year at the 2022 Western Canada Music Awards, WILL BONNESS was called “one of finest jazz pianist of his generation” by Monk Competition winner Jon Gordon.

Will has been active on the international jazz scene for two decades. At 17, Will joined Maynard Ferguson’s Big Bop Nouveau Band for a world tour, which included performances in Europe, Thailand, and the Caribbean. He has performed at many of the major jazz festivals in Canada and the United States, as well as in the world’s most prestigious venues, with such luminaries as Jon Gordon, Avishai Cohen, Quincy Davis, Jimmy Greene, and Derrick Gardner. Where he teaches in Manitoba, he can often be seen performing with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, and the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra.

Will’s performance career has led him to spend substantial time in New York City, where he has played at the Blue Note, Smalls, and Dizzy’s. Aside from his performances, he maintains a full-time teaching position at the University of Manitoba, where he has taught music for the past 9 years.

Will has three releases to his credit: Subtle Fire (2009), Halcyon (2016), and Change of Plans (2020). He has appeared as an accompanist on almost 30 albums, many of which have been nominated for or won JUNO and Western Canada Music Awards. Change of Plans has received international critical acclaim, and nearly a million streams on Spotify.