Trumpet Fiesta Quintet

On trumpet, MIGUELITO VALDES began studying music in Cuba, his country of birth, at the age of 11 while attending the Elementary School of Music “Paulita Concepcion”. He completed his studies at the Provincial School of Music “Amadeo Roldan” at age of 19.

His first professional experience was with the group “Jelengue” in 1992. Since then, he has performed with many of Cuba’s top performers, including the Cabaret Tropicana Orquestra, Giraldo Piloto & Klimax, Pablo Milanes, Haila Mompie, Chucho Valdes, Havana Ensemble, Augusto Enriquez and Mayito Rivera (from Los Van Van).

Miguelito participated in the award-winning recording “La Rumba Soy Yo”, which won a Latin Grammy in 2001. In 2000, he began playing with Omara Portuondo (Diva of Buena Vista Social Club) with whom he toured the world for 6 years. He has also played with important musicians abroad including Michael Brecker, Herbie Hancock, John Patitucci, Danilo Perez, Wayne Shorter, Wallace Roney, Brian Blade and, from the Latin scene, Michael Stuart, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Ricardo Lemvo, among others. In 2005, had the opportunity of participating in the recording of the CD named “Rhythms del Mundo” with musicians like Sting, Clodplay, U2, Maroon 5, just to mention some.

In 2002 and 2003, he was invited to play the Mexico venues of the Buena Vista Social Club, which included musicians Ibrahim Ferrer, Juan de Marcos Gonzalez, Eliades Ochoa, Compay Segundo, Barbarito Torres, Cachaito Lopez, “Guajiro” Mirabal, Jesus “Aguaje” Ramos. He also participated in the latest European tour of Ibrahim Ferrer in July 2005.
In the area of recording, he has participated in more than 50 CDs in Cuba. In 1993 he recorded his first CD at the age of 18 with the group “Jelengue”, receiving excellent reviews. Later, he joined two of Cuba’s more prolific trumpet talents, Alexander Abreu and Yaure Muñiz, to form one of the most renowned of Cuba’s recording teams.

Miguelito Valdes is now part of “Afro Cuban All Stars” project directed by Juan de Marcos Gonzalez. With this project he has toured the United States and Canada on the year 2009 and has upcoming tours scheduled for the year 2011 including USA, Europe, South Africa, Australia and Japan.

Described as one of Cuba’s most highly regarded trumpet players of his generation, Miguelito has become, since making Vancouver and later Vancouver Island his home, very involved in the local music scene. In the short time he has been on the West Coast of Canada, he has performed with local musicians as Luis Giraldo, Brick House, Kenny Blues, Johnny Ferreira, Zapato Negro, Paperboys, Santa Lucia, Mariachi del Sol, Jazz Baby, Kutapira, Goma Dura, Hard Robber, Salsa Dura, Goby Catt, and his own band “Puro Son”. His collaboration with other musicians is not limited to his local area but also includes musicians from other cities like Hilario Duran from Toronto, among others.

Growing up in Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island, LACHLAN CRAVEN on trumpet was inspired by the rich tradition of World-Class jazz musicians from the North Island such as Phil Dwyer, Ken Lister, Rick Kilburn and his own father, tenor saxophonist Dan Craven.
A swingin’ rising star musician on the Canadian jazz scene, trumpet player and internationally performing musician Craven with a unique vocality in his sound, is carrying the torch of American Music tradition on a pathway of innovation. Currently based on Vancouver Island, Lachlan has made appearances at notable venues in Vancouver, Toronto, Amsterdam, and Barcelona, and has shared the stage with the likes of John Lee, Simon Rigter, and Benjamin Herman’s New Cool Collective Big Band. In 2019, Lachlan was selected to be a part of the Canadian National Youth Jazz Combo, where he performed at the Toronto TD International Jazz Festival. He has toured in Spain (2022) and Denmark, performing in the 2023 Copenhagen Jazz Festival. His warm, interactive, soulful sound invites an audience to share the story he tells through improvisation. At the age of 17 he moved to Amsterdam to pursue his musical education and career and completed his BMus at the Conservatory of Amsterdam as of summer 2023.

On guitar, ANDREW JANUSSON is an award-winning Canadian jazz guitarist and bandleader based in Nanaimo, British Columbia, known for combining George Benson’s fast wizardry, Herb Ellis’s swing, and Wes Montgomery’s smooth style. He frequently performs across Vancouver Island with his own trio, quartet, and organ groups at venues like Pagliacci’s and Hermann’s Jazz Club.

BROCK MEADES on double bass is from Shawnigan Lake, B.C, Brock Meades is an up-and- coming double bass player that attended Vancouver Island University from 2016-2020. Brock made a name for himself quickly in Nanaimo while still in school and has performed up and down Vancouver Island is various ensembles as leader and side player.

A recipient of the 2019 Fraser MacPherson Jazz Fund, awarded to one stellar jazz musician in B.C annually, Brock continues to develop his style, sound, and technique, being equally adept at bowing as he is with pizzicato playing.

On drums KELBY MACNAYR from Victoria, B.C. is also a composer and bandleader who performs in an array of musical styles both at home and abroad. Collaborating with leading musicians in every musical genre imaginable, Kelby makes his home where soul, creativity and passion connect.

Born and raised on Canada’s west coast, Kelby is connected to small but mighty musical community in his hometown, a great and varied musical community across the country and an ever-changing world of musicians in the Pacific Northwest, and across the US. His passion for the human-element in music-making has fostered a love of numerous world-music traditions as well as artists of all styles and mediums. MacNayr honed his skills performing with some of the greats in Jazz including John Clayton, Neil Swainson, Misha Piatigorsky, Phil Dwyer, Louise Rose, Larry Fuller, Gary Smulyan, Terrell Stafford, Brad Turner, Ingrid Jensen and more.

Drummer / composer / band-leader Kelby MacNayr performs groundbreaking original music, soulful swinging jazz, reaching contemporary music and traditional music from around the world. A dynamic and creative musician MacNayr performs in Canada and abroad with leading musicians from New York, Seattle, Portland, Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto & Europe. A faculty member of the renowned Jazz Port Townsend Festival under director John Clayton, staff at the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival,

Kelby is continually reinventing himself as a performer, composer and educator. In November 2013 the Kelby MacNayr Quintet released has the much-anticipated album The Measure of Light featuring Phil Dwyer, Dan Lapp, Miles Black & Tom Wakeling.  Recent concert highlights include performances with Larry Fuller, John Clayton, George Colligan, Geoffrey Keezer and more!

His own working supergroup The Kelby MacNayr Quintet features five of the west coast’s top jazz musicians creating innovative sounds, singable melodies with bold rhythms. Featuring tenor saxophonist Phil Dwyer, trumpeter Dan Lapp, pianist Miles Black and bassist Tom Wakeling, all bringing their musical mastery to the creative imagination of Kelby MacNayr.

MacNayr also leads the Great American Songbook trio featuring legendary pianist and vocalist Louise Rose, and bassist Joey Smith as well as the Kansas City inspired Swing Rhythm Kings celebrating the music of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole and Louis Armstrong.  A featured performer on CBC radio and television, National Public Radio in the United States and at festivals across Canada and the US, MacNayr also serves as Artistic Director of concert series and workshops and as a composer for theater and dance.