Taylor Donaldson is an active member of the Montreal music scene, working as a trombonist, composer/arranger and music copyist. He directs his own 17-piece big band that plays from a growing book of his arrangements and compositions, along with music written by other members of the group. The band's repertoire brings together jazz standards and original compositions in the great tradition of big band jazz. Two sets of swinging, straight-ahead music on the menu for Big Band Tuesdays!

Benjamin Deschamps, Jason Stillman, Annie Dominique, Michael Johancsik, Philippe Côté - saxophones / Dominic Rossi, Andy King, Lex French, Nicolas Boulay - trumpets / Taylor Donaldson, David Martin, Olivier Hébert, Colin Lloyd, Jean-Sébastien Vachon - trombones / Jonathan Cayer - piano / Sébastien Pellerin - bass / Louis-Vincent Hamel - drums

Cover: volontary contribution

Alex Bellegarde’s dynamic Tuesday jam session has become one of Montreal’s hippest weekly jazz events. The first set fires up with Bellegarde and his trio, playing host to a range of well known talents from the Montreal scene as well as musicians from out of town. The jam opens in the second set, to any jazz musician with the confidence to step up and play…there’s an unspoken rule though: “If you can’t keep up, you shouldn’t be on stage”. A great place to play and chill…. the jam continues on into the early hours!

Alex Bellegarde Trio and guest: Julien Fillion - saxophone

Cover Charge: voluntary contribution

If you’re a fan of the acoustic sound of guitars, saxophone and upright bass, then you’re in for a treat. On the menu, authentic swing and a few seldomly heard classic songs. Eclectic Django (for the great Django Reinhardt) perform an American and European repertoire of pre-war jazz, but don’t be surprised if you recognize a classic French tune or two - jazz music permitting all incursions. This early evening event has been animating the Wednesdays of the Dièse Onze for six years already - and there’s no signs of quitting! A friendly Atmosphere, great music and solid musicians are guaranteed - welcome!

François Rousseau - guitare / Mathieu McConnell-Enright - contrebasse / Jody Golick - saxophone / Baptiste Lejeune - batterie

Cover Charge: voluntary contribution

Daniel Thouin was 7 when he first sat behind the family organ. Ten years later, he was studying classical piano. Soon, he started flirting with the jazz scene. Then, he took an interest in electronica and pop music, collaborating with the likes of Mara Tremblay, Yann Perreau and Marie-Jo Thério. In 2002, Thouin assembled the Large Ensemble, an all-star local group mixing jazz and rock. Informed by Miles Davis' late sixties experiments, Thouin and friends (Yannick Rieu, Olivier Langevin...) used the band to flex their improvisational muscles.

Daniel Thouin - piano & keyboards / Joel Miller - tenor saxophone / Levi Dover - double bass / Kevin Warren - drum

A native of Nova Scotia and of Acadian heritage, Amirault has been active as a leader and sideman on the Montreal jazz scene for more than 25 years. He is a recipient of the Prix Opus for concert of the year with the Altsys Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Maria Schneider, and Le Grand Prix de Jazz General Motors (Montreal International Jazz Festival) with the Eduardo Pipman Quartet. He has performed with Howard Levy, Kevin Dean, Michel Donato, Dave Turner, Karen Young, Andre White, Steve Amirault, Remi Bolduc, Fraser Hollins, Don Thompson, Wray Downes and Tim Hagans. He has a Bacherlor's and a Master's Degree from McGill University and has also published articles for the magazine Just Jazz Guitar. As well as performing in various jazz venues around the Montreal area Greg is also a jazz guitar instructor at McGill and Concordia Universities.

Steve Amirault is considered to be one of the most accomplished artists in Canada. The Toronto-based, Nova Scotia-born musician has released five celebrated albums and is currently preparing his new recording, this time delving into timeless songs from the American popular songbook. His world-class piano playing, combined with his rich, soulful baritone voice, make Steve Amirault a performer not to be missed. Some of Amirault’s honours and prizes include: laureate of the Montreal International Jazz Festival Competition; Prix Opus (Album of the Year for "Breath"); two Juno Awards for collaborations with François Carrier on “Compassion” and Christine Jensen on “Treelines”; three-time National Jazz Awards Canada nominee (Best Keyboardist, Best Acoustic Group, and Best Album); ADISQ Nomination for Best Jazz Album for “Breath” and winner of a Felix Award (ADISQ) for his contribution to "Hommage à Charlie Parker", an album by Rémi Bolduc.

Steve Amirault - piano / Rémi-Jean Leblanc - bass / Rich Irwin - drum

Pianist Andrew Boudreau is quickly becoming an active part of the Canadian and international jazz scenes. A native of Nova Scotia, he moved to Montreal in 2009, where he can be seen leading his own ensembles or with groups such as the Joel Kerr Quartet and Mark Nelson's Sympathetic Frequencies. In 2013, Andrew was one of eight emerging Canadian musicians to receive the Astral Artist Prize at the National Arts Centre. Andrew studied at the Schulich School of Music (McGill University), Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto) and at the Improvisational Music Workshop (New York City). Andrew has performed throughout Canada, the United States, France, Switzerland, Norway and Spain. He has also had the privilege to perform with a wide variety of musicians and ensembles, such as Kevin Dean, Rémi Bolduc, Joel Miller, Jeff Johnston, Jan Jarczyk, Measha Brueggergosman, the Orchestre national de jazz de Montréal and the Altsys Jazz Orchestra among others.

Andrew Boudreau - piano / Simon Wilson - double bass / Vicente Hansen - drum

Hands down Montreal's preeminent talent of the Jazz saxophone, Al McLean owns the night in this grand old Jazz city. Mentoring countless students of the music, McLean's brute force, and seemingly bottomless depths as an improviser keep his professional cohorts honest. The bar he sets is sky high, with an equally nimble command of bebop, and more avant garde repertoire rooted in the language of Coltrane. McLean is also a sought after saxophone restoration expert. Specializing in vintage instruments from the first half of the 20th Century, McLean makes the old horns sing. He can be found most nights of the week in Montreal's numerous Jazz hot spots, glittering vintage horn in hand, wowing audiences, inspiring (or unnerving) his band mates.

Al McLean - saxophone / Andrew Boudreau - piano / Rémi-Jean Leblanc - double bass / Guillaume Pilote - drum

Composer and tenor saxophonist Yannick Rieu is one of the finest musicians - in any genre of music - to have emerged from Québec, and one who’s also enjoyed an international career for many years, particularly in France. As early as 1988, Down Beat, the American bible of jazz, ranked him amongst the 20 most promising sax players in the world along side Branford Marsalis, Joe Lovano and Courtney Pine. Since then, he’s been collecting rave reviews in jazz publications in the U.S., France and Canada for his recordings and his live performances.

Yannick Rieu - saxophone / Gentiane MG - piano / Guy Boisvert - double bass / Loui-Vincent Hamel - drum

Canadian Juno award winning saxophonist Joel Miller has spent most of his life happily ignoring convention. Be it Jazz, Latin, Classical or Pop, Miller fluidly crosses boundaries, fusing a tapestry of fragments into a new and unique sound. Winner of the 2013 Juno Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Recording, Miller marries his awe-inspiring technique and boundless sense of musical adventure with a pop musician’s desire to make music that moves people. His compositions are inspired by the melodic simplicity and emotional depth of American folk music, and they’ve been praised by Downbeat as “passionate and creative, melodic yet exploratory.”  Miller’s ceaseless drive for originality has led to collaborations with Afro-Peruvian artist Oscar Stagnaro, Latin jazz master Joé Armando, Order of Canada-winning choir director Iwan Edwards, cutting edge percussionist/composer Thom Gossage and ground-breaking New Yorkers Ben Monder, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Geoffrey Keezer and Gary Versace. His most recent album, Dream Cassette, with Sienna Dahlen, was released worldwide in June 2016 to rave reviews, reaching # 1 on Reverbnation in jazz in Montreal, #1 on the CFRC jazz charts and #3 on the !Earshot National Jazz Chart!  He plans to tour this project over the next year to festivals worldwide.

Joel Miller - saxophones / Andre White - piano / Levi Dover - bass / Valérie Lacombe - drum

La musique rassemble et nous ouvre sur un monde de moments uniques et spontanés. Un langage universel qui donne lieu à toutes sortes de converses musicales et le jazz s’y prête particulièrement bien! C’est dans cet esprit que Kim Richardson, John Sadowy et Karl Surprenant souhaitent échanger pour les soirées « Jam Vocal Jazz ». Que de la musique, sans frontière, entre amis, tout ça dans l’atmosphère chaleureuse qu’offre le Dièse Onze. On vous attend tous les dimanches, pour un standard ou deux. Apportez vos partitions ou votre tonalité.

Kim Richardson - voix / John Sadowy - piano / Karl Surprenant - contrebasse

Entrée: contribution volontaire

Montalvo Flamenko Jazz (formerly Pachuco Flamenko Jazz) is a project led by Jheinsen Montalvo (El Pachuco), Montreal guitarist, of Salvadorian origin, having learned Flamenco Guitar in Andalusia (Spain) and from international masters. It is a group of variable ensembles: quintet, quartet, trio or duo. Inspired by the flamenco/jazz movement, it features original music after his self-titled EP. The repertoire consists of bulerías, alegrías, tangos and other ''palos flamenco'' with jazzy arrangements which allow the remarkable improvisation of high caliber musicians. We find the spirit and rhythm of flamenco alongside the sophisticated jazz harmony. Set as a duo, guitar-piano, for this occasion.

Cover Charge: voluntary contribution

‘Mondays’ heat up at Dièse Onze jazz club in the company of an all-star lineup, featuring virtuosos from Montreal’s Latin jazz scene. Son, rumba, timba and salsa rhythms drive and an exciting repertoire of original compositions as well as some innovative arrangements of traditional themes drawn from the very heart of Cuba.

Ben Deschamps - alto sax / François d'Amour - alto sax / David Bellemare - tenor sax / Mario Allard - tenor sax / Jean Fréchette - baritone sax / Matthieu Van Vliet - trombone / Taylor Donaldson - trombone / Olivier Hébert - trombone / Jean-Sébastien Vachon - bass trombone / Dominic Léveillé - trumpet / Maxime St-Pierre - trumpet / Jacques Kuba Séguin - trumpet / David Carbonneau - trumpet / Nicolas Boulay - trumpet / Charles Trudel - piano / Sébastien Pellerin - double bass / Al Bourgeois - drum

Cover Charge: voluntary contribution

Alex Bellegarde’s dynamic Tuesday jam session has become one of Montreal’s hippest weekly jazz events. The first set fires up with Bellegarde and his trio, playing host to a range of well known talents from the Montreal scene as well as musicians from out of town. The jam opens in the second set, to any jazz musician with the confidence to step up and play…there’s an unspoken rule though: “If you can’t keep up, you shouldn’t be on stage”. A great place to play and chill…. the jam continues on into the early hours!

Alex Bellegarde Trio and guest: Jeremy Léon - saxophone

Cover Charge: voluntary contribution

If you’re a fan of the acoustic sound of guitars, saxophone and upright bass, then you’re in for a treat. On the menu, authentic swing and a few seldomly heard classic songs. Eclectic Django (for the great Django Reinhardt) perform an American and European repertoire of pre-war jazz, but don’t be surprised if you recognize a classic French tune or two - jazz music permitting all incursions. This early evening event has been animating the Wednesdays of the Dièse Onze for six years already - and there’s no signs of quitting! A friendly Atmosphere, great music and solid musicians are guaranteed - welcome!

François Rousseau - guitare / Mathieu McConnell-Enright - contrebasse / Jody Golick - saxophone / Baptiste Lejeune - batterie

Cover Charge: voluntary contribution

Daniel Thouin was 7 when he first sat behind the family organ. Ten years later, he was studying classical piano. Soon, he started flirting with the jazz scene. Then, he took an interest in electronica and pop music, collaborating with the likes of Mara Tremblay, Yann Perreau and Marie-Jo Thério. In 2002, Thouin assembled the Large Ensemble, an all-star local group mixing jazz and rock. Informed by Miles Davis' late sixties experiments, Thouin and friends (Yannick Rieu, Olivier Langevin...) used the band to flex their improvisational muscles.

Daniel Thouin - piano & keyboards / Joel Miller - tenor saxophone / Levi Dover - double bass / Kevin Warren - drum

Christine Tassan was born in France but emigrated to Quebec in 1994. Her musical migration led from her first love, singing, through classical guitar and songwriting before bringing her to a serious study of Swing guitar à la Django. You can recognize and enjoy all these influences in the music she plays.

Cover Charge: voluntary contribution

Masashi Usui is a graduate from the University of the Arts in Aichi, Japan. He has studied with Masato Kumoi, Wataru Hamasaki, master drummer Fukushi Tainaka (member of Lou Donaldson's group) and canadian saxophonist Al McLean. Masashi acquired a prestigious scholarship from the Schulich School of Music of McGill University in 2015. Among many other achievements.

Masashi Usui - tenor saxophone / Paul Shrofel - piano / Marshal Herridge - double bass / Daniel Verdecchia - drum

Montalvo Flamenko Jazz (formerly Pachuco Flamenko Jazz) is a project led by Jheinsen Montalvo (El Pachuco), Montreal guitarist, of Salvadorian origin, having learned Flamenco Guitar in Andalusia (Spain) and from international masters. It is a group of variable ensembles: quintet, quartet, trio or duo. Inspired by the flamenco/jazz movement, it features original music after his self-titled EP. The repertoire consists of bulerías, alegrías, tangos and other ''palos flamenco'' with jazzy arrangements which allow the remarkable improvisation of high caliber musicians. We find the spirit and rhythm of flamenco alongside the sophisticated jazz harmony. Set as a duo, guitar-piano, for this occasion.

Cover Charge: voluntary contribution

‘Mondays’ heat up at Dièse Onze jazz club in the company of an all-star lineup, featuring virtuosos from Montreal’s Latin jazz scene. Son, rumba, timba and salsa rhythms drive and an exciting repertoire of original compositions as well as some innovative arrangements of traditional themes drawn from the very heart of Cuba.

Kirk MacDonald (tenor and alto saxophonist, flutist, piccolo-player) was born October 2, 1959 in Nova Scotia, Canada. He started to play the saxophone at the age of 10, after entering a high school music program to study saxophones, clarinet, flute, music theory and composition, graduating in 1977. MacDonald moved to Toronto to attend Humber College when he was 17. He studied saxophone privately with Don Palmer, Pat LaBarbera Lee Konitz, and George Coleman, and composition with Garry Dial. MacDonald has worked with some of the finest musicians in jazz music today. MacDonald has performed on more than 30 CDs, including appearances alongside jazz luminaries Phil Woods, Eddie Henderson, and Kenny Wheeler. Over 40 of his owncompositions have been recorded on CD. His record releases have consistently garnered honours and awards. His recording New Beginnings received nominations for a 2001 Juno Award, as well as a Canadian Indie Award. Kirk’s previous release The Atlantic Sessions won both the 1999 Juno Award for Best Mainstream Jazz Recording, and the 1999 Jazz Report Award for Album of the Year. Kirk also picked up the 1999 Jazz Report Award for Tenor Saxophonist of the Year. His latest recordings include “Songbook Vol. 1”, “Family Suite” and “Pure and Simple”.

Kirk MacDonald - saxophones / Andre White - piano / Adrian Veddady - double bass / Jim Doxas - drum

Since his arrival in Montreal at the age of 18, Rémi-Jean LeBlanc has gone a long way on the Montreal music scene. His first collaborations happened while he was still doing his undergraduate degree at l'Université de Montréal, where he took lessons with Michel Donato for 3 years. As he was finishing his degree, he started playing and working with some of the fixtures of the local scene, which allowed him to pursue his musical development and make a name for himself all over Quebec. He is presently in demand for highly artistic projects by musicians such as Yannick Rieu, Steve Amirault, Chet Doxas, and Joel Miller, as well as being sought out for commercial music, including people like Ginette Reno. For the last few years, he has also had the chance to accompany international artists passing through Montreal, notably David Binney, Seamus Blake, and Greg Osby.

Rémi-Jean Leblanc - bass / Nicolas Ferron - guitar / Rafael Zaldivar - paino / Samuel Joly - drum

Kirk MacDonald (tenor and alto saxophonist, flutist, piccolo-player) was born October 2, 1959 in Nova Scotia, Canada. He started to play the saxophone at the age of 10, after entering a high school music program to study saxophones, clarinet, flute, music theory and composition, graduating in 1977. MacDonald moved to Toronto to attend Humber College when he was 17. He studied saxophone privately with Don Palmer, Pat LaBarbera Lee Konitz, and George Coleman, and composition with Garry Dial. MacDonald has worked with some of the finest musicians in jazz music today. MacDonald has performed on more than 30 CDs, including appearances alongside jazz luminaries Phil Woods, Eddie Henderson, and Kenny Wheeler. Over 40 of his owncompositions have been recorded on CD. His record releases have consistently garnered honours and awards. His recording New Beginnings received nominations for a 2001 Juno Award, as well as a Canadian Indie Award. Kirk’s previous release The Atlantic Sessions won both the 1999 Juno Award for Best Mainstream Jazz Recording, and the 1999 Jazz Report Award for Album of the Year. Kirk also picked up the 1999 Jazz Report Award for Tenor Saxophonist of the Year. His latest recordings include “Songbook Vol. 1”, “Family Suite” and “Pure and Simple”.

Kirk MacDonald - saxophones / Andre White - piano / Adrian Veddady - double bass / Jim Doxas - drum

Montalvo Flamenko Jazz (formerly Pachuco Flamenko Jazz) is a project led by Jheinsen Montalvo (El Pachuco), Montreal guitarist, of Salvadorian origin, having learned Flamenco Guitar in Andalusia (Spain) and from international masters. It is a group of variable ensembles: quintet, quartet, trio or duo. Inspired by the flamenco/jazz movement, it features original music after his self-titled EP. The repertoire consists of bulerías, alegrías, tangos and other ''palos flamenco'' with jazzy arrangements which allow the remarkable improvisation of high caliber musicians. We find the spirit and rhythm of flamenco alongside the sophisticated jazz harmony. Set as a duo, guitar-piano, for this occasion.

Cover Charge: voluntary contribution

‘Mondays’ heat up at Dièse Onze jazz club in the company of an all-star lineup, featuring virtuosos from Montreal’s Latin jazz scene. Son, rumba, timba and salsa rhythms drive and an exciting repertoire of original compositions as well as some innovative arrangements of traditional themes drawn from the very heart of Cuba.

Montalvo Flamenko Jazz (formerly Pachuco Flamenko Jazz) is a project led by Jheinsen Montalvo (El Pachuco), Montreal guitarist, of Salvadorian origin, having learned Flamenco Guitar in Andalusia (Spain) and from international masters. It is a group of variable ensembles: quintet, quartet, trio or duo. Inspired by the flamenco/jazz movement, it features original music after his self-titled EP. The repertoire consists of bulerías, alegrías, tangos and other ''palos flamenco'' with jazzy arrangements which allow the remarkable improvisation of high caliber musicians. We find the spirit and rhythm of flamenco alongside the sophisticated jazz harmony. Set as a duo, guitar-piano, for this occasion.

Cover Charge: voluntary contribution

‘Mondays’ heat up at Dièse Onze jazz club in the company of an all-star lineup, featuring virtuosos from Montreal’s Latin jazz scene. Son, rumba, timba and salsa rhythms drive and an exciting repertoire of original compositions as well as some innovative arrangements of traditional themes drawn from the very heart of Cuba.

Montalvo Flamenko Jazz (formerly Pachuco Flamenko Jazz) is a project led by Jheinsen Montalvo (El Pachuco), Montreal guitarist, of Salvadorian origin, having learned Flamenco Guitar in Andalusia (Spain) and from international masters. It is a group of variable ensembles: quintet, quartet, trio or duo. Inspired by the flamenco/jazz movement, it features original music after his self-titled EP. The repertoire consists of bulerías, alegrías, tangos and other ''palos flamenco'' with jazzy arrangements which allow the remarkable improvisation of high caliber musicians. We find the spirit and rhythm of flamenco alongside the sophisticated jazz harmony. Set as a duo, guitar-piano, for this occasion.

Cover Charge: voluntary contribution

‘Mondays’ heat up at Dièse Onze jazz club in the company of an all-star lineup, featuring virtuosos from Montreal’s Latin jazz scene. Son, rumba, timba and salsa rhythms drive and an exciting repertoire of original compositions as well as some innovative arrangements of traditional themes drawn from the very heart of Cuba.

Christine Tassan was born in France but emigrated to Quebec in 1994. Her musical migration led from her first love, singing, through classical guitar and songwriting before bringing her to a serious study of Swing guitar à la Django. You can recognize and enjoy all these influences in the music she plays.

Cover Charge: voluntary contribution