2023 Artists and Adjudicators

2023 Artists and Adjudicators:

Tara Davidson - ​Featured Artist
​David Restivo - Jazz Band Adjudicator
Joel Gray - ​Jazz Band Adjudicator
Pat Belliveau - Jazz Band Adjudicator
Jaclyn Guillou - Vocal Adjudicator
Kim Kleineberg - Vocal Adjudicator
Bob Rogers - Combo Adjudicator
Larry Roy - Combo Adjudicator
Joe Auty - Combo Adjudicator

Our 2023 Featured Artist: Tara Davidson

Tara Davidson is an award-winning alto and soprano saxophonist who has performed around the world at such prestigious venues as New York City’s Carnegie Hall, the acclaimed North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands, the International Jazz Festival in Lima, Peru, the JZ Jazz Club in Shanghai, China, and The  Kennedy Center, in Washington, D.C. 

Davidson is a ten-time JUNO Award-nominated artist. As a bandleader, Davidson has produced seven recordings since 2004 and performed on approximately forty recordings as a side musician. Four of her seven recordings as a leader or co-leader (Carn Davidson 9) have been nominated by the JUNO Awards for  “Album of the Year” in the “Traditional”, “Solo” and “Group” jazz categories. Her bands have been comprised of various configurations from duo to nonet and have included such personnel as Mike Murley  (saxophone), William Carn (trombone), Laila Biali (piano), Kelly Jefferson (saxophone), Andrew Downing (bass and cello), David Braid (piano), and Ernesto Cervini (drums), among many others. Davidson has been associated with six additional JUNO nominations for her work as a side musician with Andrew Downing’s Otterville, Ernesto Cervini’s Turboprop (x2), the Mike Murley Septet, CBC Records’ “Jazz Legends Live” project, and Jens Lindemann’s Order of Canada Band (Yamaha Big Band member). In 2020, Davidson won a JUNO Award for Jazz Album of the Year: Group as a member of Ernesto Cervini’s Turboprop. 

Some of Davidson’s other honours include being selected as the lead alto saxophonist for the Canadian National Jazz Orchestra in 2022 and for the European Broadcasting Union’s “European Youth Jazz  Orchestra” in 2008, being selected as one of five finalists in the Mary Lou Williams “Women in Jazz” saxophone competition in 2008, and being selected as one of three finalists for the Toronto Arts  Foundation’s “Emerging Jazz Artist Award” in 2015. In 2013, Davidson was awarded the Ontario Arts Council’s “Chalmers Professional Development Grant” to study with saxophone legend, Dick Oatts, in New York City. 
Davidson also enjoys a diverse freelance career as a woodwind player (saxophones, clarinet, and flute). She has worked with musical theatre companies such as the Stratford Festival, the Musical Stage Company (formally Acting Upstage), and Drayton Entertainment, and with such symphonies as the  Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the National Ballet Orchestra, and the Kitchener Waterloo Symphony. Studio and performance opportunities have allowed Davidson to perform alongside such artists as Joel Frahm, Shirley Bassey, Oliver Jones, Tommy Banks, Wycliffe Gordon, Emilie-Claire Barlow, Phil Dwyer, Jim  McNeely, Ingrid Jenson, Christine Jensen, Brad Turner, John Riley, and Gary Versace. 

Davidson is an active educator. She is on faculty at the University of Toronto and York University. Davidson has been a guest faculty member for the National Music Camp (NMC Jazz Faculty), Ottawa’s Jazzworks Jazz Camp, the Interprovincial Music Camp (IMC Jazz Faculty), Saskatoon’s TD Jazz Intensive Workshop, and the Stanford Jazz Workshop. 
​
Tara Davidson is proud to be a Yamaha Artist and plays their Custom Z alto saxophone, Custom CSVR  clarinet, and YFL-577 Series flute.

Jazz Band Adjudicator: David Restivo

David Restivo is an award-winning pianist and composer. Born in Lansing, Michigan, molded by the mountains and coasts of New England, and based primarily in Toronto, Canada since 1982, he has been a sought-after and influential figure in Canada’s jazz community since the late 1980s. He recently relocated to Nelson, BC after accepting an offer to join the fulltime music faculty at Selkirk College.

Well-known for his work with Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass, the Mike Murley Quintet, and legendary songwriter Marc Jordan, David has performed and recorded with such renowned artists as Dave Holland, Curtis Fuller, Mel Tormé, Kenny Wheeler, Jon Hendricks, and David Clayton-Thomas. A dedicated music educator for over 20 years, he has previously taught at Humber College, the Banff Centre for the Arts, and the University of Toronto. His own teachers have included Muhal Richard Abrams, Jim McNeely, and Kenny Werner.

Immersed in the arts from birth, a chance discovery of a Dizzy Gillespie recording at an early age led him to eventually focus on jazz and improvised music, though he derives inspiration from a wide range of musical and non-musical sources, including John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Joni Mitchell, Genesis, Hazrat Inayat Khan, Gustav Mahler, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Marc Chagall, and J.S. Bach.

“...simply one of the most exceptional jazz pianists of his generation that Canada can boast of...” (Roger Levesque, Edmonton Journal) 
Jazz Band Adjudicator: Joel Gray
Joel is an Edmonton-based trumpeter and music educator with 25-years of experience. He has shared the stage with some of the world's finest artists, including Tommy Banks, PJ Perry, Jens Lindemann, Matt Catingub, Slide Hampton, Diana Krall, Nikki Yanovsky, Lew Tebackin, Allen Vizzutti, Gino Vannelli, Kent Sangster, Hugh Fraser, and commercial talents Frank Sinatra Jr., the Temptations, Gino Vannelli, Wayne Newton, Maria Dunn, and Rollanda Lee, to name a few.

Known for his versatility, Joel is in high demand in both jazz and classical genres. He is a regular performer with many local artists and diverse musical ensembles, including the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, The Edmonton Jazz Orchestra, The Don Berner Big Band, The Edmonton Jazz Collective, Edmonton Opera, Pro Coro Canada, the Tommy Banks Big Band, and he leads his own groups, Bok Brass, and Spanky and the Music Makers.

As a music educator, Joel has been teaching since 1995, and has taught at MacEwan University, Augustana University, and Keyano College. He is the director of MusiCamp Alberta and has adjudicated for the Cantando Music Festival, the Rocky Mountain Music Festival, the Foothills Jazz Festival, and the Kiwanis Music Festival. Since 2004, he has been the director of the award-winning “Littlebirds” jazz bands.
Jazz Band Adjudicator - Pat Belliveau
Pat Belliveau is a JUNO Award nominated and 3-time YYC Music Award nominated saxophonist, and, has an extensive performing background which has involved numerous performances at international jazz festivals and venues in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Montreal, Montreux, Switzerland, and Boquete, and Panama City, Panama. In addition, he has toured throughout North America, Europe, and Japan, with numerous groups, including, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Vic Damone/Diahann Carroll, the Mills Brothers, "Jazz Vibraphonist" Terry Gibbs, Maureen McGovern, and Mel Torme.

As well, Pat has done numerous concert performances with many artists and groups including; Bob Mintzer, Randy Brecker, Herbie Hancock, Harry Connick Jr., Bobby Shew, Clark Terry, Pat LaBarbera, Rob McConnell, Phil Woods, Bill Watrous, Mike Tomaro, Jeff Jarvis, Kenny Wheeler, Doc Severinsen, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, The Temptations, Joan Rivers, Bernadette Peters, David Foster, Colin James, The University of Calgary Jazz Ensemble, The University of Lethbridge Jazz Ensemble, The Brandon University Jazz Ensemble, The Abilene Christian University Jazz Ensemble (Abilene, Texas), The Canadian "rock group" Lighthouse, The Canadian Tenors (Now “The Tenors”), The New York casts of A West Side Story and A Chorus Line, The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra among others.

In addition, he is presently on faculty (teaching saxophone, improvisation, and jazz ensemble director) at Ambrose University in Calgary, is a former faculty member of the University of Calgary Music Department (1995-2008), teaching jazz saxophone, jazz harmony, and jazz improvisation. As well, Pat has been a private saxophone instructor since 1986, has several private students, and is active as a clinician/adjudicator for festivals, schools, and various adult groups throughout Canada. He can be heard on over 55 recordings as a sideman and leader, and has been heard on numerous television and radio jingles.

Pat is an Artist/Clinician for "Yamaha Canada Music Ltd." endorsing the Yamaha “82Z Custom Mark II” design professional tenor and soprano saxophones, and the “875EX Custom” design alto saxophone, for “BG Woodwind Music Products” (France), for “Theo Wanne Saxophone Mouthpieces”, and for “Marca Saxophone Reeds” (France).

(Website: http://www.belltones.ca)
Vocal Adjudicator - Jaclyn Guillou
Jaclyn Guillou is a contemporary jazz vocalist, composer, lyricist, dancer and actress from Vancouver. Since the age of 14 she performed in musicals and joined the actors union at 17 while studying in Toronto and then later doing several seasons with Vancouver’s Arts Club. After discovering autonomy in jazz she was awarded the CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award and in 2013 Jaclyn was invited to perform a live concert on CBC Television called “What A Difference” a tribute to Dinah Washington. She has studied with Sheila Jordan, Kate McGarry and Nancy King and received multiple government grants for studying and recording. In 2016 her 4th album “This Bitter Earth” was nominated for a Juno Award and a Western Canadian Music Award for Vocal Album of the Year. This album and previous recordings brought her across the globe performing in international jazz festivals and venues such as Birdland, Yoshi’s, Montreal Jazz Fest, Victoria Jazz Fest, The Rex, Yardbird Suite, The Cellar, Rataplan, Jazz Station, Music Village and the 55 Bar. In 2019 she moved to Kelowna to join the family business and now resides here.
Vocal Adjudicator - Kim Kleineberg
Kimberly Kleineberg studied Vocal Performance at and graduated with a degree in Music and Music Education from Western Washington State University. 

Kim developed an award-winning band and choral programme at Mount Boucherie Secondary School over the years and ended her full-time teaching career with a choral programme with seven ensembles.
 
Kim is the founder and director of the Spectrum Singers. An auditioned 40-voice choir, Spectrum Singers has not only built an audience following filling the local cathedral four nights a year, but has also been honoured to perform with the Canadian Tenors, Heart, David Foster, in Carnegie Hall, and with the Okanagan Symphony in the Gary Cable project (to be repeated this coming March 2023).

Kim has been honoured with many accolades over the years and was a recipient of the Okanagan’s Most Outstanding Musician in 2016. 

Kim continues to substitute teach and workshop throughout the district as her biggest joy as a teacher is her connection with the kids.

Combo Adjudicator - Bob Rogers

Born and raised in Vancouver, trombonist and educator Bob Rogers attended Humber College in Toronto before completing a Bachelor of Music Degree at UBC and a Master of Music degree in trombone performance at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL.

A versatile performer, Bob played with numerous ensembles in the Vancouver area including the Vancouver Opera, the Victoria Symphony, the Vancouver Jazz Orchestra, and numerous small jazz and chamber ensembles. Bob has also performed or recorded with Natalie Cole, Aerosmith, Charlotte Diamond, the O’Jays and the Temptations, and also spent a year touring Europe with a New York production of the Duke Ellington musical Sophisticated Ladies.

​In 1993 Bob moved to Revelstoke where he taught band and general music to both secondary and elementary students for over 25 years, and since moving to the interior he has been a member of the Okanagan Symphony as well as his own jazz group and numerous other ensembles throughout the Okanagan. In 2020 Bob retired from full time teaching and now lives in Vernon where he is keeping busy as a performer, composer/arranger and clinician.

Combo Adjudicator - Larry Roy

Larry Roy has been in the music industry for more than 40 years, as a jazz recording and touring artist, part of an award winning and JUNO-nominated duo with singer Erin Propp, a musical director for radio and television, a composer for film and television, and an arranger for symphony and big band. Larry is also a studio owner, recording engineer, and producer for countless artists including JUNO winners Will Bonness and Jocelyn Gould. Since 2004, Larry has held the position of Professor for improvisation and guitar at the University of Manitoba’s Jazz Program.

With as wide a career as Larry has had, he is still primarily a jazz guitarist who has performed, recorded, and taught alongside the top jazz musicians in North America, including Bobby Hutcherson, Terry Lynne Carrington, Jimmy Greene, Larnell Lewis, and countless others. His love of the guitar remains strong as he continues to grow and expand his skills. His co-writing with Erin Propp has produced two highly acclaimed recordings, "Courage My Love" 2013, and "We Want All the Same Things" 2021. Over the years Larry has toured all over North America and Europe and has played the Canadian Jazz festivals many times.

In the last 20 years Larry has devoted much if his energy towards the University of Manitoba Jazz Program as a guitar, improvisation Professor and ensemble coach. His expertise in harmony and rhythm has helped countless young musicians develop their abilities and continue on to Masters programs at institutions such as the Julliard School of Music, Manhattan School of Music, and Michigan State University. Larry is also committed to the continued growth of jazz education in western Canada through his association with jazz educators in Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, and the BC interior.

Combo Adjudicator - Joe Auty

Joe Auty has performed across Canada and the midwest in the United States as both a lead trumpet player and jazz soloist. He moved from Toronto to British Columbia around the start of the pandemic, and is actively involved in the Okanogan Valley music scene. When he lived in Toronto Joe was Robbie Lane's regular trumpet player, and was featured in New Orleans brass bands, big bands, wedding bands, numerous jazz combos, musical theater, and regular salsa gigs at Toronto's premiere latin music venue, Lula Lounge. Joe recorded for Jenie Thai, performed on cruise ships, and has been a guest soloist and clinician for numerous jazz festivals and standalone workshops.

Joe studied music at Humber College, the University of Toronto (where he played in an ensemble with Tara Davidson), and most recently at Indiana University directed by David Baker. Joe's career has largely been focused around being a sideman, freelance performance, and in supporting jazz education, but will soon be releasing his own original material.