2024 Artists and Adjudicators
2024 Artists and Adjudicators:
Brad Turner - Featured Artist
Dave Robbins - Jazz Band Adjudicator
Dennis Esson - Jazz Band Adjudicator
Michael Perkins - Jazz Band Adjudicator
Bob Rogers - Combo Adjudicator
Mike Rud - Combo Adjudicator
Emily Denison - Combo Adjudicator
Kinga Heming - Vocal Adjudicator
Brad Turner - Featured Artist
Dave Robbins - Jazz Band Adjudicator
Dennis Esson - Jazz Band Adjudicator
Michael Perkins - Jazz Band Adjudicator
Bob Rogers - Combo Adjudicator
Mike Rud - Combo Adjudicator
Emily Denison - Combo Adjudicator
Kinga Heming - Vocal Adjudicator
Our 2024 Featured Artist: Brad Turner
Trumpeter, pianist, drummer and composer Brad Turner is one of Canada’s most highly esteemed jazz musicians.
Brad has performed and/or recorded with such artists as Joe Lovano, Bill Frisell, Kenny Wheeler, Terry-Lynn Carrington, John Scofield, Reneé Rosnes, Phil Dwyer, Peter Bernstein, Ingrid Jensen, Neil Swainson, Dan Weiss, P.J. Perry, Seamus Blake, Kenny Werner, Russell Malone, Charles McPherson and Ernie Watts.
As a bandleader on both trumpet and piano, Brad has released eleven albums. In 1997,1998 and 2017 Brad won Juno Awards for Best Contemporary Jazz Album recognizing his work in the internationally acclaimed electric jazz group Metalwood. Brad was awarded the 2006 Victor Lynch-Staunton Prize for excellence in musical achievement and in 2014 was the recipient of the Vancouver Mayor’s Art Award for music. Brad is a member of the jazz studies faculty at Capilano University in North Vancouver, B.C.
Brad has performed and/or recorded with such artists as Joe Lovano, Bill Frisell, Kenny Wheeler, Terry-Lynn Carrington, John Scofield, Reneé Rosnes, Phil Dwyer, Peter Bernstein, Ingrid Jensen, Neil Swainson, Dan Weiss, P.J. Perry, Seamus Blake, Kenny Werner, Russell Malone, Charles McPherson and Ernie Watts.
As a bandleader on both trumpet and piano, Brad has released eleven albums. In 1997,1998 and 2017 Brad won Juno Awards for Best Contemporary Jazz Album recognizing his work in the internationally acclaimed electric jazz group Metalwood. Brad was awarded the 2006 Victor Lynch-Staunton Prize for excellence in musical achievement and in 2014 was the recipient of the Vancouver Mayor’s Art Award for music. Brad is a member of the jazz studies faculty at Capilano University in North Vancouver, B.C.
Dave Robbins is one of Canada’s premier jazz drummers and a
first-rate composer/ arranger and jazz educator. Though well known for his exciting big band work, he is equally comfortable in a trio setting where his brilliance as an accompanist can be fully appreciated.
An energetic and sensitive drummer, Dave grew up in Victoria and was educated at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. In 1996 he could no longer resist the pull of the west coast, and is thrilled to have moved back.
As well as playing on over 45 recordings for leaders such as Mike Allen, Bill Coon, Hugh Fraser, John Korsrud, Jennifer Scott, PJ Perry, Don Thompson, and Jill Townsend, Dave has played music all over the world, in countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Finland, France, Holland, and Ireland. Musicians he has performed with include: Gary Bartz, Peter Bernstein, Slide Hampton, Lee Konitz, and Dave Young among others.
Dave has been on the music faculty at Capilano University in North Vancouver for over 20 years.
Dave also leads his own groups and just released his third CD entitled "Joan of Art”.
first-rate composer/ arranger and jazz educator. Though well known for his exciting big band work, he is equally comfortable in a trio setting where his brilliance as an accompanist can be fully appreciated.
An energetic and sensitive drummer, Dave grew up in Victoria and was educated at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. In 1996 he could no longer resist the pull of the west coast, and is thrilled to have moved back.
As well as playing on over 45 recordings for leaders such as Mike Allen, Bill Coon, Hugh Fraser, John Korsrud, Jennifer Scott, PJ Perry, Don Thompson, and Jill Townsend, Dave has played music all over the world, in countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Finland, France, Holland, and Ireland. Musicians he has performed with include: Gary Bartz, Peter Bernstein, Slide Hampton, Lee Konitz, and Dave Young among others.
Dave has been on the music faculty at Capilano University in North Vancouver for over 20 years.
Dave also leads his own groups and just released his third CD entitled "Joan of Art”.
Vancouver trombonist Dennis Esson is a highly respected and much sought after musician and educator both locally and across Canada. His performing credits span all genres, from recording for TV, radio, motion pictures and albums to live pop, rock, jazz, Broadway and classical shows.
As a music educator Dennis has taught at Capilano University since 1997. As a faculty member of the Capilano Jazz Studies Department he teaches large ensembles, combos and improvisation, trombone lessons and is a coordinator of the department. Dennis is very active as an adjudicator, clinician and lecturer at universities, colleges, and schools across Canada.
Michael Perkins is a professional classical and jazz trumpeter, composer, clinician, and adjudicator currently from Coldstream, B.C.
Michael spent over 40 years as an internationally award-winning music educator with experience in both the public and private school systems in the Okanagan Valley and the Lower Mainland. He is a past coordinator of the Vancouver Kiwanis Jazz Festival, the B.C. Interior Jazz Festival and was involved in founding/directing multiple groups including the original funk band, The Mammals, from Kelowna; the Sea'T'Sky Big Band, in Squamish; the Nicola Valley Brass Quintet, in the Thompson-Okanagan; the Playmor Junction Big Band, in Nelson; and the Night Owl Orchestra, Central Okanagan.
As a freelance trumpet/flugelhorn player, clinician and adjudicator, Michael works with the Okanagan Symphony, the Kamloops Symphony, the Michael Garding Big Band, Symphonic Rock Revolution, Perkins/Landsberg Duo, the Legendary Lake Monsters, the Clinton Swanson R&B Band and the Justin Glibbery Quintet. He has also served as Music Director for musical theatre, the 100th Centenary celebration for Kelowna and the BC Summer Games and enjoys every opportunity he gets in the recording studio and has just recently released a new compilation CD, “Michael * Perkins * Reflections”. Michael has performed throughout Europe and North America and has worked with such artists as Cleo Laine/John Dankworth, Holly Cole, Laila Biali, Jann Arden, Mike Murphy, Dee Daniels, Dianne Shuur and the great Greg Yasinitski. Michael’s other passions include downhill skiing, motorcycles, and is discovering his talent for visual art.
Michael spent over 40 years as an internationally award-winning music educator with experience in both the public and private school systems in the Okanagan Valley and the Lower Mainland. He is a past coordinator of the Vancouver Kiwanis Jazz Festival, the B.C. Interior Jazz Festival and was involved in founding/directing multiple groups including the original funk band, The Mammals, from Kelowna; the Sea'T'Sky Big Band, in Squamish; the Nicola Valley Brass Quintet, in the Thompson-Okanagan; the Playmor Junction Big Band, in Nelson; and the Night Owl Orchestra, Central Okanagan.
As a freelance trumpet/flugelhorn player, clinician and adjudicator, Michael works with the Okanagan Symphony, the Kamloops Symphony, the Michael Garding Big Band, Symphonic Rock Revolution, Perkins/Landsberg Duo, the Legendary Lake Monsters, the Clinton Swanson R&B Band and the Justin Glibbery Quintet. He has also served as Music Director for musical theatre, the 100th Centenary celebration for Kelowna and the BC Summer Games and enjoys every opportunity he gets in the recording studio and has just recently released a new compilation CD, “Michael * Perkins * Reflections”. Michael has performed throughout Europe and North America and has worked with such artists as Cleo Laine/John Dankworth, Holly Cole, Laila Biali, Jann Arden, Mike Murphy, Dee Daniels, Dianne Shuur and the great Greg Yasinitski. Michael’s other passions include downhill skiing, motorcycles, and is discovering his talent for visual art.
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 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.
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 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.
Mike Rud is a Juno award-winning jazz guitarist and songwriter. He is also a music instructor at Selkirk College in Nelson, BC. As an instrumentalist, Mike has played alongside some of the greatest jazz musicians of the era like Peter Bernstein, Kenney Wheeler, Herb Ellis and Joey DeFrancesco. As a songwriter and arranger, Mike won the 2014 Juno Award for his album Notes on Montreal, a critically acclaimed musical portrait of the city. It was inspired by the great literature set in Montreal (Michel Tremblay, Gabrielle Roy etc.) and sung by Sienna Dahlen. Mike’s subsequent 2015 solo release, Miniatures, delighted audiences across Canada, creating the effect of a small group with only his voice and his guitar. He has a master’s degree from McGill, and studied privately in New York City with one of the fathers of modern jazz guitar, Jim Hall. In 2007 Mike spent a year studying how the brain processes music, in the laboratory of Dr. Daniel Levitin (author of New York Times bestseller This is Your Brain on Music). Mike has taught at McGill, Western Washington and Carleton universities, and speaks frequently at other music schools.
Emily Denison is a unique and sought-after trumpeter whose strengths lie in navigating the space between composition and improvisation. After growing up in Ottawa, her musical path brought her through Toronto and Montreal before landing in Kelowna.
Her years spent studying, performing, composing, collaborating, and presenting in these major cities allowed her to connect with prominent musicians from across Canada and abroad. She has performed and recorded with Proxemics (Mike McCormick’s Norwegian-Canadian quartet), Ken Aldcroft’s Convergence Ensemble, Christine Jensen’s Equals Orchestra, and Nick Fraser’s New Quartet, to name a few.
As a leader, co-leader, and composer, Emily’s credits include the playful jazz ensemble Bellwether4, the Emily Denison Septet, Mars People, Hofbauer/Denison/Kruger (a Canadian-American collaboration), and her solo trumpet cassette Kindred. Emily holds a Bachelor’s of Music in Jazz Performance from the University of Toronto where she studied under such accomplished musicians as Jim Lewis, Terry Promane, Mike Murley, Andrew Downing, Phil Nimmons, and others. She finds immense fulfillment in her current work as a certified music therapist (MTA), where she serves a diverse clientele using music as a means for empowerment, development, and enhancing quality of life.
Her years spent studying, performing, composing, collaborating, and presenting in these major cities allowed her to connect with prominent musicians from across Canada and abroad. She has performed and recorded with Proxemics (Mike McCormick’s Norwegian-Canadian quartet), Ken Aldcroft’s Convergence Ensemble, Christine Jensen’s Equals Orchestra, and Nick Fraser’s New Quartet, to name a few.
As a leader, co-leader, and composer, Emily’s credits include the playful jazz ensemble Bellwether4, the Emily Denison Septet, Mars People, Hofbauer/Denison/Kruger (a Canadian-American collaboration), and her solo trumpet cassette Kindred. Emily holds a Bachelor’s of Music in Jazz Performance from the University of Toronto where she studied under such accomplished musicians as Jim Lewis, Terry Promane, Mike Murley, Andrew Downing, Phil Nimmons, and others. She finds immense fulfillment in her current work as a certified music therapist (MTA), where she serves a diverse clientele using music as a means for empowerment, development, and enhancing quality of life.
Kinga Heming was born in Poland, lived for a short while with her family in Amsterdam, and then moved to Canada where she ultimately now resides in Kelowna, BC. Her home was filled with music from a young age with a jazz performer father and music loving mother. She was constantly exposed to vocal pop and jazz records by The Platters, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra and the like.
In her teens, she discovered and began learning the repertoires of many great jazz vocalists, including Diana Krall, Dianne Reeves, Sarah Vaughan, Natalie Cole, and especially Ella Fitzgerald.
Kinga studied voice and theory at Humber College, where she also served as instructor for voice, piano, theory, ear training and improvisation to child and adult students.
Her last GRAMMY nominated album "Forever in my Heart", comes straight from her heart in a collection of songs that she refers to as a "book written about her personal life".
Kinga is also featured in the Kelowna-based musical review entitle Songs of the Southern Belles.
Her years of live jazz gigs around town and various cities, have made her a cornerstone of the local jazz scene.
In her teens, she discovered and began learning the repertoires of many great jazz vocalists, including Diana Krall, Dianne Reeves, Sarah Vaughan, Natalie Cole, and especially Ella Fitzgerald.
Kinga studied voice and theory at Humber College, where she also served as instructor for voice, piano, theory, ear training and improvisation to child and adult students.
Her last GRAMMY nominated album "Forever in my Heart", comes straight from her heart in a collection of songs that she refers to as a "book written about her personal life".
Kinga is also featured in the Kelowna-based musical review entitle Songs of the Southern Belles.
Her years of live jazz gigs around town and various cities, have made her a cornerstone of the local jazz scene.