2025 Artists and Adjudicators
2025 Artists and Adjudicators:
Steve Kaldestad - Featured Artist & Jazz Band Adjudicator
Bob Rogers - Jazz Band Adjudicator
Nick Dyson - Jazz Band Adjudicator
Campbell Ryga - Combo Adjudicator
Loni Moger - Combo Adjudicator
Emily Denison - Combo Adjudicator
Steve Kaldestad - Featured Artist & Jazz Band Adjudicator
Bob Rogers - Jazz Band Adjudicator
Nick Dyson - Jazz Band Adjudicator
Campbell Ryga - Combo Adjudicator
Loni Moger - Combo Adjudicator
Emily Denison - Combo Adjudicator
Our 2025 Featured Artist: Steve Kaldestad
Since moving to Vancouver in 2008, Steve Kaldestad has become one of the most in-demand saxophonists and guest clinicians on the West Coast scene. Steve is a member of the Jill Townsend Jazz Orchestra, the Dan Brubeck Quartet, and many other groups, as well as leading his own solo musical projects. Steve has released four albums on the Cellar Live label to great acclaim, including ”Straight Up”, featuring the Mike LeDonne Trio, “New York Afternoon” with the Renee Rosnes Trio, and his latest release, “Live at Frankie’s Jazz Club”.
Originally from the prairies, Steve spent the ’90s in Montreal, obtaining his Bachelors and Masters degrees from McGill University. During this time Steve was awarded a grant to study with Lee Konitz in New York.
In 2000, he began an eight year stint of freelance work in London, England, before landing back in Canada.
Steve now resides in Port Moody, BC and teaches full time at Capilano University. Steve is a D’Addario artist and plays D’Addario Select Jazz reeds on all his saxophones.
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.
Loni Moger
Musician, Arranger, Composer, Producer, Educator, and Sound Engineer who played his first professional gig at the age of fourteen. Received a Bachelor’s degree from Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music where he studied Guitar, Voice, Composing and Arranging.
Loni is equally at home in a wide variety of musical styles from Blues to Jazz to Funk, Rhythm and Blues, Pop and Country. He also harbours a secret passion for classical music, having had several opportunities to work with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, including Pops concerts and the The “Lord of the Rings Symphony” and the Flamenco opera, “Ainadamar, Fountain of Tears.”
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.
Canadian Trumpeter, Musical Director and Educator Nicholas Dyson calls Ottawa, Ontario home. He performs regularly with The Beeched Wailers, Prime Rib Big Band, Los Gringos, The Convertibles, Ottawa Latin Jazz Orchestra, Mackenzie Rhythm Section and Point Blank Brass.
Nicholas has also played with the National Arts Centre Orchestra Pops, Sun Valley Summer Symphony, Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, Capital Brassworks, the 2019 “ = Jazz Orchestra” under the direction of Christine Jensen, Ottawa Latin Jazz Orchestra, and many musical
theatre shows such as Book of Mormon, Motown the Musical, Mean Girls, MJ the Musical, and A Chorus Line.
Nicholas has also worked many well known artists and bands, such as Aretha Franklin, Dave Brubeck, Barbra Streisand, Gladys Knight, Natalie Cole, Roy Hargrove Big Band, Kim Massie, Jamie Cullum, Linda Eder, Campbell Ryga, Paul Anka, The Moody Blues, Procol Harum, Bernie Worrell, The Temptations, The Coasters, The Platters, The Four Tops, Solomon Douglas Swingtet, Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar, Patrick Watson, Dan Mangan and Broken Social Scene.
Nicholas’ trumpet can be heard on dozens of recordings by groups like The Beecher Wailers, Prime Rib Big Band, Solomon Douglas Swingtet, Tilda, That’s The Spirit, Souljazz Orchestra, Slim Moore & the Mar-Kays, The Cooper Brothers, Orienteers, The Bank Street Bon Bons, Phil Motion & the Easy Lo-Fi, Delbert & the Commotions, Good Advice, plus a live concert
recording for CBC Radio Canada with Los Gringos.
Nicholas is the founder and director of Capital Youth Jazz Orchestra. CYJO is an educationally driven jazz big band, made up primarily of students from Ottawa area universities whose music programs lack a big band component. Nicholas operates Ottawa Trumpet Lessons, teaches at Carleton University Jazz Camp, hosts Trumpet Bootcamp at Alcorn Music Studios, and has adjudicated festivals, presented clinics and masterclasses across North America. Nicholas is fortunate to visit British Columbia regularly, where he serves as Musical Director and Lead Trumpet for mighty little big band “Sandy Cameron’s Shuhorns”, and visits classrooms and community band rehearsals in many interior communities.
Nicholas has also played with the National Arts Centre Orchestra Pops, Sun Valley Summer Symphony, Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, Capital Brassworks, the 2019 “ = Jazz Orchestra” under the direction of Christine Jensen, Ottawa Latin Jazz Orchestra, and many musical
theatre shows such as Book of Mormon, Motown the Musical, Mean Girls, MJ the Musical, and A Chorus Line.
Nicholas has also worked many well known artists and bands, such as Aretha Franklin, Dave Brubeck, Barbra Streisand, Gladys Knight, Natalie Cole, Roy Hargrove Big Band, Kim Massie, Jamie Cullum, Linda Eder, Campbell Ryga, Paul Anka, The Moody Blues, Procol Harum, Bernie Worrell, The Temptations, The Coasters, The Platters, The Four Tops, Solomon Douglas Swingtet, Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar, Patrick Watson, Dan Mangan and Broken Social Scene.
Nicholas’ trumpet can be heard on dozens of recordings by groups like The Beecher Wailers, Prime Rib Big Band, Solomon Douglas Swingtet, Tilda, That’s The Spirit, Souljazz Orchestra, Slim Moore & the Mar-Kays, The Cooper Brothers, Orienteers, The Bank Street Bon Bons, Phil Motion & the Easy Lo-Fi, Delbert & the Commotions, Good Advice, plus a live concert
recording for CBC Radio Canada with Los Gringos.
Nicholas is the founder and director of Capital Youth Jazz Orchestra. CYJO is an educationally driven jazz big band, made up primarily of students from Ottawa area universities whose music programs lack a big band component. Nicholas operates Ottawa Trumpet Lessons, teaches at Carleton University Jazz Camp, hosts Trumpet Bootcamp at Alcorn Music Studios, and has adjudicated festivals, presented clinics and masterclasses across North America. Nicholas is fortunate to visit British Columbia regularly, where he serves as Musical Director and Lead Trumpet for mighty little big band “Sandy Cameron’s Shuhorns”, and visits classrooms and community band rehearsals in many interior communities.
Campbell Ryga was born in 1961 in Edmonton Alberta, Canada. Campbell is the eldest son of the Internationally renowned Canadian Author and Playwright - George Ryga. Campbell was raised in the community of Summerland British Columbia, where he lived until moving to Vancouver to pursue private and post secondary study in 1979. Since 1979, Campbell has resided in the cities of Vancouver British Columbia, Toronto Ontario and in New York City. Mr. Ryga was honoured to have received the Jazz Report Magazine Award of 'Canada's Alto Saxophonist of the Year 2000' presented to him at the annual Jazz Report Awards Ceremony held in Toronto in May of the year 2000. The two former recipients of this award were Moe Koffman and PJ Perry.
Mr. Ryga has received 3 Juno Awards, with two additional nominations, a Grammy nomination, and he appeared on Michael Buble's recording 'Crazy Love' which received a Grammy Award in 2010. Campbell Ryga's recordings have twice received the 'Western Canadian Music Award' in the Jazz category.
Campbell Ryga has toured internationally on 26 occasions, primarily to Western Europe and to Latin America, notably to the Havana International Jazz Festival, where he has been invited to perform for six consecutive years.
Mr. Ryga is a founding member of the internationally acclaimed Hugh Fraser Quintet, an All Star multiple Award
Winning Canadian Jazz Quintet to which Campbell has had a long term association. Campbell's affliation with Hugh Fraser and the Quintet began in 1981.
On top of his International touring schedule, Campbell has also been involved in cross country Canadian touring on 24 separate occasions, and has performed week long engagements at the famed Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in Soho - London, on 4 separate occasions.
Campbell has contributed to 87 Jazz Recordings inclusive of his four current releases as a leader, 'Coastal Connection' and two years later 'Spectacular' which was released in December of 2001 and was nominated for a Juno Award. Both of these releases were handled by Radioland/Universal Records.
More recently, Campbell recorded a release with the great New York pianist Renee Rosnes for CBC Records entitled Deep Cove which features Neil Swainson on bass and Rudy Petchauer on drums, recorded by CBC Records and is distributed by Universal. Deep Cove was nominated for a Juno Award for 2005. This recording received the Western Canadian Music Awards award for Most Outstanding Jazz Recording for the Year 2005.
In 2008 Campbell collaborated with the great Canadian Jazz Alto Saxophonist PJ Perry to record his most recent release 'Joined at the Hip' a live recording with Ross Taggart on Piano, Neil Swainson on Bass and Terry Clarke on Drums - available on Cellar Live Records.
Mr. Ryga continues to maintain a busy schedule as a Clinician, in association with Yamaha Canada. Campbell also maintains an active Adjudicators' Schedule.
Campbell has sat on the Jury Boards for The British Columbia Arts Council and The Canada Council for the Arts.
Campbell Ryga has formerly been a faculty member of Capilano College Jazz Studies Department, and later at Kwantlen Polytechnic University Music Department in Langley, British Columbia.
Mr. Ryga has received the honour of having been placed on the British Columbia Secondary School District 67 - Wall of Fame - for excellence in his field.
In 2010, Mr. Ryga has been inducted to the Envisions Jazz Festival 'Hall of Fame' in honour of his accomplishments as a Performer.
Mr. Ryga is proud to be affiliated and Sponsored by the following good friends:
Campbell Ryga is a Yamaha Canada Saxophone Artist Theo Wanne Mouthpiece Artist
D'Addario Reeds Artist
Mr. Ryga has received 3 Juno Awards, with two additional nominations, a Grammy nomination, and he appeared on Michael Buble's recording 'Crazy Love' which received a Grammy Award in 2010. Campbell Ryga's recordings have twice received the 'Western Canadian Music Award' in the Jazz category.
Campbell Ryga has toured internationally on 26 occasions, primarily to Western Europe and to Latin America, notably to the Havana International Jazz Festival, where he has been invited to perform for six consecutive years.
Mr. Ryga is a founding member of the internationally acclaimed Hugh Fraser Quintet, an All Star multiple Award
Winning Canadian Jazz Quintet to which Campbell has had a long term association. Campbell's affliation with Hugh Fraser and the Quintet began in 1981.
On top of his International touring schedule, Campbell has also been involved in cross country Canadian touring on 24 separate occasions, and has performed week long engagements at the famed Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in Soho - London, on 4 separate occasions.
Campbell has contributed to 87 Jazz Recordings inclusive of his four current releases as a leader, 'Coastal Connection' and two years later 'Spectacular' which was released in December of 2001 and was nominated for a Juno Award. Both of these releases were handled by Radioland/Universal Records.
More recently, Campbell recorded a release with the great New York pianist Renee Rosnes for CBC Records entitled Deep Cove which features Neil Swainson on bass and Rudy Petchauer on drums, recorded by CBC Records and is distributed by Universal. Deep Cove was nominated for a Juno Award for 2005. This recording received the Western Canadian Music Awards award for Most Outstanding Jazz Recording for the Year 2005.
In 2008 Campbell collaborated with the great Canadian Jazz Alto Saxophonist PJ Perry to record his most recent release 'Joined at the Hip' a live recording with Ross Taggart on Piano, Neil Swainson on Bass and Terry Clarke on Drums - available on Cellar Live Records.
Mr. Ryga continues to maintain a busy schedule as a Clinician, in association with Yamaha Canada. Campbell also maintains an active Adjudicators' Schedule.
Campbell has sat on the Jury Boards for The British Columbia Arts Council and The Canada Council for the Arts.
Campbell Ryga has formerly been a faculty member of Capilano College Jazz Studies Department, and later at Kwantlen Polytechnic University Music Department in Langley, British Columbia.
Mr. Ryga has received the honour of having been placed on the British Columbia Secondary School District 67 - Wall of Fame - for excellence in his field.
In 2010, Mr. Ryga has been inducted to the Envisions Jazz Festival 'Hall of Fame' in honour of his accomplishments as a Performer.
Mr. Ryga is proud to be affiliated and Sponsored by the following good friends:
Campbell Ryga is a Yamaha Canada Saxophone Artist Theo Wanne Mouthpiece Artist
D'Addario Reeds Artist