2026 Artists and Adjudicators
Gregory W. Yasinitsky - Featured Artist
Bob Rogers - Jazz Band Adjudicator
Sean Bray - Jazz Band Adjudicator
Loni Moger - Combo Adjudicator
Emily Denison - Combo Adjudicator
Anthony Argatoff - Combo Adjudicator
Justin Glibbery - Jazz Band and Choral Adjudicator
Kim Kleineberg - Choral Adjudicator
Bob Rogers - Jazz Band Adjudicator
Sean Bray - Jazz Band Adjudicator
Loni Moger - Combo Adjudicator
Emily Denison - Combo Adjudicator
Anthony Argatoff - Combo Adjudicator
Justin Glibbery - Jazz Band and Choral Adjudicator
Kim Kleineberg - Choral Adjudicator
Our 2026 Featured Artist: Gregory W. Yasinitsky
|
Gregory W. Yasinitsky, composer and saxophonist, is winner of the American Prize for Composition, is the leader of the YAZZ Band and is a recipient of grants and awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, The Commission Project, Artist Trust and ASCAP. He served as the composer and conductor of the Jazz Education Network All Stars Big Band, which included some of the most acclaimed musicians in the world, and has written music especially for David Sanborn, Sean Jones, Clark Terry, Jeff Coffin, Dave Liebman and the USAF "Airmen of Note" big band. Yasinitsky has hundreds of published musical works which are performed in 40 countries world-wide, and his compositions and saxophone playing are featured on 50 recordings. Yasinitsky has performed with Randy Brecker, Marcus Printup, Tom Harrell, Ed Calle, Alex Acuna, Kirk Whalum, Claudio Roditi, Conrad Herwig, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Louis Bellson, Stan Getz, Lionel Hampton, Lou Rawls, Manhattan Transfer, and many others. Yasinitsky is a member of the Washington State Music Educators Hall of Fame and is a Regents Professor Emeritus at Washington State University, where he taught jazz studies, saxophone and composition for 40 years, received the WSU Eminent Faculty Award, the Sahlin Faculty Excellence Award for Research, Scholarship and Arts, and the Distinguished Faculty Award from the College of Arts and Sciences. Yasinitsky is a Yamaha performing artist and a JodyJazz Artist.
|
Bob Rogers
Trombonist Bob Rogers is a busy member of the Okanagan music community, performing regularly with many different groups including the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra, Major Mambo Latin Band, Slide Rule Trombone Quartet and the Bob Rogers Band. Following ten years as a freelance musician in Vancouver where he played and recorded with a diverse variety of artists including Aerosmith, Natalie Cole, the Victoria Symphony, Vancouver Opera and numerous local ensembles, Bob moved to Revelstoke where he taught music for 28 years. After retiring from teaching he relocated to Vernon where he enjoys a busy schedule of performing, teaching and adjudicating.
Website: https://bobrogersband.bandcamp.com/album/slideways-movement https://www.facebook.com/p/Bob-Rogers-Band-100045701566193/
Trombonist Bob Rogers is a busy member of the Okanagan music community, performing regularly with many different groups including the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra, Major Mambo Latin Band, Slide Rule Trombone Quartet and the Bob Rogers Band. Following ten years as a freelance musician in Vancouver where he played and recorded with a diverse variety of artists including Aerosmith, Natalie Cole, the Victoria Symphony, Vancouver Opera and numerous local ensembles, Bob moved to Revelstoke where he taught music for 28 years. After retiring from teaching he relocated to Vernon where he enjoys a busy schedule of performing, teaching and adjudicating.
Website: https://bobrogersband.bandcamp.com/album/slideways-movement https://www.facebook.com/p/Bob-Rogers-Band-100045701566193/
Sean Bray
Sean Bray is considered to be one of Canada’s top guitarists. After studying at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music in New York City, Sean moved to Toronto in 1990. Sean has the ability to fit into many musical genres while still retaining an unmistakably original
voice on his instrument. This quickly helped him become a sought after sideman, studio guitarist and leader of his own projects. Sean has played and/or recorded with Pat LaBarbera, Mike Murley, Kirk MacDonald, Bob Mintzer, George Garzone, Campbell Ryga, Brian Dickinson, Alex Dean, Roy Styffe, Big Miller and many more. Sean Bray is endorsed D’Addario Strings.
Sean Bray is considered to be one of Canada’s top guitarists. After studying at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music in New York City, Sean moved to Toronto in 1990. Sean has the ability to fit into many musical genres while still retaining an unmistakably original
voice on his instrument. This quickly helped him become a sought after sideman, studio guitarist and leader of his own projects. Sean has played and/or recorded with Pat LaBarbera, Mike Murley, Kirk MacDonald, Bob Mintzer, George Garzone, Campbell Ryga, Brian Dickinson, Alex Dean, Roy Styffe, Big Miller and many more. Sean Bray is endorsed D’Addario Strings.
Loni Moger
Musician, Arranger, Composer, and Educator.
Loni received his Bachelor’s degree from Berklee College of Music where he studied Guitar, Voice, Composing and Arranging. Born and raised in Saskatchewan and Alberta, Loni is delighted to call Kelowna home for the past 15 years. Equally at home in a wide variety of musical styles from Blues to Jazz to Funk, Rhythm and Blues, Pop and Country. He has extensive experience accompanying singers, which is a specialty he particularly enjoys. A few of Loni’s performing credits include shows with P.J. Perry, Tommy Banks, Campbell Ryga, Joe Auty, Bob Rogers, The Swinging Bovines and Moe Kaufman. He has even opened shows for San Franciscos “Tuck and Patti” and the legendary “Bo Didley.”
Musician, Arranger, Composer, and Educator.
Loni received his Bachelor’s degree from Berklee College of Music where he studied Guitar, Voice, Composing and Arranging. Born and raised in Saskatchewan and Alberta, Loni is delighted to call Kelowna home for the past 15 years. Equally at home in a wide variety of musical styles from Blues to Jazz to Funk, Rhythm and Blues, Pop and Country. He has extensive experience accompanying singers, which is a specialty he particularly enjoys. A few of Loni’s performing credits include shows with P.J. Perry, Tommy Banks, Campbell Ryga, Joe Auty, Bob Rogers, The Swinging Bovines and Moe Kaufman. He has even opened shows for San Franciscos “Tuck and Patti” and the legendary “Bo Didley.”
Emily Denison
Mus.Bac.Perf., GrDip, MTA
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.
Mus.Bac.Perf., GrDip, MTA
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.
Anthony Argatoff
Anthony is an Okanagan-based multi-instrumentalist. He holds a Bachelor of Jazz Performance from the University of Toronto (2016) on alto saxophone and has studied with notable artists such as Dave Liebman and Mike Murley. Anthony appears on albums Not This Time (Dog Leg Dilemma), Bellwether4 (self-titled), and Trillium Falls (UofT 12tet). While the tradition and heritage of jazz music are pivotal to Anthony’s artistic flavour, innovation, spontaneity, and experimentation are what define his unique style. While living in Eastern Canada, Anthony was an active member of the Toronto and Montreal jazz scenes. Since settling in the Okanagan, he now has a fulfilling career in software development and enjoys contributing to the local music scene as a saxophonist, bassist, arranger, and bandleader.
Anthony is an Okanagan-based multi-instrumentalist. He holds a Bachelor of Jazz Performance from the University of Toronto (2016) on alto saxophone and has studied with notable artists such as Dave Liebman and Mike Murley. Anthony appears on albums Not This Time (Dog Leg Dilemma), Bellwether4 (self-titled), and Trillium Falls (UofT 12tet). While the tradition and heritage of jazz music are pivotal to Anthony’s artistic flavour, innovation, spontaneity, and experimentation are what define his unique style. While living in Eastern Canada, Anthony was an active member of the Toronto and Montreal jazz scenes. Since settling in the Okanagan, he now has a fulfilling career in software development and enjoys contributing to the local music scene as a saxophonist, bassist, arranger, and bandleader.
Justin Glibbery
Justin Glibbery is a professional pianist, composer, and music educator from Penticton, BC, Canada. Being classically trained, he attended the University of Victoria and received his Bachelor of Music in Education in 1991. He is the past director at Penticton Secondary School having taught music there since 1994.
While music education has been a very fulfilling career for him, performing on stage has always been a priority for Justin. Having been categorized as mainly a jazz musician, the variety in which he leads his groups on stage is not limited to connotative jazz.
Currently, he is the band leader for The Justin Glibbery Quintet, and is the keyboardist and Music Director for Classic Elton featuring Andrew Johns based out of Kelowna, BC . He is also the Music Director for the Naramata Community Choir, the Penticton Concert Band, and has served as Music Director for Rann Berry and the One Hit Wonder Show, the Soul of Motown, and the 80's Time Machine. He plays often in a duo setting with Canadian Juno award winner Alfie Zappacosta. Musical theatre has been a big part of his career. Performing in the pit as a keyboardist or musical director is one of his favourite things to do! Justin operates a full recording studio in his home and is currently beginning film scoring work for various film makers.
Justin Glibbery is a professional pianist, composer, and music educator from Penticton, BC, Canada. Being classically trained, he attended the University of Victoria and received his Bachelor of Music in Education in 1991. He is the past director at Penticton Secondary School having taught music there since 1994.
While music education has been a very fulfilling career for him, performing on stage has always been a priority for Justin. Having been categorized as mainly a jazz musician, the variety in which he leads his groups on stage is not limited to connotative jazz.
Currently, he is the band leader for The Justin Glibbery Quintet, and is the keyboardist and Music Director for Classic Elton featuring Andrew Johns based out of Kelowna, BC . He is also the Music Director for the Naramata Community Choir, the Penticton Concert Band, and has served as Music Director for Rann Berry and the One Hit Wonder Show, the Soul of Motown, and the 80's Time Machine. He plays often in a duo setting with Canadian Juno award winner Alfie Zappacosta. Musical theatre has been a big part of his career. Performing in the pit as a keyboardist or musical director is one of his favourite things to do! Justin operates a full recording studio in his home and is currently beginning film scoring work for various film makers.
|
Kim Kleineberg
Kim Kleineberg has directed many choirs throughout her musical career and developed an award-winning band and choral program at Mount Boucherie Secondary School. In 2010 she founded Spectrum singers who are now in their fifteenth season and continue to draw in audiences with their diverse literature and high-quality performances. To date they have performed with the Canadian tenors, David Foster, Heart, three Gary Cable Projects, and in Carnegie hall. A graduate of Western Washington University, Kim continues to lend her expertise to her community as an adjudicator, clinician and performer. |