ALTSYS Jazz Orchestra
Jennifer Bell - conductor, soprano and alto saxophones, flute and clarinet.
Bill Mahar - artistic director, trumpet, composer and arranger
Frank Lozano - tenor saxophone and flute
Colin Biggin - baritone saxophone and bass clarinet
Aron Doyle - trumpet
Jocelyn Couture - trumpet
Jocelyn Veilleux - horn
Dave Grott - trombone
Christopher Smith - trombone
Kevin Simonar - guitar
Alec Walkington - contrabass
Jim Doxas - drums
John Rudel - percussion
- Altsys Jazz Orchestra, founded by conductor/saxophonist Jennifer Bell and trumpeter/composer Bill Mahar, specializes in original Canadian works and lesser performed works from the jazz orchestra tradition. Altsys serves as a vehicle for Bill Mahar who has premiered more than a dozen compositions with the orchestra. Altsys has collaborated with such distinguished artists/composers as Kenny Wheeler, Ray Anderson, Hugh Fraser, Don Thompson, Donny McCaslin, Tim Hagans and Maria Schneider, with whom the orchestra won the 1998 Prix Opus for Jazz Concert of the Year. Altsys has recorded two compact discs as well as radio shows for CBC/SRC and television for BRAVO! Altsys makes its performing home at the Oscar Peterson Concert Hall where the ensemble presents three to five concerts annually. The orchestra counts among its ranks some of Montreal’s busiest freelance jazz musicians, many of whom are band leaders, educators and composers in their own right. These musicians are brought together by a mutual desire to perpetuate and nurture the jazz orchestra tradition.
Album Samples
Jennifer Bell & Bill Mahar
1991 Richardson Ave.
Montreal, Quebec.
514-935-1542
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