Free Band Workshops - Toronto, ON

Don't miss our stellar selection of free band clinics on Saturdays in November and December!

Nov 13th
Eugene Draw, Violin | Yamaha
From Acoustic to Electric
Having nurtured a solid reputation at home for captivating music and energetic performances, Eugene inspires kudos wherever he goes. Dr. Draw's musical repertoire incorporates many different elements such as rock, pop, classical, electronica, fusion, world and new funk. He recently made indie music history in Toronto as all three of his albums charted on the official top 30 Nielsen Soundscan sales charts twice on the same year, including the number 3 position for his latest CD, Adagio.

Nov 20th
Andy Ballantyne, Saxophone | Jupiter
Leading the Session
Andy is a regular member of several prominent Canadian jazz groups and he has also performed with some of the world’s foremost jazz musicians, including Dave Holland and Vince Mendoza. In addition, Andy has backed up numerous entertainers and is a regular on the Toronto studio scene, having recorded numerous jingles, movie soundtracks and live television shows. He is currently on faculty at Humber College in Toronto teaching woodwinds, composition and theory. He leads his own 11-piece jazz orchestra, The Andy Ballantyne Large Ensemble, which recorded and released their debut recording, The Sum of the Parts, in 2007.

Nov 27th
Free Woodwind Set-up Day
Our city's finest woodwind technicians and Long & McQuade's own, Mike Filice and Frank Burda are on hand to set-up your woodwind instruments.

Dec 4th
Kelly Jefferson, Saxophone
Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Kelly has resided in Toronto since 2000, quickly becoming one of the city’s most respected jazz musicians. Following the completion of a Bachelor of Music from McGill University and Master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music, Kelly has enjoyed an active freelance career, working with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the Tommy Dorsey Band, Renee Rosnes and Dave Restivo. In Addition, Kelly leads his own group which recently released its debut CD entitled Spark. He currently teaches at York University in Toronto.

For more information on any of these free clinics, contact the Bloor Band Department by email or at 416-588-7886.