Kollage

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The award-winning “hard-bop” sextet Kollage was originally formed in 1999 — as Toronto’s legendary drummer and Order of Canada recipient, Archie Alleyne joined forces with Doug Richardson — to create a band that would preserve the tradition and importance of jazz born of the Blue Note Records era of the 50’s and 60’s. Since then, Kollage has been one of Canada’s most influential jazz bands, with an alumnus that includes some of Canada’s best known jazz musicians. In 2013, the now late Alleyne, and last founding band member, passed the band’s leadership onto their musical director, pianist Stacie McGregor. The continues to perform and in 2017, Kollage they released a new recording with original compositions titled, No Fuss, No Muss.

 

Stacie McGregor / Piano (Musical Director)

 

Jazz pianist and composer Stacie McGregor is a Juno Award recipient in the “World Music “category for her work with blues guitarist Madagascar Slim. 

Her debut album 'Straight Up' charted in over 20 countries and one of her compositions was selected as 1st runner up in the International Songwriting Competition.

A two-time nominee for the Grand Prix de Jazz General Motors and the Prix Étoiles Galaxie de Radio-Canada award at the Montreal Jazz Festival she has performed with the a wide range of top-tier Canadian and American artists. On her last solo album 'Rhythm, Hart & Soul' she recorded her original compositions with New York based veteran musicians Billy Hart on drums (Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock) on drums and bassist  Santi DeBriano (Cecil Taylor, Archie Shepp)

 

Alexis Baro / Trumpet (featured artist)

 

Originally from Cuba, Alexis Baro is considered one of Canada's premiere jazz trumpeters. 

A founding member of the original sextet version of Kollage, he has recorded five solo albums including his Global Music Gold Medal Award winning album 'Guilty Pleasure'. He has toured internationally with top tier artists and his playing can be heard on over 300 recordings.

 

Mei Kelly / Trombone

 

Mei Kelly is one of the original members of Kollage. he has been part of Toronto's music scece dating back to the 80's performing with a variety of artists.

 

Michael Arthurs / Tenor sax and Flute

 

Michael Arthurs earned his Master’s Degree in jazz performance from the University of Louisville, and his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in composition from The University of Texas at Austin.

He served as Assistant Professor of Saxophone at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia and has written extensively for both professional and university ensembles including a jazz orchestral arrangement of Duke Ellington’s Blue Rose, which was premiered at the Echoes of Ellington conference in 2009. 

 

Artie Roth / Bass

 

Jazz bassist Artie Roth has been an active composer, bandleader, performer and educator in the national and international jazz communities, since his graduation from York University in 1992 with the Oscar Peterson Scholarship. After two Canada Council sponsored study tenures in New York City (1993 and 1997), Artie returned to Toronto establishing himself as one of the busiest, full-time composer/performers in Toronto.

   

Isaiah Gibbons / Drums

 

The youngest member of the band just graduated from the Humber College music program in Toronto, Canada. He has been playing drums since the age of 4 and has been performing with professionals since the age of 12

At MusicFest Canada, Isaiah was awarded the Zildjian Most Outstanding Young Drummer Award, and the Musician Excellence Award in 2008.

A three-time recipient of the Archie Alleyne Scholarship Award, Isaiah has played numerous Canadian festivals including the Muhtadi International Drumming Festival, the Beaches International Jazz Festival, and the Newmarket Jazz Festival.