About

The TD Jazz Youth Summit is an all-star group of young up and coming musicians from across the country. The 9 piece group is picked from many application from coast to coast and represent some of the strongest young musical minds in the country. The young artists are immersed in the festival experience with full access to all shows. Directed by acclaimed Trumpet player and educator Jim Lewis, the group rehearses every day, receives masterclasses from world-class visiting artists such Darcy James Argue, John Surman and Maria Schneider. The program fosters cutting edge creative approaches in jazz and improvising, as well as a professional music environment unparalleled to other programs in Canada.

The TD Jazz Youth Summit receives more than $5000 in scholarship awards. They are opening the June 29th concerts on Main Stage at 6:30pm, just before Bobby McFerrin, and will be performing again on Canada Day at 2:00pm.

Aaron Sabasch

On drums from Winnipeg, MB

Born and raised in Calgary, AB, Aaron Sabasch moved to Winnipeg in 2010 to begin his Bachelor of Jazz Studies at the University of Manitoba. Over the last four years Aaron has had the good fortune of studying jazz drums with the great Quincy Davis. Aaron has also played with many of Winnipeg’s top jazz musicians and frequently leads groups around Winnipeg.

When it comes to jazz, Aaron believes that learning the history and lineage of the music is a non-negotiable. His main musical influences stem from the bebop and hard bop eras.

Connor Walsh

On bass from Edmonton, AB

Connor Walsh is an accomplished bassist from Edmonton, Alberta. In 2011, he earned a diploma in contemporary music performance from Grant MacEwan University, majoring in electric bass, and has recently completed a Bachelor of Music degree in jazz performance on upright bass at the University of Toronto. Throughout his undergraduate studies he has demonstrated versatility on electric and upright bass, performing with big bands, small jazz combos, folk bands, and rock bands, including tours across Alberta and Saskatchewan and a musical production (Year of the Rabbit) which appeared at the Edmonton Fringe Festival. Connor also has experience recording as a studio musician and has taught private lessons and clinics across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. Currently based in Toronto, Connor has performed at local venues such as the Dakota Tavern, the Rex Hotel and the Capitol Theatre. In the summer of 2013, Connor appeared at the Edmonton and Ottawa Jazz Festivals with artists Tim Lemke, Laura Swankey, and Tia Brazda. Connor is thrilled to be a part of the Jazz Youth Summit in Ottawa, and is very excited to learn from the clinicians and from his fellow musicians.

Modibo Keita

On trombone from Montreal, QC

Born in Montréal, Quebec, Modibo Keita has been playing the Trombone since he was 12 years old. On top of having had the opportunity to be a member of many honor bands such as the Yamaha All-Star Band and The National Youth Jazz Combo, Modibo has been playing a lot of sessions for Hip-Hop acts as well. He is also part of the University of Toronto Jazz Orchestra with who he played with David Liebman and recently recorded an album with Canadian jazz icon Mike Murley. He studied under musicians like Terry Promane (The Rob McConnell Tentet), William Carn (Carn-Davidson 9), Muhammad Abdul Al-Khabyyr (The Duke Ellington Big Band), Steve Davis (Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers). Modibo shared the staged with artists like Tim Ries, Rachel Therrien, Alex Bellegarde, Jerome Beaulieu, Nomadic Massive and Kalmunity Vibe Collective.

Sam Kogen

On piano from Toronto, ON

Sam Kogen has been playing piano passionately since his last year of high school, and currently is entering his final year in Humber College’s Contemporary Music Degree. Sam has studied under the direction of many of Canada’s finest musicians such as Howard Cable, Gary Williamson, Kirk MacDonald, Brian Dickinson, Pat Labarbera, Frank Falco and Robi Botos. Performing regularly around the city with 8 separate groups, both as a leader and a side man, in a variety of styles including primarily Jazz, R&B, World, Funk, and other Popular music, Sam is an experienced performer. With 6 years of teaching experience, and more recently producing for and assistant managing at Beyond the Beat music studio as well as leaving on tour again with Jazz/Indie-Rock band Midcoast this summer, and recording a new album of original music Sam is managing to stay quite busy.

Julian Jayme

On guitar from Richmond, BC

Julian Jayme is a jazz guitarist and multi-instrumentalist hailing from Richmond, BC. He has attended Capilano University for the past two years studying with the likes of Bill Coon, Jared Burrows, Ihor Kukurudza, Brad Turner and Rejean Marois. He is a Berklee Slaight Scholarship nominee and will be studying there in the Fall. When Julian was in the 12th Grade, he was given the amazing opportunity to be a part of the BCMEA Provincial Honour Jazz Band. This is where his love of jazz was fostered, and where he met many of the musicians and friends that he plays with today.

Matt Woroshyl

On alto sax from Toronto, ON

Saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Matt Woroshyl is a twenty-two year-old jazz musician living in New York City. Originating from the Toronto area, Matt completed his Undergraduate Degree at the University of Toronto and is currently pursuing a Masters’ Degree at the Manhattan School of Music. Matt’s most recent performances include the Toronto Jazz Festival, the Sitka Jazz Festival (Alaska), and a five-night residency at Birdland (New York City) featuring Jane Monheit. Matt has also performed at the National Music Centre, Koerner Hall, Mile One Centre, and Convocation Hall. Later this summer, Matt will be attending the Hudson Jazzworks Summer Program, featuring Reggie Workman.

Chelsea McBride

On saxophones and woodwinds from Vancouver, BC

Chelsea McBride is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, composer and bandleader based out of Toronto, Ontario. After relocating to Toronto from Vancouver to study contemporary music at Humber College, Chelsea now leads two of her own projects: Chelsea and the Cityscape and Chelsea McBride’s Socialist Night School, both of which feature her original compositions and talents as a saxophonist. Her unique blend of pop, jazz, and moody atmospheres has coalesced into a sound that is entirely her own; her next goal is to take this music and share it with the world.

Chelsea got her start playing the piano at the age of 3, and picked up the saxophone near the end of elementary school. After the saxophone, she started singing, and in high school she learned flute and clarinet while playing in her school’s big band. When she’s not found working with her own projects, she can be seen with funk-fusion collective DMDP, playing original music with a variety of local musicians, or working as a session musician on various other projects.

Samuel Cousineau

On piano from Toronto, ON

Samuel Cousineau was born in Ottawa, Ontario Canada. He started playing the saxophone seriously at the age of 13. He is now 19 years old and just finished his first year at Mcgill. He is studying Jazz Performance under the instruction of Remi Bolduc. Samuel has study with greats such as Eric Alexander, Dave Liebman, Mike Murley, Remi Bolduc, Joel Frahm, and many others. Samuel has also performed at such venues like The Upstairs Jazz Bar in Montreal, the Ottawa International Jazz festival, Gigspace, The Brookstreet hotel and many other venues. Samuel has also played in the Ottawa Junior Jazz Band, Nepean All – City Jazz Band, the Conn Selmer big band and many small groups.

2014 Line-up

Aaron Sabasch on drums from Winnipeg, MB Julian Paulo Jayme on guitar from Richmond, BC Chelsea McBride on saxophones and woodwinds from Vancouver, BC Connor Walsh on bass from Edmonton, AB Bradley Eaton on trumpet from Oakville, ON Matthew Woroshyl on alto sax from Toronto, ON Modibo Keita on trombone from Montreal, QC Samuel Kogen on piano from Toronto, ON Sam Cousineau on alto sax from Ottawa, ON