Steve Holt

On July 28th and 29th I'll be back performing in a quartet format at Options Jazz Lounge in Ottawa, and I'll be joined by two great Montreal musicians, Donny Kennedy on saxophone and Alec Walkington on bass, as well as Ottawa drummer Tom Denison.

Donny Kennedy is one of the most important players to emerge on the Montreal jazz scene in recent years. Originally from Regina, Donny moved to Montreal in 1995 to pursue a jazz performance degree at McGill University, my old alma mater. The Donny Kennedy Sextet toured Mexico as part of Festival Internacional Cervantino, and was also nominated for the GM Grand Prix de Jazz at the Montreal International Jazz Festival in 2003. I first met Donny on the bandstand at Upstairs Jazz Club when I sat in with him last year, and he sounded great. This is someone Ottawa jazz fans will want to hear.

Alec Walkington is one of Montreal’s most respected bassists, largely due to his great time feel and strong improvisations. His impressive CV includes appearances with Joe Henderson, Curtis Fuller, Kenny Wheeler and Jimmy Heath, to name only a few. He is currently a member of the Kevin Dean Quintet. 

Tom Denison has been on the Ottawa jazz scene for more than 25 years. He’s worked with such greats as Mel Torme, and Kenny Davern, and has been a regular performer at the Montreal, Ottawa, and Halifax jazz festivals. Tom is my go-to drummer whenever I perform in Ottawa.

Dates: July 28-29

Time: 8:00 PM - Midnight

Venue: Options Jazz Lounge at Brookstreet, 525 Legget Dr., Ottawa ON. 

Westben Jazz Fringe Festival

The 3rd annual Westben Jazz Fringe Festival takes place on the August long weekend. Beginning August 4th and running until August 6th, the Trent Hills area comes alive with jazz performances across several towns, including a late night jam session in Campbellford.

On Friday August 4 at 9:00 pm I will be performing TRIO with bassist Neal Davis and drummer Curtis Cronkwright at Capers Tap House in Campbellford. On Saturday August 5th from 5pm - 8pm I will be playing DUO with violinist San Murata in Warkworth at the Ah! Arts & Heritage Centre. And... I'm threatening to show up at the jam session later that night at The Clock Tower Cultural Centre in Campbellford. Going to be a great weekend for jazz!