Brenda Baird-Keyboards/vocals
Multi instrumentalist Brenda Baird has been known to wear many hats in any given week. You might find her strumming a guitar and singing on the back of a wagon at the Pumpkin Patch, hurrying home to inspire and cultivate private students (or her garden!), glued to her computer whilst transcribing other people’s music or composing/arranging her own, or answering phones as a volunteer at the Vancouver Crisis Centre. Holding a Bachelor of Music degree (UBC), Brenda’ s musical endeavors have taken her in almost every musical direction: from theatre, film and television work, to chamber music ensembles, concert reviewing, and 14 years with the well-known all women Vancouver jazz quartet, Mother of Pearl. She’s a member of the swingin’ Hoppin’ Mad Orchestra, and the soul jazz group, Woolysock. Brenda’s toured with a variety of ensembles in Africa, France, Japan and throughout North America.
Simon Stribling-Trumpet/Alto and Soprano Sax/Penny Whistle
Simon Stribling grew up in the rich musical environment of traditional/classic jazz in Melbourne,
Australia. He played with many Australian jazz icons in his home country and brought his own bands numerous times to Europe and North America. He has toured the world extensively as a band leader and soloist, making frequent guest appearances at the Breda Jazz Festival in Holland, the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee in California and the Kobe Street Festival in Japan. Simon has recorded on over 25 albums, and has also produced several on his own label, Holy Mackerel Studios. His passion for jazz focuses on the golden jazz era of 1920-1950, and Louis Armstrong is his ultimate influence and hero. Like Louis, Simon originally focused on the trumpet, but he has since branched out to play most of the jazz woodwind and brass instruments, from the clarinet through to the tuba!
Australia. He played with many Australian jazz icons in his home country and brought his own bands numerous times to Europe and North America. He has toured the world extensively as a band leader and soloist, making frequent guest appearances at the Breda Jazz Festival in Holland, the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee in California and the Kobe Street Festival in Japan. Simon has recorded on over 25 albums, and has also produced several on his own label, Holy Mackerel Studios. His passion for jazz focuses on the golden jazz era of 1920-1950, and Louis Armstrong is his ultimate influence and hero. Like Louis, Simon originally focused on the trumpet, but he has since branched out to play most of the jazz woodwind and brass instruments, from the clarinet through to the tuba!
Ben Henriques-Tenor and Soprano Sax/Clarinet
Originally a
native of Vancouver, Ben Henriques made his way to Montreal in 2001 to study
Jazz at McGill University where he earned his Bachelor's in Jazz
Performance. Since then he has made a name for himself on the Montreal
Jazz scene as a musician, bandleader, recording engineer and an educator. He
has shared the stage with many Jazz greats including Joe Lovano, John Taylor,
Ben Monder, Jim McNeely and many more. His first record as a leader
"The Responsibility Club" rose to #1 on the airwaves in
February 2009 and was selected as #2 jazz album of 2009 by Radio Jazz Plus.
His second record "Captain Awesome" has been
received with critical acclaim. Ben has appeared on numerous albums
including Jazz in the Point and Suzie Arioloi’s "All the
Way" which won a Felix for Jazz Album of the
Year.
After completing his Masters in Jazz Performance at McGill's Schulich School of Music in 2012, Ben returned to the west coast where he is currently living, teaching and playing music.
After completing his Masters in Jazz Performance at McGill's Schulich School of Music in 2012, Ben returned to the west coast where he is currently living, teaching and playing music.
Kat Wahamaa-Vocals/Mandolin
Kat Wahamaa tells timeless stories with her eclectic mix of roots, jazz, folk and blues. With a 'voice you can take a bath in' comparisons range from Emmylou Harris to Ella Fitzgerald. Kat's career has spanned genres and generations including music, dance, theatre, publicity and community cultural development. An award-winning artist and advocate for arts and social action, she has coordinated numerous arts projects, festivals and events and is currently co-artistic director of Railtown Cultural Eclective. Kat has toured throughout Western Canada, Japan, the US and the UK, produced 6 CD’s, and she and her partner Tony Rees have just released Everything Blue, a mix of original jazz, roots and blues. Kat is delighted to be working with longtime colleague and friend Lauri Lyster!
Rene Worst-Electric/Acoustic Bass
Rene Worst, an internationally known and well respected bass player, has established himself as one of the most influential and leading jazz voices in North America for several decades. Rene was co-leader of the now-legendary fusion band Skywalk with six CD’s to their credit. He is a virtuoso on both string and electric basses.
Rene has recorded and performed with numerous jazz greats, including Chet Baker, Joe Pass, Tommy Banks, Herb Ellis, Freddie Hubbard, Ernestine Anderson, John Faddis and Don Thompson to name a few and has recorded and produced 7 CDs for musical partner, Jennifer Scott, one of the top jazz artists in Canada. He has also been featured as a session player on recordings by Jennifer Love Hewitt, David Bowie, Aerosmith and Poison, to name a few.
Rene’s studio works include jingles, album projects, and movie scores.
As a noted producer, Rene has helmed recordings for Sandy Foster, Megan Fanning, Skywalk, & Crossing Borders.
His latest projects are with Jennifer Scott & Brasileira (producer, bassist), Jennifer Scott & Rene Worst “Duets” and a duo album with lauded Nashville Guitarist John Knowles – all recorded and released in 2012.
As well he has released a second duo CD, “El Escorial”, with pianist Miles Black.
Rene has recorded and performed with numerous jazz greats, including Chet Baker, Joe Pass, Tommy Banks, Herb Ellis, Freddie Hubbard, Ernestine Anderson, John Faddis and Don Thompson to name a few and has recorded and produced 7 CDs for musical partner, Jennifer Scott, one of the top jazz artists in Canada. He has also been featured as a session player on recordings by Jennifer Love Hewitt, David Bowie, Aerosmith and Poison, to name a few.
Rene’s studio works include jingles, album projects, and movie scores.
As a noted producer, Rene has helmed recordings for Sandy Foster, Megan Fanning, Skywalk, & Crossing Borders.
His latest projects are with Jennifer Scott & Brasileira (producer, bassist), Jennifer Scott & Rene Worst “Duets” and a duo album with lauded Nashville Guitarist John Knowles – all recorded and released in 2012.
As well he has released a second duo CD, “El Escorial”, with pianist Miles Black.