Tyler Hornby

Downbeat Magazine Nov 2010  ( 3 Stars )
"...Tyler Hornby is a fluid player with a light touch and a penchant for writing wistful mid-tempo songs"

He started drumming at age 10, honed his artistry in high school big bands and experimental jazz combos, and has blossomed into one of the country's most innovative and sought-after young drummers. Hornby has also become a gifted composer by expanding his musical tastes, studying the craft with Grammy Award winning pianist Chip Stephens, and immersing himself in the work of other great players from all over the planet. His list of collaborators is wide and wealthy, including Bob Mintzer, Ingrid Jensen, Wycliffe Gordon, Frank Mantooth, Alain Caron, Randy Brecker, Eric Marienthal, Tom Harrell, Jiggs Whigham, Irvin Mayfield, James Carter, Brad Goode, Chip Stephens, Hugh Fraser, Tommy Banks, PJ Perry, Shelly Berg, Ralph Bowen, Maciek Grzywacz (with a 2007 Polish Music Award nomination for their collaboration), Maciej Sikala, Piotr Lemanczyk, Pat Bianchi, John Gunther, Ken Walker, Phil Dwyer, Mike Murley, David Braid, Joel Miller, Campbell Ryga, Jeff Johnston, Brad Turner, Victor Goines, Kirk MacDonald, and Jens Lindemann. Hornby is also the drummer for Sillian & Young, he has served as composer and musical director on a handful of live productions, and he has developed clinics and workshops in Canada, Germany, Italy, Poland, the United States, and Venezuela. Hornby is an instructor for the Mount Royal University Jazz Program.

Hornby has performed at festivals, clubs and concerts in North America, South America and Europe, and has appeared on more than 30 recordings. His first solo album, a critically acclaimed exploration of post bop released in 2005 called Shadows of a Brighter Day, was selected for a National Jazz Compilation called Dig Your Roots. His newest record, A Road to Remember, is a testament to his continuing evolution as a musician, delving into the free-flowing textures of groove, swing and ECM jazz.

2011

WCMA nomination: Best Jazz Recording - Tyler Hornby - A Road to Remember   
2009
Tyler Hornby ‘Galaxie Rising Star Award of Radio Canada’ nomination – Festival International de Jazz de Montreal
Tyler Hornby ‘General Motors Grand Jazz Award’ nomination - Festival International de Jazz de Montreal
 Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards nomination: Best Group Sillan & Young - Under My Feet

Aaron Young
By the time Aaron Young was just 23 years old, he had already produced, arranged and performed on over 15 albums. It was clear that music wasn’t going to be in his future, it was going to be his future. With eclectic influences ranging from Randy Rhodes and Ricky Skaggs to Jim Croce and Ozzy Osborne, Young went on to perform in the world-beat stage show Barage for 5 years, touring Asia, Scandanavia, the UK, Canada and the US. Over the years he has continued to hone and shape his brilliant guitar skills and prolific writing, evolving into the well-known and well-respected artist that he is today. Aaron is proud to lend his experience, immense dedication and raw instincts to Sillan & Young as well as The Polyjesters and Monkeyking. He’s even prouder to catch the odd glimpse of himself on PBS, CBC, MTV and the BBC. Not bad for an oddball kid from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Not bad at all.

Pat Bianchi

Bianchi, currently living in New York City, is one of the most talented B3 organists on the scene today.  His music is often described as fiery, intense and moving.  Joey DeFrancesco was recently quoted as saying, “This young man is an incredible musician regardless of the instrument but as far as playing the organ goes, Pat is one of the finest players, if not the finest I've heard in recent years to touch the instrument.” Downbeat magazine writes, “Pat bianchi demonstrates a strong sense of personal identity that bodes well for his continued success. He is able to look to the future while still honoring the tradition.”

Recently selected by Downbeat Magazine as one of the “Rising Stars of Jazz Organ”, Bianchi is currently a member of both the Pat Martino Trio and Lou Donaldson Quartet. Further demonstrating his musical versatility he is involved with a newly created band called D.I.G. featuring Harvey Mason, Chuck Loeb and Eric Marienthal. Other projects include recording and performing with the cutting edge quartets of both saxophonist Tim Warfield and master drummer/educator, Ralph Peterson Jr. Finally, Bianchi was nominated for a Grammy award in 2010 for his work on Joey DeFrancesco’s Never Can Say Goodbye. 

 As one of the busiest jazz organists on the scene today, he has appeared at New York’s most prestigious jazz venues, including: The Village Vanguard, Birdland, and Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola.  Bianchi is also frequently involved in tours that span the globe with many respected jazz artists, often playing at some of the most renowned jazz venues including: Marian’s in Switzerland, Ronnie Scott’s in London, The Blue Note in Milan, and many others.

Bianchi’s debut recording East Coast Roots, featured Byron Landham and Mark Whitfield. The success of “ECR” gained him wider recognition in the world of jazz. He was named as one of the top 10 Jazz Organists in the Downbeat Readers Poll. Recently completing his second recording as a leader, Back Home, not only features some of the most respected names in jazz today including: Terell Stafford, Ralph Peterson Jr and Wayne Escoffery, but showcases two musicians quickly gaining wider recognition: Carmen Intorre, and Gilad Hekselman.