Lina Allemano Four

The Quartet's performance is accompanied by a workshop/clinic from 4-5:15pm at the Long & McQuade Music Education Centre. Please see the workshop tab for more info.

Toronto's Lina Allemano Four has been hailed as one of Canada's most vibrant, cutting-edge, creative jazz bands. Her 2006 CD, Pinkeye, was voted one of the “Top 10 Best Jazz CD’s” by the Toronto Star and the group's latest CD, Gridjam, is Lina's third as leader; it continues to showcase her quirky, modern compositional style combined, with an expressive flair on the trumpet and a knack for the unexpected. "Lina Allemano's voice on the trumpet is a breath of fresh air. Her music is forward-thinking" (Georgia Straight, Vancouver). The Lina Allemano Four is known for its forward motion and inventiveness, and they are definitely not afraid of taking risks; crossing over from improvised music to jazz in a fresh and free-spirited way. The Lina Allemano Four balance the infinite possibilities of free improvisation with the structure and discipline of playing changes; a daring twist that works brilliantly and stimulates a dynamic of interaction and spontaneity assuring that the groups live performances are always lighthearted and full of surprises. Lina was recognized in Downbeat Magazine as one of the “25 Trumpeters for the Future: A New Generation of Trumpeters Pave the Way for Jazz’s Next Innovations”, was winner of the National Jazz Awards' “CBC Galaxie Rising Star” and was nominated many times for the National Jazz Awards “Trumpeter of the Year”. She has been showcased at the prestigious Festival of New Trumpet Music in New York City and recognized internationally for both her trumpet playing and composing.

Rounding out the four are alto saxophonist Brodie West who spent the past year living in Europe and has toured and recorded with Dutch master drummer Han Bennink. Bassist Andrew Downing who won a Juno Award and the Grand Prix de Jazz for his group The Uncles of the Revolution, and drummer Nick Fraser who co-leads the group Drumheller and is one of Toronto’s most in-demand musicians.