Party: Michael Shand Quartet at Jazz Bistro!

Party: Michael Shand Quartet at Jazz Bistro!

Toronto-native Michael Shand has already spent well over half his life playing music. He began piano lessons at the age of 13 and progressed quickly through the Royal Conservatory of Music’s classical system, completing grade ten after a span of only four years. However like so many young players who define this unique generation, raised in an era of unprecedented musical diversity and accessibility, Michael exhibits a creative energy that encompasses many genres. Blues, reggae, hip-hop, funk, house, R and B, soul and Latin music are the raw elements that form his identity as a performer, writer and arranger, but jazz is the common thread that binds them all together. Shortly after leaving York University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and the coveted Oscar Peterson Scholarship Award, Michael became pianist and musical director for “Kollage”. He then went on to perform in all sorts of genres on stages across the world, with countless artists along the way. He has dazzled audiences in Hong Kong, Paris, Jakarta, Dubais, Amsterdam, London and throughout North America with such artists as Molly Johnson, Divine Brown, Glenn Lewis, Gerald Eaton of the Philosopher Kings, Jully Black, Jacksoul and Kardinal, jazz-crooner Matt Dusk, new R and B diva Kreesha Turner and powerhouse jazz-vocalist, DK Ibomeka for whom Michael also serves as musical director. Added to his resume most recently were recordings with Shannon Butcher for her new-release, “Words We Both Can Say” and a piano and arranging credit for Ibomeka’s newly-released sophomore album “I’m Your Man”.

Friday and Saturday January 2 and 3, 2015

Michael Shand – piano
Andrew Stewart – bass
Elmer Ferrer – guitar
Larnell Lewis – drums

Music Starts at 9pm
Music Charge $15.00