Renée Yoxon

Date: Fri, February 14, 2014
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: National Arts Centre Fourth Stage

Young vocalist Renée Yoxon is a central figure in Ottawa’s jazz scene thanks to her grace, captivating presence and beautiful voice. In only a few short years, Renée has firmly established herself as a musician dedicated to the art of jazz singing. Having recently relocated to Montreal, Renée will be joined by two Montreal musicians, Jeff Johnston on piano and Fraser Hollins on bass.

www.ottawajazzfestival.com/index.php/artists/renee-yoxon/

The Jensen Sisters and Ben Monder

Date: Fri, February 14, 2014
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: National Arts Centre Fourth Stage

Montreal-based saxophonist and composer Christine Jensen has been described as, “an original voice on the international jazz scene… [and] one of Canada’s most compelling composers,” by Mark Miller of the Globe and Mail. According to Greg Buium of Downbeat Magazine, “Jensen writes in three dimensions, with a quiet kind of authority that makes the many elements cohere. Wayne Shorter, Maria Schneider and Kenny Wheeler come to mind.” After a performance at the 2006 Montreal International Jazz Festival, Scott Yanow wrote, “She’s rapidly developing into a major force … as a player and as a writer.”

www.ottawajazzfestival.com/index.php/artists/christine-jensen-quintet/

Grace Kelly Quintet

Date: Fri, February 14, 2014
Time: 9:00 PM
Location: National Arts Centre Fourth Stage

When it comes to saxophonist /vocalist/composer/lyricist/arranger Grace Kelly, people seem to be divided into two groups: those who marvel at her proficiency, creativity and ever-accelerating growth, and those who have yet to encounter the 19-year-old wunderkind. The ranks of the former category are growing by the day. Trumpeter and Jazz at Lincoln Center Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis was so impressed with Kelly’s three-night stand as guest of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra that he invited her to join the ensemble at the Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater in Washington, D.C. Harry Connick, Jr. heard Kelly in a master class on a December afternoon and brought her on stage to sit in with his band that night. Since then, Kelly has been voted “Best Jazz Act” in Boston three consecutive years in the FNX/Phoenix Best Music Poll, received the ASCAP Foundation’s Young Jazz Composers Award in 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2011 and won “Jazz Artist of the Year” at the Boston Music Awards in both 2008 and 2010. The 2009, and 2010, Downbeat Critics Poll added to her list naming her one of the “Alto Saxophone Rising Stars”, the youngest ever to be named so.

www.ottawajazzfestival.com/index.php/artists/grace-kelly-quintet/

All shows are presented in partnership with Chill Factor