DAVID REMPIS & TYLER DAMON
Something Else! hosted fiery drummer Tyler Damon in 2016 alongside Tashi Dorji and Mette Rasmussen. He now returns with four-time Zula Presents alumnus, saxophonist Dave Rempis (Chicago). Damon's extensive vocabulary behind the kit has positioned him as an important figure in the American underground—accompanying acts like Circuit Des Yeux (Drag City) and guitarist Sarah Louise (Thrill Jockey) while remaining deeply invested in spontaneous playing. Rempis' ubiquity matches his prowess — he was a member of Vandermark 5, and has also performed and recorded with the like Joe McPhee, Peter Brötzmann, Tomeka Reid, Joshua Abrams, Chris Corsano and Nate Wooley. The pair comprise two thirds of the trio Kuzu alongside Dorji, and have released albums on Astral Spirits and Rempis' own Aerophonic imprint.
www.daverempis.com / www.tylerdamon.com
FOG BRASS BAND
Fog is Toronto-based composer and trumpeter Rebecca Hennessy's tribute to New Orleans blending celebratory brass band arrangements with the modern jazz intricacy. As a leader and co-leader, Hennessy has released seven albums, toured worldwide and recorded/ performed alongside everyone from Adele to Ab Baars. Fog's frontline positions her between Jay Burr on tuba, and Tom Richards on trombone. Their bold hues are anchored by Don Scott's energetic electric guitar, Tania Gill's unmistakable pianism and drummer Nico Dann's sturdy but pliable time. Since 2014 the band has been showcasing their unique, circuitous journey back to jazz's origin, with detours through funky blues, old-timey country, Balkan folk and even raucous fusion. Along the way they've gathered nominations for the TD Grand Prix De Jazz at the Montreal Jazz Festival and the TD Halifax Jazz Festival's Singray Rising Star Award.
MARS WILLIAMS & TOLLEF ØSTVANG
Chicago's Mars Williams might be most visible as a member of the Psychedelic Furs, but his career as a saxophonist is a total anomaly, spanning recordings with Hal Russell on ECM to appearances with Ministry, a featured artist slot at fable free jazz institution the Moers festival, to Grammy nominations with Liquid Soul. His duo with Norwegian drummer Tollef Østvang is suitably dynamic and peculiar, juxtaposing spacious sonic exploration with duo electricity that nods in the direction of Interstellar Space.