Geordie Haley, Trevor Wentzell, Greg Ritchie

Geordie Haley: With more than 25 years of presenting and performing original music guitarist, composer, improviser and educator Geordie Haley has been a featured artist in concert and festival programs by creative music presenters Upstream Music, Suddenly Listen, Canadian Music Center, The Motion Ensemble, Jazz East, Vocalypse ,Shattering the Silence, Obey, Scotia Fest, Center for Experimental Music and the Harvest Jazz Festival. Geordie teaches guitar and ensembles at the NSCC Music Arts Program and at the Maritime Conservatory for the Performing Arts. He conducts a monthly improvising workshop for Suddenly Listen. As well as leading his own ensembles Geordie is a member of the Upstream Quartet, Tom Easley’s EQ, Jamie Gatti’s Riot Squad, The Back Alley Big Band. Geordie has an active career as a contributor to many creative projects.

Trevor Wentzell, a prominent figure in the vibrant music scene of Halifax, is a highly accomplished musician and dedicated music educator hailing from Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia. His lifelong musical journey began at the tender age of five, and since then, he has immersed himself in the study and performance of music. Trevor’s passion for music is evident as he graces stages with his multi-instrumental talents, including the organ, piano, flute, clarinet, and, of course, the saxophone. He is a sought-after member of various local jazz, blues, and funk bands, such as the Back Alley Big Band, the Chronos Band, Zim Gars Trio, Tom Collins Band, Wentzell/Burton/Haley Organ Trio, and Zulkamoon, just to name a few. Trevor is also a prolific recording artist, frequently collaborating with some of the finest musicians in Halifax.

Greg RitDavid Burton has a vast array of recording projects to his credit as composer, producer, musical director and studio musician. His talent and musicianship has granted him priority status with CBC, not only as a drummer, but also as a musical director and arranger. His career has taken him around the world, backing Canadian artist like Rita MacNeil, Natalie MacMaster, Alanya Miles and Ian Thomas, to name a few. He has also had the pleasure of performing live with artists like Tony Bennett, Sara Vaughan and, the great, Ella Fitzgerald. He has received a number of awards including Best Live Jazz CD “HavanaFax Live” (East Coast Music Awards), Best Instrumental Recording “Collage” (East Coast Music Awards) and for the soundtrack “New World Columbus – The Life of Joshua Slocum” (Houston Film Festival).