Sean Bray and Roy Styffe | Reunion
Sean Bray and Roy Styffe came of age together in the Toronto jazz scene, honing their talents and creating some of their first serious recordings together under the guidance of jazz legend Don Thompson. After years of following their own star studded paths, Sean and Roy are reuniting to delight audiences on a west coast tour.
They will be joined by a similarly matched rhythm section: bassist Louis Rudner and drummer Nicholas Bracewell are long-time collaborators and share the musical E.S.P. that only a shared heritage can bring.
This band will present music from Sean and Roy’s early collaborations as well as jazz standards and newer compositions.
More about the artists:
Sean Bray
Sean Bray is considered to be one of Canada’s finest guitarists and is a well respected composer and educator who has played with various artists on many diverse projects. While in New York Bray studied at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music then moved to Toronto becoming a sought after sideman, studio guitarist and leader of his own projects. Bray has played with and/or recorded with George Garzone, Pat LaBarbera, Bob Mintzer, Jon Faddis, Liberty Silver, Matt “Guitar” Murphy from the Blues Brothers, Mike Murley, Campbell Ryga, Kirk MacDonald, as well as playing on commercials ranging from Toyota to Tim Hortons. Possessing the ability to fit into many musical genres, while still retaining an unmistakably original voice on his instrument, has made him an in demand session player in Canada. Bray now lives in Kelowna BC and plays with Layer Cake Mountain Band, Cod Gone Wild, is the founder/music director/electric guitarist for Songs of the Southern Belles, and leads his own “Sean Bray’s Peach Trio” which is his original Americana instrumental band. Bray was also a feature performer in the Canada Day 150 concert series collaboration with The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra with Rosemary Thompson and the Ballet Kelowna. Bray is endorsed by PRS Guitars, Planet Waves and D’Addario strings.
Roy Styffe
Regarded by many as one of the finest improvisers in Canada. Multi-instrumentalist (saxophone/clarinet/flute) Roy Styffe has been wowing audiences for over 30 years. He has played with the greatest names in Canadian jazz and continues to push the envelope of excellence in the world of improvisation. Based in Victoria B.C. Roy currently works for the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy. The Naden Band tours the world and performs and records frequently.
Roy has a bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies from Humber College in Toronto, Canada. He has also studied at the Banff School under Dave Holland, Kenny Wheeler, Lee Konitz, Ed Blackwell, John Abercrombie and Don Thompson. In 1992 Roy was awarded a Canada Council grant to study in New York with Dick Oatts from the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Big Band, and the great saxophonist David Liebman. As well as studying music, Roy has been active as a leader, performer and composer for the past twenty five years. Some notable highlights have been performing with Ed Bickert, Kenny Wheeler, Daniel Lapp, Tony Genge, Pat Collins, John McLeod, Neil Swainson, Phil Dwyer, Pat LaBarbara, Phil Woods, Renee Rosnes, Hal McKusick and touring with Don Thompson’s Banff Alumni Jazz Ensemble. In 1986 Roy played with The Temptations for Expo ’86, and in 1988 he played with Rob McConnell in his big band at the Calgary Winter Olympics.
Roy has recorded two cd’s under his own leadership, and has recorded with Duncan Hopkins, Free Flight Big Band, and the Juno award winning NOJO Big Band. Roy is currently recording his 3rd CD, Stories within Stories with his band including Bill Coon (guitar), Ken Lister (bass) and Buff Allen (drums).Roy has also been collaborating with the Kelby McNayr Quintet, Tony Genge ensemble, the Kevin Elaschuk group based in Vancouver.
They will be joined by a similarly matched rhythm section: bassist Louis Rudner and drummer Nicholas Bracewell are long-time collaborators and share the musical E.S.P. that only a shared heritage can bring.
This band will present music from Sean and Roy’s early collaborations as well as jazz standards and newer compositions.
More about the artists:
Sean Bray
Sean Bray is considered to be one of Canada’s finest guitarists and is a well respected composer and educator who has played with various artists on many diverse projects. While in New York Bray studied at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music then moved to Toronto becoming a sought after sideman, studio guitarist and leader of his own projects. Bray has played with and/or recorded with George Garzone, Pat LaBarbera, Bob Mintzer, Jon Faddis, Liberty Silver, Matt “Guitar” Murphy from the Blues Brothers, Mike Murley, Campbell Ryga, Kirk MacDonald, as well as playing on commercials ranging from Toyota to Tim Hortons. Possessing the ability to fit into many musical genres, while still retaining an unmistakably original voice on his instrument, has made him an in demand session player in Canada. Bray now lives in Kelowna BC and plays with Layer Cake Mountain Band, Cod Gone Wild, is the founder/music director/electric guitarist for Songs of the Southern Belles, and leads his own “Sean Bray’s Peach Trio” which is his original Americana instrumental band. Bray was also a feature performer in the Canada Day 150 concert series collaboration with The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra with Rosemary Thompson and the Ballet Kelowna. Bray is endorsed by PRS Guitars, Planet Waves and D’Addario strings.
Roy Styffe
Regarded by many as one of the finest improvisers in Canada. Multi-instrumentalist (saxophone/clarinet/flute) Roy Styffe has been wowing audiences for over 30 years. He has played with the greatest names in Canadian jazz and continues to push the envelope of excellence in the world of improvisation. Based in Victoria B.C. Roy currently works for the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy. The Naden Band tours the world and performs and records frequently.
Roy has a bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies from Humber College in Toronto, Canada. He has also studied at the Banff School under Dave Holland, Kenny Wheeler, Lee Konitz, Ed Blackwell, John Abercrombie and Don Thompson. In 1992 Roy was awarded a Canada Council grant to study in New York with Dick Oatts from the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Big Band, and the great saxophonist David Liebman. As well as studying music, Roy has been active as a leader, performer and composer for the past twenty five years. Some notable highlights have been performing with Ed Bickert, Kenny Wheeler, Daniel Lapp, Tony Genge, Pat Collins, John McLeod, Neil Swainson, Phil Dwyer, Pat LaBarbara, Phil Woods, Renee Rosnes, Hal McKusick and touring with Don Thompson’s Banff Alumni Jazz Ensemble. In 1986 Roy played with The Temptations for Expo ’86, and in 1988 he played with Rob McConnell in his big band at the Calgary Winter Olympics.
Roy has recorded two cd’s under his own leadership, and has recorded with Duncan Hopkins, Free Flight Big Band, and the Juno award winning NOJO Big Band. Roy is currently recording his 3rd CD, Stories within Stories with his band including Bill Coon (guitar), Ken Lister (bass) and Buff Allen (drums).Roy has also been collaborating with the Kelby McNayr Quintet, Tony Genge ensemble, the Kevin Elaschuk group based in Vancouver.
