Blue Water Jazz Collective Quintet – High Energy Modern Music
Join us for a special quintet summer jazz performance that brings an exciting, modern high-energy approach to iconic jazz standards. Featured guests include acclaimed tenor saxophonist Jason Hunter, along with his nephew, rising young guitarist Thales Hunter, a 22-year-old emerging talent from Toronto’s vibrant jazz scene.
Guided by Steinhart’s re-imagined arrangements, the music blends modern and traditional iconic jazz standards with exciting new rhythmic approaches. The program moves from medium and up-tempo hard-driving swing through Latin grooves, high-energy funk, 12/8 slow blues, and Stu’s original hip-hop-inspired feature, Blue Stew. Virtuosic improvisation and deep musical interplay anchor Blue Water Jazz Collective’s inventive, contemporary sound.
The Band:
Stu Steinhart – Bass & Arrangements
Robert Gasidlo – Piano & Organ
Stephen Wood – Drums
Jason Hunter – Tenor and Soprano Saxophones
Thales Hunter – Guitar
About Thales Hunter: Thales is currently studying jazz at York University. He was also a 2024 recipient of the prestigious Mary Alice Stuart Scholarship recognizing outstanding emerging jazz artists.
About Jason Hunter:
Originally from Kincardine, Jason Hunter began performing big band jazz as a high school student with the Stardust Big Band and Lighthouse Swing Band. He later studied at McGill University and earned a Master’s degree in jazz performance from the New England Conservatory in Boston.
During a decade performing in Boston and New York, Jason worked with acclaimed jazz artists including Joe Lovano, Jimmy Heath, and Kenny Wheeler, and performed with both George Russell’s Living Time Orchestra and the Artie Shaw Orchestra.
In Canada, he has appeared with artists such as Michael Bublé, The Temptations, Lorne Lofsky, and the Noodle Factory Jazz Orchestra.
Join us at Parkwood for an afternoon of great food and exciting jazz!
