The following list includes the active projects that I participate in as a leader and sideman.
Please see the shows page for any upcoming shows with these bands and the audio page for recordings and samples. If you wish to book a band for performance, please see the contact page.
Current
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Stephen-Ong/Eliosoff Quartet
Formed with the intention of exploring jazz through original composition and new takes on old standards, this group has a distinct, contemplative, and contemporary sound spawned from a love of music. A showcase for the compositions of co-leaders Vincent Stephen-Ong on saxophone and Tom Eliosoff on guitar, the Stephen-Ong / Eliosoff Quartet promises to get your mind travelling and your feet tapping.
We released our debut recording, Winding Path, in 2008! Go check out it out on the recordings page.
[ audio | photos | recordings | facebook ]
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Certified Organic Jazz Quartet
With the roots of traditional organ jazz at its core, the Montreal-based Certified Organic Jazz Quartet has evolved into a solid, grooving party band that creates in its listeners an irresistible urge to move to the beat. Integrating the sounds of everything from afrobeat to groovin' soul jazz to Saturday morning cartoons, the band remains true to the Blue Note legacy while adding the personal contemporary twists of toe-tapping original compositions.
The band has performed at a number of Montreal venues and festivals, and co-hosts the yearly Jazz Organ Jam, taking place every night of the Montreal International Jazz Festival. Attracting a devout and attentive audience and enthusiastic participation from local musicians, it has also caught the attention and presence of such renowned artists as Joey DeFrancesco, Kenny Garrett, Ingrid Jensen, Jason Moran, Jeff Healey, and others.
You can find pics and videos on our Facebook Fan Page:
You can also find some MP3s and photos on organist Martin Petersen's Website.
[ Certified Organic Jazz Quartet on Facebook | Martin Petersen's Website | video::Certified Organic Jazz Quartet ]
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Kalmunity
Fully improvised live urban music, with strong hip-hop, rnb, funk, reggae, afrobeat, etc influences. Literally 100% improvised, under the guidance of drummer Jahsun.
[ website | Facebook group: KALMUNITY PRODUCTIONS | Facebook Fan Page: Kalmunity ]
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Urban Science
A new trio project of mine, featuring Kalmunity founder and pocket groove drummer Jahsun, and fellow Kalmunity veteran and serious serious SERIOUS bass player Mark Haynes, who has played with anybody who is somebody.
Urban Science is an outlet that tempers my more experimental and adventurous tastes with the groundedness of the groove that Kalmunity is so well known for, and with a healthy dose of improv within the structures.
Former
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Dynamo Coléoptera
Japanese dramatic surrealist experimental pop-rock. No, really that is an accurate description. I play keyboards and saxophone with this band- check their website for more details.
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Elie Flynn Quartet
Guitarist Elie Flynn leads this group featuring a mix of his compositions and contributions from his band members saxophonist Vincent Stephen-Ong and bassist Ariel Harrod. Emphasizing a groove-oriented funky approach, the group is rounded out by Thierry Arsenault on drums.
[ audio ]
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Stephen-Ong/Bamford/Ruddick
This trio features Ivan Bamford on drums, Anna Ruddick on bass, and myself on saxophone. We specialize in original and seldom-played material with a decidely "avant-garde" approach.
[ audio ]
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Spontaneous Combustion
This avant-gardiste free jazz ensemble finds its influences and inspiration everywhere from Ornette Coleman and Pharaoh Sanders to the abundance of sounds in nature. The three musicians who comprise Spontaneous Combustion strive to produce a collective group sound that is greater than the sum of their individual contributions. It is through the extremely interactive nature of free jazz and their respectively strong but complementary personal musical visions that Peter Turner on tenor saxophone, flute, and compositions, Vincent Stephen-Ong on alto saxophone, and Ivan Bamford on drums and percussion wish to spark a Spontaneous Combustion.
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Evergreen Saxophone Quartet
Peter Turner leads this free jazz saxophone quartet, in the spirit of the World Saxophone Quartet. Featuring Peter Turner on tenor saxophone, flute, and piccolo, Vincent Stephen-Ong on alto saxophone, Eric Fulwiler on tenor and soprano saxophone and flute, and Gordon Hyland on tenor and baritone saxophones.
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Orchestauro
Guitarist François Girouard leads a mixed bag of musicians at Café L'Utopik on the first Wednesday of every month. Jazz musicians of all levels welcome to play.
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I'm an auxiliary member of the large format version of this Québec pop band. Visit their website for upcoming shows, mp3s, and other goodies.
[ website ]
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Jeff Louch Group
Pianist Jeff Louch leads a rotating assortment of jazz musicians that play standards in a small-group combo format. Whether in duo, trio, or quartet formations, the group concentrates on repertoire from the jazz tradition.
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Fear of 4
Lead by Glenn Austin on drums, Fear of 4 plays jazz-influenced instrumental covers of pop and rock tunes ranging from such diverse sources as John Coltrane, Peter Gabriel, and Jimi Hendrix.
Lineup:
- Glenn Austin (drums)
- Jordey Tucker (guitar)
- Vincent Stephen-Ong (alto sax)
- Jarrod Atkinson (bass)
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The Harlem Feetwarmers
Lead by arranger/bassist Jeff Richard, the 16-person group plays note-perfect transcriptions of classic Ellington repertoire. The Harlem Feetwarmers play music that is not often heard outside of old vinyl recordings.
