Welcome to Vincent Stephen-Ong's Website

[ recent news ]

Archived Updates:

• [2008/12/29]
  Hey folks, last minute show with the "Random 4tet", composed of myself, Ivan Bamford, Caulder Nash, and Sage Reynolds. As the name implies, it's a sort of random assortment of musicians who happened to be available for a Tuesday night- promising! Come check it out at l'Escalier starting at around 10pm. I will have CDs available at the show.

  [ shows ]

• [2008/12/22]
  NEW RELEASE!

  After many years in the making, my debut CD "Winding Path" is finally available! It's composed entirely of original material, written and arranged by me and my co-conspirator on this project, Tom Eliosoff. There's a fair amount of experimentation with colour and time, but all within a certain "modern jazz" framework. I'd say that the clearest sources of musical inspiration would be Greg Osby, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Muhal Richard Abrams, and Henry Threadgill.

  The album is immediately available on my newly-founded record label and universal music/musician resource, Bagarap Records, as both a CD and Digital Download (DRM-free MP3s). Not much to see on that website at the moment aside from links to buy the CD and/or MP3s, but I'll be expanding it slowly over time. The physical CD and MP3s are also available on CDBaby and the Digital Download version will be available on a number of other popular sites (iTunes, Amazon, Napster, etc) shortly.

  Of course, if you know me personally you can always buy one from me in person, or at a show or whatnot. That is the cheapest option for you, and the most profitable option for me, so it's the way I prefer to go, in general.

  Check it out, I hope you like it.

  [ Bagarap Records ]

• [2008/10/31]
  
• [2008/08/17]

  I'm playing this Tuesday at Alex Bellegarde's jam session as the featured guest. Come check it out at 10pm to hear us play the first set- jam opens up after that.

  Stay tuned for info regarding my debut release!

  [ shows ]

• [2008/06/27]

  The organ jam is back! Now at the Brutopia Bistro, we'll be groovin' away every night for the last 5 days of the festival, from July 2nd to July 5th. I'm hosting with Martin's band on the 3rd and 5th and Vanessa Rodrigues' fine group hosts on the other nights. Come check it out and bring your instruments!

  [ shows ]

• [2008/06/18]

  Added an upcoming show with Eric Couture-Tellmosse.

  [ shows ]

• [2008/05/17]

  Made the move over to my own domain! In the process, the pages have been updated to account for various broken links and other improvements.

• [2008/02/01]

  Added an upcoming gig hosting at the Grumpy's weekly jam.

  [ shows ]

• [2008/01/24]

  Updated the jam sessions page.

  [ resources::jam sessions ]

• [2007/08/21]

  Added an upcoming guest-host stint at Grumpy's and Elie's new group's debut, scheduled for November.

  [ shows ]

• [2007/07/25]

  It's been a busy summer... and still more shows coming up!

  [ shows ]

• [2007/06/27]

  Many shows added- jazzfest is right around the corner!

  I've got a fun show coming up with a group we're calling "Multigen", featuring Kenny Bibace, Alex Mallett, and Stef Schneider at POP! Bar à Vin on July 4th, starting at 11pm. Cover is a paltry $10 and there will be a great variety of music represented. See the Shows page for more details.

  Also, be sure to check out the organ jam, which runs every night of the festival, starting the 29th.

  

  I'll be playing in the house band with Martin's group on the 29th, 1st, 2nd, 5th, and 6th.

  [ shows ]

• [2007/05/15]
  More upcoming shows added.

  [ shows ]

• [2007/03/06]
  More shows added. Still busy working on the album.

  [ shows ]

• [2007/01/16]
  Happy New Year! It's been a long time since an update. As some of you know I've been working on a debut album with Tom Eliosoff and it has been keeping me busy- you can hear an in-progress track over at Tom's MySpace page. We are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel so hopefully we will be able to release it soon. It will be available for sale in both CD and digital format.

  Meanwhile, I've updated the resources::jam sessions page. I'm also playing again with Martin's Certified Organic Jazz Quartet at the end of the month up in Val-David. See the Shows page for details.

  [ resources::jam sessions | shows ]

• [2006/09/11]
  Updated the resources::jam sessions page.

  [ resources::jam sessions ]

• [2006/09/05]
  Performing again with Elie Flynn's group at Kémia in October.

  [ shows ]

• [2006/06/21]
  I'll be performing with trumpet Aaron Shragge from New York on Tuesday, June 27th in what should be another fine collaborative concert. Whenever Aaron is in town, we always get to explore some interesting musical spaces.

  Also, I'll be hosting the Jazz Organ Jam session with Martin Petersen's Certified Organic Jazz Quartet, sharing alternate nights with Vanessa Rodrigues' group.

  In mid/late-July, we'll be at Kémia with Elie Flynn's group, which should be a lot of fun. I've posted up the mp3s from our demo session last January, done at Clara Lichtenstein hall. Go check them out in the audio section!

  I've also updated the resources::jam sessions page, as well as posted up photos from our recording sessions with the Stephen-Ong/Eliosoff Quartet. Finally, I moved old (2005) news to the archives and am trying out Google Analytics for website stats tracking.

  On a separate note, you can now find me on myspace at http://myspace.com/vincentstephenong in addition to here.

  [ resources::jam sessions | shows | audio | bands | photos ]

• [2006/03/11]
  I'll be performing with my quartet at Upstairs as semi-finalists in the Jazz en Rafale competition. It's a short 3-tune set, but we'd appreciate any and all support of our gracious admirers.

  I've also added a link to the mp3s on Martin's site for his group the Certified Organic Jazz Quartet (that I play with) from my mp3 page.

  [ shows | audio ]

• [2006/02/11]
  I'll be playing with my quartet on March 26th at Café l'Utopik. The material will be entirely original with some new tunes that have never been performed before.

  I've also updated the Jam Sessions page to reflect the current scene. Finally, I made some updates to the bands page, including adding the Elie Flynn Quartet to the list.

  [ shows | resources::jam sessions | bands ]

• [2005/11/05]
  Updated the links page with a link to FinaleIRC.com, which is the website for the channel #finale on irc.chatspike.net, where users of the music notation software Finale idle and help each other out with technical issues.

  [ links ]

• [2005/09/10]
  The resources::Jam Sessions page has been updated. A few old jams have been removed and the Casa Obscura, La Kemia, and Brutopia Bistro jams have been added.

  I've also (finally!) added a new track to the mp3 page of solo piano from a session I did last year with Amandine Paccioni.

  [ resources::jam sessions | audio ]

• [2005/07/02]
  I've added a link to Joshua Walker's website from my Links page. Also, I've been updating the upcoming shows quite regularly for new events.

  [ shows | links ]

• [2005/05/09]
  Elie Flynn's group, the Ultra Soft Quartet, with whom I will be performing on saxophone, will be at the Mile End bar on Wednesday, May 25th. We'll be performing a mix of originals and seldom-played standards, featuring new compositions from Elie, Ariel Harrod, and myself.

  [ shows ]

• [2005/04/06]

  I'll be playing some soulful and bluesy jazz in Martin Petersen's organ quartet, which will have its debut Montréal concert at Upstairs this coming Sunday, April 10th. We'll be featuring music from the 50s and 60s in the great organ jazz traditions of Jimmy Smith and Jack McDuff as well a few originals. In the words of drummer Thierry Arsenault, "this music just plays itself".

  

  Also, I'll be playing tonight in the house band of the monthly Orchestauro jam session at Utopik.

  [ bands | shows ]

• [2005/04/04]
  Updated the resources::jam sessions page and added the upcoming Orchestauro show.

  [ resources::jam sessions | shows ]

• [2005/04/03]
  Le Kitchose Band will be launching its new self-titled CD at the Lion d'Or this Tuesday, April 5th. I'll be performing with this francopop band as part of its two-man horn section. There are two performances: one short 20-minute set during a "5 à 7" and a second full-length concert starting at around 8pm. The "5 à 7" performance is intended to give the press people a general idea what the band is all about whereas the 8pm concert will have two full sets of music and feature both the horn section and guest keyboardist on most tunes.
  

  [ bands | shows ]

• [2005/03/29]
  This Tuesday at the Bonkif/Reggie's jam will feature the Concordia big band after our opening set. The jam will open up for business as usual after the big band's second set.

  I've also updated the links page with links to Lubo Alexandrov's and Maria Schneider's websites.

  [ shows | links ]

• [2005/03/15]
  The jam session gig tonight (Tuesday, March 15) with Alex Formosa's group at Reggie's has been cancelled due to a scheduling conflict with the Art Matters festival.

  [ shows ]

• [2005/03/09]
  I've updated the jam sessions page to reflect the availability of a piano and the fact that the jam may in fact not be stopping during the summer. I'm continuing to play in the house band at this session and it's been quite a blast. Come check it out!

  Also, the date for the Kitchose Band CD release has been moved to Tuesday, April 5th.

  [ resources::jam sessions | shows ]

• [2005/02/26]
  Updated with a few upcoming shows and moved a few old items to the archived news section.

  [ shows | archived news ]

• [2005/02/15]
  I've updated the site with a few upcoming shows as well as details on the Evergreen Saxophone Quartet show at The Rex this Wednesday.

  Also, I'll be playing keyboard with the Alex Formosa Quintet at the Concordia jam session every Tuesday night while Jeff Louch is away.

  [ shows | bands | resources::jam sessions ]

• [2005/02/10]
  I'll be performing on piano with Jérôme Petitgirard's Abracadajazz at Café l'Utopik this Sunday. The concept is to compose tunes on the spot based on audience input. It's also an all-acoustic/no-electric night at l'Utopik, which means that we'll be playing unamplified and the bar will be lit by candlelight, so it should make for a fun evening if nothing else!

  Also, I'll be performing at The Rex in Toronto next week with Peter Turner's Evergreen Saxophone Quartet. The music will be of a decidedly avant-garde free-jazz approach derived from the World Saxophone Quartet.

  [ shows ]

• [2005/01/27]
  Some updates to the upcoming shows and links page has been updated with Martin Petersen's website and an updated link to Jennifer Bell & Bill Mahar's website.

  [ shows | links ]

• [2005/01/10]
  Due to the sudden and unexpected passing of one of his students, Chris McCann will be unable to join us for this Wednesday's concert. In his stead, the fine Mr. John Fraboni will be ably filling in.

  [ shows ]

• [2005/01/05]
  My friend, trumpet-player Aaron Shragge, who is currently studying with Kenny Werner at the New School in Manhattan, will be in town for a few days in January. We decided to make use of the time he'll be in town to play a concert together for the first time in at least a year. Joined by Sage Reynolds and Chris McCann, we'll be performing a mix of originals, standards, and free jazz. In particular, we will be featuring some new arrangements of my material written specifically for this group and instrumentation.

  
  [ shows ]
• [2004/12/19]
  Updated a few minor things.

  I'm performing with my trio Stephen-Ong/Bamford/Ruddick this coming Wednesday at Café l'Utopik. We'll be performing a lot of new material including some of Anna's tunes and some of Ivan's new transcriptions of Andrew Cyrille and Andrew Hill tunes. Come check it out!

  [ shows ]

• [2004/12/14]
  There's a whole batch of new audio now available from the demo for the Stephen-Ong/Eliosoff Quartet. They were recorded at Tom's makeshift home studio so they're a bit of a mixed bag with regards to the sound quality. Go check'em out!

  I've also updated the resources::jam sessions, bands, and upcoming shows pages.

  [ audio | resources::jam sessions | bands | shows ]

• [2004/11/27]
  Some upcoming shows at Café Utopik have been added, as well as new audio. For those with more "avant-garde" tastes, check out the Spontaneous Combustion audio.

  I've also:

  • Added a photos section which currently contains some promo photos we took for Spontaneous Combustion.
  • Updated the resources::jam sessions page.
  • Finally, I've added links to Marc Houde's, Jon Day's, and Dave Liebman's websites in the links section.

  [ shows | audio | photos | resources::jam sessions | links ]

• [2004/10/11]
  I've added an Archived News and Archived Shows page and moved off the older events into the appropriate section. The front page also features a quick look at upcoming shows.

  I've also added a link to Alan Biller and Ross MacDonald in my Links section.

  [ archived news | shows | archived shows | links ]

• [2004/10/06]
  I've updated the shows page with my upcoming show at Upstairs as a member of Ernie Nelson's band as well as my guest spot during Alex Bellegarde's jam session at Nyk's.

  [ shows | resources::jam sessions ]

• [2004/09/29]
  I've updated the shows and bands page for Josh Goldman's bebop group (of which I am a member). Also, the jam sessions page has been updated.
  Don't forget to check out the debut concert of the Stephen-Ong/Eliosoff Quartet this Sunday at Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill! For more details, please see the Shows page.

  

  [ band | poster | shows ]
• [2004/09/21]
  The debut performance of the Stephen-Ong/Eliosoff Quartet is coming soon! We'll be performing at Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill on Sunday, October 3, 2004. See the Shows page for more details. The repertoire will be all original compositions and arrangements. This project has been in the works for a long time and I strongly recommend checking it out.

  I've also added a new audio page, which of course contains some direct-to-minidisc Stephen-Ong/Bamford/Ruddick trio recordings. I don't yet have Stephen-Ong/Eliosoff Quartet recordings available yet but they'll be available soon.

  Also, the Shows page has been updated.

• [2004/09/07]
  I've updated the Shows page to reflect my latest upcoming performances. There's a couple of shows at Crescent Street Pub, a Kitchose Band concert at Café Campus, and a guest spot during Amandine Paccioni's show at Café Utopik.

  Also, I've updated the Jam Sessions page with the Amandine Paccioni Trio's jam at the Métronome.

• [2004/08/24]
  I'm performing again with the Stephen-Ong, Bamford, Ruddick trio on August 30, 9PM at Café Utopik. If you weren't there last time, the performance will consist of original compositions and arrangements. If you were there last time, we will be trying out some new material, so come check it out. See the Shows page for more details.

  mp3s are coming soon!

  Also, the upcoming shows page has been updated and I've added Le Kitchose Band to the bands page.

• [2004/07/13]
  I'm playing in trio at Guido and Angelina on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. The members of the trio will vary from night to night and we'll be featuring a mix of originals and standards. See the shows page for more details.

  Also, I added the as-of-yet-unnamed Quartet to the bands page- performances coming soon.

• [2004/06/30]
  I'm playing in trio with Ivan Bamford and Anna Ruddick on July 5, 9PM at Café Utopik. Promises to be a great show with a lot of interesting and original material. See the shows page for more details.

  On an unrelated note, I removed the "shoutbox" on the left since all it did was accumulate spam.

• [2004/06/02]
  A lot of updates today:
  • Updated the Jam Sessions page to reflect all the latest jams.
  • Updated the Shows page for a few upcoming shows.
  • Added the "shoutbox" to the left, where you can leave a quick note.
  • Added a new Links with lots of music-related resources and Contact page.
  • Updated the layout.
• [2004/02/01]
  By request, I removed the mirror of Grant "King" Koeller's etiquette guide but I still have a link directly to the original from my jam session etiquette page. Also, I added a site stat tracker.
• [2004/01/29]
  I know it's been a while since I updated this site, but I have since returned to school to study music and have been quite busy. I've updated the jam sessions page.

  Also, I've added a link to "Sorties Jazz Nights" which is an initiative on the part of Claude Thibault to maintain an up-to-date listing of live jazz music in town. Check it out whenever you're looking for a place to hear live jazz.

• [2003/08/30]
  Alex Bellegarde is hosting a new jam session at Chez Baptiste on Tuesday nights. I am the "featured guest" this coming Tuesday evening (September 2). Come on down and join us for a beer and a jam!
• [2003/06/24]
  Added info for an upcoming gig at Café Dépot on July 5th, featuring some very heavy musicians. Also added the J. J. Jazz jam session to the Resources - Jam Sessions page.
• [2003/06/16]
  Updated the info for the Café Utopik show.
• [2003/06/13]
  Upcoming show at Café Utopik on Tuesday, June 17th.
• [2003/06/01]
  Redesigned the website using CSS. Hopefully this means that it should look better, load faster, and be easier to maintain. *cough* We'll see if it actually works out that way.

  I've also re-organized the content of the site a little, giving each section its own page.