The Junior Stars, Rising Stars and All Star Jazz Bands, under the direction of Dean Yeats, Nora Nolan and Artistic Director Allan Gaumond, are excited to bring a night of Latin jazz to their audience. Whether it's the music of Jobim or Puente, one thing is for sure: these musicians will be turning the heat up! The bands will be joined by renowned alto saxophonist Luis Deniz.
Luis Deniz
Luis Deniz is an acclaimed Cuban-Canadian alto saxophonist, composer, bandleader, and educator whose distinctive musical voice brings together the rich rhythmic traditions of Cuba with the freedom, sophistication, and improvisational language of contemporary jazz. Born in Camagüey, Cuba, Deniz has built an international career as a performer, recording artist, composer, and educator, establishing himself as an important voice in Canada’s jazz and Latin music communities.
Currently, Luis Deniz is a faculty member at Brandon University’s School of Music in Manitoba, where he serves as Assistant Professor of Saxophone, Jazz & Contemporary Popular Music (CPM). In this role, he teaches saxophone and contributes to the university’s jazz and contemporary music programs, bringing his extensive international performance experience and Cuban musical heritage into the classroom.
His career has taken him throughout Cuba and to countries including Canada, the United States, Mexico, Australia, Japan, Spain, Germany, France, Belgium, England, Ireland, Scotland, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Bermuda. In 2004, Deniz moved to Toronto, Canada, beginning an important new chapter in his artistic development. Toronto’s diverse musical environment allowed him to expand his Cuban foundation through contemporary jazz, Latin jazz, improvisation, large ensembles, and cross-cultural musical collaborations. His collaborators include Mark Turner, Tony Allen, Hilario Durán, Luis Mario Ochoa, Paquito D’Rivera, Horacio “El Negro” Hernández, Reg Schwager, Dafnis Prieto, Francisco Mela, Barry Romberg, Darren Sigesmund, Jane Bunnett, Roberto Occhipinti, Cubanismo, Rich Brown’s Rinsethealgorithm and The Abeng, Mark Kelso & The Jazz Exiles, NOJO, the Kirk MacDonald Jazz Orchestra, The Art of Jazz Orchestra, and Canada’s Global Orchestra KUNÉ. He has also shared the stage with major international figures, including Barry Harris, Howard Johnson, Ray Vega, Steve Turre, Randy Brecker, Donald Harrison, Ingrid Jensen, Mark Feldman, Gary Versace, and Hermeto Pascoal.
About Hamilton All Star Jazz
Hamilton All Star Jazz has been entertaining audiences locally and abroad since 1984. The conception of lifelong Hamiltonian musician and educator Russ Weil, their ensembles have performed at the Ontario Music Educators Association, the International Association for Jazz Educators, and the Jazz Education Network Conferences. The groups have performed at the Golden Horseshoe Music Festival and Musicfest Canada countless times, where they have been recognized for their outstanding performances. Internationally, bands have performed throughout Europe, including the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Their ensembles have shared the stage with such Canadian jazz greats as Pat LaBarbera, Rob McConnell, Guido Basso, Kenny Wheeler, and the great Phil Nimmons, to name a few. Their alumni have garnered much industry acclaim, including countless JUNO Award nominations and wins, as well as 2 Grammy wins.
Peller Hall is fully accessible, with parking behind Memorial and in nearby lots, and bar service on site. The concert begins at 7:00 PM. Tickets are available exclusively through our box office, online or at 905-304-3232.
Saturday, May 15
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Parking is available behind the centre and in nearby public lots.
Peller Hall is fully accessible, with parking behind Memorial and in nearby lots, and bar service on site.
Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre · 357 Wilson Street East
Venue details →