Fall Programme :
Thursdays :: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Fridays :: 8:30 PM - 11:30 AM
Saturdays :: 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM

Artists wanting to appear at Café Paradiso can email their request to alex@cafeparadiso.ca.

Thu Feb 2, 2012

Bianchini/Cho Duo
Bassist Adrian Cho plays, writes and speaks about jazz. As the leader of the Ottawa Jazz Orchestra, he has brought together an impressive array of professional jazz and symphony musicians to present over thirty large-scale concerts including premieres of over ten seminal jazz works in the last seven years. His book, The Jazz Process, applying principles of jazz performance to business, has been endorsed by a diverse collection of thought leaders while reviewers have praised it for its "deep exploration of collaborative know-how." He speaks frequently to university and business audiences and recently presented in Orlando, Cincinnati, Boston. Last fall he presented a six-part course on jazz history at Carleton University that earned rave reviews. Gabe Bianchini. educator in music and a jazz performer. These two performers when together are a must see. Downbeat 19:00 till 22:00. 3$ entertainment fee for diners and 5$ for non diners.

Fri Feb 3, 2012

The Lucas Hanaman Trio
"The Lucas Haneman Trio, Lucas Haneman electric and acoustic guitar, Evan Tighe Drums, and Paul Van-Dyk Upright bass, are an innovative group of accomplished young musicians with a distinct sound. Performing original compositions from Haneman’s 2011 premier album “This is What’s Up”, as well as a variety of well-known and not so well known pieces from the jazz and popular music genres, this talented trio has developed a fresh eclectic sound and musical approach that combines jazz with blues, folk, rock and funk. Lucas’s intricate and playful guitar work combined with the modern exploratory bass approach of Paul Van-Dyk, and the interactive jazz drumming of Evan Tighe, creates an atmosphere in which these three musicians feel free and open-minded, never afraid to have fun, with the audiences excitement being their most valued intention." Downbeat at 20:30 till 23:30. 3$ entertainment fee for diners and 5$ for no-diners

Mon Feb 6, 2012

Contemporary Revolution

Thu Feb 9, 2012

Bianchini/Babb Duo
Born in Oregon, Ian Babb grew up in Burlington, Ontario. He then moved to Montreal where he obtained a B.Mus at McGill University and spent ten years as a freelance musician on saxophone, clarinet and flute. After moving to Ottawa in 1998 he became one of the city’s busiest reed players, playing with a wide variety of performers from Gladys Knight to Glen Campbell to the National Arts Centre Orchestra. Gabe Bianchini. educator in music and a jazz performer. saxophone and jazz guitar, a most hear. Downbeat 19:00 till 22:00. 3$ entertainment fee for diners and 5$ for non diners.

Fri Feb 10, 2012

Diane White with Chris Hercules
Diane White with Chris Hercules Toronto native Chris Hercules started his spoken word journey in 2005 and hasn’t looked back since. A lover of jazz music and a charismatic storyteller, Chris’ words move from comedic to tragic create a touching experience for his listening audience. Chris has worked alongside some of Toronto’s top artists like Rita Dighent and Brownman Ali and has the fortunate opportunity to study with Sheila Jordan in NYC. Over the years, he has appeared at several clubs and festivals in Canada and in New York City. Currently Chris is in the studio working on an album to be released later 2012. Ottawa native Diane White is no stranger to Cafe Paradiso. Just back from performing 80 concerts in Japan, Diane’s busy international career has taken her to 5 continents and over 300 cities and has allowed her to perform concerts at several jazz clubs and festivals for Political and Royal dignitaries and alongside some of the top artists of modern day jazz. Joining Diane and Chris will be Tim Bedner (guitar), Mark Alcorn (bass) and Kevin Cato (saxophone). Downbeat at 20:30 till 23:30. 3$ entertainment fee for diners and 5$ for no-diners

Sat Feb 11, 2012

Marinda/Solari Duo
Miranda - voice Solari - voice, guitar. This Montreal duo is new to Paradiso and they bring their original style of latin influenced jazz to Ottawa for the first time. Just read the following quotes and you'll see that your in for a great musical evening. “Their bossa-folky-jazzy songs are the image of their profile: hip, exotic and eclectic.” Jean-Christophe Laurence – La Presse, Montreal, 2011 “The new duo of the hour is Marinda and Solari” Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, 2011 “If they are primarily inspired by the soft and subtle harmonies of bossa and jazz, they branch away. Their guitar is rhythmic, their inflections sometimes African, their voices tight and their harmonies delicious. They sometimes have that natural quaintness and they’re crackling.” Yves Bernard- Le Devoir, Montréal, 2011 “The pets of planet jazz” Bélanger, Planète Jazz Radio, Montréal Québec. 2011 “Marinda and Solari fuse their universe to offer us a musical acoustic melting pot in which we happily enter. Talented and <>, they already have the foundations of greatness.” Bechikh Karim, Magma, Marseille, France. 2011 Downbeat 19:00 till 22:00. 3$ entertainment fee for diners and 5$ for non diners.

Thu Feb 16, 2012

Bianchini/Kanwhisher Duo
Gabe, has been a music educator and jazz guitar performer for the past 30 years. Ken will be playing stand up bass and cello. They will cover jazzy standards to contemporary jazzed up tunes. lots of grooves and improvisation. Ken Kanwisher is a Ottawa bass player who has been busy playing & recording for 30 years. was the leader of the sugar sticks. Played in chamber Jazz group Refrane .Works with Charlie Major Ian Tamblyn Mountuno among others. Downbeat 19:00 till 22:00. 3$ entertainment fee for diners and 5$ for non diners.

Fri Feb 17, 2012

Garry Elliott Trio
Ottawa guitarist Garry Elliott will be joined by the sensitive and tasteful rhythm section comprised of Mark Alcorn on bass and Marilee Alcorn on drums. They will be performing accessible original compositions coming from a wide range of styles and influences. Expect to hear a mixture of ballads, straight eighth feels, jazz waltzes and some good old straight ahead swing. They will round out the evening with jazz standards from the Great American Song Book. Downbeat at 20:30 till 23:30. 3$ entertainment fee for diners and 5$ for no-diners

Sat Feb 18, 2012

Karen Oxhorn Duo
Karen Oxorn/Mark Ferguson Duo After developing a casual interest in singing around 1998, Karen Oxorn began performing at clubs and events in and around Ottawa. By 2002, she was active on the local jazz scene and performed at the first of six annual TD Ottawa Jazz Festivals. Karen performs often at jazz venues and for private functions in the Ottawa area and elsewhere in Ontario and Quebec as well as in the United States. She has produced and performed in concerts at the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival; the National Arts Centre Fourth Stage; the National Gallery of Canada; the Canadian Museum of Civilization, and the Canadian War Museum. Noted jazz historian Ron Sweetman describes Karen's singing as having "real feeling and a subtle swing in a deep, rich voice." Jacques Émond, former artistic director of the Ottawa Jazz Festival and host of Swing is in the Air on CKCU-FM radio had the following comments: "Talented and versatile Karen Oxorn is a very interesting vocalist. She has a warm and swinging straightforward voice skilled with ballads as well as upbeat songs." Pianist Mark Ferguson has performed with Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Gil Evans, Nelson Riddle, Holly Cole, Rob McConnell & the Boss Brass, and Manteca. Mark has written musical arrangements for a wide range of groups including the RCMP Band, the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces, the HMCS Stadacona Band, the Edmonton Armed Forces Band. As a music educator Mark has taught trombone, piano, arranging, and jazz improvisation at the Chelsea Bridge Summer Jazz Camp. He has directed the University of Ottawa Jazz Ensemble, and has served as a jazz clinician at high schools and universities across Canada. Mark is presently teaching in the jazz program at Carleton University. Downbeat at 19:30 till 22:30. 3$ entertainment fee for diners and 5$ for non-diners

Thu Feb 23, 2012

Fri Feb 24, 2012

Julie Michels & Kevin Barrett
Julie Michels (voice) & Kevin Barrett (guitar) are excited to be returning to Café Paradiso. This Toronto-based duo is well known around the Ottawa area as performers and teachers. Top-flight improvisers, Julie & Kevin bring the spontaneity of a jazz jam session to their unique and engaging arrangements of your favourite songs. Their repertoire draws broadly from pop, jazz and latin standards, and adds a few little-known gems. Last year, Julie & Kevin released their second CD: “She Sings He Plays”. The ten-song collection includes favourites by the Beatles and Paul Simon, Brazilian standards and Julie’s compelling new composition, “Fall from Grace” (featured in a video which is included on the disc.) Building on the success of their 2003 release, Live at Statler’s, the CD has fast become a favourite. Julie and Kevin’s intimate and exciting performance style is unique -- don't miss it! “Experiencing the music of Kevin Barrett and Julie Michels live in concert is something you won’t forget. They might look like a duo but their music fills the room and commands attention.” Jaymz Bee. JAZZ.FM91 Michels sang entrancingly with her usual partner-in-music, Barrett. They definitely have their thing down, offering well-crafted but loosely executed gems …. tailor-made for Michels' winning sass and exuberance. Peter Hum. Ottawa Citizen / Jazzblog.ca "Julie Michels has soul, big-hearted soul" Mark Miller. Globe & Mail Downbeat at 20:30 till 23:30. $10 door