Honouring Stacie McGregor

G-THREE Music and JazzInToronto present:

It's Lit: Honouring Stacie McGregor Live in the Green Sanderson Hall at Hugh's Room, 296 Broadview Avenue
Show at 8pm, Doors at 7pm
$30+ in advance, $37+at the door

G-THREE Records & JazzInToronto present:

It’s Lit: for Stacie McGregor: A Tribute Concert & Posthumous Album Release

Thursday October 16, 8:00pm

With Amanda Tosoff, Fern Lindzon, Kathleen Gorman and Hannah Barstow, piano;

Artie Roth and Michael Herring, bass; Mark Hundevad and Jojo Bowden, drums;

Pat LaBarbera, Elena Kapeleris, David French and Shawn Nykwist saxophone; 

Alexis Baro, trumpet; Doriann Forrester, flute; Don Laws, trombone; Ori Dagan, host. 

Join us to honour the legacy Stacie McGregor, an extraordinary Canadian pianist, composer, and mentor, who passed away on October 30, 2024. Known for her remarkable talent and dedication, Stacie’s career was marked by artistry, a commitment to sharing music, and a legacy that continues to inspire across generations.

The event will also act as a posthumous album release for “It’s Lit,” an album of original music recorded live by the Stacie McGregor Quartet a few years ago at the Jazz Room in Kitchener-Waterloo.

Born in Winnipeg on December 26, 1961, Stacie was encouraged by her mentor, jazz legend Ron Paley, to attend Humber College’s jazz program in Toronto. After graduation, she found herself immersed in Toronto’s diverse music scene, performing across genres and working with a variety of artists. Her dedication and versatility led her to a JUNO Award in 1999 for Best World Music as part of Madagascar Slim’s band. A regular performer in Toronto’s beloved intimate venues, she could be found at Robert’s in Kensington Market, a small bar with a big reputation for jazz, or at Nawlin’s in the Entertainment District, where she performed nearly every weekend for almost two decades. She frequently joined saxophonist Jim Heineman’s band, delighting audiences as they welcomed guest artists to spontaneous and memorable sessions.

In 2003, Stacie released her debut album, Straight Up, a bold set of compositions arranged for an all-Canadian ensemble featuring jazz icons like Kevin Turcotte, Brandi Disterheft, and Archie Alleyne. The album gained international acclaim, charting in over 20 countries and establishing her as a leading voice in Canadian jazz. Her second and third albums — SWIFT and Rhythm, Hart & Soul — showcased her collaborations with notable musicians such as Billy Robinson, Billy Hart, Curtis Lundy, and Santi DeBriano.

In 2015, as a final gesture of trust and friendship, her longtime mentor Archie Alleyne asked her to continue the legacy of his hard-bop band, Kollage. Honoring his wishes, she led a new lineup of the band and recorded No Fuss, No Muss in 2017, a project that paid homage to Alleyne’s unwavering dedication to music and featured original compositions from the group.

In recent years, she toured and recorded with Heillig Manoeuvre, the quartet led by bassist Henry Heillig, alongside Alison Young and Charlie Cooley. Together, they recorded four albums, adding a rich chapter to her expansive career. Recognized for her contributions, she was nominated for Ontario’s prestigious Louis Applebaum Composers Award, which celebrates excellence in music composition, as well as for the General Motors Grand Jazz Award and the Galaxie Rising Star Award by CBC.

Stacie McGregor will be remembered as a dedicated artist who shared her talent generously, captivating audiences and inspiring fellow musicians. Her music lives on as a testament to her artistry and dedication to jazz.

Come celebrate the life of this legendary jazz composer and musician with us at Hugh's
Room Thursday October 26.

296 Broadview is not yet a fully wheelchair accessible venue, with stairs between all levels. Our goal is to fix that, and we need your support to do so - please consider making a donation towards our goals to make HRL the best listening room in Toronto!