Roddy Ellias Free Spirit Ensemble

Fourth Stage | National Arts Centre


His music has been described as “unapologetically beautiful” (All About Jazz) and his creativity “both startling and inspiring” (Just Jazz Guitar). A passionate improviser, Canadian jazz guitarist and composer Roddy Ellias is an artist whose work defies simple definition. His musical journey has taken him from his early roots in pop and R&B bands and classical music, to the improvised world of jazz, through African and other world beats all the way to writing an opera, and everything in between. Along the way he’s performed with some of the great names in jazz, from Lee Konitz to David Liebman to Joel Frahm and Dr. Lonnie Smith. Fresh from a brand new recording of nine original songs, featuring Juno award-winning vocalist Kellylee Evans, pianist Marc Copland and seven close musical friends, Roddy and the Free Spirit Ensemble bring these songs for the first time before a live audience.
*We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.

 

Featuring:

Roddy Ellias - guitar, compositions
Kellylee Evans - voice
Marc Copland - piano
Petr Cancura - saxophones and mandolin
Richard Page - bass clarinet
Chris Pond - bass
Jose Garcia - percussion
Jean Martin - drums