Jason Raso has a funk heart and a jazz head.

They are hard wired together by the 4 strings of his bass guitar, and an innate ability to craft music that will turn you into a bobble head. It’ll make you feel like you’re the coolest cat on the block.

For over 20 years Raso has pursued the groove to such excellence that Exclaim Magazine declares, “Jason Raso’s bass is a full-on orchestra of ground vibrating pleasure.”

Through his first 5 albums and countless live performances, from intimate settings to festival stages, Jason and his band have entertained and connected with listeners. His ability as a band leader allows for some inspired improvisation that takes you on a journey then brings you back, spent, but unharmed. You could focus on his finely honed technique, but it’s the energy and emotion of the tunes that often leads to finger snapping and vigorous toe tapping.

Jason Raso has just released album number 6, The Red Arrow, a debut with Summit Records. His creative energy has expanded to include another layer of composition that explores his jazz sensibilities. If that weren’t enough, he doubles on electric guitar, as well as the acoustic double bass, demonstrating his skill as a musician and love for jazz guitar. In an interview with !Earshot, Jason says, “I still want a groove, and hope that those two sides continue to blend.”

This recording artist, composer, producer and guitar teacher has a long list of accomplishments that just keep growing. They include endorsements with Spector Basses and TC Electronic Bass Amplifiers. He’s a Hartke Canadian Artist Search Winner (2010) and most recently a featured Hofner guitar artist. He has composed and performed music for syndicated radio, is a session player with a capacity for various styles and production and has numerous television and radio performances under his belt.

Above all Jason Raso continues to grow as a musician and composer. His talent and originality are expressed by ongoing mastery of his instruments, and an appetite for musical knowledge.

Jazz radio host, Shelley G. (Jazz On The Rocks – CFBX 92.5 The X) says “Not only can Raso shake the basement, he can swing like hell!”

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Brent Rowan is a director, performer, composer and educator of music. A Guelph based saxophonist, who also plays flute, clarinet and other woodwind instruments, Brent performs in a wide variety of musical collaborations; from 2009 Juno Nominated Eccodek, Big Bands and small jazz combos, to classical chamber groups and creative music ensembles.

Brent is the founding director of the Guelph Youth Jazz Ensemble and the New Horizons Band for Guelph. He is also the conductor of the Cambridge Concert band and the assistant conductor of the Guelph Concert Band. In 2011 Brent became a Nobel Instruments of Canada Jazz artist performing regularly on their Baritone Saxophone.

Brent teaches woodwind and jazz improvisation techniques at his own private music studio. He is also a clinician and adjudicator at music camps and festivals through out southern Ontario, specializing in saxophone and improvisation concepts. In 2008 he received the inaugural Guelph Mercury Forty under Forty award for making a difference in his community.

Brent composes and arranges music for the Guelph Youth Jazz Ensemble as well as for his own small improvisation groups. He holds a Bachelor of Music, Jazz Studies, from Humber College.

A graduate of Humber College’s Music Program, Thomas Hammerton is an in demand and versatile pianist. His musical career has led him around the world, performing and recording everything from Jazz to Rock to R&B and more. Thomas lives in Guelph, where he performs in numerous groups and teaches private music lessons.

Canadian drummer / percussionist Adam Bowman has been a mainstay in both the Canadian and international music scene for over a decade. Adam has toured and recorded with such well known and respected artists as Kellylee Evans, Ember Swift, Dawn Langstroth, Joni NehRita, Melissa Ferrrick, Carlos Morgan, Chris Rouse, Eccodek and VINX to name a few. As a touring artist, Adam has traveled across Canada, The U.S., New Caledonia, The U.K. and Australia and as a session musician, he has played on dozens of recordings. Adam is also an accompanist for Canada's premier Contemporary Dance organization "Dancetheatre David Earle". Adam attended Toronto's Humber College and studied with some of the countries finest teachers including Roger Flock, Paul Delong, and Don Vickery. Prior to Humber College, Adam studied for many years with Canadian drum guru Gary Tomlin. From Funk to Jazz, Hip Hop to Folk music, Adam's big beats and deep feel are unmistakeable and he has become the drummer of choice for songwriters, producers and music directors alike.