Aeolian Blog
Newport Electric Bio
October 2022
London’s Newport Electric formed in 2014 and released their debut album “So It Goes” the following year to excellent reviews. In 2018 they released their follow up “Thin Wild Mercury” culminating in a fantastic vinyl release show right here at […]
Bruce Hoadley – Bio
June 2022
Bruce Hoadley has been a school music educator, a professional trombonist, a clinician and a worship leader throughout his many years in music. Originally from Hamilton Ontario, Bruce did not begin playing music until his family moved to Port Alberni […]
Big Bandemic – Bio
June 2022
With the start of the pandemic in early 2020, all live wind-instrument playing stopped. By the end of the year, musicians were restless to find a place to play, so Karl Hermann and John Thompson started a group that used […]
The Young Ones – Bio
June 2022
The Young Ones” play jazzed up instrumental versions of 60’s pop tunes, tv and movie themes . It’s a unique repertoire like you’ve never heard before! John Kenny, Guitar John’s attachment to the guitar began around the time he was eight, […]
Peter Karle – Bio
June 2022
Peter is a Kenora boy whose jazz inspired Radiohead, Sting and Miles show sold out Aeolian Hall. He always has a new project on the go including stage work like playing for Jesus Christ Superstar and Funhome in between all […]
Bio – Gina Farrugia & Peter Karle
June 2022
Gina Farrugia is a jazz musician and educator from Southwestern Ontario who studied voice, violin and arts admin at the University of Waterloo and started her career in Hamburg, Germany. She regularly performs with Peter Karle and with jazz and […]
Nicole Tan – Bio
June 2022
Born in Malaysia, Nicole initially moved to Canada to pursue her musical endeavours in classical piano and voice in 2009. Upon completing her Masters in Vocal Performance and Literature at Western University in 2015, she found herself unexpectedly gravitating toward […]
ENCHANTÉ – Bio
June 2022
Enchanté will take you on a rockin “Franco-Fun” road trip. You’ll hear an upbeat bilingual mix of Jazz, Cajun, Cabaret and French-Canadian party music all the way from Cochrane (and even London) Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick down to Lafayette and New […]
Laurraine Sigouin – Bio
June 2022
Laurraine Sigouin has appeared as a singer at Maggie’s, Aeolian Hall, Restaurant Ninety-One, London Music Club, Jazz by the Bog, London Jazz Society, and at the long-standing “Jazz for the People” concert series. She is a proud member of the […]
Bryan Gloyd Combo – Bio
June 2022
Bryan Gloyd, Piano Bryan Gloyd’s musical career has many facets including working as a church musician, recording artist and jazz pianist. Bryan has accompanied many local musicians and organized jazz programming at The Aeolian. He has also accompanied two-time Grammy […]
Hilary Welch – Bio
June 2022
Evoking influences of early Sarah Vaughan and the powerhouse 60’s soul singers, Hilary showcases her range through the performance of beloved jazz standards and the re-imagination of popular music. The time Hilary spent studying Jazz at the University of Toronto […]
Gina Farrugia – Bio
June 2022
Gina Farrugia is a jazz musician and educator from Southwestern Ontario who studied voice, violin and arts admin at the University of Waterloo and started her career in Hamburg, Germany. She regularly performs with Peter Karle and with jazz and […]
Over $70,000 raised at Concert for Peace in support of Ukrainian refugees and those trapped by conflict in Ukraine
March 2022
London, ON – The Aeolian Hall welcomed over 600 guests and more than 1,000 livestream viewers from over thirty countries to a two-night event raising over $70,000 in support for Ukrainian refugees and those trapped by the conflict in Ukraine […]
The McCartney Years: Scott Wilkinson – Bio
March 2022
Scott Wilkinson (Backing vocals, keyboards) Scott Wilkinson, born and raised in South Western Ontario, Canada, was introduced to the piano at the age of 3. With strong influence from his grandfather, jazz pianist Grant Graham, it was clear at an early […]
The McCartney Years: Dean McKey – Bio
March 2022
Dean McKey as Joe English (Drums) Dean – originally from Sault Ste. Marie, Canada – began performing and writing music early in life, while learning to play drums to accompany his musical brother and father in their band. These passions eventually […]
The McCartney Year: Matt Hache – Bio
March 2022
Matt Haché as Jimmy McCullough (Backing vocals, guitar, percussion) Matt has had music in his life from the young age of 5, when he started piano lessons for the first time. Growing bored of the instrument, he eventually became enamoured with […]
The McCartney Years: David Usselman – Bio
March 2022
David Usselman as Denny Laine (Backing vocals, bass, guitar) During his teen years, David explored many different styles of music and expanded his instrumental palette. Realizing it would enable him to connive his way into more bands, he picked up […]
The McCartney Years, Jennifer Pool – Bio
March 2022
Jennifer Pool as Linda McCartney (Backing vocals, keyboards, percussion) Jennifer Pool, off-stage and on-stage wife to lead singer, Yuri Pool, was born and raised on a horse farm in Michigan, where she helped train and ride competitive show-jumping and dressage horses. […]
The McCartney Years – Yuri Pool, Biography
March 2022
Yuri Pool as Paul McCartney (Lead vocals, bass, guitar, piano) Lead singer and performer, Yuri Pool, began his epic musical journey as a little boy in Holland, listening to his dad’s treasured Beatles and Wings records and subsequently requesting a […]
Aeolian Featured in Professional Sound Magazine
October 2020
In the October issue of Professional Sound magazine, the Aeolian Hall is featured in an article written by Editor-in-Chief Kevin King. With thanks to Kevin, we are proud to be featured along side our friends at the PA Shop (Music […]
Important Indigenous Figures Part 1
October 2020
Elsie Marie Knott (1922-1995) Elsie Marie Knott became the first female chief of a First Nation in Canada when she was elected to lead the Anishinaabe Curve Lake First Nation in 1954 near Peterborough, Ontario. She held the position for […]
Racial Segregation of People in Canada – Military and More
October 2020
Racial Segregation of Black People in Canada – Military and More Military Service Even when they were forced to serve in racially segregated units, Black men have served in the British army, militias and the Canadian military for many […]
Enfranchisement
October 2020
Enfranchisement Enfranchisement was a legal process used by the government to have indigenous people lose or resign their cultural identities and rights as indigenous people. Through enfranchisement, they would lose their Indian Status under the Indian Act. The term was […]
Indigenous Enslavement
October 2020
Enslavement of Indigenous peoples in Canada Something that is not often talked about but is an important part of Canada’s history of slavery, is the enslavement of Indigenous peoples. A full two-thirds of the slaves in the Colony of New […]
Residential Schools
October 2020
Residential Schools Canada’s first residential school was first opened and accepted its first students in 1831. It was called The Mohawk Institute in Brantford, Ontario. The two primary objectives of the residential school system were to remove and isolate children […]
Black Lives Matter Movement
January 2023
Black Lives Matter Movement Overview: What is it? – Social movement and organization Where?- International, based in the United States Purpose? – Advocacy and Protest for Black rights Founders? – Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, Opal Tometi Black Lives […]
Ways to Support
October 2020
Support There are many ways to support and help the BLM movement grow internationally and in Canada. Here are some links and pages you can use to support the organizations: Sharing links and resources to your community is an […]
First Nations in Southwestern Ontario
October 2020
The Chippewas of the Thames First Nation They are the territory of the Deshkaan Ziibing Anishinaabeg (Chippewas of the Thames First Nation). They describe themselves as “a forward thinking nation with a strong grasp of our traditional values. Through culture, […]
Important Indigenous Figures Part 2
October 2020
Kenojuak Ashevak (1927-2013) Kenojuak Ashevak, CC ONu was an Inuit artist. She is regarded as a pioneer of modern Inuit art and was one of Canada’s most acclaimed graphic artists with a long list of achievements and honours. She was […]
Ontario – Underground Railroad Stations
October 2020
Underground Railroad stations in Canada (Southwestern Ontario) : Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site – Dresden, Ontario Sandwich First Baptist Church – Windsor, Ontario Buxton National Historic Site – Chatham, Ontario John Freeman Walls Underground Railroad Museum – Lakeshore, Ontario […]
Important LGBTQ2+ Figures
October 2020
Svend Robinson (1952- ) Svend Robinson was a British Columbia Member of Parliament from 1979 to 2004. In 1988 he publicly announced he was gay during a TV interview and became the first member of Parliament to openly identify as […]
Racial Segregation of People in Canada – Housing and Employment
October 2020
What is racial segregation? It’s an important term to understand and is defined as the separation of people or groups of people, based on race in everyday life. In fact, Canada has a history full of examples of Black […]
Legal Cases
October 2020
Haig and Birch v. Canada (Canadian Armed Forces) Captain Joshua Birch had a very successful career in the Canadian Armed forces. At least, until disclosing that he was gay. After that, he was discharged from the Canadian Forces. That […]
Racial Segregation of Black People in Canada – Education
October 2020
What is racial segregation? It’s an important term to understand and is defined as the separation of people or groups of people, based on race in everyday life. In fact, Canada has a history full of examples of Black people […]
Aeolian Phoenix Sessions Presents… Aaron Allen
September 2020
Aaron allen AN ONLINE STREAMING EXPERIENCE PREMIERE DATE: friday october 2, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. Country singer-songwriter and tattoo artist Aaron Allen is back on the Aeolian Stage performing his favourites as well as cuts from his emotionally charged EP; […]
Aeolian Phoenix Sessions Presents… Tis’ Autumn (Sonja Gustafson with Bryan Gloyd)
September 2020
TIS’ AUTUMN: SONJA GUSTAFSON with BRYAN GLOYD An Online Streaming Experience PREMIERE DATE: friday october 9, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. Tis’ Autumn returns to the Aeolian Stage featuring repertoire from the standards song book. As warm as an apple pie […]
Catching Up with an Aeolian Volunteer: Robert Koprich
July 2020
CATCHING UP WITH AN AEOLIAN VOLUNTEER: Greetings from Robert Koprich When I was at a rehab recovery meeting at the Dundas United Church someone there mentioned a free concert at a Hall down the street put on by a group […]
Aeolian Art Show – Virtual Gallery
July 2020
+ AEOLIAN ART SHOW CONTINUES We are ecstatic at the response to our digital art show. We have been busy meeting guests at the Hall and seeing art walk down the street! Out of gratitude for your enthusiasm, the Artful […]
OUR HISTORY: OUR FUTURE – Acknowledgements, The Haudenosaunee
July 2020
OUR HISTORY: OUR FUTURE An Ongoing Aeolian Perspective on how Understanding our History can achieve a more equitable Future ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: THE HAUDENOSAUNEE At every Aeolian production, we acknowledge the Anishinaabek (Ah-nish-in-a-bek), Haudenosaunee (Ho-den-no-show-nee), Lnaapéewak (Len-ahpay- wuk) and Attawandaron (Add-a-won-da-run) peoples and […]
OUR HISTORY: OUR FUTURE – Singing For Equality
July 2020
OUR HISTORY: OUR FUTURE An Ongoing Aeolian Perspective on how Understanding our History can achieve a more equitable Future PRIDE: SINGING FOR EQUALITY This summer would have been the Pride Men’s Chorus London’s fifth year performing in Pride Celebrations. But […]
OUR HISTORY: OUR FUTURE – The Meeting Tree
April 2021
OUR HISTORY: OUR FUTURE An Ongoing Aeolian Perspective on how Understanding our History can achieve a more equitable Future (Photo by Sheila Creighton, imageryoflight.com) THE MEETING TREE Designated in 2012 the City’s first Heritage Tree is between 250-300 year old. […]
EL SISTEMA AEOLIAN PARTICIPANT AWARDED SCHOLARSHIP TO THE AKIMBO LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
July 2020
El Sistema Aeolian Participant Awarded Scholarship to the Akimbo Leadership Program One of the greatest privileges I’ve had in life is working with youth and helping them gain opportunities. When my friend Louise Karch contacted me from Australia and told me […]
Aeolian Volunteer Podcast #3
August 2019
The following is a transcript of our interview! If you want to listen to the audio version of it, follow these links to Spotify, Google Play, SoundCloud or YouTube! Spotify: http://bit.ly/AeolianSpot3 Google Play: http://bit.ly/AeolianPlay3 Soundcloud: http://bit.ly/AeolianSC3 YouTube: http://bit.ly/AeolianYT3 Hello […]
AEOLIAN VOLUNTEER PODCAST #2
July 2019
Before we get into the second episode of the Aeolian Podcast, I would like to thank everyone who listened and gave feedback to the first episode. It’s really important to me that we shine a spotlight on volunteerism in […]
Aeolian Volunteer Podcast #1
February 2022
Hello everyone, I just want to welcome you to the debut Aeolian Podcast with a quick rundown of upcoming events. As I’m sure you know, this week we are holding our pride events, and as of the posting of this […]
Sarina Haggarty… Live on the Aeolian Box Office Stage
October 2018
Recently we had the amazing pleasure of hearing the sweet, sweet sounds of Sarina Haggarty (with special guest Connor Morand) on the Aeolian’s Windows on Dundas Box Office Stage. For someone who has been making music for as long as […]
So long Summer. Hello…Oktoberfest and Germany!!
July 2019
We start our fall jazz season Sunday with a step into early German cabaret! Remember the movie Cabaret and Joel Gray as the MC? That era, between the end of the 1st World War and the rise of the Third […]
Tony Dekker…. Live on the Aeolian Hall Box Office Stage
September 2018
Tony Dekker and his band Great Lake Swimmers have long been friends of the Aeolian Hall for more than a decade. Born and raised in Wainfleet, Ontario, Dekker studied literature at the University of Western Ontario. Both of the band’s first […]
Sarah Smith… live on the Aeolian Box Office Stage
September 2018
Our good friend Sarah Smith stopped by on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 to chat about music, education, and life in general. Never lacking in creative energy, we were happy to host Sarah in a “Little Office Concert” on our Box […]
May is Great-Artists-Revisited Month!!
May 2018
Well welcome to instant spring! After what seemed like the never-ending winter, nature firmly and finally turned the page. The flora and fauna are responding! And there is now a spring in our step that speaks of warm summer days […]
Listening Notes: El Sistema Aeolian Chamber Music
September 2018
El Sistema Aeolian is proud to present a concert comprised of chamber music. For the past month, our participants have been working in groups of 3 to 8 members. For many, the opportunity to prepare a work without a […]
EL SISTEMA AEOLIAN: Brass and Winds
September 2018
On Thursday, The El Sistema Trombone choir will perform the chorale “Nun Danket Alle Gott,” written by Johann Crüger (1648), harmonized by Johann Sebastian Bach and edited for trombones by Robert King (1958). The trombone and the German […]
Megan Bonnell set for London Release of New Album
April 2018
The Aeolian is proud to present MEGAN BONNELL’s London album release show for her new album: SEPARATE ROOMS MEGAN BONNELL *ALBUM RELEASE SHOW FOR SEPARATE ROOMS* with guests The Early Morning Thursday, April 26, 2018 Show at 8:00pm. Doors at […]
Aaron Allen Releases New Album at Aeolian
April 2018
The Aeolian is proud to present LOCAL FOLK 6! AARON ALLEN & THE SMALL CITY SAINTS *OFFICIAL ALBUM RELEASE SHOW* with guest Aistis Friday, April 27, 2018 Show at 8:00pm. Doors at 7:00pm $15 Advance. $20 Door. If you have […]
Aeolian Shines at the Jack Richardson London Music Awards
September 2018
On Sunday, April 8th, The Aeolian was proud to host The Jack Richardson London Music Awards Jazz/Classical/World Awards Gala! The event kicked off Jack Richardson London Music Week, the biggest celebration of London and area music and musicians. The […]
Two great shows…back to back!
April 2018
The Aeolian is proud to present two amazing folk shows on April 18th & 19th! STEPHEN FEARING with guest Ken Yates Wednesday, April 18th, 2018 Show at 8:00pm. Doors at 7:00pm $30 Advance. $35 Door. 2017 Album of the Year […]
“HOW HIGH THE MOON” DOWNLOAD AVAILABLE NOW!
April 2018
“HOW HIGH THE MOON” DOWNLOAD AVAILABLE NOW! Experience the astounding vocals of Matt Alber along with the incredible sounds of London’s Prime Time Big Band in How High The Moon, a recreation of Mel Tormé’s “Swingin’ on the Moon” album […]
Let’s Talk About Fred…
April 2018
World-class jazz musician/composer and 12 time Grammy nominee Fred Hersch plays the Aeolian on March 29th – a solo performance from (in my opinion) one of the top 5 jazz performers in the world. This man has an amazing life-story. […]
So what exactly IS Jazz anyway?? Thoughts on compartmentalizing music…
March 2018
I always smile (well, kind of) when I hear people chopping music up… You know… “Well, I don’t like jazz (or classical or country or…) I only like _______“. It’s as though there is a start and stop to […]
The View From Here – February Jazz and an Interview with Peter Karle
March 2018
Three great shows coming to the Aeolian this month.. AND we get to talk with Peter Karle about his Kinda Kinda Blue event on the 23rd. So let’s get to Peter first… On February 23rd the Aeolian presents the Peter […]
The View From Here – Jazz in February/March. We’re off and running!
February 2018
As we work through these longer, darker months of winter, being together to experience great entertainment gets us away from the cold. February is our jazz kick-off month at the Aeolian. Here’s what’s coming up. First, February means Valentine’s Day […]
The View From Here – Bryan’s notes at Christmas
January 2018
There’s nothing like stopping at a light on the way to the Mall to spend $600.00 to upgrade my Iphone and seeing a homeless man with a paper cup to make me think about what exactly we seem to value […]
Inspiring Visitors to the Hall
January 2018
The team at Aeolian had the pleasure of hosting Grade 7 and 8 students from W. Sherwood Fox Public School on Monday. After a busy weekend of events, the students brought energy and laughter to an otherwise sleepy Monday morning. […]
Spanish Rhapsody… an evening of piano duets
January 2018
Until recently, we have been experiencing a record-breaking fall heatwave. In some parts of the world… Spain for example… these hot “summer” nights would have us dancing Flamenco in the streets and hoping for just a few more weeks of […]
Bryan’s September Blog
December 2017
Before we go any further, press this Spotify button and then press play on the screen that comes up. Then come back here and read on while you listen to a musical patchwork for the 9th month of 2017. It’s […]
Celebrating Volunteerism, Summer & Friends
January 2018
Aeolian Hall and El Sistema volunteers recently celebrated the end of a successful Summer Season with a potluck event at the Hall. It was one of the last warm nights before Labour Day was the eve before the Fall art […]
Friends of Aeolian – Meet Norma
January 2018
Welcome to a regular feature called “Friends of Aeolian.” Over the last 13 years since Clark Bryan became Artistic & Executive Director, our family has continued to grow. With every brush stroke painted, every patron seated, every drink served, every […]
Why We Fly the Rainbow Pride Flag
January 2018
The Rainbow Flag, flown worldwide in celebration and support of the constant fight for LGBTQII equality, originated in San Francisco, California. Artist and rights activist Gilbert Baker was born in Parsons, Kansas. After serving in the United States Army for […]
An Aeolian Moment
January 2018
Did you know that there have been other Aeolian Hall’s around the world? Located in Manhattan, the New York Symphony Society performed at Aeolian Hall on West 42nd Street from 1912 to 1924. The building, now a Dental School, was […]
Aeolian Fall Art Show Opening
January 2018
The Aeolian is excited to present it’s fall art show. Featuring the work of Vanessa Zita Vanderidder, Kristina Simpson, Sebouh Koulian and Ani Sarian, the show will feature everything from representational to the abstract including vivid colours, expressive techniques, and […]
88 Keys Celebration
January 2018
We were delighted to celebrate with Dalia and Romeo as they received their donated piano as part of the 88 Keys to Inspiration Program. We enjoyed an impromptu performance by Romeo as he demonstrated some of his amazing skills. Congratulations […]
Six Must See Shows This Fall
October 2017
VALDY – SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 23</strong Valdy is a long time friend of The Aeolian and one of Canada’s most iconic folk musicians. Last fall, his show sold out two weeks in advance. We expect similar enthusiasm about this year’s concert. […]
THE BACK LINE: Bryan’s notes on So Much Music.
August 2017
Mid-Summer 2017: Ahh, these August afternoons… The flowers in full-bloom, the direct sun, that soft breeze on your face. Relaxed in your favourite chair, your ½ bottle of rosé by your glass, the universe unfolding as it should. Can it […]
Matt Alber and the Aeolian El Sistema Senior Choir
September 2018
Special to the Aeolian Blog by Ayden Soney This week has been absolutely astonishing and incredibly fun! We spent the past week with 2 time grammy winner Matt Alber and i can speak for the whole choir when i say […]
Tony Dekker of Great Lake Swimmers talks about recording, London, & The Aeolian
July 2017
Tony Dekker of Great Lake Swimmers is a long time friend of The Aeolian. Tony started coming to The Aeolian in the late 1990s while going to school at Western University. In the early 2000s, Tony chose the hall as […]
Celebrating Volunteers: Bryan Gloyd and Rod Culham
July 2017
Volunteers are the heart of The Aeolian’s Mission. Without them, we would not be able to operate. This week, we are celebrating two volunteers who have given generously to the Aeolian. Bryan Gloyd has been a volunteer at The Aeolian […]
El Sistema Aeolian Receives Three Years of Funding from TD Bank
July 2017
The Aeolian is thrilled to announce that its free afterschool music program El Sistema Aeolian has received three years of funding from TD Bank. The funding is to support the expansion of the program including places for new participants, the […]
Rebelheart Collective Concert Finishes Season with Tears of Joy
July 2017
Last Saturday, The Aeolian’s new Rebelheart Collective Chamber Ensemble gave a stunning concert featuring works from Ravel to Richardson. The Aeolian’s Rebelheart Collective was formed through the collaborative partnership of Scott St. John violinist and the Aeolian’s Artistic Director Clark […]
Pride at The Aeolian!
August 2017
At the Aeolian we are firm believers in collaboration and advocacy which is why we are proud to work with Pride London with hosting various events at our venue year after year. This year will not disappoint as we will […]
History of The Aeolian
August 2017
The Early Years The story of the Aeolian Hall begins in 1882. The London East Town Council bought a plot of land from David E. Glass, former mayor of London. The Council then authorized the expenditure of $7,000 towards the […]
