Order of Canada recipient, Dr. Dave Young, is one of Canada’s most celebrated and valued bassists, composers, arrangers, and educators. Originally from Winnipeg, Dave has made his name known on both the Canadian and international stages in both jazz and classical music for the last 5 decades, and along the way has worked with some of the world’s top artists in various fields. Known for his elegant tone, impeccable time, and immense knowledge of musical history, Dave has been a first-call bassist for the likes of Oscar Peterson, Lenny Breau, Oliver Jones, Cedar Walton, and countless others. 

Dave’s career has reached the highest of heights in Canada, as he has not only played the best venues across the country, but has worked with an extensive list of some of Canada’s most respected musicians. That list includes such names as Peter Appleyard, Renee Rosnes, Don Thompson, Joe Sealy, Molly Johnson, and Guido Basso. His extensive career as an educator has also seen him mentor the likes of some of this country’s finest working musicians today, including Brandi Disterheft, Ross MacIntyre, and Robi Botos. 

Along with being a Member of The Order of Canada – his country’s highest civilian honour – Dave is a JUNO Award-winning musician and has several additional honours under his belt, including the IAJE (International Association for Jazz Education) Award for “Outstanding Service to Jazz.” He is a 7x Jazz Report winner, 6x National Jazz Award winner, and in 2017 was presented with an Honorary Doctor of Letters Degree from Wilfrid Laurier University. In 2020, Dave concluded his 30-year tenure as a Professor at the University of Toronto’s Jazz department. Dave has continued to share his wisdom with students and jazz fans through workshops. In September 2021, Dave was featured on two segments as part of JazzComposersPresent.com out of Washington, DC, which is led by Dan Jamieson. 

Dave continues to spend his time performing throughout Toronto on a regular basis, as well as recording with his various groups. Dave frequently performed in Detroit alongside Spencer Barefield and Dave Murray at Dirty Dog Jazz Café and Cliff Bell’s, as well as the Detroit Jazz Festival. Throughout his many tours within the United States, Dave has performed to sold-out crowds at Carnegie Hall, Chicago’s Symphony Center, The Blue Note, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Yoshi’s Oakland, and Birdland Jazz Club.

Along with consistent performing, Dave has released an album every year for the last five years including One Way Up (featuring Renee Rosnes) and Trouble In Mind (nominated for 2020 JUNO Award). 2021 is no exception. His latest album, ‘Mantra,’ releases on MODICA Music this fall and features well-known musicians Kevin Turcotte, Reg Schwager, Brian Dickinson, Perry White, and Terry Clarke. 

From 1997 to 2007 Swede Ulf Wakenius had the probably most prestigious job in jazz: guitarist in the Oscar Petersen Quartet. But he had an also very inspiring sideline in working for legendary jazz bassist Niels-Hennig Ørsted Pedersen.

Two albums in collaboration with another great bass player – Ray Brown – even topped the American jazz charts. Wakenius successfully continued his career after becoming an exclusive ACT-artist in 2005. He is one of the greatest virtuosos playing the jazz guitar, famous for his reduced and lyrical approach and gentle, sometimes even bitter-sweet sounds.

After all, he is a great interpret of famous melodies: On his ACT debut “Notes From The Heart“ he deals with composition by Keith Jarrett and on the 2008 album “Love is Real“ (2008) he presents re-arranged songs originally composed by pianist Esbjörn Svensson.

His marked preference for melodies makes Wakenius to a perfect accompanist for singers like Viktoria Tolstoy or Youn Sun Nah. Together with the Korean jazz star Nah, Wakenius constantly tours the world and achieves great success especially in France.

Wakenius most recent album “Vagabond“ was released in January 2012. In collaboration with French accordion player Vincent Peirani and bassist Lars Danielsson, it becomes apparent that globetrotter Wakenius is driven by a curiosity for all sorts of music. From the French “Bretagne” to the Nordic tones of “Psalmen”; from archaic Native American tones of “Witchi-Tai-To” to the Far-Eastern influences present in “Song For Japan”, Wakenius sends the listener musical postcards from all over the world. He even says, “Vagabond” was the best album he has ever made.

Mark McLean is a very dynamic and versatile studio and touring musician.  And for that reason he has been the grooving spark behind many jazz, pop and soul legends whose music and influence span multiple generations.  The late legendary producer Phil Ramone, called McLean “a tasty, sure handed drummer, a song man’s musician”.