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Amanda Tosoff

Amanda Tosoff is a B.C.-raised Toronto-based pianist, composer, and bandleader, with five albums to her credit. Along her fascinating career path, Amanda has performed with such internationally recognized artists as Ingrid Jensen, Emilie-Claire Barlow, Phil Dwyer, Christine Jensen, Brad Turner, Kelly Jefferson, and Jodi Proznick. She has also opened for jazz legends Bobby Hutcherson, Renee Rosnes, Oliver Jones, and Brazilian singer Luciana Souza, and her groups have recorded for CBC Radio programs Hot Air, Tonic, Jazz Beat, and Espace Musique’s series, Portraits Jazz.

Tosoff has earned critical kudos, the respect of her peers, and such prestigious awards as the CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award at the 2007 Vancouver International Jazz Festival and the General Motors Grand Prix de Jazz at the 2009 Montréal Jazz Festival. In 2010, her quartet was awarded a full scholarship to attend the Banff Centre Winter Workshop, and in 2011 Tosoff received a Canada Council grant to live and study in New York City. Most recently, she was awarded a graduating scholarship – given out to promising graduatesÂ – after completing her Master’s degree from the University of Toronto.

Over the course of four earlier albums, Tosoff has established herself as one of the most exciting new talents on the Canadian jazz scene. On her latest release Words she takes an adventurous leap beyond the confines of conventional jazz. She has taken poems and lyrics that possess a personal resonance for her and framed them in original new compositions that utilize vocals for the first time (sung by highly-regarded singer Felicity Williams of such bands as Hobson’s Choice, Broken Social Scene, and Bahamas). The result is an eclectic collection that incorporates elements of pop, art song, classical, folk and jazz.

Words will introduce Tosoff to a wider audience of music lovers, but she has long impressed jazz critics and aficionados with her earlier albums, all primarily featuring original compositions. Her first two records, 2006’s Still Life and 2008’s Wait and See, appeared on noted Vancouver label Cellar Live, while 2010’s Looking North was released on Amanda’s own imprint, Oceans Beyond Records. In 2013, she put out her first live recording, Live at the Cellar, also on Oceans Beyond.

Tosoff currently maintains a busy performing and teaching schedule in Toronto. Keep and eye out for her next release Earth Voices, featuring a cast of fantastic Canadian vocalists… stay tuned!

Awards

2017: Juno Award Nominee for Vocal Jazz Album – Words 2016: Toronto Arts Foundation – Emerging Jazz Artist Award 2016: Album Words included on the “Longer list” – Polaris Music Prize one of two jazz albums put forward for consideration for the “Long List” 2016: Semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition for composition “Daffodils” from Words CD 2016: Toronto Jazz Festival TD Special Projects Initiative – Words Project 2009: GM Grand Prix de Jazz – Montréal Jazz Festival 2007 CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award – Vancouver Jazz Festival

Scott/Grant 5: Horizon Song

Read "Horizon Song" reviewed by Pierre Giroux

by Pierre Giroux
July 8, 2024

This release from guitarist Andrew Scott and trombonist Kelsey Grant, Horizon Song, is a tutorial in jazz which feels both refreshingly innovative and an ageless classic. This collection of original compositions from Scott or Grant can be categorized by their unwavering coolness and a distinct absence of musical anxiety. The other artists in this session are pianist Amanda Tosoff along with the indispensable rhythmic duo of bassist Neil Swainson and drummer Terry Clarke. The opener is the title track, “Horizon ...

Album Review

Amanda Tosoff: Earth Voices

Read "Earth Voices" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
February 10, 2021

Building off the lure of language planted in Amanda Tosoff's Juno-nominated Words (Empress Music Group, 2016), this sixth album from the Toronto-based composer and pianist waves poetic in wondrous fashion. Pairing different guest vocalists and collections of musicians with personalized takes on Parnassian beauty of varied sorts, Tosoff cements the bonds between earthly voices and heavenly sounds with a questioning spirit. The list of subjects and styles, both in words and music, varies widely on this playlist. ...

Album Review

Richard Whiteman: Very Well & Good

Read "Very Well & Good" reviewed by Edward Blanco

by Edward Blanco
February 9, 2021

One of the finest jazz musicians on the Canadian jazz scene, Toronto-based pianist / bassist Richard Whiteman lays down what he considers, perhaps, his best recording to date on the audacious Very Well & Good. A long established pianist for decades, Whiteman picked up the double bass in 2004 and has not put it down since. On this sparkling album the pianist performs on the double bass, leaving the keys to Amanda Tosoff, and presents nine of his best compositions ...

Radio & Podcasts

New Sounds from Zucker, Helias & Bloom, and Tosoff

by Bob Osborne
February 4, 2021

On this show several recent releases including Ben Zucker, Jane Ira Bloom & Mark Helias, Amanda Tosoff, Mikko Karjalainen, and Anna Hogberg, also some soulful sounds from Alicia Waller and closing with some classic Miles Davis. Playlist Ben Zucker “Moths Eating The Wallpaper Of Concorde" from Fifth Season (Amalgam Records) 00:00 Jane Ira Bloom and Mark Helias “Willing" from Some Kind of Tomorrow (Bandcamp) 12:45 Alicia Waller & The Excursion “Some Hidden Treasure" from Some Hidden Treasure (Innova) ...

Radio & Podcasts

New Releases From Pianists Karen Hammack, Lara Driscoll & Chris White, Amanda Tosoff Plus Some Jazz Country Crossover

by Mary Foster Conklin
February 1, 2021

This broadcast features a new single from Carmen Lundy, plus releases from pianists Karen Hammack, Lara Driscoll & Chris White, Amanda Tosoff plus vocalist Staci Griesbach adds some Jazz Country with her new tribute to Shania Twain. There are birthday shoutouts to Dolly Parton, Lori Williams, Gary Burton, Audrey Ochoa, Mariah Parker, Lizz Wright and George Evans. Thanks for listening and please support the artists you hear by purchasing their music during this time of lockdown. Playlist Gayelynn ...

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Album Review

Amanda Tosoff: Wait and See

Read "Wait and See" reviewed by Raul d'Gama Rose

by Raul d'Gama Rose
March 9, 2009

It did not take long for Amanda Tosoff to crack open the door of recognition. It took just two records, to be precise. Wait And See has an almost delightfully tongue-in-cheek ring to it, as Tosoff appears to be heralding an arrival and recognition as a composer, pianist and bandleader all in one--and she may as well take a bow. This is a well-rounded record, rich in challenging compositions, performed with sublime technique in an expressive and self-assured voice at ...

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Award / Grant

Amanda Tosoff Quartet Wins the 2009 General Motors Grand Jazz Award

Source: All About Jazz
July 13, 2009

The Galaxie Rising Star Award of the CBC goes to Vincent Gagnon Montreal -- The Festival International de Jazz de Montreal in collaboration with General Motors Canada--partner and presenter of the event for the 10th consecutive year--are today pleased to be awarding the General Motors Grand Jazz Award to Amanda Tosoff Quartet. The artist was deemed best of 10 other jazz artists and ensembles who took part in the pan-Canadian competition. The jury wanted to acknowledge the talent of all ...
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PRESS QUOTES

"Words is grand achievement just on its musical merits, but the key to this one is the poems turned to vocals, adding a new dimension to Tosoff's sound. The result is a musical reverie.”

– Words review by Mark Rheaume (CBC Radio)

"Words, Tosoff’s new album....Its very title warns jazz purists to expect they’re about to discover a whole lot more than jazz. That’s precisely what’s to be expected from emerging composers like Tosoff whose career, mostly lots of “straight ahead modern jazz” early on, has evolved. Words speaks vigorously about that evolution and about jazz’s evolution as well...The spirit of the young Joni Mitchell hovers protectively over the project, channelled by Williams’ crystalline singing of Tosoff’s high arching tunes"

Primary Instrument

Piano

Location

Toronto

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

In addition to being a pianist and composer, Amanda Tosoff is a passionate educator. She is on faculty at the prestigious music program at Humber College, and has been a featured artist and clinician at various universities and conferences, including the 2020 Canadian Jazz Summit at the University of Manitoba. Amanda is also co-artistic director of online education organization, Music Arts Collective, alongside bassist Jodi Proznick and arts-administrator Francesca Fung. Amanda currently offers private lessons and group workshops online on a variety of topics, including theory, improvisation, and composition. All ages and levels welcome! Online lessons available through zoom. For more about private lessons and education visit: www.amandatosoff.com For online courses and webinars: www.musicartscollective.com