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Sophia Smith

The Sophia Smith Quartet combines a mixture of traditional jazz elements with original modern jazz compositions. Sophia’s compositions create a unique blend of memorable melodies, lush harmony and improvisation, inspired by the compositions of Kenny Garrett, Chris Potter and Pat Metheny. The bright, yet warm sound of Sophia’s alto saxophone lends to the feel-good vibe of her compositions, which leave audiences uplifted. Listeners often describe the quartet’s music as unique since it appeals to many different musical tastes - it is rooted in the jazz tradition and has a deep exploration of structured and free improvisation, but at the same time, it has a fresh twist that is accessible to music lovers of all kinds due to the intriguing, sing-able melodies and pleasing sonorities. Meeting in Toronto, the quartet was formed in 2017 and features a diverse group of musicians all active in the Toronto music scene, including Iranian-Canadian piano player Amir Mehrabi, Indian drummer Agneya Chikte and Guelph-raised upright bass player Sam Fitzpatrick. After performing around Toronto, the quartet recorded their debut album, Elevation, which features eight original modern jazz tracks and was officially released on all platforms on March 14th, 2020.

Sophia Smith: Elevation

Read "Elevation" reviewed by Thomas Fletcher

by Thomas Fletcher
June 21, 2020

Initially from St. Thomas but now based in Toronto, Canada, saxophonist, composer and educator Sophia Smith has formed her own modern jazz ensemble, The Sophia Smith Quartet, showcasing her original compositions. Her work has been compared to that of saxophonists Kenny Garrett and Chris Potter, and guitarist Pat Metheny. This album reflects her recent experience within the Toronto music scene. In addition to her own quartet, Smith is a member of the Dennis Kwok Jazz Orchestra and the Backtrack Band. ...

Album Review

Dennis Kwok Jazz Orchestra: Windward Bound

Read "Windward Bound" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
May 4, 2020

Windward Bound, the debut recording by the Toronto-based Dennis Kwok Jazz Orchestra, consists of a six-part suite “for jazz orchestra and multiple woodwind soloist." It is perhaps more than coincidental that Kwok, who wrote and arranged the sequence of tone poems based in part on his teen-age memories of sailing on Lake Ontario, also plays alto, tenor, soprano and baritone saxophones, oboe, clarinet, flute, alto flute, piccolo and bass clarinet. In other words, multiple woodwinds. Versatile as ...

"...a unique blend of modern jazz, with a foot in the tradition and the other going forward, and beautiful little melodies, that, together with her clear sound on the alto makes the music positive and uplifting. The groups improvisations, as an ensemble or individual, are faultless and are enhancing each composition. A very promising debut album from a band to watch out for!!!!" - Wulf Muller, All-In-Music Service