Band Bio

Anthony Abbatangeli : Guitar

Anthony formed Double A Jazz in 2002. Anthony has been playing guitar in a variety of ensembles for the past 25 years ranging from Folk to Rock and Blues to Jazz. He has been performing in bars, lounges, restaurants, as well as weddings and boat cruises around Toronto. Anthony received a Music Degree from York University and is a certified teacher with the Toronto District School Board. Anthony's guitar playing emits influences such as Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, Pat Metheny, and Jim Hall. Anthony uses an Epiphone guitar, Emperor II Joe Pass model.

Mauro Bellotto : Double Bass

A great ear, swinging double bass, and knack for writing catchy jazz tunes makes Mauro Bellotto a good choice for any jazz ensemble. His experience with many jazz and pop ensembles has allowed him to transform and mature his music abilities. He has toured across Canada and appeared on National television. Mauro studied under Dave Young, Lenny Boyd, Lorne Lofsky, and Barry Elmes to mention a few. He has garnered a diploma in music from Humber College, Honours B.F.A. in music from York University, and B.Ed. in vocal music from the University of Windsor. Mauro teaches music with the Toronto Board of Education. Mauro has formed the Bellotto jazz quintet to showcase his jazz compositions, plays in a variety of jazz ensembles, and is a member of the Swing Machine Big Band for over 10 years.

Richard Belleau : Vocals, Percussion

A wonderful voice, a large repertoire, and an easygoing attitude make Richard stand out in a crowd. Richard studied Jazz vocals at Capilano College in Vancouver, and also obtained a degree in Music Therapy. He has extensive experience as a touring musician and vocal coach and is now a full time professional musician in Toronto. Richard enjoys entertaining in many geriatric facilities and hospitals in and around Toronto. He teaches preschool music in various Toronto daycares and elementary schools, and writes songs for children.

Linda Fox : Vocals

Linda has had classical training from the Royal Conservatory of Music for both piano and vocal music. Her experiences as a performer have reached many realms from being a lead female singer in a wedding band, soloing for church weddings and recording studio projects for CBC Sesame Park, Radio Shack, Mr. Greek and the Toronto Catholic District School Board to name a few. Linda's diverse love of music has led her to shine and develop her own style in the genre of jazz which has become her new musical passion.

Allison Walker : Vocals

Allison Walker's fresh renditions of jazz standards are expressive & charismatic, combining a clear, flexible soprano voice and musical sensibility. Classically trained in Canada & the UK. With a Daily Telegraph Young Jazz Award to her credit, she embraced a variety of musical genres before turning her talents to jazz a decade ago, where she has since honed her craft fronting ensembles in live venues, recording, and doing commercial work. Allison has been a integral part of Double A Jazz since 2002.

Ken Foster : Saxophone

Ken is currently a freelance saxophone player in the Toronto area and performs in a variety of ensembles including “The Big Smoke Big Band”, the “June Garber Quintet”, and the “Bell’Arte Singers”. Recently, he performed in the musicals “Grease” at The Oakville Centre, and “Chicago” at The Imperial Theatre in Sarnia. In London, Ken has been a frequent guest artist at the “Jazz For The People” concert series and performs with the vocal jazz group “After Four And More”, winners of the 2005 Jack Richardson Music Award. Ken earned an Honours Bachelor of Music from the University of Western Ontario and has been a secondary school Head of Music and Consultant with the Peel District School Board. He has also served on the Faculty of the National Music Camp of Canada and is a facilitator and administrator for the Music Course at the Ontario Educational Leadership Centre.

Frank Sant : Double Bass

Frank has playing music professionally for over 25 years. His musicality has sprung out of a very musical family. Frank's father, grandfather and uncle were all accomplished musicians. After beginning with the accordian and the guitar, Frank found his true calling on the bass. His professional career began with several stints with Wedding bands. Frank played 1950's Rock and Roll and followed with bands that specialized in music from the 60's, 70's and 80's. Besides playing with several Jazz artists around city, Frank has also played with Big Bands and a local Classical Orchestra. He has studied with many accomplished musicians and continues to expand his repertoire. He has been a member of Double A Jazz since 2003.

Victor Monsivais : Vocals, Guitar

Victor is trained as an Architect, he has over twenty-five years experience in the fields of Architecture and Urban Design. However, Music is his mistress. His practice as a musician goes back for almost forty years when he started playing the guitar and the harmonica and performing in several venues at the age of fourteen. At a very early age he developed a passion for Jazz and Bossa Nova by listening to the vinyl albums brought home by his parents and his uncle. He would also escort his aunt Elba Monsi, a professional singer, when she was on the road. On his own, Victor has undertaken the learning of various instruments: guitar, piano harmonica and percussions. He has performed on television several times. He joined Double A Jazz in the fall of 2005.

Federico Monsivais : Drummer, Percussionist

Federico Monsivais was born and raised in Mexico City. At a young age he was influenced heavily by jazz and rock, especially The Beatles, Louis Armstrong, Theolonious Monk and Jo Jones. Federico is a self–taught drummer. He joined his first band in his early twenties. Federico joined Double A Jazz at the beginning of 2006 and has played with them ever since. His Latin fused Jazz style is an integral part of the Double A Jazz Bossa Nova Quartet.

Shaun Thomas : Saxophone

When Shaun is not playing Double A Jazz he is touring the world playing to audiences throughout North America and Asia. Shaun is a very energetic and entertaining saxophonist. He combines his many influences and experinces to create a unique style. Shaun is a graduate of Earl Haig/Claude Watson School of the Arts where he was selected as the top student Jazz Musician in Canada. He later studied at Humber College under Canadian Jazz greats Pat Labarbera and Don Thompson. Shaun has been a part of Double a Jazz since 2005.

Abbey Sholzberg : Bassist

Abbey studied music at Montreal's McGill University. He has been a session player and freelance player for over 30 years. He has played on a Canadian Collector's Congress Award winning CD and was nominated for a National Jazz Award. Abbey uses the K & K Bass Max pick up.

Jorge Gavidia : Guitar

Jorge has been playing music professionally in the Toronto area since 1999. He has worked in many different bands and in different genres including,
Jazz, Blues, Rock, and Latin music. Jorge studied Jazz guitar and harmony at the Royal Conservatory of music in Toronto and maintains an active lifestyle teaching and performing in the Toronto area. His travels have also led to performances in the United States and Europe. Along with being a performer, Jorge is also a composer/arranger in the Jazz tradition. He has also written orchestral and chamber music that reflects the influence of classical music on his compositional style.

Bret Higgins : Double Bass

A much in demand bassist in Toronto, Bret Higgins is a full time member of jazz-folk fusion group 'The Outlanders', Canada's leading klezmer ensemble, 'Beyond The Pale' and the 'Mirobolus String Trio'. Additionally, he has performed and/or recorded with many luminaries of the jazz and folk music communities.

The recipient of numerous scholarships and arts grants, Bret performs extensively in Toronto, has toured throughout Canada, the United States and Europe, and performed at the prestigious 2005 Canadian Govenor General Awards at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.

Ed Vokurka : Violin

Discover the swinging sounds of The Ed Vokurka Jazz Violin Ensemble. Winner of the prestigious "National Jazz Award" in 2006 and the recipient of Canada's VIOLINIST OF THE YEAR", Ed Vokurka recreates the tradition of the tradition of the Hot Club in 1930's Paris with violin swing and an eclectic approach to jazz. Truly engaging and exciting performer who puts his all into every note

Mike Meusel : Bass

Michael J. Meusel is a Stratford Ontario native and was exposed to music at a very young age. Learning violin, clarinet and alto saxophone, Michael's professional career began when he was cast the 1996 production of Meredith Wilson's “The Music Man” at the Stratford Festival. In his teen years, Michael finally decided to learn the bass guitar. He attended Humber College in 2003 and Studied with Pat Collins, Mike Downes and Neil Swainson. Being immersed in the Jazz idiom, he decided playing only bass guitar was not enough and purchased his first upright bass.

Since graduating from Humber College, Michael has travelled around the world playing bass, playing in Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii. Today, Michael is a freelance musician in Toronto and can be seen performing with such groups as Parkside Drive (Top 40), The Marksmen (Jazz/Fusion), La-nai Gabriel and the Free People (Reggae/Hip Hop), and Pure Finesse (Funk-Art Rock).

Keith Hartshorn Walton : Keyboards/Bass

Keith Hartshorn-Walton, B. Mus, M Mus, Tuba, Acoustic/Electric Bass and Piano.

Recently, Keith performed throughout North America with Calgary's Foothills Brass Quintet. He has performed with groups such as the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Calgary Philharmonic and the Ontario Philharmonic Orchestra. He has adjudicated for many festivals including the Toronto Music Festival, the Barrie Music Festival and the Ontario Provincial Festival. He is completing his Doctorate of Music at McGill University. Keith also enjoys creating musical arrangements for all music genres. Currently, Keith can be heard performing on either bass, piano or tuba with Melanie E.

Double A Jazz Musicians

Guitar : Anthony Abbatangeli (Double A), Jorge Gavidia, Frank Ianuzzi, George Grosman, Victor Monsivais

Bass : Mauro Bellotto, Frank Sant, Bret Higgins, Abbey Sholzberg, Mike Meusel, Jon Meyer

Sax : Ken Foster, Kurt Lund, Brendan Cassidy, Charlie Finlay, Shaun Thomas, Siddarth Sankaran

Sax/Flute : Kurt Lund, Brendan Cassidy

Drums : Federico Monsivais, Ilios Steryannis, Nelson Poirer, Maurizio Valente, Darrin Cranney

Vocals : Linda Fox, Allison Walker, Richard Belleau, Stefano, Linda Carone, Victor Monsivais, Lynda Covello, Sarah Begin, Carlo Berardinucci

Piano : Carol Olson, Maxine Willan, Robert Horvath, Bob Parkins, Hayoun Lee, Richard Whiteman, Rita di Ghent, Patricia Duffy

Violin : Ed Vokurka, Aleksandar Gajic