Saturday January 20 - The Brenan Brothers play the music of the Jazz Crusaders
Saskatoon native sons, saxophonist Jim and trombonist Craig Brenan are the Brenan Brothers. The Jazz Crusaders were founded by trombonist Wayne Henderson, guitarist Joe Sample, and saxophonist Wilton Felder. Together they co-led one of the finest and most popular soul-jazz combos of the sixties. Including a stellar lineup of some of Canada’s best, this spectacular event kicks off jazz at the Bassment in 2007!

Thursday January 25 - Karin Plato Quartet
Juno nominated songstress Karin Plato grew up on the prairies in Alsask, SK. An alumni of the University of Saskatchewan, she moved to Vancouver in 1985, and has performed at the Banff Centre with jazz legends Sheila Jordan and Jay Clayton. Her current quartet includes Bill Coon (guitar) Paul Rushke (bass) and Dave Robbins (drums).
www.karinplato.com

Saturday January 27 - Ken Aldcroft Convergence Ensemble
(opening set by Don Griffith, piano)
Touring with support from the Canada Council, The Convergence ensemble integrates composed material with spontaneous arranging by each of the members. Performing material from their recently released debut cd “The Great Divide”, the music is described as “an organic live process creating music that includes the listening audience as active participants”. Also featuring Evan Shaw (sax) Scott Thomson (bone) Wes Neale (bass) and Joe Sorbara (drums)
http://mypage.direct.ca/a/aldcroft/

Saturday February 3 - Ross Ulmer/Dick Raum present a tribute to trombonists J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding.
Considered by many to be one of the finest jazz trombonists of all time, JJ Johnson transferred the innovations of Charlie Parker to the somewhat less nimble trombone. In 1954 he formed a quintet with fellow trombonist Kai Winding, and the group known as Jay and Kai enjoyed popular success. Originally from Saskatoon, Lloydminster trombonist Ross Ulmer is well-known across the province, and is joined by Regina trombone master Dick Raum.

Saturday February 10 - Chris Andrew Trio featuring Sandro Dominelli and Rubim de Toledo
Chris Andrew is fast becoming one of western Canada’s most celebrated jazz pianists. With recent cd release credits that include vocalist Johanna Sillanpaa, saxophonist Jim Brenan, and Bomba!, Chris demonstrates a level of diversity and virtuosity that defies classification. His trio performance at the Bassment includes Juno-nominated drummer Sandro Dominelli and CBC Rising Star winner Rubim de Toledo.
www.chrisandrew.ca

Friday February 16 - Dean McNeill special project band
Local composer/arranger/educator Dean McNeill has developed a reputation for presenting outstanding musical projects since moving to Saskatoon over seven years ago. Dean has organised a week long recording session of his big band music (Feb 10-14)...he has invited guests from across the country...the big band is doing a concert on the Thursday night
at the Quance Theatre. Friday's presentation features musicians from across Canada who are in town contributing to Deans most recent big band project. Performers include Canadian heavyweights, Mike Downes (Bass), Ted Warren (Drums), Tom Van Seters (Piano) and Brian O Kane (Trumpet).

Saturday February 17 - Double header - SJS Big Band and Bobby Klassen group
The SJS big band returns with another set of music from the glory days of the big band era. Saxophonist Bobby Klassen has contributed to the local music scene for decades, and his group the Don Watson Octet, featuring well known musicians: Neil Curry, Grant Curry, Doug Gilmour, Barrie Redford, Sheldon Corbett, Don Griffith, Darce McMillanis sure to please fans of standards and familiar melodies. Be sure to check out Bobby in the book “Saskatchewan - The Jazz Province”.

Saturday February 24 - Neil Currie cd release event
Local pianist Neil Currie has performed around the world, and his compositions have garnered accolades and awards from across Canada. Most recently he has been active in the studio, and tonight’s event will feature a mix of standards and original material from his recording projects. Also featuring local drummer Roy Sydiaha and bassist Warren Hay.

Saturday March 3 - Guitarist Mike Rud
Currently from Ottawa, Mike has studied or performed with such greats as Jim Hall, Herb Ellis, Kenny Wheeler and many others. The Vancouver courier writes... “Rud is nothing less than a revelation...his fleet guitar lines demonstrate his world class talents”. Active as an educator, Rud has taught at McGill, Western Washington University, and the Prairielands jazz camp. Joining Mike will be local drummer John Neelin, trumpeter Dean McNeil and saxophonist Mark DeJong.
www.mikerud.com

Saturday March 10 - Jeff McLeod Trio
Regina pianist Jeff McLeod is making a name for himself as an agile and versatile pianist. His activities as a free-lance musician keep him busy performing with many of the top musicians in the province. Tonight’s show marks his first performance at the Bassment as the leader of his own trio.

Saturday March 17 - The Bachelors of Music
Led by U of S grads Paul Suchan and Graham Pritchard, this ensemble of talented musicians returns to the Bassment with new material and a new sound. Also featuring Brett Balon and Dave Anderson, these musicians demonstrate that the future of jazz is alive and well.

Friday March 23 - The U of S Jazz Ensembles
The U of S Jazz ensembles, under the direction of Dean McNeil have produced three cd recordings, and have performed with Canadian legends Brad Turner, Campbell Ryga and others. This presentation is the culmination of an entire semester of rehearsals, touring, and recording by many of Saskatchewan’s brightest future musical stars.

Saturday March 24 - Don Griffith's Chunk of Funk
Local pianist and bandleader Don Griffith gathers together many of Saskatoon’s veteran musicians in Chunk of Funk. Joining Griffith is local sax favorite Sheldon Corbett, in a night of danceable and familiar tunes.

Friday March 30/Saturday March 31 - The Juno Awards
Canada’s music award extravaganza comes to Saskatoon. Performers TBA!

Friday April 6 - Mauric Druin and friends
A special presentation that will include many of Saskatoon’s elder musical statesmen, this evening promises to feature familiar tunes in a variety of settings.

Saturday April 7 - Field Trip
An innovative jazz trio from Montreal, Field Trip makes a stop at the Bassment while on tour across Canada. Recent graduates from the prestigious McGill university jazz program, Field Trip has just completed a residency at the Banff Centre for the Arts.
Featuring Colin Power (alto sax) Mark Nelson (drums) and Pat Reid (bass)
www.myspace.com/fieldtriptrio

Saturday April 14 - Jim Brenan Quartet
Jim Brenan brings his innovative quartet to the Bassment following the release of his most recent cd The Spectre. A former member of Maynard Fergusons Big Bop Nouveau, Brenan has performed across the United States, Europe and throughout Canada. Currently Jim resides in Calgary, where he is the director of Jazz studies at Mount Royal College.
www.myspace.com/jimbrenan

Saturday April 21 - Jazz and Spoken Word featuring Shelly Loeffler and guests
April is National Poetry Month, and former artistic director for the Bassment Shelly Loeffler brings together a variety of musicians, poets, writers and artists for an evening of jazz, beat poetry and spoken word. Including bassist Skip Kutz, trumpeter Paul Newton and others.