James Addis Trio: James Addis - piano, Peter Eratostene - bass, Chris Arsenault - drums
The James Addis Trio excites audiences with its new brand of jazz. Swinging, appealing, sophisticated, and inventive, they draw from many stylistic influences - bop, blues, post-bop, funk, and more. With a vast and diverse repertoire at their fingertips, the trio has wide-ranging audience appeal, and is regularly asked back! They have great chemistry - they are an exciting and dynamic young band who bring something extra special to the stage.
James Addis - Piano
James Addis is a dynamic, young, up-and-coming jazz pianist who regularly appears in various trios, combos, and larger ensembles. An audience favourite, he has played at Koerner Hall, Chalkers Pub, The Dominion on Queen, and many private events and fundraisers; he is also regularly featured as a solo pianist across Southern Ontario and Toronto. James is honoured to have performed with Aura Rully, Barry Elmes, Jack McFadden, Tyler Yarema, Mike Grace, and Charlie Cooley. A third year student at York University, James has studied with greats like Michael Occhipinti, Frank Falco, Mark Eisenman, and Jeff Hamilton, and has participated in masterclasses by Gerald Clayton, Larry Willis, George Cables, Taylor Eigsti, and others. He is thrilled to be have been chosen to play with both Chris Potter and Dennis Mackrel, has been heard on JazzFM's Jazzology twice, earned an Entrance Talent Scholarship, and won the Olive Lower Prize for Excellence in Jazz Piano in both 2016 and 2017.
Peter Eratostene - Bass
York University graduate Peter Eratostene is an active bassist in the Toronto music scene, playing a wide variety of styles including jazz, classical, and pop. Peter is a member of the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra, with whom he has played the Air Canada Centre (with Shawn Mendes), Roy Thompson Hall, Koerner Hall, and the Toronto Centre for the Arts. As a former member of the Toronto All Star Big Band, he toured Ontario, Florida, and Iowa, and performed with Jackie Richardson and Drew Jurecka. The Charleston Relay, a rhythm section that Peter co-leads, plays and records for various artists, including John River, and the Kollaboration Toronto-winning Plaitwrights. Peter is an accomplished composer, played on the soundtrack of Al Purdy was Here (TIFF 2015), is an in-demand sideman, and is currently completing an album with his 7 piece band. Peter has studied with Jim Vivian, Ed Tait, Al Henderson, and Barry Elmes, received the JazzFM Scholarship in Jazz two times, and was featured on JazzFM91’s Jazzology program in 2015.
Chris Arsenault - Drums
Born in Orillia, dynamic Toronto-based drummer Chris Arsenault is a York University music graduate. Having studied with many of Canada’s best musicians, including private studies with Barry Romberg and Anthony Michelli, Chris has the tools to perform in a vast range of genres and settings. Chris leads The Little Sound Trio, and performs with Darker Still, The York Quartet, Cole Mendez Trio, the Beth McKean Band as a sideman. He also held the drum chair in YorkU Jazz Orchestra for two years. In November 2015, Chris was honoured to be one of five York students to be selected to be featured on JazzFM’s Jazzology. Chris has recently come back from a long-term gig as a musician on an Alaskan cruise ship.
