Discover Women in Jazz

Aline Homzy is an award-winning violinist and composer. Originally from Montréal, born to a Québécois mom and an American dad with Eastern-European roots, Aline’s original music reflects her culturally-diverse background. Aline has played on multiple Juno-nominated albums and has been named a rising star jazz violinist in the 73rd Downbeat Magazine Critics Poll. Beyond composing music, Aline is a regular violinist in the studios of Toronto. Some artists that she has recorded for include Allison Au, David Occhipinti, Andrew Downing, Amanda Tosoff and many more. Aline has also performed and/or recorded with international artists such as Munir Hossn (Brazil), Jake Sherman, Leah Michelle (USA), Ed Sheeran (Great Britain), Danilo Perez (Panama), Cho Yongwon (South Korea), Mikko Hildèn (Sweden), amongst others. Currently, Aline is on faculty at Humber College and is the strings coordinator at the Halton Waldorf School. She also regularly plays for the popular Candlelight Concerts series. Aline is also working on new projects, one with songs in French and one relating to the under-world, which she developed during composition residencies as a fellow, at the Hambidge Center for the Arts, the Wurlitzer Foundation and Everwood Foundation, called Ghostgirl (the band you will be listening to for the broadcast!).

Performance: Monday, April 27 • 8PM EST

Colleen Allen is one of Canada’s most in-demand musicians for live concerts and recording sessions. Based in Toronto, the acclaimed and versatile multi-instrumentalist has performed all over Canada, the U.S. and Europe with world class jazz and pop artists including Molly Johnson, David Clayton-Thomas, Holly Cole, Emilie-Claire Barlow, Rik Emmett, Marc Jordan, Andrew Craig and Jackie Richardson, to name a few.

Ewen Farncombe is a JUNO-nominated pianist and composer based out of Toronto and has been a professional on the music scene for a decade. While attending Humber College where he earned his degree in Music Performance, Ewen is a alumnus of our Jazzology program, supported by the RBC Foundation. He was recently featured in JAZZ.FM91’s alumni conversations series Where Are They Now?

Shirantha Beddage is a baritone saxophonist, composer and educator. A two-time Juno-nominated musician, Shirantha currently serves as professor of theory and harmony in the Humber College Bachelor of Music program. He was previously director of jazz studies at the Columbus State University Schwob School of Music (Columbus, Ga.). He also adjudicates regularly at festivals throughout the country including MusicFest Canada, where he serves as vice-chairman of instrumental jazz. He holds a doctor of musical arts degree (D.M.A.) in jazz studies from the Eastman School of Music (New York), a master of music degree in jazz studies from William Paterson University (New Jersey), and a bachelor of music degree from Humber College.

For many Canadian music fans, the name Joanna Majoko is a familiar one: the Toronto-based vocalist, composer, and bandleader has established a reputation as one of Canada’s most exciting young singers. Majoko has been a regular presence on the bandstand with some of the country’s top musicians, including Larnell Lewis of Snarky Puppy, Jane Bunnett and Maqueque, and David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat and Tears. She has performed at some of the world’s biggest festivals and historical venues such as the Montreal Jazz Festival, France’s Jazz sur son 31 Festival, Switzerland’s Internationales Jazz festival Bern and The Birdland Jazz Club in New York City. Majoko has also been the recipient of a number of notable accolades, including Emerging Jazz Artist at the 2021 Toronto Arts Foundation awards, Jazz Artist of the Year at the 2019 ByBlacks People’s Choice Awards, major grants from the Toronto Arts Council, the Ontario Arts Council, the Canada Council and FACTOR, and has been a master class artist at multiple universities across Canada, such as McGill University, The University of Manitoba and the University of Toronto.

Pat and Tony Adams shared a deep love for each other, and for the arts. They were devoted fans of jazz music, theatre, improvisation and comedy, and had great respect and affection for those who dedicated their lives to pursuing these passions professionally. It’s not surprising then that all three of their children also went on to pursue careers in the arts.

The Pat and Tony Adams Freedom Fund for the Arts is a legacy fund that continues Pat and Tony’s tradition of encouraging such artists, giving them the opportunity to develop their skills and share their talents with audiences everywhere.

“I was absolutely delighted to be able to work with jazz.fm91 to create a unique opportunity to highlight the incredible talents of women in jazz, who we have yet to discover, and I am thrilled by this year’s recipients,” said Shari Hollett, administrator of the the Pat and Tony Adams Freedom Fund for the Arts.