The Andrew Scott Group

Jake Wilkinson (Trumpet):

Born in 1971 to a musical family, Jake Wilkinson began playing the trombone at the age of nine. Although he has studied a variety of musical instruments for the past ten years he has focused on the trumpet, making his name in North America as a distinctive soloist and bandleader. Music critics and audiences alike have been impressed by his technical brilliance and strong personal style in performances at major jazz venues and festivals around the world. Jake has been recorded on over eight CDs and on radio and television shows for CBC, CJRT and Bravo! Jake studied in New York City on a scholarship at the New School of Music and with support from the Canada Council. He has worked with jazz greats like Rob McConnell, John Hicks, Don Thompson and Bob Mover. Jake currently lives and works in Toronto, Canada.

Andrew Scott (Guitar):

Toronto native and Sackville recording artist Andrew Scott has become the standard bearer for the next generation of great Canadian jazz musicians. His many accomplishments include graduating from York University with a PhD in Musicology/Ethnomusicology, but there is nothing academic about the way Andrew plays the guitar. His “clean, boppish style” (Geoff Chapman, Toronto Star) has found him compared to everyone from Barney Kessel to Wes Montgomery. His fans include listeners the world over, including legendary musicians Sonny Greenwich, Gene DiNovi and George Benson.

“Canadian scholar, journalist and historian Andrew Scott also plays a swinging mean guitar, dedicating this one to Barney Kessel. Every selection on this set is successful and enjoyable, showing that when straight-ahead jazz is played with enthusiasm, high musicianship and subtle creativity, bebop definitely lives.”

- Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

Pat Collins (Bass):

Pat Collins was raised in Qualicum Beach, B.C. Since moving to Toronto in 1988, Pat has performed with such great musicians as Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Henderson, Herb Ellis, Lee Konitz, Jimmy Cobb, Ed Bickert, Rob McConnell, Moe Koffman, Oliver Jones, Peter Appleyard, Diana Krall, Don Thompson, and many others. He has appeared as a sideman on approximately fifty recordings.

Collins’s own CD (“In The Moment”) features some of Canada’s premier jazz musicians—Mike Murley, Reg Schwager and Barry Elmes. The record received rave reviews, including “In The Moment is a CD that’s very easy to like,” (Richard Bourcier, JazzReview.com), and “This is a classy contribution to the jazz canon,” (Geoff Chapman, Toronto Star). The Pat Collins Quartet was nominated for a 2005 National Jazz Award as “Acoustic Group of the Year,” “Album of the Year” in 2006, and Pat was nominated as “Acoustic Bassist of the Year” in 2005 and 2006.

Joel Haynes (Drums):

Joel Haynes is an emerging, dynamic drummer on the Canadian jazz scene. Since the age of 7, he has been playing and studying the drums with absolute dedication and determination. Joel has grown from his early community musical experiences in his hometowns of Hamilton and Burlington, Ontario, and has progressed to playing with some of the finest jazz artists in Canada. Highlights include being nominated for a “National Jazz Award” in 2003, and being invited to perform with Oscar Peterson and Dave Young for the Toronto Tsunami Relief Benefit in January, 2005.

Many influences have formed Joel’s musical styling. His jazz studies at Humber College, McGill University, and the University of Toronto have given him a broad base of skills and knowledge which have shaped him into a highly technical, defined, inventive and diverse musician. Instructors in Montreal and Toronto include: Andre White, Dave Laing, Chris McCann, Bob McClaren, Don Vickory, and Barry Elmes.

During and following his educational experiences, Joel has performed at many major jazz festivals in North America, South America, The Caribbean, and Europe. While in Ontario, he has played with many outstanding jazz artists, such as: Ray Anderson, Rob McConnell, Sam Noto, Dave Young, P.J. Perry, Cornelius Dupré, Don Thompson, Neil Swainson, Jim Vivian, Bernie Senensky, David Braid, Steve Koven, Andrew Scott, Billy Robinson, and Verve recording artist, Denzal Sinclaire. While Joel is admired for his skills within the jazz idiom, his diversity and excellent reading skills has enabled him to perform for popular musical theatrical shows such as: Cats, Urinetown, The Rat Pack, and West Side Story. Additional tours include an upcoming project with Darren Sigesmund’s Quintet with David Braid, touring Hong Kong, Tokyo, Shanghi, and various cities in Korea.